CLASSIC DAY PACK BOOK

THE GREGORY BOOK THE CLASSIC DAY PACK SPECIAL ISSUE

GREAT PACKS SHOULD BE WORN, NOT CARRIED

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This simple design philosophy inspires us to create the most comfortable and most reliable packs in the world. This foundation becomes a reality through our focus on unique fit geometry and customized chassis technologies which, combined, make Gregory packs extensions of your body not unlike your favorite T-shirt or hat.

Around 1981, a crew that was fond of Wayne’s developed packs posed for a commemorative photo as they embarked on a trip to the Colorado Rockies. Early models like “Cassin” and “Snow Creek” were lined up.

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SINCE 1977

TRACES 45 YEARS OF FOOTPRINTS THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE EVOLUTION OF BACKPACKS First homemade backpack in his lifetime

Wayne Gregory, who would later found Gregory, was born in 1948 in northeastern Connecticut, and his family moved to San Diego, California, when he was six years old.

From an early age, his father taught him how to coil a hair hook and skin a rabbit. His interest in outdoor activities, such as fishing and hunting, led him to join the Boy Scouts.

As part of an outdoor program that included foraging for food, building fires,and erecting tipis and tents in the wilderness, Wayne would build his first self-made backpack in his lifetime at the age of 14. “Inspired by Walter Bernard Hunt’s woodworking DIY manuals,” he later said, the packs were custom-made from wood, following the then-common practice of external packs.

Meet Andy Drollinger

Wayne, with his pack in tow, competes in a local camporee, where he has a fateful encounter with a man. His name is Andy Drollinger. He is the owner of Adventure 16, a local San Diego outdoor store, and was the first person to see the Wayne boy’s talent.

Andy liked the packs so much that he invited Wayne to work part-time at Adventure 16 and took him into the backpack production and repair shop, where he learned the ins and outs of the then-growing industry.

Established Sunbird At this time, external packs with aluminum frames exposed on the outside of the backpack were still the mainstream, and companies were still exploring various ideas to reduce the load on the shoulders. Andy was also experimenting with his own idea of using side straps attached to the hip belt to pull the pack closer to the body and carry it on the waist rather than the shoulders. In 1967, at the age of 19, Wayne became Andy’s right-hand man and was involved in the design of the “Kit Pack,” a self-made pack kit he had invented, and through repeated pattern modifications from prototypes, he eventually grew to be in charge of the production itself. Unfortunately, Andy ran up a large debt and closed the store and brand in 1969. Thus, Wayne left Adventure 16 and founded the garage brand “Sunbird” in 1970 with his then newly married wife Susie and just two friends. Using Wayne and Andy’s original work as the starting point, they began prototyping the next generation of external frame packs that were designed to properly distribute weight onto the hips, and therefore provide a more comfortable trail experience. They went through many trials and errors to create a new external pack that would distribute the load to the waist.

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The story of Wayne and bags began in his childhood.

He was only 14 years old when he made his first bag. That lifelong process of trial and error became the foundation of his backpacks.

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The upsurge of the hippie movement drove them to backpacking.

The rise of the anti-war movement in the U.S. encouraged young people to return to nature, giving birth to the culture of backpacking.

Flower Child and Return to Nature.

The Vietnam War, which began in 1955, was a quagmire. The new generation, born and raised after World War II and unfamiliar with the war, grew increasingly distrustful of “wars without justice” that infringed on the interests of other countries, and they hoped for a peaceful resolution under the slogan “flowers, not weapons.” The media labeled them flower children or hippies, denounced them as mere degenerates rather than anti-war, and tightened surveillance and restrictions. They were dismissed as draft-dodging quibblers. The counterculture of this new generation, however, began in 1967 with the “Monterey Pop Festival”, a nonviolent demonstration that filled Haight Ashbury, San Francisco, with over 100,000 people, and culminated in 1969 with “Woodstock”, an outdoor anti-war festival held in Bethel, New York. Their identities of anti-war, music, and drugs continued to deepen,and some fanatical thinkers built their own communes in remote areas,calling for a return to a pre-civilization without firearms.

Backpacking around the Holy Land.

Meanwhile, his generation, with their eyes on the world, immersed themselves in the so-called hippie trail, traveling the Silk Road with only a pack and getting in touch with their own roots and the cultures of the developing world. In 1968, the National Trails System Act established [the Pacific Crest Trail] , which traverses approximately 4,000 kilometers along the West Coast, and many garage brands were established in the three major states of California, Oregon, and Washington.

Although it is not clear whether it resonated with such momentum, Wayne’s brand also got its start in San Diego, California, around the same time.

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Back then, everyone wanted to be in the mountains.

From left to right : Kenny Cook, Eric Cook, Michael Stewart, Timmy Burke at the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

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Sunbird closes and Gregory is established.

Three years after Sunbird’s founding, Wayne was at a crossroads. The hip-carry, in-house manufactured external pack they had invented had a major problem with the belt. It was found that fixing the hip belt and carrying the back for a long period of time causes pain in the lower back area, and when a pivot system is incorporated, which is linked to the movement of the hips by having a central axis, the load sways from side to side and causes fatigue.

