Gregory Paragon Pack Review | GearJunkie Tested

As I ascended the trail in Northern Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, day hikers flowed past me heading back to the trailhead in the late afternoon sun. My group forged ahead into the backcountry for the night. On my back, the newly designed Gregory Paragon lightweight backpack held all of my gear comfortably as I climbed.

The Paragon is designed for backpackers seeking lightweight performance. Despite overloading the pack for this test trip (read: carrying too many heavy beers), it still floated on my back with ease as I hiked the trail, ascending its 1,000-plus-foot elevation gain. 

The new partnership with Garmin adds a shoulder strap pocket compatible with an inReach Mini or inReach Messenger SOS satellite. This is a unique feature I’ve not seen before in a pack, so I was excited to test it out when I embarked on this overnight backpacking trip in the Precambrian rocky terrain in north-central Colorado’s foothills.

In short: The Gregory Paragon 60 backpack ($300) was designed for thru-hikers who are also in search of comfort and safety. The Garmin partnership on-the-go pocket is compatible with the Garmin inReach and easily holds keys, snacks, and sunglasses. The FreeFloat hip belt flexes with you, and combined with an Air-Cushion Mesh back panel, it makes a comfortable, breathable pack. 

Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Backpacking Packs.

Gregory Paragon Backpack Review

In our guide to the Best Backpacking Packs, GearJunkie named the Paragon 60 GearJunkie’s best overall backpacking pack. It’s lightweight, has loads of useful pockets and features, and doesn’t break the bank (although it still isn’t a “cheap” pack at $300).

Our tester for that guide wrote, “This pack will carry heavier loads better, and if you like a few luxury items while camping, we think the Paragon/Maven will suit you well.”

That sounded ideal for me. So I got a testing sample and hit the trail to write a full product review.

Gregory Paragon Pack: On Trail

Often, the first thing sacrificed when going lightweight on the trail is comfort. But that’s the benefit of the Paragon. Compared to other packs on our guide to the Best Backpacking Packs, this one lands pretty squarely in the middle at 3.72 pounds. Comfort-wise, though, this pack is comparable in comfort to other heavier backpacks I’ve used.

The Paragon’s comfort is largely thanks to the FreeFloat dynamic hip belt and AirCushion back panel. I was able to comfortably carry a base weight of around 18 pounds, with another 3 pounds of water and food, throughout my backpacking venture through the Rocky Mountains. The Lifespan EVA Foam AirCushion Mesh is 90% air, and the FreeFloat Hybrid Suspension system kept the pack nice and comfy on my back.

Small things, such as the adjustable sternum strap and functional load lifter straps, provided simple adjustments on the fly. Those features really made a difference on my long-distance hike. The pack’s organization pocket layouts are simple and allow you to easily access gear while on the trail.

The pack is designed with a side-entry full zipper on one side. While it is nice to have access to the pack outside of the top pocket, personally, I would prefer another water bottle or tent pocket here instead. That’s just a preference thing, though. Some people really like the side access pockets, and I can see the benefits.

Gregory & Garmin Partner for Safety: On-the-Go inReach Pocket

New for spring 2025, Gregory partnered with Garmin on this pack to design a shoulder strap pocket that comfortably holds an inReach Mini or inReach Messenger SOS satellite communication device. The Garmin inReach is a popular device that backpackers regularly use to stay connected and safe on the trail.

The new pocket is on the left shoulder harness and includes a small mesh pocket and a lanyard inside to clip your Garmin onto. This allows you to either tuck the GPS device away while hiking or to keep it tethered while using it. 

Having a dedicated, secure spot for your GPS device is not only convenient but also adds safety to any trip. If you were to fall, you could still access the device without having to remove the pack or dig around in a pocket. 

Tough On-Trail, Lacks Rain Protection

I was able to load all of my backpacking gear into the Paragon 60 with room to spare. In the rough rocky terrain of the Rocky Mountains, the Paragon also stood up to the elements, including some heavy rains and rocky climbs. 

The pack does not include a rain cover, which is sold separately. If you think the pack may get drenched or submerged somewhere along a trek, you should bring your own rain cover or waterproof bags. I threw a big garbage bag in my pack to ensure my gear stayed dry. 

By the end of the trip, the only signs of wear and tear were some dirt and mud on the exterior. No rips, tears, or any other signs of damage were apparent to me. We’ll see how it holds up over years of use and many more miles, but these initial impressions were hopeful.

Ample Pocket Space

The hip belt pockets are nice for storing snacks or sunscreen. The Garmin-compatible shoulder harness pocket attachment is large enough to accommodate a GPS device, keys, or sunglasses. You could conceivably fit another brand’s satellite messenger or SOS device in it as well.

The mesh pocket on the back of the pack came in handy for quick access to gear such as rain jackets, first-aid kits, snacks, and other items that I needed while on the trail. I never found myself wanting for more pocket space with this pack.

Gregory Paragon Pack: Who’s It For?

The Paragon is for adventurous backpackers in search of a lightweight performance pack for any trip, but especially longer hikes. From a weekend overnight trip to a longer thru-hiking excursion, the Paragon will perform well.  

The new Gregory partnership with Garmin on the inReach shoulder strap pocket makes this pack lean more toward the advanced or deeper backcountry backpacker. However, even if you don’t have a GPS SOS satellite communication device, the pocket is still a nice addition.

The Paragon is available in 50L, 60L, and 70L sizes, so it will really work for any range of backpacking trips. The $300 price point does lend itself to a more serious experienced backpacker rather than an entry-level backpacker. However, this pack is truly a good option for anyone looking to get out into nature and explore.