The right backpack will not just carry your gear, but be comfortable to wear and last for years. When looking for the best backpack, comparing Osprey vs Gregory backpacks is a must!
Finding the right backpack can mean the difference between an OK trip and a fantastic one.
This is because the best models will be able to store everything you need for your trip, plus extras.
Waterproofing, pockets, and even areas for your devices can make or break your bag.
If you're trying to choose your next backpack, check out our Osprey vs Gregory backpack comparison below.
Osprey vs Gregory Backpack Comparison
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What Type of Backpack Do You Need?
If you're choosing your next backpack, you may have just one activity in mind. But this is the wrong way to look at it. Backpacks are one of the most versatile pieces of luggage around.
They can be used for travel by air, car, or train. You can use them for short hikes or longer backpacking excursions. Backpacks are even great for work, school, or running errands.
Of course, different types of backpacks have different features, so you want to check them out before you buy. Daypacks are smaller, which makes them ideal choices for daily activities or a short technical hike.
Hiking and backpacking packs are bigger, with space for water and food, plus some extra clothing and rain gear. They have padded areas for comfort and waterproofing to beat the elements.
Travel packs are lightweight, plus have comfort features for sightseeing or making your way through a busy airport. They usually come with specialized pockets for water, sunglasses, or other necessities.
Backpacking Pack Comparison
If you're spending days on the trail, you're going to need a decent trekking backpack. These handy packs have tons of room inside for all your gear. Plus they have a variety of features to ensure they are the best trekking backpack for the money.
Osprey vs Gregory - who makes the best trekking backpack?
Osprey Atmos AG 65 vs Gregory Baltoro 65
For our trekking backpack comparison, we've chosen the Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack vs the Gregory Baltoro 65 Backpack.
These are two of the best 65 liter backpacking pack models these companies have to offer, due to their huge storage options and highly durable materials.
Size
When comparing these two Osprey and Gregory trekking backpacks, you'll notice a rather large difference in their dimensions, even though they are the volume as far as carrying capacity.
The Osprey trekking backpack is larger, at 34.25 x 15.35 x 16.14 inches. The Gregory trekking backpack is only 25.2 x 15 x 9.5 inches.
Like I said above, both backpacks have a 65L capacity, so they should hold the same amount of gear in the main compartment. It is the other storage areas and features they differ in, which affects their outward size.
Storage & Organization
Both the 65 liter Osprey backpack and the 65 liter Gregory backpack have one main compartment for your larger gear. But they also have a few other storage areas to compare when choosing the right model for you.
Features that make the Atmos 65 AG one of the best Osprey backpacks for trekking include dual zippered pockets on the top lid and a front stretch mesh pocket for rain gear or wet clothing.
For water bottles, there are dual access side mesh pockets. Zippered hipbelt pockets give you easy access. There is a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the bag.
The Gregory Baltoro 65, which largely considered the best Gregory backpack, doesn't have quite as much to offer.
There are dual zippered pockets on top of the lid, plus a security pocket underneath it. A stowable ergonomic bottle holster keeps your drinks close at hand. And a PU-coated hipbelt pocket holds the items you want close at hand.
Weight
When doing a Gregory vs Osprey backpack comparison, you may notice that though the Osprey bag has larger dimensions, at only 4.56 lbs it is more than half a pound lighter than the Gregory Baltoro 65 backpack.
This may have something to do with the materials used, from the outside to the padding on the straps and back of the bag.
Since you likely want the lightest bag possible, this difference may be one of the biggest factors when making your choice.
Materials & Durability
The Osprey Atmos AG 65 uses nylon of different types and density, depending on the area of the bag. This is because the bottom of the bag needs to be the strongest area since it is the part of the bag that not only supports the gear inside but also comes into contact with rough surfaces the most.
There is an integrated FlapJacket, which protects your belongings when the floating top lid is removed.
The Gregory Baltoro 65 also uses nylon on the outside, with a thicker 630D high-density layer on the base for increased strength against heavy loads and rough terrain.
There is a raincover included to protect against damp weather, plus it can be removed and stored in its own handy pocket.
Suspension & Straps
Osprey has put a lot of work into their Anti-Gravity suspension and harnesses. The suspension has a full backpanel made of lightweight mesh for breathability.
This extends from the very top of the back panel all the way to the hipbelt. The harness and the hipbelt are also adjustable for the perfect fit.
The best Gregory backpack for trekking uses their Response A3 suspension. The back panel is vented, with LifeSpan foam plus a silicone lumbar grip zone for added comfort.