These problems forced the dissolution of Sunbird, and Wayne became a freelance designer, working on sleeping bags, tents, and technical wear. However, his passion for packs never disappeared, and in 1977, four years after the dissolution of Sunbird, he started a new brand, [Gregory Mountain Products] , bearing his own family name.

Vintage Sunbird branded external frame backpacks designed and built by Wayne Gregory

A new idea of “wearing” instead of “carrying”

Wayne realized the limitations of external packs, and focused on an internal design with a frame in the middle of the pack, which was still being tested by other companies.

In addition, children were losing their balance as they were forced to carry adult packs. Recalling his experience in the Boy Scouts, he also began to think that there should be a proper size for backpacks. In order to clear both the fit along the back and the back length caused by gender and age, it was essential to have flexibility, such as multiple sizes like wear and shoes, or a variable type. As a first step, he attached aluminum stays to thier own external packs to find a suitable curve for the back. Finally, the built-in aluminum frame was developed into a structure that can be bent to follow the curves of the body, and a movable shoulder harness was adopted to provide flexibility in adjusting the length of the back for each user. The first model was completed based on the new concept of “wearing” rather than “carrying”.

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From Polar to Daily Use. In 1978, a year after the brand’s founding, adventurer Kenny Cook, a friend and EMT, ordered a pack from the fledgling Gregory brand for his ascent of Denali (Mt. McKinley). Wayne and his team responded to his custom order by further reducing the weight of the first model, which was in the prototype stage. Named [Cassin] in honor of Kenny’s achievement of successfully climbing the “Cassin Ridge” , a long route on the South Face that requires particularly advanced ice climbing techniques, in 23 days, the pack has undergone a number of minor changes and has become one of the brand’s representative products. The brand finally began to take off. However, as the heavy-duty boom settled down in the 80’s, the company urgently needed to develop products not only for climbers challenging the highly difficult mountains, but also for ordinary hikers.

Kenny Cook on Cassin Ridge with the pack that helped launch Gregory Mountain Products

The first ever Cassin backpack, hand built by Wayne Gregory for Kenny Cook.

Original Gregory storefront sign in San Diego, California, which now hangs in the Salt Lake City, Utah HQ office.

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The most suitable fitting for every user.

We will continue to communicate “optimal fitting” to a wide range of users, from the ends of the earth to daily use.

Product development to meet a wide range of needs.

In the early 80’s, Wayne’s unique philosophy of “Don’t carry it, Wear it,” not to mention his reputation, became known in many countries when a review of Cassin was published by Doug Robinson, a columnist for the “Backpacker Magazine”. Colin Fletcher, known for his book “The Complete Walker” was one of the backpackers who was fascinated by Cassin. The success of Cassin was a stepping stone to a breakthrough, and the company was now ready to “meet a wide range of needs,” as Wayne had long advocated. In fact, from the ‘82 catalog at hand, we can already see many other models besides Cassin.

Among them, the [DAY PACK] , which was especially popular among ordinary hikers, is still one of the most representative long-sellers and an iconic model that made Gregory’s name famous in Asia, especially in Japan. It

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Sample room in the former Gregory office. This is where Wayne himself went to the sewing machine to research products and produce samples.

landed in Japan around 1986. Despite being more than twice as expensive as the common packs that were mainstream at that time, it became a breakthrough in a short period of time. The solidity of the packs, which were made of materials that passed the mil-spec standards, and the fact that they were made in the USA, surprisingly blossomed on the streets. The vintage boom of the 90’s also added to Gregory’s popularity, as did the “brown tag,” a graphical brand tag with ridges that was used from 1984 to 1989, and its successor, the “brown tag,” which was used until 1992. The “purple tag,” as it was called, became a rare find within a few years of its arrival in Japan, and there was no end to the number of vintage enthusiasts who sought out these old tag models.

The current office in Salt Lake City, U.S.A., with the newborn tag, now in its seventh generation.

Innovative ergonomic design.

Even as the brand grew into a big brand, it never forgot to “pursue an advantage that no other company has,” in other words, to maintain its heavy-duty image while remaining flexible enough to meet the changing needs of the times. The best example of this is the unique fitting.

The company’s stance of advocating proper fitting for all users, such as actively developing women’s and children’s models, which were still rare at the time, is now backed by ergonomics and anatomy, and all back lengths, waistbelts, and harnesses are now available in different sizes, and customizable adjustments, successfully realizing. successfully realizing the ideal Wayne had envisioned in the past.

A Global brand for over 45 years since its establishment.

Wayne trekking with his daguhter.

He says he always learns from practice in the field.

In particular, the [Baltoro] model, which won the Gold Award in the 2015 “Backpacker Magazine” Editor’s Choice Awards in the United States, is the flagship model that truly embodies the ongoing Gregory technology. Movable shoulder harnesses and hipbelt load panels allow for a better fit on all body shapes. Stabilizes load balance. In addition to the [Response A3 Suspension] , a total of 15 combinations are available in the aforementioned sizes to allow for the proper fitting of each user. From the first wooden frame pack that he made when he was a boy to the first internal pack in his life and the latest current model, Wayne’s philosophy of “Don’t carry it, Wear it” continues to evolve today and it is still inherited from generation to generation.

