The Gregory Ritter of Yesterday, the Gregory Miwok of Today

Gregory Mountain Products has been around since 1977, officially founded by Wayne Gregory.  The company has made some great backpacks over the decades.  My first backpack was a Gregory Ritter model.  This great internal frame pack was purchased about 17 years ago at a local outfitter in Denver (can’t recall the name of the retailer).  I still have this pack today…and still use it on the trails.  Even after 17 years of hiking and snowshoeing, the Ritter has held up nicely.  Hanging in my basement, next to my Ritter, is the hydration-friendly Miwok pack: A slice of legacy living next to my snowshoeing future.  Nevertheless, I fully expect to have both packs 17 years from today.

While the Ritter and the Miwok are two totally different backpacks, they both exhibit the same sturdy Gregory versatility that I have come to appreciate over the years.  Although the Miwok isn’t geared for cold-weather conditions, it performed flawlessly in freezing weather.  In fact, while shoeing in sub-zero temperatures, my hydration reservoir didn’t freeze.  I also used a CamelBak insulated sleeve for the reservoir hose to prevent it from icing up.  

The Miwok has enough space in its expandable front pocket for a hydration reservoir AND extra gear – in addition to a helmet, for skiers and boarders.  Throughout the day – as the reservoir is emptied and gear is removed – the Miwok can be pulled in closer to the body with its internal on-the-fly compression features.  By doing this, it helps prevent pack bounce while active on the trail. 

Beyond its compression features, the Miwok highlights the Gregory Bio-Sync Active Trail Suspension (ATS) technology.  This is an example of how Gregory has improved its internal frame packs over time.  

My Ritter was a “first-of-its-kind” pack with the evolution from external frames to internal frames.  The Bio-Sync ATS technology is a set of flexible tendons that attach to the shoulder harness and waistbelt to the pack’s body.  This allows the pack and suspension to move with the body while in motion.

Gregory has now placed more emphasis on its harness and waistbelt.  With as much time and history within the Gregory brand, the packs have become more human-friendly.  All body types, all activities, no matter the brutality on the trail, Gregory packs always seem to come through – especially the Miwok.

The Miwok offers more day-pack benefits for the everyday snowshoer.  But it’s the Miwok that provides everything that Gregory has in its battery of backpacking products.  Oh, and it makes an excellent gift for the holidays as well.  

Additional Miwok features:

• Aero-Mesh backpanel
• Adjustable sternum strap
• Hydration port and sleeve with back-fill access
• Tube management system
• Expandable front, stretch-mesh pocket with three-point compression
• Dual, stretch-mesh waistbelt pockets with cargo stabilizer loops
• Side mesh pockets
• Fleece-lined media pocket
• Webbing loop for securing bicycle light, haul loop or reflector
• Front pocket with mesh organizer
• Key clip and reflective accents

Available in three colors – granite gray, blue steel and cayenne – the Miwok has 1,090 cubic inches of volume (18 L) and weighs one pound, nine ounces.  

For more information on the Gregory Miwok Backpack, click here.  To purchase the Miwok Backpack, click here.