Review: Gregory Stout 70

With enough capacity for a multi-day adventure, multiple entry and attachment points, a torso and hip belt system that allows for major adjustment, and weighing only 1.68kg, the Stout 70 is very hard to fault…

Key Information

Price (at time of writing): R4699
Women’s version: Amber 65
Capacity: 70L
Weight: 1.68kg
Dimensions: 80 x 33 x 31.8 cm
Access Points: Top, front and bottom
Rain cover: Yes
Material: 210D Nylon / 420D High Density Nylon (body); 840D Ballistic Polyester (bottom)

Features

The Stout 70 includes a range of well-considered features for access, organisation and adjustability while keeping the pack sleek and uncluttered. The result is a backpack with everything you need, without unnecessary bulk or weight.

Photo by @francoistweet

The usual suspects:

All the essential features are here — a rain cover stored in a dedicated pocket under the lid, a key fob for safe storage, two generous hip belt pockets that comfortably fit a modern smartphone, stretch-mesh side pockets with top and front access, trekking pole attachment points, a few strapping loops, and a stretch-mesh front stuff pocket for quick-access items like a rain jacket.

Multiple access points:

Apart from the usual top and bottom entries, the Stout 70 includes a large, central U-shaped zipper for easy access to the pack’s core. It’s especially convenient for reaching your stove or lunch gear without unpacking everything.

It’s the little things:

Small design details make a big difference. The sternum strap and storm flap draw-cord system both allow for one-handed operation. The sternum strap’s fixed buckle design adds stability, while the cinch toggle on the storm flap makes opening and closing effortless — a simple feature that’s surprisingly satisfying in use.

Comfort

The hip belt and shoulder straps use breathable, well-padded materials with an ergonomic curve for excellent comfort — even on long, sweaty days. The shoulder straps feel slightly narrower than most packs of this size but provide a natural, chafe-free fit.

The VersaFit adjustment system allows you to fine-tune the fit for torso lengths between 40.6–53.3cm, and the adjustable waist belt accommodates up to 152.4cm.

Weight and Carrying Capacity

This pack strikes an excellent balance between weight and carrying capacity, thanks to its aluminium wishbone frame, which provides both stability and torsional flexibility. The maximum recommended load of around 22kg is ideal — although it can carry more, stability and comfort start to decline beyond that point. Still, at only 1.68kg, it leaves plenty of margin for gear, food and water.

Photo by @combrinckvanwyk

Cons

While the dual-entrance stretch-mesh side pockets allow water bottle access without removing the pack, they’re slightly too shallow for a 1L Nalgene bottle, leaving it partially exposed. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you prefer bottle access over hydration reservoirs.

Conclusion

Feature-rich yet lightweight, the Gregory Stout 70 offers one of the best weight-to-capacity ratios in its class. It’s comfortable, durable, and stylish — an ideal pack for 3–5 day hikes, and capable of handling longer expeditions with careful packing.

This backpack was provided for review purposes by Gregory Packs South Africa and can be purchased from their online shop.