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HISTORY OF

GREGORY MOUNTAIN PRODUCTS Gregory Key Milestones 1948

Wayne Gregory, who would later establish Gregory, was born in Hartford, Connecticut.

When he was 6 years old, his family relocated to San Diego, California.

1973

ROCK CREEK

After a brief three-year period of activity, Sunbird disbanded.

Wayne then transitioned into a freelance designer role, working on various products such as sleeping bags, tents, and even technical wear.

CASSIN

1967

1977

Wayne established the backpack-dedicated brand [Gregory Mountain Products] with a vision to build the most comfortable and durable packs in the world.

Wayne designs and sews the first Cassin backpack, creating the first pack to have an internal frame with different frame lengths and custom back support stays, setting the new standard for backpack comfort. In the same year, Gregory became the first in the world to incorporate a fully waterproof fabric, [Shelter-Rite®], into their backpacks.

During the Vietnam War, a backpacking movement emerged among the so-called baby boomers.This movement, fueled by anti-war sentiments and hippie ideology, developed into a resilient youth culture.

1962

At the age of 14, Wayne, as part of the Boy Scout program, crafted his first-ever wooden frame pack.

1970

1976

Wayne's passion for backpacks remained unwavering. Even during his freelance period, he continued to introduce several models. Among them, the prototype of the winter mountaineering pack inspired by the Cassin Ridge on Mount McKinley, called [Cassin], stood out. This prototype was also praised in Colin Fletcher's backpacking classic "The Complete Walker."

Just after getting married, Wayne, along with his wife Susie and two business partners, founded a backpack-focused garage brand called [Sunbird], which would eventually evolve into Gregory.

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1980

By incorporating pre-shaped carbon fiber stays that followed the natural curve of the back, Gregory not only achieved further weight reduction but also successfully realized the ideal of a "body-wearable backpack." This innovation laid the foundation for the next generation of backpacks that continues to this day.

1983

Gregory introduced the world's first pack with interchangeable shoulder harness and waist belt sizes, further enhancing its innovative designs.

1982

The iconic [Daypack], which represents the brand and continues to be offered, is featured in the catalog for the first time as a daily use model.

1986

Gregory goes international and begins selling Classic DAY PACK in Japan, marking the beginning of a historic brand journey in Asia.

1978

A frameless design backpack, nicknamed the [Wayne Day], was introduced. Despite being produced in extremely limited quantities, this model garnered praise for its three-dimensional cut and ergonomic principles, laying the foundation for the Gregory philosophy based on human engineering.

WAYNE DAY

TWO DAY

BALTORO

1992

Gregory begins designing women’ s specific packs and launches the first active suspension system with a pivoting hipbelt that flexes and moves with your body. Furthermore, responding to the rapidly expanding interest in alpine climbing at that time, Gregory simultaneously introduced two models, [Rock Lobster] and [Alpinist], which were specifically designed for alpine climbing purposes.

1998

First to launch patented auto-fitting and auto-rotating shoulder harness technology, realizing Wayne’ s original vision of a full-body dynamic fit and comfort system.

1993

Outdoor Industry celebrates the launch of award-winning Denali Pro expedition pack, bringing Gregory to the forefront of innovation in alpine mountaineering community.

DENALI PRO

2009

BioSync technology created to mimic the body’ s natural movements, paving the way for a new generation of daypacks that truly move and flex with your body.

2017

A commemorative reissue model has been released to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its founding.

2012

Large capacity ventilated backpacking launched with JetStream LTS technology,paving the way for future award winning Zulu & Jade collections.

2020

DEVA

BALTORO & DEVA, award winning packs upgraded.

2019

FreeFloat dynamic suspension technology is launched and patented, creating flexible bushing on the hipbelts to allow a more natural walking motion and setting a new standard in dynamic fit and comfort.

M O V E S W I T H YO U

2018

Gregory becomes a leader in sustainable backpack design by partnering with a Life Cycle Analysis firm to develop an LCA tool designed specifically for the backpack category.Product Designers can now make data-based decisions on the materials they use and how product is moved around the world to reduce environmental impacts.

REDUCED

26%

2006

First launch of iconic Baltoro backpack, featuring the first independently rotating 3D hipbelt that auto-fits and moves with your body, redefining the future of active, auto-fitting suspension technology.

ZULU JADE

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INTRODUCING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY from BALTOR0+DEVA

Flexes and adapts to the natural walking motion of your hips and upper body to deliver a new standard in trail comfort.

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Perimeter Frame Architecture

Polygiene® Stays Fresh Technology

An alloy perimeter frame surrounds the pack’s hipbelt and harness,

An odor control fabric treatment applied to the backpanel, hipbelt, and

enabling a dynamic support system to move freely while providing stable load management. A fiberglass cross support positioned at the center of the frame maintains the pack shape, so the pack’s weight stays close to your center of gravity.

shoulder harness mesh inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria to keep your pack fresher, longer. Polygiene® Stays Fresh Technology is bluesign® approved, and has Oeko-tex Eco Passports approval.

Shoulder harness auto-adjusts to match your shoulder slope angles. While hiking, the rotation allows the pack to move with your body’s natural walking movements, which in turn keeps your center of gravity more balanced and ultimately conserves energy on the trail.

