Aug 10
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Gregory Palisade 80 Backpacking Backpack
Gregory Palisade 80 BackPack
By Karenna Awtry
The Gregory Palisade 80 has been a heavy-hauling staple on the backcountry trails for years. This classic pack is a true workhorse, carrying loads of up to 70 lbs. with comfort and stability on which backpacking aficionados have come to rely.
The combination of top-of-the-line materials, cavernous storage capacity and Gregory’s innovative suspension makes the Gregory Palisade 80 a reliable backpacking investment that will last through years of hiking. The Palisade 80 backpack caught the attention of Backpacker Magazine in 2009. Backpacker Mag testers reported that, even with 60 pounds of gear, the Palisade was comfortable the entire day.
Backpacker editors attribute such rave reviews to Gregory’s intuitive design features, including a strong internal frame; padded shoulder straps that resist rubbing; the handiness of a top lid that zips off and becomes a fanny pack; aplethora of zippered access points; and a hipbelt that’s well padded, reinforced, and able to adjust to five angles — even as you’re on the go.
It’s worth noting that the plastic reinforcement on the Palisade 80 hip belt has drawn much customer dissatisfaction in recent years. Backpack owners have complained time and again that the plastic inside the belt breaks under conditions that fall far beneath Gregory’s stress threshold for the Palisade.
Testers have given the hip belt problems careful study, some noting that yes, it is a weak component and others theorizing that improper load or even overzealous adjusting have contributed to the problems.
Many users returned their backpacks, either to have them repaired by Gregory or replaced altogether. Those who went the extra mile and asked Gregory customer service representatives about the seemingly widespread problem were informed that a design flaw in the manufacturing process of the plastic used to reinforce the hip belt had been identified.
We’re aware of the problem and it’s been fixed, Gregory assures its customers. A thorough review of the Palisade 80 backpack will doubtless lead you to complaints about the hip belt problem. Try to look beyond the initial concerns and give the Palisade 80 a personal try.
After all, Gregory Packs guarantees the original purchaser that its products will be free from defects in materials or workmanship for as long as you own them. Should you purchase a defective product, Gregory will replace it with a new one free of charge.
Hip belt concerns aside, the Palisade 80 has a lot to offer. In addition to the stability and comfort provided by the internal frame and adjustable angle on the waist, this hard-working Gregory backpack does have other features that are meant to keep you comfortable. A special ventilation channel between the padded back panels lets air move freely, damming and rerouting the river of sweat that can seem like a flash flood when you’re carrying heavy loads.
Access the spacious main compartment via top and front-loading options. You can get to your sleeping bag compartment separately, remove the top pocket for a convenient fanny pack and stash smaller gear and water bottles in a variety of well-thought-out cubbies.
There are trekking pole loops, multiple lash points, side and lower panel compression straps, and a hydration-compatible integrated sleeve and exit port. The only thing this backpack won’t do is haul itself, but based on users’ comments, you’ll hardly notice that this job belongs to you.
The Gregory Palisade 80 scores high on comfort, capacity, ease of load, good padding and adjustability. In addition to the hip belt issues, users dislike the heaviness of the pack (but they note that a backpack that can carry 70 lbs. of gear won’t be lightweight). The Palisade 80 is recommended for extended trips, wet weather and any time you need to carry an ample amount of gear.
Research the many great features of the Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack before deciding.