There is also a LumbarTune insert for customizable contouring. The harness and hipbelt contain LifeSpan EVA foam for extra comfort.
Extra Features
The Osprey trekking backpack has a few extras worth noting. There is the Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, an internal hydration reservoir sleeve, and compression straps on the upper and lower sides.
There are also dual ice tool loops, removable sleeping pad straps, and an integrated safety whistle on the sternum strap.
The Baltoro has a few as well. Most important is the SideKick daypack, which is lightweight and removable, and doubles as a hanging reservoir sleeve.
There are also Girth-hitched compression MultiStraps on the pack's bottom, which can also be used as a hipbelt for the SideKick. Dual ice axe loops, upper shock locks, and trekking pole attachments are also included.
| Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack | Gregory Baltoro 65 Backpack | |
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Storage & Organization | - Large main compartment - Front stretch mesh pocket - Dual access Stretch mesh side pockets - Dual zippered lid pockets - Zippered hipbelt pockets - Lower zippered sleeping bag compartments | - Large main compartment - Dual zippered lid pockets - Bottom security pocket - Hipbelt accessory pocket |
| Materials & Durability | - 100D x 630D Nylon Dobby main - 210D High Tenacity Nylon Accent - 420HD Nylon Packcloth Bottom | - 630D High Density Nylon - 200D Polyester Lining |
| Straps & Handles | - Padded adjustable shoulder straps - adjustable harness - Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt | - QuickSwap 3D foam harness and hipbelt - sternum strap |
| Suspension | Anti-Gravity suspension | Response A3 suspension |
| Extra Features | - Removable floating top lid - integrated FlapJacket - Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment - Internal hydration reservoir sleeve - compression straps - dual ice tool loops - removable sleeping pad straps - integrated safety whistle | - Vented back panel - LumbarTune removable insert - EVA foam harness and hipbelt - removable raincover - SideKick removable daypack/hanging reservoir sleeve - SideWinder stowable bottle holster - compression MultiStraps - dual ice axe loops - upper shock locks |
| Size (Liters) | 65 liters | 65 liters |
| Weight (lbs) | 4.56 lbs | 5.5 lbs |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 34.25 x 15.35 x 16.14 inches | 25.2 x 15 x 9.5 inches |
| Colors | Rigby Red, Abyss Grey, Unity Blue | Shadow Black, Navy Blue, Spark Red |
| Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
Travel Backpack Comparison
Travel backpacks are great for those shorter trips when you'll spend less time with it on your back, but still need to carry all your gear. They are aimed at more modern trips rather than those in the wild.
Because of this, they have easier access to the main compartment, plus have discarded all those extra straps and heavy-duty suspensions you'll find on hiking and trekking models.
Osprey vs Gregory - who makes the best travel backpack?
Osprey Farpoint 40 vs Gregory Compass 40
For our Osprey vs Gregory travel backpack comparison, we've chosen the Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack and the Gregory Compass 40 Travel Backpack.
Size
Both the Osprey Farpoint 40 and the Gregory Compass 40 have 40-liter capacities, but this doesn't mean they are the same size. Each has a few features that affect how big the backpack will actually be.
The Osprey travel backpack has dimensions of 21 x 14 x 9 inches. The Gregory travel backpack is a bit bigger at 23.25 x 14.5 x 9.75 inches.
Since both are so close, this probably won't affect your decision, unless you have to meet some travel regulations. If you plan on taking it as a carry on bag, be sure to look up the airlines' carry on rules.
Storage & Organization
Like other types of backpacks, both of these travel backpacks have one large main compartment, though the Osprey bag's opening is located above the backpack straps, and the Gregory model opens behind them.
The Osprey bag also has dual front mesh pockets, a heat-embossed zippered slash pocket that is scratch-free, a front flap zippered mesh pocket, and a laptop and tablet sleeve.
The Gregory Compass 40 also has a padded laptop compartment that includes a tablet sleeve. There is also a top accessory pocket, an internal mesh security pocket, and an internal mesh organizer pocket.
There is a separate expanding compartment on the bottom for shoes or other items.
Weight
When you are traveling, you want to carry a backpack that is as lightweight as possible. Both Osprey and Gregory have taken this into account. But at 3.17 lbs, the Osprey Farpoint 40 is a bit heavier than the best travel backpack from Gregory, which is only 2 lbs.
Materials & Durability
Your backpack is no good to you if it falls apart on your first trip. That's why the best travel backpack from Osprey uses nylon mini hex diamond ripstop for the main material.
They have also added thick layers of packcloth on the bottom since this area needs to hold the most weight.