The foamless backpanel is built from a proprietary 3D mesh with a honeycomb structure consisting of over 90% openair. This next-generation padding reduces surface contact to provide true on-the-back breathability, eliminates pressure points, has moisture-wicking cooling benefits, and is treated with Polygiene® Stays Fresh anti-odor treatment.

The hipbelt is attached to the outer frame via two flex panels that allow the entire hipbelt assembly and lower ComfortCradle to move independently of the outer frame. This flexibility coupled with the rotating shoulder harnesses allows the pack to adapt and flex with your body’s natural movements to save crucial energy and deliver unrivaled comfort. The hipbelt is built with a special cocktail of three different foam densities, most importantly Gregory’s LifeSpan EVA, as well a rigid HDPE support layer sandwiched in the center, making this one of the most comfortable hip belts ever built.

3D Shoulder Harness & Hipbelts

ComfortGrip Lumbar

Both the shoulder harness and hipbelt are designed to have a pre-curved

The soft molded gription pad positioned on the small of the back

3D shape, eliminating bunching and hot spots against your body. The 3D shape also provides consistent padding and support where the load of the pack meets your unique body shape.

prevents pack slip while carrying heavy loads. Only found on our Baltoro and Deva collection, this invaluable piece of technology keeps the pack positioned high on the hips to maximize load transfer and avoid the classic over-tightening of the hipbelt.

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INTRODUCING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY from BALTOR0+DEVA

››› TORSO LENGTH + BODY SHAPE Unlike a typical two-torso size offering seen in other adjustable backpacks, the Baltoro and Deva are available in three adjustable torso sizes to deliver unrivaled trail comfort. This unique three-torso size offering means the back length adjustability overlaps across all three sizes, making it possible to select the size that most comfortably fits your back length and curvature, but also gives you the option to size up or down to accommodate smaller or larger body shapes, without the need for swappable components. Game changer!

Torso length can adjust 3” ON ALL SIZES

S

Shoulder harnesses:

M

1.5” OF LENGTH BETWEEN EACH SIZE

XS S

L M

Hipbelts adjust 3.5” ON EACH SIDE allowing for a 7” TOTAL HIP BELT ADJUSTMENT S

M

L

XS

MEN’S BALTORO

WOMEN’S DEVA available in three adjustable sizes XS , S , M

TORSO LENGTH (IN)

20 19

17

S

M

L

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HIPBELT FIT RANGE SM – 26”-48” MD – 28”-50” LG – 30” – 52”

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M

available in three adjustable sizes S, M , L 21

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S

Size up for longer hipbelts and shoulder harness

Torso length overlap allows user to fit in multiple sizes

Size down for shorter hipbelts and shoulder harness

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XS

S

M

18 17 16 15 14

HIPBELT FIT RANGE XS – 26”-48” SM – 26”-48” MD – 28”-50”

››› THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FIT We have always been proud of our commitment to the unique differences between Men’s and Women’s pack fit.

Women’s packs utilize a more subtle curve in the shoulder harness for a better fit around the bust area, and the hip belt is designed to have a steeper angle to match a Woman’s geometry. Men’s packs use a flatter hip belt angle and a more curved shoulder harness to properly fit the male skeletal structure.

››› SUSTAINABILITY SCORECARD Matching performance with sustainability, the Baltoro and Deva maintain the lifetime performance and dependability they’re known for while moving in a new, more sustainable direction. Using our proprietary LifeCycle Analysis (LCA) tool, we’ve used the data to make significant reductions in plastic and the carbon footprint, all while improving fit, heavy-load comfort, and maintaining best-inclass weights.

› 50% reduction in plastic - By reengineering pack’s support architecture we’ve reduced the amount of plasti c used by 50% over the previous generation. › Sustainable, performance materials - Hightenacity recycled fibers are used throughout to maximize the performance and lifespan of the pack and minimize the packs carbon footprint. › PFC-Free DWR - All pack fabrics are treated with a PFC-Free durable water repellent coating. › Polygiene® Stays Fresh treatment - Extended product life by inhibiting bacterial growth to minimize washing, and skin irritation - all items that lead to premature retirement of packs.

Acidification

Carbon Footprint REDUCED

31%

TOTAL IMPACT:

31.9 kg

REDUCED

18%

Water Pollution REDUCED

23%

REDUCED

25%

REDUCED

22%

TOTAL IMPACT:

6.06 kg N

TOTAL IMPACT:

.09 SO2

Smog Formation REDUCED

24%

TOTAL IMPACT:

1.49 kg O3

Primary Energy Demand TOTAL IMPACT:

556 net cal

Blue Water Consumption TOTAL IMPACT:

32 gal

* BALTORO 65

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MASTERPIECE OF GREGORY CLASSIC SERIES from

The masterpiece bags are the symbols of the brand, longtime best sellers, and iconic bag styles that are timeless in their design, character, and world famous Gregory quality standards.

DAY PACK A teardrop-shaped pack that has been handed down through the ages.

It is the perfect combination of a simple, stripped-down design and the durability required of outdoor gear.

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BLACK

COYOTE

PARKA BEIGE/BLUE

Always an unwavering favorite color.

The new addition to the timeless and popular military collection for 2023.

Inspired by vintage mountain parkas, new color for Fall 23.

