Granite Gear Crown3 60 vs Gregory Focal 58
Quick take: The Granite Gear Crown3 60 costs $30 less; the Granite Gear Crown3 60 carries more (60 vs 58 liters); the Granite Gear Crown3 60 is lighter (2.55 vs 2.57 lbs).
| Spec | Granite Gear Crown3 60 | Gregory Focal 58 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $240 | $270 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 60 L | 58 L |
| Weight | 2.55 lbs | 2.57 lbs |
| Max Load | 35 lbs | 35 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Sized short/regular/long, 15-21 in | Sized S-L, 15-22 in |
| Material | 100D/210D high-tenacity nylon | 100D/210D recycled nylon |
| Back Panel | Molded foam with removable frame sheet | FreeFloat suspended mesh |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | Yes | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Granite Gear limited lifetime | Gregory lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Granite Gear Crown3 60
- ✓Halfway Anywhere PCT surveys consistently place the Crown line among the most-used packs — thousands have finished trails with one.
- ✓Redditors call it the best value in ultralight: Circuit-class function at $60 less, often on sale below $200.
- ✓The adjustable-length hipbelt fits waists that fixed-belt cottage packs exclude.
- ✓Strips to about 1.9 lbs with the lid and frame sheet removed — a legitimate two-packs-in-one design.
- ✓A BV500 fits horizontally with room to spare, a canister-country selling point repeated in reviews.
- ✓The 210D bottom panel takes granite abuse that destroys lighter packs' floors.
- ✓The huge stretch front pocket and deep bottle pockets carry a full wet-gear kit outside the bag.
- ✓Its 35 lb rating is honest — reviewers report it carries at its ceiling better than the Flash 55 does.
- ✗The foam back panel has zero real airflow; it's the sweatiest back in this roundup after the frameless packs.
- ✗Fixed torso sizes mean online buyers between sizes must guess.
- ✗The shoulder straps are unpadded by plush standards and dig under 35 lb food carries.
- ✗No hydration port on some production runs annoyed bladder users — check the current spec.
- ✗The lid is floppy when half-full and many owners just leave it home.
- ✗The roll-top collar fabric is thinner than the body and wears first.
- ✗Granite Gear's colorways run loud; the muted options sell out first.
- ✗Warranty service is fine but slower than Osprey's, per owner anecdotes.
Gregory Focal 58
- ✓Beats the Exos at its own game in most head-to-heads: similar weight, real hipbelt pockets, and a pivoting belt the Osprey lacks.
- ✓The FreeFloat suspended mesh breathes as well as anything under 3 lbs.
- ✓The dynamic hipbelt pivots with your stride, which reviewers credit for less hip chafe on long days.
- ✓Dual zippered hipbelt pockets fit large phones — called out approvingly in nearly every review.
- ✓The fixed lid-less design with a big top pocket keeps the silhouette clean without lid flop.
- ✓At 2.57 lbs it undercuts the Exos while including more standard features.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty matches Osprey's on paper.
- ✓The 100D body with 210D reinforcement has held up well in long-term reviews.
- ✗Fixed torso sizes (no adjustability) is the biggest spec gap versus the current Exos.
- ✗The suspended mesh bows into the bag and complicates bear-canister packing, same as every trampoline design.
- ✗Availability is far thinner than Osprey's — few stores stock it to try on.
- ✗The 35 lb rating is optimistic per heavier users; 30 lbs is the practical comfort line.
- ✗The stretch front pocket is smaller than the Exos's and fills fast with wet gear.
- ✗No removable lid means no weight-stripping flexibility.
- ✗Bottle pockets require a shoulder-dislocating reach for some torsos.
- ✗Brand recognition lags in the UL scene, so resale is softer than Osprey or cottage brands.