New Gregory Paragon, Maven backpacks earn top awards from Outside, Backpacker, Popular Mechanics magazines

June 16, 2020

Backpacker calls Gregory Paragon/Maven “one of the best all-around packs we have ever carried on the trail;” Outside hails packs as “blissfully stable under oxen-grade loads”

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (June 16, 2020)– Scoring a trifecta of awards for Spring 2020, the Gregory Paragon and Maven, the newest lightweight category backpacks from Gregory Mountain Products, earned accolades for versatility and functionality from testers with Outside, Backpacker and Popular Mechanics magazines.

In April and May, Outside Magazine gave the new Paragon and Maven its 2020 Gear of the Year Award, which calls out the season’s best gear. Backpacker and Popular Mechanics also called out Gregory, the longtime leader in premium backpacks and adventure travel gear, with their Editors’ Choice awards for the Paragon and Maven. All three awards are among the most prestigious and rigorous in the industry, with testers logging countless miles on the trail to determine the season’s most standout gear.

Backpacker called out the Paragon and Maven as “one of the best all-around packs we’ve ever carried on the trail … There are other packs in these pages that hit this price point, or this weight, or this carryability. But none puts everything together with the way the Paragon (and Maven) does, which is why it’s our new go-to for weekends on the trail.”

Outside’s editors said the packs have “one of the most effective trampoline-style suspension systems we’ve ever seen.” Gregory’s FreeFloat suspension keeps the pack “blissfully stable under oxen-grade loads.”

The Paragon and Maven, updated for spring 2020, represent the pinnacle of high-performance backpacking gear — blending lightweight features, game-changing comfort, and thoroughly tested durability. The centerpiece of these packs is the adjustable FreeFloat Hybrid suspension system, which combines a ventilated lumbar support with a close-fitting upper suspension. This fresh design approach is combined with Gregory’s patent-pending FreeFloat hipbelt technology, which allows the pack to dynamically move and flex with the natural movements of the user’s body, delivering a new level of body-hugging comfort.

The Popular Mechanics test team attested to that performance, noting the Paragon and Maven felt “almost like a second skin that moved in the same direction and at exactly the same time as we did. That meant more comfortable trekking, even on high-mileage days.”

The Paragon and Maven come with a full set of features designed to make life on the trail easier: a full-length side-loading access zipper to access the main compartment, front and side stretch mesh pockets, an internal hydration sleeve, and a sunglass QuickStow on the shoulder harness.

“We’re always looking to improve the hiking experience on the trail through inventive designs that can move in tune with your body, and seeing a product line that we put so much effort into earning these kinds of awards and praise is rewarding for our team,” said John Sears, Vice President of Gregory. “We’re honored to receive these accolades from publications as respected as Outside, Backpacker, and Popular Mechanics.”

The Paragon and Maven are available in three capacities: Paragon 48/Maven 45, Paragon 58/Maven 55, and Paragon 68/Maven 65. For more information about the spring 2020 line and Gregory Mountain Products, visit www.GregoryPacks.com.

About Gregory Mountain Products

For more than 40-years, Gregory Mountain Products has been the leader in expedition, backpacking, daypacks, and travel gear. World-renowned for fit, durability, and performance in all of its products, Gregory has won awards for its pack designs from such diverse media outlets as Outside Magazine, Backpacker, National Geographic, Popular Science, and Men’s Journal.

Responsible for many industry firsts in backpacking fit and design, the Gregory research and design team continues to lead the way in innovative backpack technology and performance. For more information, visit www.GregoryPacks.com.

Media Contact: Jade Schwarting | Verde Brand Communications | jade@verdepr.com | (317) 460-3464

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