Gregory Focal

The Gregory Focal has an aluminum perimeter frame that, in combination with the load lifters, transfers weight to the hips and a fiberglass cross-stay that keeps the load stable. The shoulder straps are J-shaped.

I tested the Focal 58 in size medium, which Gregory rates to carry up to 15.9 kg (35 lb). I have carried more than 18.1 kg (40 lb) in the Focal on a big water carry in the desert and it carried that weight well. To get the most out of the Focal with a heavy load, do up all the compression straps, especially the ones that wrap around the bottom of the pack. Otherwise the load sags.

The Focal could carry heavy loads a little better if the foam in the shoulder straps and hipbelt were stiffer, high-density foam. Straps that connect the main body of the pack to the hipbelt and can be cinched would improve how well the frame transfers loads to the hipbelt. The hipbelt has a single connection point and a forward pull strap and, even with the lighter foam, I have not noticed any pressure points.

The sternum strap slides very easily. I set the sternum strap at the right height on my chest and it slides up high - nothing I do keeps it in place.

The Gregory Focal does not have an adjustable torso and comes in three sizes. The three sizes fit 40.6 to 55.9 cm (16 to 22 in) torsos and 68.6 to 129.5 cm (27 to 51 in) waists. Many packs come in only two sizes, so three sizes lets more people get a good fit. The women's version, the Gregory Facet, comes in 45 L and 55 L and also in three sizes. The Facet sizes fit 35.6 to 50.8 cm (14 to 20 in) torsos and 66 to 121.9 cm (26 to 48 in) waists.

The medium fits my 45.7 cm (18 in) torso very well. I have an 83.8 cm (33 in) pant waist and I have to cinch the medium hipbelt almost all the way. A slimmer hiker may not be able to cinch the hipbelt tight enough. Without a tight hipbelt, the weight does not transfer to the hips and a heavy load is much harder to carry.

The Gregory Focal comes in 48 L and 58 L, which is enough capacity for trips over seven days with a baseweight of 5.44 to 6.8 kg (12 to 15 lb). The Focal has a large floating lid, and because the lid floats, it holds a lot. I fit my first aid kit, toilet kit, ditty bag, and many other items in the lid. A zippered pocket on the underside of the lid is good for keys or a wallet.

The stretchy front pocket is not huge but it fits everything I need. A reinforced patch in the middle of the front pocket protects it, which has been useful in the canyons of Utah. The stretchy side pockets on each side fit tent poles, bear spray, or water bottles. They are designed very well for water bottles with a side entry hole that makes it easy to grab and put back bottles, even for someone with limited shoulder flexibility and short arms.

The hipbelt pockets are large enough to fit a large phone but are a little hard to use with one hand when they are not full and I sometimes struggle to close them with one hand. There is a hydration sleeve and hose port inside for a water bladder.

Overall, the Focal has very good access to items.

The Gregory Focal uses 100-denier nylon with 40% recycled content in low-wear areas like the sides and 210-denier nylon with 45% recycled content in high-wear areas like the lid, the middle of the front pocket, and the bottom. The design keeps the pack light while still making it durable.

I have used the Focal for hundreds of miles in many types of terrain, including slot canyons, the West Coast Trail, and the Rocky Mountains and it is still holding up well. There are a few small nicks and tears in the mesh of the side pockets and the front pocket but otherwise there is no damage.

The Focal 58 has 35 reviews on REI with an average of 4.5 stars, and 24 of them are five stars. The most common complaints are the hipbelt not cinching tight enough for waists around 81.3 cm (32 in) and the shoulder straps sitting too close together and rubbing the neck. Only two reviews mention damage: one reviewer broke a compression strap clasp while adjusting the pack and could not replace the clasp because it is sewn in, and another has a few small scrapes in the bottom fabric. Several reviewers also say the mesh pockets snag on branches, which matches the small nicks on my pack.

If the Focal does fail, it is covered by Gregory's lifetime warranty.

The Gregory Focal has a suspended mesh back panel that lets air move through the sides and the mesh, so my back does not get as warm or sweaty on very hot days. The mesh and the whole harness are treated with Polygiene, which helps stop them from absorbing smells.

Suspended mesh back panels can be so curved that they make packing harder but the Focal's does not affect how I load the pack or how much it carries. The side access holes on the water bottle pockets are the other standout feature.

Nothing on the Focal is removable, and the fabric is not waterproof and the seams are not sealed.

The Gregory Focal weighs 1.25 kg (2.8 lb) on my scale in the 58 L size medium. Gregory lists the Focal 58 at 1.22 kg (2.7 lb), so my pack weighs a little more than advertised. The aluminum frame and the heavier nylon in the high-wear areas make up most of that weight.

The Gregory Focal excels at access to items, ventilation, and durability for its weight. The Focal is a great option for many backpackers who want a lightweight pack with a full set of features. The main compromises are the soft foam and the hipbelt, which limit how well the Focal carries heavy loads, especially for slim hikers.