The Gregory travel backpack also uses nylon for the main areas, but replaces the packcloth with 840D ballistic polyester on the higher stress areas for increased durability. The lining is also polyester.
Suspension & Straps
The Osprey travel pack uses their LightWire frame suspension system, which evens out the load for less strain on key areas of your body. The backpanel, harness and hipbelt are all padded for comfort, plus use mesh to increase ventilation.
The harness and hipbelt also stow away when it comes time to store your bag at home or in an overhead compartment. There are also padded top and side handles.
Though the Compass 40 has no suspension system, it does have a padded backpanel and backpack straps. There is also a padded front panel for increased stability. Top and bottom grab handles make it easy to lift the bag when needed.
Extra Features
Though the best travel bag won't have all the features of a trekking bag, they have enough to make them worthwhile.
The Osprey model has lockable sliders on the main compartment for added security. There are also internal compression straps to keep your stuff in place. Dual front compression straps let you cinch it smaller.
The Gregory travel backpack also has compression straps, but on the side instead of the front. Dual daisy chains allow carabiner attachment. There is a keyclip in the top accessory pocket. A reflective logo keeps you visible in low light.
| Osprey Packs Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack | Gregory Compass 40 Travel Backpack | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage & Organization | - Large main compartment - dual front mesh pockets - zippered slash pocket - laptop and tablet sleeve - internal front flap mesh pocket | - Large main compartment - expanding bottom compartment - padded laptop compartment with tablet sleeve - top accessory pocket - internal zippered mesh pocket - internal mesh organizer |
| Materials & Durability | - 210D Nylon Mini Hex Diamond Ripstop - 600D packcloth accent and bottom | - 420D nylon main - 840D ballistic polyester - 200D polyester lining |
| Straps & Handles | - Stowaway harness and hipbelt - padded top and side handles | - padded backpack straps - top and bottom grab handles |
| Suspension | LightWire frame suspension | None |
| Extra Features | - lockable sliders on main compartment - dual front compression strap - internal compression straps | - padded back and front panel - side compression straps - dual daisy chains - reflective logo |
| Size (Liters) | 40 liters | 40 liters |
| Weight (lbs) | 3.17 lbs | 2 lbs |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 21 x 14 x 9 inches | 23.25 x 14.5 x 9.75 inches |
| Colors | Jasper Red, Volcanic Grey, Caribbean Blue | Indigo Blue, Thyme Green, Dijon Yellow |
| Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
Daypack Comparison
Daypacks are generally smaller, meant for shorter hikes or daily adventures while traveling. Basically when you don't need to pack all your belongings with you.
They are best for single-person use since they are only meant to hold one day's worth of gear, as their name suggests.
They have room for some clothing, snacks, and water. But many of them also have room for laptops, tablets, and all your other modern essentials.
Osprey vs Gregory daypacks for travel and hiking
Osprey Quasar vs Gregory Border 25
The two packs we're going to look at in our Osprey vs Gregory daypack comparison are the Osprey Quasar Daypack and the Gregory Border 25 Daypack.
Size
When it comes to capacity, the Osprey Quasar is a bit bigger at 28 liters, while the Gregory model is a 25 liter daypack.
This also means the best Osprey daypack is also a bit bigger in terms of dimensions. But the difference is less than an inch in height and width, and only 2 inches in depth.
Storage & Organization
In the main compartment of the Osprey hiking daypack are padded sleeves for both a laptop and a tablet. There are also 7 interior slip pockets plus 2 zippered ones to keep everything organized. There are 4 exterior pockets for water bottles, snacks, and other necessities.
The Gregory travel daypack has a bit less in terms of pockets. There is still one large main compartment, with a few interior pockets for organizing your smaller items.
The large outer pocket is TSA compatible, with a full opening and sleeves for a 15-inch laptop and a tablet. There are also a few smaller outer pockets on the top and sides of the bag.
Weight
Despite its larger capacity and bigger dimensions, the Osprey model is pretty light at only 1.69 lbs. This is even more impressive when you consider that the Gregory daypack is 2.45 lbs empty.
That is a difference of almost a pound, which may not seem like much at first, though after a day on the trail, it may have you wishing you'd picked the lighter bag.
Materials & Durability
The Osprey Quasar uses 420 high-density nylon packcloth for both the main areas and the bottom of this daypack. This material is durable enough to last through countless trips with no tearing or abrasions.
The Gregory Border 25 uses 420D nylon for the body of this pack. It may not be high-density, like the Osprey bag, but it will still hold up under pressure.
Suspension & Straps
Though neither bag lists the type of suspension used, they are both sturdy, distributing the weight evenly for an easy, pain-free day.
