Gregory Amber 68 vs Granite Gear Perimeter 50
Quick take: The Granite Gear Perimeter 50 costs $10.05 less; the Gregory Amber 68 carries more (68 vs 50 liters); the Granite Gear Perimeter 50 is lighter (3.1 vs 3.48 lbs).
Which one to buy
At $260 and $250, this pits Gregory's value women's hauler against Granite Gear's lidded organizer, and the deciding factor is what you need the volume for. The Amber 68 has 18 L more, a ventilated back, and a bear canister fit both vertically and horizontally, which removes the guesswork from canister-country trips. The Perimeter 50 is 0.4 lb lighter, rated to 40 lb against the Amber's 50, and has eight external pockets including a top lid and bottom flap.
Gregory rates the Amber to 50 lb, but it is a value hauler for moderate loads rather than an expedition pack, with a simpler suspension than Gregory's pricier lines. And 68 L is more than most three-season weekends need, and underfilled big packs sag; the Amber earns its size with canisters, bulky shoulder-season gear or kit for kids. If that isn't your trip, the Perimeter's 50 L and pocket layout suit it better.
The two adjust in different ways. The Amber is a women's pack with one adjustable torso covering 14-19 in and genuine plus sizes, which are rare. The Perimeter adjusts in height and width across Regular (18-21 in) and Long (21-25 in). Both come with lifetime warranty coverage, and you'll buy a rain cover for either.
Gregory Amber 68
For women hiking in canister country or carrying bulky gear or a child's kit, who need a pack confirmed to take a canister either way, or plus sizing.
Granite Gear Perimeter 50
Best for weekend trips with loads up to 40 lb if you want lots of pockets and a torso that adjusts in height and width, including torsos over 19 in.
| Spec | Gregory Amber 68 | Granite Gear Perimeter 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $260 | $249.95 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 68 L | 50 L |
| Weight | 3.48 lbs | 3.1 lbs |
| Max Load | 50 lbs | 40 lbs |
| Torso Fit | One size VersaFit adjustable torso (14-19 in), plus sizes available | Adjustable height and width, 18-21 in (Regular) / 21-25 in (Long) |
| Material | 40% recycled 210D nylon with 420D high density nylon | Robic 100D with custom 210D nylon |
| Back Panel | Perforated 3D foam back panel on a wishbone alloy frame | Perimeter suspension: spring-steel rod outline with PE sheet core |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | Yes | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | No |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, original purchaser | Granite Gear Limited Lifetime Warranty |
Pros & cons
Gregory Amber 68
- ✓Confirmed to fit a bear canister both vertically and horizontally, which very few packs here state explicitly.
- ✓68 L for $260 is the best capacity-per-dollar of any women's pack on this site.
- ✓3.48 lb for 68 L is a 0.82 oz/L ratio, better than the much pricier Deva.
- ✓Four volumes from 34 to 68 L, a deeper ladder than most premium lines offer.
- ✓Plus sizes are offered, which is rare and not just a marketing claim.
- ✓Post-consumer recycled nylon throughout.
- ✓Measured volume came in at 60 L against 68 advertised, a smaller gap than most packs here.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty applies at the budget end too.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗The 34, 44 and 54 L sizes have no published prices or weights.
- ✗One-size adjustable construction is less precise than the Deva's three frame sizes.
- ✗The suspension is simpler than the FreeFloat systems used higher in the range.
- ✗68 L is more pack than most trips need, and underfilled large packs carry poorly.
Granite Gear Perimeter 50
- ✓Torso adjusts in both height and width, which few packs at this price offer.
- ✓Two torso ranges cover 18 to 25 in.
- ✓Eight external pockets including a lid and two hipbelt pockets.
- ✓40 lb rating suits a full weekend load with water.
- ✓Hydration sleeve and port.
- ✓Granite Gear's limited lifetime warranty.
- ✗3.1 lb is heavy for 50 L next to Granite Gear's own Crown3.
- ✗The lid is fixed, so it cannot be left at home to save weight.
- ✗No raincover.
- ✗Granite Gear runs frequent storewide sales, so buyers rarely pay the $249.95 regular price.
Gregory Amber 68 vs Granite Gear Perimeter 50: common questions
Which pack is better for bear canister country?▾
The Amber 68. It's one of the few packs confirmed to fit a canister both vertically and horizontally. Granite Gear makes no canister claim for the Perimeter 50, so you'd be testing the fit yourself.
Is 68 L too much compared with the Perimeter's 50 L?▾
For most three-season weekends, yes, because underfilled large packs sag and carry poorly. The Amber makes sense when the volume is doing work, such as canisters, bulky shoulder-season gear or kit for kids.