ROCKY SPOT CAMO

GARDEN TAPESTRY

BLACK BALLISTIC

2023's latest version of the popular camouflage pattern.

The longest-standing bestseller among popular tapestry patterns.

One of the regular popular color.

The oldest model that has always led the bag world while evolving since the brand's founding is the “DAY PACK", the symbol of the brand that many people will first think of when they hear the name Gregory. A DAY PACK is just the right size for a day's worth of luggage. It is a very clear name. Today, a backpack that fits on the back is generally called a daypack, however, in the U.S. at that time, bags of this size were mainly called "school packs." There is a rumor

that since the introduction and widespread use of the DAY PACK, many school packs have also been called daypacks. The slash pocket running diagonally across the front, the ice axe loop above it, and the large suede pulls hanging from the zipper are design elements that have remained unchanged for over 45 years since the brand was founded. This is both simple and universal, and speaks to the high degree of perfection of this DAY PACK.

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This creation is the true essence of Gregory !

01

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05 06

04 02

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09 10 14

07

12

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20

08

01

02

03

04

05

06

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Bindings are used to prevent fabric from unraveling, not only for heavyduty strength, but also to change colors and designs.

The thick No. 10 zipper by YKK, which has been used since the brand's establishment.

Accented with a large leather pull that can be used even with gloves on.

The use of 420 denier nylon, which is highly abrasion resistant and has long been used for outdoor bags, gives it a classic look.

For straps and other areas where strength is required, the "center locking bar tack," which was originally developed in 1978, is used to apply overlapping stitches from the center.

The current model comes with a zippered mesh pocket behind the front pocket. It makes easier to organize the main conpertment.

As with the current model, it is equipped with a PC sleeve on the back. By sewing the interior fabric while wrapping it around the case, a beautiful interior design and resistance to fraying are achieved at the same time.

The shoulder harness fits amazingly well around the arms, as can be seen in the figure wearing it. The natural curve of the harness is a result of its conformity to the human anatomy.

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09

10

11

12

13

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The back pad folded in two at the center and the crescent shape that wraps around the waist have been studied to follow the back.

A triangular-shaped "wing" part is made at the connection between the body and the shoulder harness. It dramatically improves mobility and carrying comfort.

When the waist belt is not in use, it can be stored in the belt keepers on both sides of the bottom section. A detail that shows consideration for town use.

Continuing from the earliest daypacks, there is an "ice axe loop" on the upper front.

Together with the zipper, it is a symbolic part of the daypack.

There are two metal "Figure 8" parts at the top of the front, and four of them can be used to attach a "single pocket" (sold separately).

The belt at the bottom can be used to hang a large piece of luggage such as a sleeping bag by putting a strap through it.

It is a useful part that can be used in a variety of ways.

This is the seventh generation of the new tag, which has been on the market since 2016, and has attracted the attention of old tag lovers with its mountainous design reminiscent of the third and fourth generations of brown and purple tags.

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TAIL MATE A long seller counting its 30th anniversary.

TAIL MATE made its debut in 1987 with a large capacity of 8 liters, which was very rare for waist bags at that time. Its distinctive bowshaped outline and thick back pad created a new need for a body bag in addition to a waist bag. Most waist bags from around the 1970s and earlier were primarily designed for their original use and were not intended to be worn

The workbook from the time of its initial release.

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over the shoulder. However, as new activities such as MTB emerged in the 1980s, waist bags entered the next stage. Users started to use them diagonally across the body, rather than on the waist. Nowadays, waist bags are used as body bags. We must not forget that the pioneer who created such a trend was none other than Tailmate.

The workbook from 1991.

The workbook from 1993.

DAY AND A HALF It is one size larger than a DAY PACK and has the capacity to hold a down jacket or other bulky wear. Includes a sleeve for a laptop.

The DAY AND A HALF is said to be the most copied bag in the world. In fact, various outdoor manufacturers have come out with bags that may have been based on this model.

Along with DAY PACK, it is a long-selling item that has existed since the brand's early days.

As in the past, the "two day" bag provides a simple indication of the number of days' worth of luggage that can be carried. Of course, this bag is A DAY AND A HALF. There are also many DAY AND A HALF people who

prefer it to DAY PACK. The strong design is characterized by the four compression straps on the front. This system is used to secure ice axes, trekking poles, etc. in the outdoor field, but it can also be used outside of the field to secure the contents of the bag by tightening it after packing. It can also be used outside of the field by squeezing it after packing to hold the contents securely in place. A great way to enjoy it is to set a SINGLE POCKET(sold separately) for even more ruggedness.

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INTERVIEW WITH WAYNE AND JOHN

Wayne Gregory smiles with the 40th anniversary model in both hands. His eyes are full of bag love.

Intro from Wayne:

As many of you know, I have been retired for some number of years now. I am proud to have turned 75 years old this year and I am pleased to be talking to you in this DAY PACK book. I am here with John Sears, Gregory’s Global General Manager, to talk about the past and the future. For those of you that don’t know John, he has been with Gregory for over twenty years, and completed a decade long mentorship under my watch. John is an Industrial Designer by trade, but also an engineer, craftsman, and the new visionary behind the Gregory brand. At our core we are builders and great product remains king, so I was proud to pass the helm to a productdriven leader. John has done an incredible job leading the

Gregory brand and our product creation into the future. He is surrounded by an incredible team of designers and engineers, and I’m always so excited to see what they come up with next.

