Gregory Paragon 48 Rucksack

The Paragon has been a staple in the range for some years. This 48L pack is surprisingly light for the wide range of features, high level of comfort, durability and carry capacity it delivers. 

Gregory says:

A tight, versatile package for fast-paced adventures when you have your lightweight kit dialed in. The Paragon 48 is a great through-hiking option, or perfect for a quick weekend because you know that the FreeFloat adjustable, dynamic suspension will keep you moving comfortably while you log mile after mile.

Gregory's Paragon 48 Rucksack weighs 1.6kg and therefore is not the lightest 48L rucksack available but it does have an impressive harness, is probably more durable than its lighter weight counterparts and certainly has more of the featured you'd expect to see in a traditional backpacking sack.

Looking at the harness system it has very well padded shoulder straps and has a relatively easily adjusted back length so you can set that for a personal fit. The transfer of weight through to the extremely well padded hip belt is excellent and is achieved by a combination plastic frame sheet and metal frame - the hip belt itself is well padded with pockets on each side, these are decent pockets that aren't squished when the hip belt is worn tight.

Feature-wise there is a conventional lid (which can be removed to save weight) with an internal and external pocket, inside there's a raincover for the pack, which could also be removed. There are three mesh pockets on the outside for taking wet gear or that which you need ready access to, this type of pocket arrangement is more or less essential on backpacking rucksacks these days.

Unusually the Paragon is a top loader but has a full length zip down one side and a further zip around the base, both give easy access to the contents of the pack. As a purist I would baulk at the additional weight that these features add to the pack as a whole but other people would find them useful and worth having. 

Finally its worth mentioning that there are various extarnal straps to tie things on with, especially a pair of loops to secure a rollmat across the bottom of the rucksack should you be using one.

All together an excellent traditional style pack with lots of up to date features in a relatively lightweight (if not ultralight) package.

- Reviewed by BasecampGear

• Perforated dual density shoulder harness with sternum strap featuring integrated safety whistle and hydration clip
• Wishbone alloy frame and fiberglass anti-barreling cross-stay for stable load management and torsional flexibility
• Internal hydration sleeve with SpeedClip hydration hanger compatible with Gregory’s 3D Hydro reservior (reservior not included)
• Floating top pocket with large zippered compartment and an underside zippered pocket, reflective attachment points and key clip
• Front oversized stretch mesh pocket with secure buckle closure
• Quick-pull drawcord closure and top webbing compression
• Zippered bottom sleeping bag compartment with removable divider
• Adjustable attachment loop and upper shock lock for trekking poles or an ice axe
• Custom comfort-grip molded zipper pulls and molded webbing keepers for strap management
• NANO CONNECT - Included interior toggles to connect Nano 14 daypack

• S/M weighs: 1532g (excludes raincover)
• M/L weighs: 1599g (excludes raincover)
• Raincover weighs: 82g
• Volume: 48L
• Max carry: 18 kg
• Dimensions: 36 x 77 x 25 cm (M/L)

Material

• Body: 100D High Density Nylon & 210D High Density Nylon
• Base: 210D high density nylon
• Harness/Hipbelt/Lumbar: Lifespan EVA foam
• Chasis Support: HDPE Composite / Closed Cell foam
• Lining: High Density 50% Recycled Polyester