REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable carrying heavy loads
Easy-access pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Stiff foam
Expensive
Gregory Baltoro 65 Review
A well-designed pack with ample organizational features to help you carry heavy loads well
The Gregory Baltoro 65 might be a heavyweight pack, but it is sure to be well organized.
Credit: Sam Schild
By Sam Schild ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 13, 2026
Our Verdict
The Gregory Baltoro 65 is a comfortable pack with plenty of organizational features. It carries a heavier load better than many and has more external pockets than almost any other pack we tested. The comfortable shoulder and hip belt straps make the pack feel as if it were specifically designed for you. But all the external pockets and high load-carrying capacity make this pack one of the heaviest we've tested, especially compared to how much gear it can carry. If you're looking for a lightweight pack, you should look elsewhere. But if you want a pack with plenty of space to keep your gear organized, we think you'll like the Baltoro 65.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Gregory Baltoro 65 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Backpacking Backpack | Our Favorite Lightweight Pack |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Best Backpack Under $200 | |
| Price | $370 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $320 List Check Price at REI | $300 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) | $229 List Check Price at REI | $189 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A well-designed pack with ample organizational features to help you carry heavy loads well | This full-featured backpack has the most supportive hip belt, making it an extremely comfortable load-carrying machine | A lightweight load hauler that is both comfortable and full of features | It may not be a heavy load hauler, but for moderate loads, this pack is comfortable and has a great set of features, all at an affordable price | This affordable pack has all the features of more expensive packs, with the most inclusive sizing |
| Rating Categories | Gregory Baltoro 65 | Osprey Atmos AG LT 65 | Granite Gear Blaze 60 | REI Co-op Flash 55 | REI Co-op Trailmade 60 |
| Comfort (40%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight-to-Volume Ratio (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Gregory Baltoro 65 | Osprey Atmos AG LT 65 | Granite Gear Blaze 60 | REI Co-op Flash 55 | REI Co-op Trailmade 60 |
| Measured Weight | 4.9 lb | 4.2 lb | 3.0 lb | 2.8 lb | 3.3 lb |
| Weight per Liter | 1.21 oz/L | 1.03 oz/L | 0.80 oz/L | 0.81 oz/L | 0.88 oz/L |
| Advertised Volume | 65 L | 65 L | 60 L | 55 L | 60 L |
| Measured Volume (main compartment) | (not measured) | 52 L | 58 L | 45 L | (not measured) |
| Organization Compartments | Lid with two zippered pockets, front mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets | Lid, front mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets | Lid, front mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets | Lid, front mesh pockets, 2 side pockets per side, hip belt pockets, shoulder strap pocket | Lid with exterior pocket, cinch cord front panel, water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets, sleeping bag compartment |
| Access | Top, front U-shape, bottom | Top, side | Top, front | Top | Top, U-Zip |
| Hydration Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleeping Bag Compartment | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Materials | Main: 210D high density 40% recycled nylon Bottom: 420D high density 45% recycled nylon with PFC-free DWR |
Main: 210D recycled honey comb nylon Lining: 210D high tenacity recycled nylon Bottom: 500D high tenacity recycled nylon |
100D robic nylon w/ DWR coating | Main: 100D ripstop nylon Bottom: 420D nylon |
Main: 100D ripstop nylon; Secondary Exterior: 400D recycled nylon |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The well-designed suspension system is comfortable for long days on the trail. Credit: Sam Schild
Likes
The Baltoro 65 is one of the most comfortable packs if you're carrying a heavy load. The shoulder straps and hip belt padding are anchored to the frame with rotating rivets. This allows the shoulder straps and hip belt to rotate into positions that best conform to your body. It also keeps it from bouncing around on the trail.
This pack has tons of pockets. It's one of the only packs we tested with two zippered pockets on the lid, both accessible from the outside. It also has massive hip-belt pockets large enough for a small paperback. The water bottle pocket is angled forward on the right side, so you can grab water while on the move.
You can access the main compartment of the pack from the top, the front, and the bottom via the zippered closure for the sleeping bag compartment. While the top cinch closure is best for loading the pack in the morning, the front zipper is better for accessing gear throughout the day.
While the pockets are large enough to hold a paperback book, we prefer to load them with snacks to eat throughout the day. Credit: Sam Schild
Dislikes
The biggest downsides of the Baltoro 65 are the heavy weight and high price.
It's one of the heaviest packs we tested. It may carry a heavy load well, but so do many of the packs we tested that weigh closer to 3 pounds. Imagine all the extra food you could carry with that weight savings!
The Baltoro's suspension is stiff and robust, but this makes the pack quite heavy. Credit: Sam Schild
The Baltoro 65 is also one of the most expensive packs in our lineup. It's a great pack, and may be worth the price for the right person, but we found other packs simply perform better and cost less.
The Baltoro is pretty expensive, but it's very comfortable for carrying heavy loads and has tons of organizational features. Credit: Sam Schild
Should You Buy the Gregory Baltoro 65?
The Baltoro 65 is a very solid pack that carries weight really well. It's great for hauling a heavy pack over long distances, with well-thought-out pockets to keep all of your gear organized.
What Other Backpacking Backpacks You Consider?
The Osprey Aether 65 is the most comparable pack to the Baltoro 65. While it costs the same, it's more adjustable and more comfortable, making it our top pick for carrying heavy loads. However, both packs should be compared against the even more comfortable and more affordable Osprey Atmos LT 65.
—Sam Schild
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