John and I remain very close friends, we are forever bound to one another through Gregory and our shared passion for outdoor adventure and exploration our product enables, so of course we enjoyed sitting down to answer some of your questions together. Please enjoy!

Yours in the spirit of adventure, Wayne Gregory February, 2023

-------------------------------------------------What is the most important philosophy for Gregory backpacks?

John Sears, Gregory’s Global General Manager

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Wayne: Philosophically speaking, I would sum this up by saying that Gregory backpacks are worn, not carried. This is achieved through our specialized shape and geometry of the shoulder straps, the backpanel, the hipbelt, the lumbar pad, the materials selected, the quality of the foams and padding, and ultimately how good the pack makes you feel when you wrap it around your body.

John: This simple, yet profound statement has a lot of complexity and proprietary design principles embedded within it, but the short explanation is that a backpack can’t be great unless the

design has deeply considered how it will interact with your body to provide unhindered comfort and enjoyment. Comfort is fundamental to good pack design, and this is why we say that great packs should be worn, not carried.

What are the conditions for a “good quality backpack”? Please let me know if you have any techniques to find out good quality backpack.

Wayne: The quality of the stitching, properly edge-bound seams, ½” seam allowances, the quality of the thread used, stitches per inch variations depending on the material cocktail, back-stitching on all the insertions, elegant pattern making, the minimization of seams, I could go on and on.

John: Wayne taught me many years ago that a pack should be just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. To this day, I use this as a way to show young designers and developers what real backpack craftsman ship looks like. Turn your pack inside out and inspect the inside construction and you will quickly find out what kind of brand and quality standards you are dealing with.

Which Gregory product is your most favorite?

Please tell me the reason and episode.

Wayne: Sometimes this depends on my mood, but the one pack I always go back to that has a special place in my heart and in Gregory’s history is the DAY AND A HALF pack. The larger size allowed people to go out for two, sometimes three days, so it became quite famous in the Eastern Sierra mountain guide community. The guides loved the larger capacity, the dual compression straps, the ability to strap gear onto the bottom of the pack, and most of all the fact that his pack was so well built it would last them many years in the unrelenting mountain conditions of the Sierra’s.

What mountain is the motif of the brand logo of “Gregory”?

Wayne: The original mountain logo design was not based on a specific mountain range, but it was designed using the three letter G-M-P, for Gregory Mountain Products, transformed into a mountain range. If you did not know, look closely and you can see the letters in the mountain design.

be carried on your body, so it will have a big influence on your comfort and enjoyment of the wilderness.

John: Thanks Wayne! On smaller packs we use in everyday life, the most important element is durability and organization. We want the pack to be easy and intuitive to use. We don’t want to have to think about it. And I want the materials to be high-quality enough to have the opportunity to wear with me over time and earn a beautiful patina. There is a certain comfort in wearing a highly used product, the wear and tear almost becomes the packs memory, made up of all the shared experiences.

What is the reason why you have been passionate about making backpacks for many years?

Wayne: The constant challenge, I suppose. I was one of the very first in the industry to design patterns using a computer. At the time, many other companies looked down on this method of design, but I found a way to combine the computer with my traditional set of craftmanship skills. This allowed me to test more ideas more quickly and ultimately build better packs. This is a small example of one challenge from the past, but there are still so many opportunities that lie ahead. I have been retired for some number of years now, but I am so happy to see how John and his highly skilled team continue to find the right balance of modern technology and old-school craftsmanship to push the bounds of what is possible in backpack design and style.

John: I love to build things and I love to keep things organized, and backpacks are an incredibly challenging and often underestimated product category to perfect. The combination of hardgoods and softgoods, the load-bearing body geometry, fit and comfort, durability, semantics, human factors, organization, hand-crafted construction, style, color, material selection and source, present an endless opportunity for creativity and innovation. So, I suppose it is partially my passion for the product category, the activities, and the community that we serve, but I am also driven by the pursuit of the perfect backpack. After over twenty years of building bags, I can humbly but confidently tell you that designing the perfect backpack is in fact a journey not a destination. A journey which Gregory Mountain Products is excited to share with you for many years to come!

What is the most important part of a backpack?

Wayne: How about I cover the trail packs, and John can cover the daypacks. For larger capacity packs intended to take out on the trail, the chassis and suspension, specifically the hipbelt design is most important. This is where the majority of the weight should

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GREGORY ARCHIVES 1977-1982

1983-1984

1st TAG

PRINT TAG

2016-

PRESENT

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1st TAG / PRINT TAG / BROWN TAG / PURPLE TAG BLUE LETTER / SILVER LETTER/ PRESENT The evolution of Gregory's logo is a testament to the brand integrity and consistency of design and evolution.

1984-1989

1990-1992

BROWN TAG

PURPLE TAG

1998-2015

1993-1997

SILVER LETTER

BLUE LETTER

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One of the original models of Gregory Mountain Products.

This coloring, called "Desert Last," is also a special color used only for products from the 1st tag era.

