Review of 2022 Gregory Baltoro 65
Posted: Oct 27 2025 5:59 pm
I recently posted that my 2019 model year Baltoro 65 failed at the hip belt suspension, and that Gregory graciously supplied me with the latest version of the same model under warranty.
After two backpacking/camping trips, five days total, with almost 30 lbs, here’s a quick review.
TL;DR - the current model is better. Only one small mechanical flaw so far. Still heavy by today’s standards.
PRO's:
- The hip belt pockets are larger. (This was a peeve of everyone with the previous model. They wouldn't even hold small smart phones. Sounds like a small thing (no pun intended). But makes a big Quality of Life improvement.)
- The adjustable torso size is better. (Can really dial in the fit, which I think makes the biggest difference in how a backpack feels/carries.)
- The back breathes better. (It has a pseudo-trampoline. Allows air flow.)
- The hip belt is advertised as being able to move with you (pivot?) like the old Response A3. It doesn't. But that's a good thing because the new hip belt actually holds the backpack up on your hip. (The old one allowed the pack to pivot down/sag under load.) And the old, mechanical pivoting suspension is what broke on my old pack.
- But the shoulder straps still pivot like they used to.
- More comfortable.
- Still has a water bottle holder and they replaced the mesh bottom half with solid fabric. (My old mesh tore on a branch.)
CON's:
- It's still heavy. 4.5 lbs without the brain. (But I'm willing to trade 2 lbs to prevent sore shoulders, prevent sweaty back, prevent barreling, etc.)
- I really don't need the giant, upside down U, Quick Access zipper/flap. (Tried it at camp. Everything spilled out.) They could save weight without it.
- It drenches my butt. (There must be a subtle change back there because even tho my back breathes better, my butt can drench with sweat.)
- The changed adjustable hip belt girth system uses very small pieces of Velcro to hold the extensions. Too small. So the extensions pull out during use. (I stuck a piece of VHB Velcro loop on each inside of each side keeper, which seems to have fixed the problem.)
- The old water bottle pocket lip circumference was adjustable. The new one is one size fits all, using elastic. (Makes it a little more difficult to slide a wide 1 liter water bottle back in one handed.)
After two backpacking/camping trips, five days total, with almost 30 lbs, here’s a quick review.
TL;DR - the current model is better. Only one small mechanical flaw so far. Still heavy by today’s standards.
PRO's:
- The hip belt pockets are larger. (This was a peeve of everyone with the previous model. They wouldn't even hold small smart phones. Sounds like a small thing (no pun intended). But makes a big Quality of Life improvement.)
- The adjustable torso size is better. (Can really dial in the fit, which I think makes the biggest difference in how a backpack feels/carries.)
- The back breathes better. (It has a pseudo-trampoline. Allows air flow.)
- The hip belt is advertised as being able to move with you (pivot?) like the old Response A3. It doesn't. But that's a good thing because the new hip belt actually holds the backpack up on your hip. (The old one allowed the pack to pivot down/sag under load.) And the old, mechanical pivoting suspension is what broke on my old pack.
- But the shoulder straps still pivot like they used to.
- More comfortable.
- Still has a water bottle holder and they replaced the mesh bottom half with solid fabric. (My old mesh tore on a branch.)
CON's:
- It's still heavy. 4.5 lbs without the brain. (But I'm willing to trade 2 lbs to prevent sore shoulders, prevent sweaty back, prevent barreling, etc.)
- I really don't need the giant, upside down U, Quick Access zipper/flap. (Tried it at camp. Everything spilled out.) They could save weight without it.
- It drenches my butt. (There must be a subtle change back there because even tho my back breathes better, my butt can drench with sweat.)
- The changed adjustable hip belt girth system uses very small pieces of Velcro to hold the extensions. Too small. So the extensions pull out during use. (I stuck a piece of VHB Velcro loop on each inside of each side keeper, which seems to have fixed the problem.)
- The old water bottle pocket lip circumference was adjustable. The new one is one size fits all, using elastic. (Makes it a little more difficult to slide a wide 1 liter water bottle back in one handed.)