Gregory Paragon 60 Backpack Review | Tested and Rated

The Men’s Gregory Paragon 60 Backpack is a multi-day backpack that strikes an excellent balance between light weight, improved fit, and technical features. Weighing 3.7 lbs, it has an adjustable length torso and an adjustable length hip belt (which is rare) so you can dial in a custom fit tailored to your personal dimensions and preferences. In addition to top access under the floating lid pocket, the Paragon provides a sleeping bag hatch to access contents at the base of the pack and a full length side zipper to access items in the middle, in addition to numerous other convenience features. If you need more volume, the Gregory Paragon 70 is also available.

• Gender: Men’s (Women’s model is named the Maven 58)
• Weight: 3 lbs 11.2 oz (Actual: 3 lbs 13.2 oz)
• Type: Internal frame backpack
• PFAS-Free: Yes
• Access: Top, Bottom, Side
• Adjustable torso length: Yes
• Adjustable hip belt length: Yes
• Pockets: 8
• Hydration ready: Yes
• Floating top lid: Yes
• Hip belt pockets: Yes
• Load lifters: Yes
• Rain cover: Not included
• Torso length: S/M (15-19″), M/L (18-22″)
• Hip belt length: S/M (25-48″), M/L (27-53″)
• Maximum recommended load: 40-50lbs
• Bear canister compatibility: BV500 fits horizontally in base of the pack
• Materials: Body: 100D high-density nylon/210D high-density nylon w/ C0 DWR; bottom: 300D 40% recycled nylon ripstop w/ C0 DWR; lining: 40% post consumer recycled 135D polyester w/ C0 DWR
• Pros: Comfortable bear canister carry, adjustable hip belt, side zipper
• Cons: Limited options to carry water bottles, rain cover not included

Newly updated, the Paragon 60 sports Gregory’s FreeFloat hip belt that flexes with you, independent of its rigid frame, so you do’t have to work as hard when scrambling or hiking up hill. This new model is PFAS free and incorporates substantially more recycled material than previously, reflecting Gregory’s commitment to full lifecycle management.

Backpack Pockets and Organization

The Paragon 60 is a top-loading backpack that also has side zipper access and a sleeping bag hatch, giving you three different ways to access your packed gear. There are two side mesh pockets, two zippered hip belt pockets, two pockets in the top lid, and a front stretch mesh pocket that can be used to store layers or damp gear.

The Paragon 60 also has a sleeping bag hatch so you can access gear at the bottom of the pack with an optional sleeping bag shelf in the interior, held in place with dowels, that you can remove if you want to pack the interior as one large main compartment. If I’m not carrying a bear canister, I often pack my tent at the base of my pack so I can set it up first in camp to get out of the rain.

While the Paragon’s side pockets are mesh and sized for 1L Nalgene bottles,I think it’s much easier to use the Paragon 60 with a water reservoir/hose for drinking on the go than water bottles. The right-hand side pocket has a side cut so you can easily reach in and pull out a bottle through the side of the pocket rather than the top. The pocket is deep enough that a bottle is not going to fall out of the side cut and there is a security loop where you can anchor it down with a ‘biner if you’re worried about losing it. The pocket on the left side of the pack does not have this side cut however and you really need to take the pack off to reach its contents.

The Paragon 60 has two large hip belt pockets. Both are hard-faced (not mesh) for better durability and weatherproofing, with large zipper pulls that make them easy to open and close. There’s also a large front stretch mesh pocket where you can store layers, snacks, or other items you want to carry on the exterior of the pack.

Backpack Frame and Suspension

The Paragon 60 has an adjustable torso length and an adjustable hip belt that you can make longer or shorter for a better fit. There are very few backpacks that provide this level of flexibility when it comes to fine-tuning your fit and it’s a real perk of this backpack. The shoulder straps are anchored to a velcro back panel that can be raised or lowered to match your torso length. Raising it increases the torso length while lowering it decreases it. Once adjusted, the velcro locks into place and won’t slip no matter how heavily you load up the pack.

The length of the hip belt can also be adjusted by extending two sliding tabs which extend forward from the buckle ends of the belt, much like Osprey’s fit-on-the-fly hip belt adjustment system. The tabs are also velcro-based, so you’d unstick them, pull them forward so they wrap over the front of your hip bones, and then refasten them. Unfortunately, you can’t reposition the placement of the hip belt pockets and bring them forward to so they can end up behind your midline depending on your waist-size. They’re large enough to still be reachable, but their fixed placement is one of the downsides of this hip belt adjustment method.

While the Paragon 60 does not have a trampoline frame with a huge air gap behind the shoulder straps, the steel perimeter frame does permit air to flow behind your back. The hip belt wings are also highly pre-curved so they grip your sides well and are less prone to slippage. They feel really secure when worn, even over a slippery nylon shell. The hip belt also has some flex in the hip belt wings, giving the pack a very dynamic feel that moves with you when you need to scramble. Gregory calls this their FreeFloat system, where the hip belt flexes and tracks your hips rather than moving with the frame. It’s subtle. But provides enhanced comfort since the you hips are not tied to the movements of the frame.

The Paragon 60 has a wire perimeter frame which gives it a springy feel. The frame also has a mid-back cross-brace to prevent load barreling which is a huge plus if you have to carry a rigid object like a bear canister on the inside of your backpack.

Backpack Compression and External Attachments

The Paragon 60 has two tiers of compression straps with straps that are angled to clear the tops of the side bottle pockets. The compression straps are angled, so the load is pulled up and towards your core providing better hip belt load transfer when used. It’s a small detail but makes the pack’s carry more efficient in a subtle way.

The Paragon also comes with a pair of sleeping pad straps which are handy to carry a bulky foam pad or a tent body. They are permanently attached to the pack and not removable.

Comparable Mid-Size Backpacks

Recommendation

The Gregory Paragon 60 is a multi-day backpack with an adjustable length torso and adjustable length hip belt which can be tailor-fit for people with different physiques. It’s loaded with features including three different means of access: from the top, through a side zipper, and from the bottom through a sleeping bag hatch. Featuring a lightweight, but dynamic wire perimeter frame, the Paragon carries loads up to 40-50 pounds in great comfort. But the thing that impresses me the most about this backpack is how much gear you can carry inside or strapped to the exterior. It feels a lot larger than a 60-liter backpack, which can be good if you need a load-hauler but aren’t willing to compromise on light weight, features or comfort.

Disclosure: Gregory donated a backpack for review.