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1977 -1982

1st TAG

Knowing its origins, the splendor of the finished product stands out.

In its early days, Gregory was based in San Diego, California. And during this period, the backpack market began to change from metal to plastic for major parts. Gregory also saw a detailed change including detailed parts until 1982, the last year of the 1st tag. Two types of daypacks and three types of day-and-a-half packs with different

specifications are known to exist. Since that time, Gregory had been very careful about the details of sewing while focusing on the simplicity of the appearance. For example, it was one of the first to introduce a method of preventing the fabric from unraveling by sewing the tips of the inside seam allowance together with tape in advance.

DETAILS

CATALOG

1.

4.

2.

5.

3.

6.

1. Only the back panel of the Day Pack is quilted, and other models use polyurethane pads.

2. Characteristic shoulder harness unique to the early model. The sternum strap is also a simple specification that attaches a loopshaped object through the harness.

3. YKK is used for the zipper, and the #10 is for the main compartment.

Another big feature is that there is no black trim sewn on the flap.

1982

4. The metal fitting, called FIGURE 8, is a silver-colored part with a flat shape that forms a figure eight. This shape is a sign of the early period.

5. The early ones have FASTEX quickrelease buckles that are less uneven.

This type of buckle is very rare to find nowadays.

6. Metal buckle parts are used. The leather tipped buckle guard on the lower part of the harness.

Catalog from 1980. This is avaluable book that can be said to be the only clue to the products of the time.

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This is the only product ever to have a tag above the front slash pockets.

TWO ITW FIGURE 8s were added to the upper and lower front slash pockets in the later years of the 1st tag, allowing for the attachment of a single pocket.

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1983 -1984

PRINT TAG

A period of transition and change One of the primary reasons for the change to printed tags was the move of the company's headquarters from San Diego to the town of Temecula, California. From this point on, the GREGORY logo only appears on the tag, and neither MOUNTAIN PRODUCTS nor the name of the home base are shown on the tag, as was

the case with the 1st tag. There are various theories, but the most popular theory is that this was a spot design until the next generation of brown tags were introduced due to the rising cost of tags and other reasons. The Super Light Series products with printed tags have become a rare gem.

DETAILS

CATALOG

1.

4.

2.

5.

3.

6.

Around early 1983

1. It has been confirmed that printed tags also exist in earlier and later periods. The photo shows a later tag printed on shiny nylon.

4. The ice axe loops will also be changed from stainless steel ladder locks to FIGURE 8. It is very rare for this part to remain.

2. The Day Pack will be foam padded.

The shoulder harness is simple and the sternum strap is also detachable with snap buttons.

5. A quick-release buckle with the same shape as the type still used by FASTEX is used. The most distinctive feature is the description on the reverse side.

3. YKK in black paint, unchanged from the previous tag. However, the zipper has been changed to an uneven zipper instead of a flat zipper.

The same zipper is used until the purple tag period.

Late 1983/1984

6. Buckle parts are now made of FASTEX plastic. Leather tipped buckle guard lining will be made of thin plastic.

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One size larger than the 1st tag and printed tag period. The details have not changed significantly over the past 30 years, and this is the original shape of today's Day Packs, the ultimate daypack.

It was also around this time that the term "TEARDROP" shape was first used in catalogs.

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1984 -1989

BROWN TAG

Various elements of the evolutionary process are concentrated in this period.

The Brown Tag period was the second longest administration after the Silver Letter Tag period.

Starting with the [Rumper Room] in 1983/84, followed by the [Two Day] in 1985, the [Tail Mate] in 1987, the [Rough House] in 1987, etc.

The Brown Tag period was also a time when the volume of products in each category was

greatly increased so that users could choose the most suitable backpack for their purposes and environment of use. The lineup of large and mid-size bags at this time was an important transitional period in Gregory's history.

DETAILS 1.

CATALOG 4.

1989

2.

5.

1987 All illustrated

3.

6.

1986 All illustrated

1. The patch material on the lower part of the harness is now Porvair fabric and renamed "Porvair "Pasite" Protects Clothing".

4. A new D-ring was added to the shoulder harness as an attachment for carabiners and other accessories from this era.

2. Another panel (load control panel) on the shoulder harness distributes the weight of the pack and improves comfort.

5. During the transitional period of 1988-89, buckles made by ACW were used until the early days of the Purple Tag.

3. The ice axe loop was replaced by a velcro loop, which remained in place until the early days of the Purple Tag. The now standard ITW FIGURE 8 also continues.

6. The FASTEX buckles with year numbers were adopted from around 1984. The buckle with the year is confirmed to have been used from 1984 to 1988.

1985 All illustrated

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The "Rust" Day Pack, a favorite color of Gregory and various other backpack makers since the 1970s. As a side note, there are actually two versions of the Purple Tag: the earlier version has a purplish border around the logo and letters, while the later version has a bluish border.

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1990 -1992

PURPLE TAG

90s. A transitional period when the winds of a new era blew into products.

It was during this period that efforts were focused on the development of more application-focused models, with new suspension systems being developed independently and large products being categorized into three main categories: the Carbon Series, Adventure Series, and Technical Series. The color variations of the DAY series (Day Packs, Day-and-a-Half, etc.), which represent

lifestyle models, have also become richer, and while standard colors are available, many models with vivid colors on the trim, such as gray/ purple, turquoise/purple, electric blue/purple, black/purple, etc. are also available. The new models are available in a wide range of colors.

