Jul 10
28
Gregory Whitney 95 Backpacking Backpack
By Karenna Awtry
Head out for the week or head out for a month, but if you’re heading out with a heavy load you’ll want to make sure you’re carrying a backpack as hearty as the Gregory Whitney 95 Backpack.
This full-featured and newly updated offering from Gregory — world-renowned for handcrafted, hiker-centric backpack designs — has all the bells and whistles you desire in a serious expedition pack. From an auto-camming waist belt that conforms to your every move to storage space so ample and well-organized you’ll wish Gregory did closets, the Whitney 95 backpack is sure to please. Load it to the brim and head out with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your gear is easy to access, safely stowed and packed so smartly your back and shoulders won’t be begging for a quick route back to the car.
Getting to your gear is simple with top, front, side or bottom access points. A hydration sleeve (reservoir not included) with dual exit ports lets you get your water when you need it, no matter which side your prefer to sip from. Smaller,
Gregory Whitney 95 Pack
need-it-fast gear will find a home among a variety of convenient pockets, including one out front, dual side pouches, a convertible top pocket that becomes a take-away fanny pack, a hidden water bottle holder plus stash pocket, and (as if that weren’t enough) dual waist belt pockets. You’ll want for nothing when it comes to organization. Your only challenge will be deciding which flavor energy bar you’ll stash in which pocket.
The Whitney 95 is constructed with highly durable materials. The zippers are water-resistant, the bottom panel waterproof and reinforced to fend off serious wear and tear. If you should experience a design flaw with your Gregory pack, the company will replace it free of charge (although throwing your pack off a ravine or using it as an impromptu —and poorly hidden — bear canister don’t qualify as manufacturing defects). The Whitney 95 backpack is tough and reliable, but even the most wear-resistant gear deserves to be treated with respect.
Backpack testers say the Whitney 95’s load support lives up to its reputation. Pack it full with almost 65 lbs. and the suspension ensures that the weight rides across the hips, letting the shoulder straps work to hold the backpack firm against your back. Use it to haul the bulk on a family outing and you’ll look like a superhero. No worries — what doesn’t fit in the numerous pockets can be strapped to the outside on the plentiful attachment points. Go ahead and pack heavy; you’ll haul like a sherpa in Cadillac comfort and no one will be the wiser.
If long adventures are your preference, reviewers say smart packing of lightweight solo gear will give you the freedom to travel for three weeks without missing a thing — or throwing out your back. And as with all large-capacity backpacks, the Gregory Whitney 95 features hardworking compression straps to keep your load steady and secure, whether you’re dealing with bulky bulges or a rapidly depleting food supply over a weekend excursion.
The pocket bonanza may take some getting used to, say Whitney owners. Pockets are truly hidden within pockets, but once you find where they’re all stashed and take a moment to think about which items you’d like to reach where, the eccentric design makes perfect sense. Among other positive points users give the Whitney: “bulletproof construction” and a fit that seems to stay comfortable without need to readjust or shift the load.
Negative experiences are few, though one hiker who has owned the Whitney 95 for years discovered that every 100 miles or so the aluminum cross stays in the back tend to wander out of the sleeves and can be a bear to get back in. Annoying, but not a fatal flaw. Another noted con is that the pack might be water-resistant, but it is not waterproof. Invest in a rain cover — it’s a standard gear option anyway.
Ready to take a closer look? See more of the Gregory Whitney 95 Backpacking Backpack…