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Let’s get this clear right from the jump up — this review isn’t your standard fluff piece or a keyword-stuffed product roundup. Nope, we’ve taken the Gregory Paragon 60L S/M out into the wild and given it a proper and thorough testing. To compile this completely honest review, I carried through drizzle-heavy forests, sun cracked city streets, and over enough rocks to have formed some solid opinions.
We’ve actually been testing gear like this for years.. So when we say we’ve put a pack through its paces, we mean it. The Paragon, in particular, had the unenviable task of carrying all our food, gear, and odd bits for a full week in the North of England — and it lived to tell the tale (so did we).
Quick note before we dive in: Gregory offers a few versions of the Paragon, including different capacities (38L, 48L, 58L, 60L, and 68L), and the women’s equivalent is called the Maven. Our review is based on the 60L S/M, as this is the one they sent us to try. It’s also the most popular choice for thru-hikers, trekkers, and longer weekend warriors.
Gregory Paragon – Overview and Specs
- Capacity – 60L
- Weight – 3.9 lbs / 1.77 kg (S/M size)
- Price – $300
Over the last few years, I got the opportunity to try quite a few different Gregory Backpacks.
The Gregory Paragon 60L is a full-featured, mid-weight backpacking pack designed for multi-day hiking and camping adventures, or month long backpacking trips. It’s got all the bells and whistles you need — adjustable torso length, a floating lid, sleeping bag compartment, and a built-in rain cover too.
In terms of price, it’s not the cheapest on the market but is very reasonably priced for proper outdoor and travel gear.
But does it deliver? In short—mostly, yes. It’s incredibly comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and rugged enough to take a beating.
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Gregory Paragon Key Features and Performance Breakdown
In this section, we will look at the various aspects of the backpacks performance including packability, longevity and value for money.
Overall Storage Capacity
At 60 litres, you’re looking at enough space for 3–7 days of backpacking gear, depending on how minimal you pack.
For me, I’d say it comfortably hold a lightweight tent, sleeping pad, 3-season sleeping bag, cooking gear, food for 5 days, and a few extra layers.
It’s the kind of pack that suits backcountry travel where you want room to breathe but don’t want to lug a 70L behemoth.
If you wanted to travel with this, 60 litres is generally the packsize that people take backpacking for months on end across Southeast Asia or on a long trip to South America.
Main Compartment
The Paragon’s main compartment is a classic top-loader, which has a drawstring to tighten it. However, it’s also blessed with a side zip access that feels like a real absolute godsend when you need your rain jacket now and it’s somewhere near the bottom.
It’s tall and narrow—typical of this style—something which actually helps with weight distribution. There’s also an internal hydration sleeve that fits a 3L bladder comfortably.
Top Lid Compartment
The floating top lid has two zippered pockets—one larger stash pocket and a smaller one on the underside with a key clip. As ever, I find this ideal for snacks, headlamp, map, and other quick-access essentials.
The floating design means you can raise it to accommodate extra gear lashed between the lid and the pack (hello, bear canister).
Bottom Compartment
Finally, we have a separate zippered sleeping bag compartment with a removable divider. If you’re like me and prefer to keep your shelter and sleep system isolated from your food and clothes, it’s a bloody great feature. It fits a 3-season sleeping bag plus a compact pillow without needing to compress the life out of them.
When travelling, I often use this compartment to store a pair of trainers, maybe a good toiletry bag or on occasion my travel stereo (which is quite big).
Carry and Comfort
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As we already said, the material here is light and I can quite literally lift this (unpacked) pack up from the ground with my little finger.
Next, we have Gregory’s “FreeFloat” dynamic suspension system and this is where the pack really, truly deeply shines. The shoulder straps and hip belt are plush without being overbuilt, and the hip belt pockets are actually usable (not all brands get this right). Once properly adjusted, the weight distributes well, and the pack moves naturally with your body.
Aesthetic and Materials
The Paragon has a clean, almost minimalist look, especially in the darker colorways like the Forest Green one I got.
It doesn’t scream “tech pack” and it won’t make you feel like you’re cosplaying a mountaineer on casual weekend hikes either. It’s made from 210D high-tenacity nylon and 420D high-density nylon in high-wear areas, a material that is durable, but not at all heavy.
Durability and Weatherproofing
It’s hard to say how this pack will hold up to extended use but it looks and feels durable. Zippers run smoothly, seams are tight, and there’s no fraying on the straps or webbing.
The not-included rain cover fits well and does the job, but the fabric itself isn’t fully waterproof—so expect to use a liner or dry bags in wetter environments. Still, it handles light rain just fine on its own.
However, I have to say that it doesnt ‘feel’ quite as robust as my Osprey Aether which I have used and abused for 10 years now. If this one is still going strong in 10 years time I will be a bit surprised.
Price and Value
At $300, the Paragon sits in the upper-mid range. It’s not the cheapest option, but you’re paying for thoughtful design, comfort, and real build quality.
For serious hikers or anyone wanting one pack to cover a variety of trips, it’s solid value. If you buy cheaper you risk things breaking during use and will have to replace it within a few years.
We’d call it a sound investment rather than a budget steal. The only question is whether you want to spend a little bit more and go for an Osprey. We will discuss this further in this post.
Warranty
Gregory offers a Lifetime Warranty, which covers defects in materials and craftsmanship for the life of the product.
From what we’ve seen in the outdoor community, their customer service is responsive and fairly generous. This isn’t a “one and done” pack—it’s built for years of trails.
Note that Gregory’s great rival Osprey seriously watered down their once mighty All Mighty Guarantee.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on OspreyAlternatives To The Gregory Paragon
Osprey Aether 65
The Osprey Aether is a serious long-time rival. It offers a beefier suspension system, a slightly higher weight limit, and a few extra bells and whistles—like Osprey’s “Fit-on-the-Fly” hip belt.
However, it’s a bit more pricey, it’s heavier and feels a good bit more rigid. If you’re planning to carry serious weight (>40 lbs regularly), the Aether might win, but for most hikers, the Paragon feels lighter, simpler, and more breathable.
If you want a pack to take travelling however, then I’d go Aether or the Osprey Ariel if you need the female version.
Granite Gear Crown 3 60
The Crown 3 is an absolute ultralight darling. It weighs under 2.5 lbs and costs a bit less, but it sacrifices some comfort and features to get there.
There is no fancy frame system here, fewer pockets, and less padding. If you’re a minimalist or are already dialed in your kit, it’s a solid choice — but it’s a lot less forgiving for newer backpackers or heavier loads.
This is a good hiking backpack but less suited for backpacking and travel.
Final Thoughts
For me, the Gregory Paragon 60L S/M hits that sweet spot between comfort, durability, and good features. It’s not ultralight, but it isn’t trying to be and is still a very light pack that feels fine to carry even for longish distances.
It’s a versatile, well-built pack that feels like it was designed by people who actually go backpacking and this makes all the difference.
If you want a pack that can handle weekend escapes and longer treks without breaking your back or breaking the bank then the Paragon is absolutely worth considering.
Give it a look, try it on if you can, and see if it fits your style. It did for us, and we’re not easy to please!
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