Many Gregory fans were attracted by the unique coloring that combined flashy colors.

DETAILS

CATALOG

1.

3.

2.

4.

1992 1. Buckle parts were changed from FASTEX to NATIONAL MOLDING. There are two types of buckles, and the early model is very similar to the one made by FASTEX. The later type has the rounded shape shown in the photo.

2. The ice axe loop was changed to a part called single bar tension lock made by NATIONAL MOLDING with webbing attached.loopshaped object through the harness.

3. From ACW to NATIONAL MOLDING. '90 and '91 buckles have a smooth surface texture. '92 and later buckles have a matte finish. The photo shows a buckle made in 1991.

4. Products in the purple tag period will have a "CRAFTED WITH PRIDE IN U.S.A." tag on the inside.

1991

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Red and blue Day Pack. The Brown Tag, Purple Tag, Blue Tag, and even Silver Tag have been released over a total of four periods, but even though the shape is the same, the impression given by the tag alone is different, and the logo is amazing. There is no other brand like this.

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1993 -1997

BLUE LETTER

The American spirit and "blue" letters have not faded away even after 20 years.

Soft handwritten mountain ridges and blue text on a black base. Gregory's logo design underwent a major change in 1993. This change led to whispers in the street about the "Old Tag" to differentiate it from the Purple Tag. The tough, American-style construction and simple design were well received and became an explosive hit among young people. In Japan, the popularity of

DETAILS

CATALOG

1.

1. Due to the evolution of the shape of NATIONAL MOLDING's buckle parts, the protector at the bottom of the harness is eliminated.

2.

2. Instead of black paint, the zippers have been replaced with uncoated silver YKK zippers. The size remains #10.

3.

4.

the blue tag became even more widespread due to the wide variety of colors available, and the streets were filled with young people carrying Day Pack and Day-and-a-Half, establishing its absolute position as the go-to brand for town use.

This huge movement later spread to a wide range of people of all ages and genders. Once again, we are reminded of the excellence of this design.

3. Old parts (top) and buckle without logo (middle) were used until about 1996. Since then, buckles with logos (bottom) have been used.

1997

1996

1995

1994

4. "CRAFTED WITH PRIDE IN U.S.A." tag to be replaced by a simple American flag tag.

1993

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This model uses 500 denier Cordura® nylon material, which is representative of its era, along with a highly durable fabric woven with 430 denier Spectra fiber in a lattice pattern.

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1998 -2015

SILVER LETTER

On the 30th anniversary of the company's maturity, it continues to move toward further progress.

Longest used logo. Many variations appeared during this period as well, actively incorporating new graphics, original graphics, and new materials. The number of released masterpieces is innumerable. On the other hand, Gregory has a number of classic models, such as the Day Pack and Day and a Half, that were released in the

early days of the company and are still sold today without changing their shape. This change and universality. This ability to combine the forces of change and universality is one of Gregory's great appeals. They are always looking ahead of the times.

DETAILS

CATALOG

1.

1. The buckles were also changed from those made

by NATIONAL MOLDING to those made by YKK with improved releasability.

2.

2. FIGURE 8, which was painted black, changed to plain silver around 2004.

It later became engraved with the Gregory logo.

1998

The fabric woven with Spectra fiber, which is used in the DENALI PRO, has been adopted.

Its functionality is seamlessly integrated into the design. Gregory's unique ability lies in translating the materials used in technical packs into lifestyle packs.

1999

The Pro Series was awarded the "Editor's Choice Gold 2000" by "Backpacker," an American monthly outdoor magazine, in the year 2000.

2000

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The appearance may remain unchanged, but the storage and functionality have been updated and evolved to better align with modern lifestyles.

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2016-

PRESENT

From streamlined to linear design again.

John Sears, Gregory’s global general manager, says that rather than changing our logo over the years, we always thought of it as an evolution of our logo. Meaning, the design itself has evolved in parallel to our growth and maturity as a brand.

The visual design is also graphically evolutionary, which me and Wayne place great value in,

DETAILS 1.

maintaining a consistent mountain structure placed above the “GREGORY”. Both Wayne and I agree that our favorite logo is the current version.

It combines the old and the new into an elegant and timeless mountain shape, while also having a unique Gregory vibe and giving a respectful nod to Gregory’s rich history.

LOGO With a single stroke, the clean design of each Gregory product represents a single path that leads from Gregory‘s roots in mountaineering to future outdoor activities. The lifestyle use product’s tag has a gradient to match the product, but the gradient is actually a secret. It hides the logo of the past, as shown below.

1. When the waist belt is not in use, it can be stored in the belt keepers on both sides of the bottom section. A detail that shows consideration for town use.

2.

2. From this era, a mesh pocket and a document pocket have been added on the inside. The document sleeve achieves both a beautiful interior design and resistance to fraying by sewing the interior fabric while wrapping it around the case.

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For nearly 50 years, Gregory Mountain Products has been building clever, innovative, experience-enhancing products that carry you and your gear through a lifetime of adventure in style and comfort.

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