We were in Salt Lake City, Utah last week to show Gregory’s Fall 2012 products to outdoor retailers. The Border travel pack and Alpinisto mountaineering pack were very well received (see here and here) but there was also a considerable amount of buzz around Gregory’s Spring 2012 products which are reaching retail stores right now. While at the OR show, I caught up with product designer Mark Thibadeau to learn more about the packs that he designed.
- Sage 35 in Tule Blue
- Sage 45 in Cyprus Green
- Sage 55 in Rosewood Red
- Savant 38 in Cindercone Red
- Savant 48 in Indigo Blue
- Savant 58 in Thundercloud Black
GGT: Name and line of backpacks that you designed.
MT: Intuition 3D Suspension, Savant and Sage packs.
GGT: What are the main features of the backpacks that you designed?
MT: The main features of the bag include a water resistant top pocket, large organization pockets, and a horseshoe shaped zipper for easy access to the main compartment.
GGT: What type of person will find these backpacks most useful?
MT: The Savant/Sage were designed with a range of users in mind, and I think we ended up with packs that are very user friendly in general. I think anyone that wants a pack for all around outdoor use will love them.
GGT: What activities or sports are best suited to these backpacks?
MT: My Savant 38 is what I always use for fast overnights. I also load it up with my MTB gear when I’m heading to the trailhead. This pack actually gets more use than any of my other packs and I have a lot of packs!
GGT: Did you use any innovative materials or design techniques in your backpacks? What are they?
MT: We decided early in the design process that water resistance should be one of the key features of these models. As with rain jackets, packs usually only leak water on their seams. The coated fabrics that we use will naturally withstand a moderate amount of water pressure. So, we set about to reduce the number of seams and leakage points where water hits first, the top pocket. You may notice that the top pocket on the Savant and Sage packs looks a bit different than on some of our other products, and that’s because of its unique water resistant construction. In addition, we added a modified roll-top to help seal the zippered closure.
GGT: What served as your inspiration while designing these backpacks?
MT: I was excited to work on a product for a more general user — a person willing to step out of their comfort zone and try something completely new. Many of us take this for granted, but getting outside for the first time can be a pretty scary proposition. That person, I think, was my inspiration.
It became an interesting design challenge as well. Often, we associate fewer features and less technical design with entry-level product. But in reality, these users have very different, and often very technical, needs of their own. So, I tried to place myself in their shoes and then wonder what my concerns would be.
Also, check out a video that shows some of the features of these user-friendly packs.
Savant and Sage Packs from Gregory Packs on Vimeo.






