The Osprey daypack has a padded and ventilated backpanel and shoulder harness. This keeps you cool and comfortable even when wearing the pack all day long. There are also an adjustable sternum strap and hipbelt for the perfect fit. A grab handle is located on the top.
The Border 25 has a contoured shoulder harness with EVA foam padding for increased comfort. There is also an adjustable sternum strap, though this pack lacks a hipbelt. But it has the addition of side grab handles as well as a top one.
Extra Features
Though they have great features in terms of material and storage areas, these two packs don't have much for extras.
The Osprey pack has a blinker light attachment strap to keep you visible at night. There are also compression straps on the sides and bungee cords on the front for a bit of extra storage.
The Gregory pack is TSA compatible, making it a great choice for air travel. It also has a similar lash tab for a blinker light or other items you may want to clip on there.
| Osprey Quasar Daypack | Gregory Border 25 Daypack | |
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Storage & Organization | - Main compartment - padded laptop sleeve - padded tablet sleeve - front organizational pocket - side stretch mesh pocket - heat-embossed slash pocket - front vertical zippered pocket | - Main compartment - interior organizer pockets - top organizer pocket - side zipper security pocket - padded laptop/tablet sleeve - exterior small electronic/tablet pocket |
| Materials & Durability | - 420HD nylon packcloth main - 210D nylon stripe twill accent - 420HD nylon packcloth | 420D Nylon body |
| Straps & Handles | - Padded shoulder straps - removable webbing hipbelt - sternum strap - top grab handle | - Contoured shoulder harness - sternum strap - top and side grap handles |
| Suspension | None | None |
| Extra Features | - Blinker light attachment - front bungee cord - external compression straps | - TSA compatible - lash tab |
| Size (Liters) | 28 liters | 25 liters |
| Weight (lbs) | 1.69 lbs | 2.45 lbs |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 20 x 13 x 11 inches | 19.25 x 12.75 x 9 inches |
| Colors | Robust Red, Black, Armor Grey, Navy Blue, Komodo Green | Indigo Blue, True Black, Dijon Yellow |
| Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
About Osprey
Osprey was founded in 1974 by Mike Pfotenhauer, and even today he personally inspects every one of their product designs to ensure the highest quality possible. But not only does he believe in quality products, he also places the relationships between the company and their staff, suppliers, manufacturers, and customers on the top of the list.
Their products have received numerous awards, but Osprey believes in giving back, donating to countless charities around the world.
Where are Osprey Backpacks Made?
Though most of Osprey's operations, including production, takes place in Cortez, Colorado, they do have some production facilities offshore in both Korea and Vietnam.
What is Osprey's Warranty?
Osprey has an All Mighty Guarantee, which means they will repair any damage or defect on any of their products for any reason, absolutely free. There is no time limit either. And if they can't repair their product, then they offer a replacement.
About Gregory
Wayne Gregory designed his very first backpack at the age of 14. Then in 1970, he began his first company, Sunbird, producing external frame packs. He dissolved the company a few years later and began freelancing his designs. Then, in 1977, he tried again with Gregory Mountain Products, which is still thriving today.
Wayne prides himself on meticulous designs using the best materials possible, field testing every product to ensure the highest quality.
Where are Gregory Backpacks Made?
Gregory has its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Many of its products are manufactured here, but some have been outsourced overseas.
What is Gregory's Warranty?
Gregory has a lifetime guarantee on all of its products, which protects against defects in the materials or the workmanship. This warranty does not cover any type of damage caused by improper use or care of the product. It also doesn't cover normal wear-and-tear.
When it comes to the Osprey vs Gregory warranty, both are some of the best one the market. If your pack breaks from craftsmanship quality, then you'll get a repair or replacement.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Backpack
How Will You Use Your Backpack?
When you're choosing your next backpack, you need to decide where and when you'll use it before you make your decision.
For instance, if you're going to be backpacking for a few days, you don't want a small daypack. You'll need a larger trekking backpack to hold all your gear.
These will also have the right suspension and straps to carry such a heavy load. But for short hikes or day trips, the smaller daypacks or travel backpacks will be best.
You also want to look at the features. Do you need padded areas for laptops or other electronics? A hydration system for water? Multiple pockets for tons of small items, or just a few? Sternum straps and hipbelts to keep your bag steady on your back?
All of these features need to be considered before you pick your next pack.
Osprey vs Gregory - Find the right trekking backpack
Size & Weight
You also need to consider the size of your pack, whether you're looking at Osprey vs Gregory backpacks or any other brand. The bigger the bag, the more it can hold, but it also means a bigger bag on your back. If you need the room, great, but if you can fit your gear into a smaller bag, do so.
