ProView – Gregory Climbing Pack Kit Review

I have been a long-time user of Gregory packs. My current backpacking pack is a 2016 Gregory Deva 65L (which I still use today), and I still have my original Gregory Alpinisto pack that I bought in 2017. I used my previous Alpinisto for many alpine rock climbing, ice climbing, and mountaineering missions, and despite the heavy use, it is still in excellent condition.

Due to my positive experience with Gregory backpacks, I was excited to test out the latest iteration of the Gregory Alpinisto pack and see what improvements have been made. The pack far exceeded my expectations, and I am stoked to continue to use the pack for a multitude of adventures.

I also enjoyed putting to good use the other products of the kit. I have never been a big user of hydration bladders, but the Hydro 2L from Gregory has some great features that have me questioning my methods. Finally, the Alpaca Gear Box 25 was a fun product to test out, especially as someone who lives out of a truck camper and is always in search of new ways to store gear.  

This spring in Alaska was particularly cold and wet, so I wasn’t able to take the Gregory Alpinisto 30 on any rock climbing missions, but I did get to test the pack out for some spring ski mountaineering, hiking in the rain, and even some biking. I tested the durability, versatility, and weatherproofness of the pack with this spring Alaska weather. I opted to bring the Hydro 2L out with me on many of my missions rather than my standard Nalgene, and found it to be more convenient in several instances. I put the Alpaca Gear Box 25 to the test against some heavy rain and bouncing around our truck bed. Everything held up really well, and I’m excited to get this gear out in more alpine rock and scrambling scenarios as the season drys out.  

Fit/Comfort 

As a small woman who still needs to carry heavy gear, I struggle with pack size a lot, but the fit of the Gregory Alpinisto 30 is really fantastic. I am 5’2 and got the S/M, and with the adjustability of the pack, it is one of the most comfortable packs I own. The hip belt is adjustable as well and is able to cinch down small enough for my waist, while also providing support with the hip pads. You can completely customize where the chest strap sits on you as well, which is a great feature to fit everybody. I felt the pack was well-balanced and carried my skies and heavy gear well, distributing the weight between my shoulders and waist well.  

Features 

The Gregory Alpinisto 30 is full of features I didn’t even know I wanted. I like that the pack doesn’t have a brain and instead has a front pocket for small items and the top flap can be synched down. This makes it a simple and efficient pack and streamlined without a clunky brain to deal with while climbing/attaching skis. The ice tool/axe attachments are of great quality and easy to use even with gloves on.

The pack has many straps on the side and front, so you can attach anything you might need for an alpine adventure. The front straps were great for my crampons and the helmet attachment was able to go over them. The pack also has a sneaky side pocket that is stealthy and convenient to use. A side access zipper is also included so you can reach in for something without opening up your whole pack. For the size and simplicity of the pack I feel it is very feature rich.  

The Hydro 2L reservoir also has some surprising features I enjoyed. It has an EasyGrip handle that makes the reservoir a breeze. The cap actually did prove to be leak-proof and never spilled into my pack. The bite valve also never leaked on me, so I was able to keep it in the open position, which was convenient when biking or hiking. Finally, I liked the magnetic clip that easily kept the bite valve close to my face but not in my way. As far as reservoirs go, the Hydro 2L is of good quality and convenience. 

The Alpaca Gear Box 25 was an interesting product to test. It is a steezy box with latches that double as hinges so you can open the box from any side or take the whole lid off. This is a cool feature, but realistically, the box isn’t very large, so it’s not hard to access everything from one side. The box did prove to be durable, waterproof and dustproof. The box is kind of an awkward size though. You wouldn’t be able to bring it anywhere other than with you in the car, in which case I would prefer to have a large box, and if I am bringing it in my truck bed I would prefer not to have a see through top for people to see what I have with me. Overall, its a quality and well built item, I just don’t know if it is very versatile or useful. 

Function/Performance 

The Gregory Alpinisto 30 performed above expectations. The pack fit my gear for spring ski mountaineering mission, while also being comfortable to wear. The pack does seem better suited for single day missions, but you’ll be comfortable and have everything you need in that case. The pack held up well in the rain and kept all of my layers inside dry, which is a big win for Alaska mountaineering. 

Durability/Construction 

I didn’t get a lot of rock exposure on this pack, but I did grate it against some sharp Alaskan shale and saw no visible damage to the material. I scraped my crampons and ice tools against the fabric without any damage as well.  

What sets the product apart? 

For me what sets the Gregory Alpinisto pack apart is how comfortable, convenient, and feature rich it is. You don’t have to compromise on bringing everything you want for your mission, and you don’t have to pack it so specifically that you can’t access the things you need in the middle of the day. I love all the external attachment options, which helps keep sharp things out of the bag to prevent any rips or tears. It’s also convenient to have things ready to access. I thought the fabric stood out as being exceptionally durable and waterproof, yet lightweight. 

Who is the product for? 

The Alpinisto 30 is for someone looking for a versatile daypack. It is tailored toward alpine climbing missions, but also worked well for short ski mountaineering adventures, and can even be used just as a convenient day hiking pack, scrambling pack, or even biking. If you’re looking to get a pack with many uses and easy to access features, this pack will meet your needs. 

Final Word 

Of the three products I tested in this kit, the Gregory Alpinisto 30 definitely stood out to me as an exceptional pack. The pack is durable, weatherproof, lightweight, versatile, and feature rich. I will definitely be reaching for the Alpinisto for a majority of my alpine day missions. The accompanying Hydro 2L reservoir and Alpaca Gear Box 25 are well made products, but nothing I would go out of my way to purchase. 

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