This is a fast article showing you how to attach trekking poles to your Gregory pack, whether it’s a day pack, like the Zulu 30, or a backpacking pack, like the Paragon 58.
The two packs mentioned are what I personally use, and they use the exact same design for their trekking pole fasteners. Likely these fasteners are universal to the Gregory backpack lineup, so even if you don’t have the exact same pack as mine, this quick tutorial will work for you.
Related: To check out the my review of the Gregory Zulu 30, the pack featured in the pictures below, click here.
Examine the design of the trekking pole fasteners on Gregory packs
Take a look at the picture below. Note that on Gregory packs there are two fasteners: The lower one is just a strap with a buckle, forming a loop that you tighten by pulling the loose end. The upper one is made from an elastic cord that forms a loop, by clipping it to a plastic hook on the edge of its buckle.
Also note where on the poles they are attached to the pack.
You’ll need to insert the tip-ends of your poles through the lower loop first, tighten it, then attach the middle of your poles to the upper, elastic loop and hook.
Related: If you want to check out which poles I use, that work with my Gregory Zulu and Paragon packs’ trekking pole fasteners, check out my review article of those poles, by clicking this link.
Lower trekking pole fastener on a Gregory backpack
The lower trekking pole loop is similar in nature to all the other strap/buckle assemblies on Gregory packs (or other camping and hiking equipment). Just pull the appropriate edge of the buckle away from the strap so that the buckle no longer catches it, via frictional force. Then pull the strap through the buckle with your other hand to make the loop larger.
Insert the tips of your poles through the open loop. Find an area on the poles where they will not slide from gravity, once the loop is cinched down on them. I’m using my poles’ quick-locks for this area. Place that area in the appropriate area for the loop to grab it when tightened. Then tighten your poles down by pulling the loose end of the strap through the buckle.
Upper trekking pole fastener on a Gregory backpack
The upper fastener should be used after placing your poles through the lower loop.
First make sure the elastic cord is attached to the upper fastener’s plastic hook on the buckle. Next, loosen its elastic cord by grabbing the plastic buckle with your thumb and index finger, then pulling on the buckle’s spring loaded catchment system via its nylon strap, with the opposite hand, while simultaneously pulling both of your hands away from the pack. This will make the loop of the cord looser.
Once it’s loose, unfasten the cord from the hook, and place your trekking poles in the fastening area. Re-clip the cord to the hook, with it around your poles. Now, using plastic tab on the opposite end of the cord, tighten the cord around your poles, by pulling on such. Make sure the cord is tight enough to be snug on the poles.
Summary of how to attach your trekking poles to your Gregory pack
- loosen both the upper and lower trekking pole attachment loops
- place the tips of your poles through the lower loops, and feed them though, until an appropriate place has been found, where the loop, once tightened, will catch the poles
- tighten the lower loop
- unhook the cord of the upper loop from its hook on the buckle
- place the middle parts of your poles in the this upper loop’s attachment area
- with the cord around both poles reattach it to the hook on the buckle
- tighten the upper loop by pulling the plastic tab attached to the cord
Further Reading
Check out my review of my Gregory Paragon 58L pack, and why I chose it over the Osprey Exos 58 pack.
And for other gear related information and reviews, check out my hiking gear and camping gear pages.
See ya out there…