Sometimes I’m in my hiking gear, and sometimes I have to spiff up. Sometimes I sleep on the ground around a campfire, and sometimes I have a hotel and a shower and I can wash my sox. On a hot and humid hut trek in New Hampshire’s Presidential Range, a friend and I hiked 21 miles and over 12,000 cumulative feet up and down on some of the hardest trails in the White Mountains. In that laboratory of sweat and arduousness, the Deuter AC Lite 23 demonstrated its strengths of comfort and ventilation.

I know I am a gear freak but I also know that many times my well being and safety depend on the clothing and equipment I am using. To this end working with someone like my friend will result in getting the best piece of equipment. It would be a shame to lose this type of service. I spend a couple months each year traveling and leading tours in some cities, but mostly through the rugged country side of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea.. I am eager to hear from you. And I appreciate the enthusiastic and professional way you scamper into your work… Gregory Mountain Products was begun in 1977 by Wayne Gregory in San Diego, California. Gregory was no stranger to building and designing outdoor equipment. The suspension system you have here is simply great, this is what Gregory calls CrossFlo ventilated suspension. This is a suspended mesh, or trampoline-type system, the best possible for ventilation.

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Hydration sleeve with SpeedClip hydration hanger compatible with Gregory’s 3D Hydro reservoirs (reservoir not included). Modular strap attachment system: 4 side compression straps included, top and bottom vertical straps, optional helmet carrier and extra modular straps Constructed from Lifespan foam to provide a generations worth of comfort, the shoulder harnesses are perforated to maximize airflow and comfort on the trail. It boasts incredible ventilation and many useful features. But what really sets it apart from most other brands, including Gregory, is its one-of-a-kind anti-gravity suspension.

Gregory's patented FreeFloat dynamic hipbelt links the hipbelt to the frame with a panel designed to move and flex with your body.Webbing keepers make sure the excess straps on the side compression straps are kept under control. I wish the shoulder straps had webbing keepers too. Particularly great in the suspension which you have here is also the lumbar area, with an excellent padding and a ventilation channel, just see the picture above. Even though it’s a lightweight model, the Optic comes with fully padded shoulder straps and waist belt. Comfortable and stable, intuitive and functional design, modular set-up, utilizes recycled materials