Gregory Border 25L Backpack :: Drive By

Gregory is one of the OG’s of the carry scene. But for most people Gregory is still synonymous with that old faded hiking pack in your dad’s basement from his ‘glory days.’ However, after seeing some of Gregory’s new offerings at last year’s Summer OR Gregory is shaking that fade. Enter the Border 25L, part of an array of new urban active packs from Gregory that kindly remind us that the name Gregory is synonymous with Carry for a reason.

While the Border is a basic daypack that won’t turn heads in the innovation department or push the boundary of what we know as a daypack, overall it’s an excellent pack. It’s been on my back to the gym, the office and on planes, trains and automobiles (and motorcycles, bicycles and a goat). Admittedly we here at Carryology sometimes get ahead of ourselves with the specialty packs and correspondingly sky high price points. The Gregory Border is not that – it’s a simple, well built and reliable pack.

“…it’s a simple, well built and reliable pack.”

Who It Suits

Someone who needs a simple and reliable daypack. Throw your shit in the pack. Put the pack on your back. Rock on. No need to worry about how to pack the pack, how to wear the pack or when to wear the pack. It’s a straightforward and versatile pack that’s mad comfortable. The Gregory Border will work for 95% of the Carry heads out there.

“It’s a straightforward and versatile pack that’s mad comfortable.”

Who It Doesn’t

Someone who falls in the remaining 5% of Carry heads out there.

The Good

The internal organization. For being a simple pack the Border is loaded with a very pleasing pocket layout. A rear pocket has an (unpadded) laptop and tablet sleeve. There’s a small zippered mesh pocket which is great for holding cords and mice. A clamshell zipper keeps this pocket totally accessible. In front of this there’s the main pocket which comprises the majority of the Border’s volume. A zippered top pocket with lining catches sunglasses. A vertical side zipper holds keys and other EDC.

“For being a simple pack the Border is loaded with a very pleasing pocket layout.”

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The sleekness. Gregory has kept the exterior of the Border very clean pocket-wise. There’s no water bottle slots and one laser cut lashing for a bike light is the only exterior attachment point. There’s a top grab handle and two side grab handles and that’s about it. A muted Gregory logo graces the front of the pack which blends into any of the Border’s colorways.

“There’s no water bottle slots and one laser cut lashing for a bike light is the only exterior attachment point.”

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The support. Thick shoulder straps distribute this pack comfortably across your back and shoulders. An internal plastic frame keeps your load upright on your back and also serves to provide some protection to your laptop or tablet on the other side. Gregory has gone with air mesh on the back panel but this pack doesn’t get to sweaty riding on your back all day.

“Thick shoulder straps distribute this pack comfortably across your back and shoulders.”

The Not So Good

Not packable. The versatility and comfort of the Border come at a slight price. Unlike lots of other packs on the market, the internal plastic back panel is not removable, meaning this pack won’t be stowing away in a larger pack during your travels.

The exterior. While I personally like the lack of water bottle sleeves on the Border as it helps keep the profile slim, others who are looking for a go-to daypack will disagree. Along similar lines, while the two side grab handles do come in handy, the backpack straps end up doing some serious dangling. There’s nowhere to tuck or tie them when holding the Border at your side.

“…the internal plastic back panel is not removable, meaning this pack won’t be stowing away in a larger pack during your travels.”

“…while the two side grab handles do come in handy, the backpack straps end up doing some serious dangling. There’s nowhere to tuck or tie them when holding the Border at your side.”

Others to Consider

More tech oriented, Incase ICON.

More heavy duty, GORUCK GR1.

More bike commuter, Ortlieb Commuter Daypack.

“An internal plastic frame keeps your load upright on your back and also serves to provide some protection to your laptop or tablet on the other side.”

Verdict

If you’re looking for a daypack that just works and won’t try to do more than it really should, the Gregory Border 25L is calling. At $150 you won’t have any buyer’s remorse when looking at your credit card statement or from an aching back after using this pack for extended periods of time. The Border is simple, it’s understated, but it carries like a champ, reminding us that as an OG of the carry scene, Gregory knows a thing or two about designing a reliable backpack.