The same goes for weight. An extra pound or two may not seem like much, like in the two daypacks we compared. But when you consider the weight of the packs when they're full, that extra pound will likely be much more noticeable. If the lighter bag has the capacity and features you're looking for, take it.
Storage & Organization
Most backpacks have a large main compartment, which is essential for carrying clothing, shoes, and even a pillow or sleeping bag. But you also need some smaller pockets for your other essentials.
Security pockets are a must for items like wallets, phones, keys, and other such items. Mesh pockets hold those items that don't need as much protection but are still necessary for your trip. You'll want a few of each both inside and outside the bag.
If you're bringing along some electronics, you'll also want to look for padded laptop and tablet sleeves. Easy access pockets on the hipbelt or shoulder straps are handy, too.
Comfort & Fit
For comfort, you want to make sure the backpanel and shoulder harnesses are padded, or you may be feeling the strain before you know it. Mesh on these areas is also important for breathability.
The straps, including backpack, sternum, and hipbelt, should all be adjustable. This way, you can tighten or loosen them as needed to ensure the bag is sitting properly on your back. This reduces strain on your shoulders and back.
Suspension
A good suspension system is a must in any backpack. It won't make your bag lighter but it will ensure the weight is distributed evenly over your shoulders and back. To do this, the suspension will use decent shoulder straps, plus sternum and stabilizer straps.
Some suspensions are adjustable, which allow you to adjust the fit to match the size of your torso. A fixed suspension doesn't have this option, so you need to make sure you have the proper size of backpack before you take it out on the trail.
Straps and Handles
Every backpack comes with shoulder straps, obviously. But they may also use a hipbelt and a sternum strap as part of their suspension system. All of these should be adjustable in some way, to give you the right fit and keep the bag from shifting while you walk.
Some backpacks, like the Osprey Quasar and the Gregory Border 25 daypacks, may also have top grab handles. Some even add side and bottom grab handles as well, making it easier to lift them when needed.
Osprey vs Gregory Backpack
Materials & Durability
If you're comparing Osprey vs Gregory backpacks or looking at other bags, the materials used is one of the most important factors. Most companies use nylon or polyester since these two are quite strong, resisting tears and abrasions.
Keep in mind that you want a thicker density material. For instance, nylon packcloth, like what's found on the Osprey Quasar daypack, is quite burly and has a brushed finish. This makes it more resistant to abrasions, plus has a water-resistant bonus.
Ballistic or ripstop nylon or polyester are also good to have since these are known for their high strength.
Special Features
There are a few features to look for, depending on the type of bag you want. On trekking bags, a hydration sleeve is great for carrying a hydration bladder.
A detachable top lid gives you more room, plus can be carried separately. Axe loops, daisy chains, and a shovel pocket are great for climbers. And a rain cover will keep everything dry.
Compression straps are good on all backpacks, to keep your pack as small as possible. Locking zippers are a must for air travel. Bungee cords give you more storage options. Safety features like a blinker light attachment or reflective logos are also good to have.
Osprey vs Gregory backpack review
The Bottom Line: Osprey vs Gregory Backpacks
When it comes to Osprey vs Gregory backpacks, no matter what pack you pick, you'll be getting a great bag that can carry everything you need for any type of trip, plus will last for years.
That said, of course there is a top contender in each category.
Though the Gregory Baltoro 65 Backpack is cheaper, made of sturdy materials, and has great features, the Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack wins out in other ways.
Though it is bigger in size, it weighs less, has more storage areas, including a sleeping bag compartment, and an integrated hydration reservoir sleeve.
Our two travel backpacks both have similar features, including compression straps and lockable zippers. But the Osprey Packs Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack is more expensive for a bigger and heavier bag, plus has fewer pockets for your gear. That said the Farpoint 40 is among the most favorited travel backpack on the market.
With some additional features and organization the Gregory Compass 40 gives the Osprey Farpoint a run for it's money, however it doesn't have the track record that the Farpoint has.
Moving on to Gregory vs Osprey daypacks, both the packs we reviewed have laptop and tablet sleeves, compression straps, and lots of storage space. But the Gregory Border 25 Daypack is TSA compatible, making it the top model for air travel.
For every other type of trip, though, the Osprey Quasar Daypack has more capacity, though weighs less, and is made of much stronger material.
While you're at it, be sure to check out my other guides on the best carry on underseat bags, the best travel duffel bags, and in-depth luggage comparisons.
