Plus Size Backpacks for Overweight People

If you are a big person, you might want to check this selection of plus-size backpacks for overweight people, all from Gregory’s celebrated series but with some added features.

As of the publishing date, Gregory is the only one of the top brands that make special packs for overweight people. Currently, they carry around 15, including gender-specific packs for men and women and unisex packs.

These Gregory Plus Size backpacks include the following features:

• Differently shaped and angled harness attachment to the pack.
• Longer padding on shoulder harness straps.
• They have also shifted hip belt pockets forward for easy access.
• Hip belt straps are longer to accommodate a larger body circumference.

What Does Plus-Size Mean?

Just to be clear, the phrase “plus-size” is not about the actual volume or capacity of the pack. However, Gregory’s has many small daypacks in its lineup. “Plus-size” refers to the sizing for larger people, where regular packs are too small.

The picture below shows how a plus-size backpack fits a larger person better. On the left side, you can see the shoulder strap and the hip belt from the plus-size version. On the right are the same details from the same pack but its regular version, but with an inferior and uncomfortable fit:

Our list of top-rated Gregory Plus Size backpacks

The packs in the list below are ordered by volume from smaller to larger, and we have chosen them from very different groups:

These are three examples that include a pack for day use, a mid-size pack for overnight use, and also a large pack for longer backpacking tours.

1. Gregory Mountain Products Citro 30 H2O Hydration Backpack Plus Size

The Citro 30 is a relatively small pack for light use and day tours, but this is also a pack from Gregory’s Plus Size collection. They also have a version for women named the Gregory Mountain Products Juno 30 H2O Hydration Backpack Plus Size. The pack is a panel-loading type with a zipper.

Gregory Moutain Products has fitted this pack with a bonus 3D Hydro quick-drying soft-molded 3-liter reservoir equipped with a handle and drying hanger. In addition to this, it has its own dedicated 3/4 zippered hydration sleeve with a SpeedClip hanger.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Bonus reservoir included.
• Ventilated back panel.
• Very good hip belt.
• Lightweight pack.

Cons:

• Not adjustable torso length.
• No rain cover.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The design includes a breathable ActiveFlex shoulder harness with a magnetic sternum buckle and hose clip for the Drylock bite valve.

The pack has a perimeter alloy frame and their VaporSpan ventilated suspension that includes a moisture-wicking mesh and a 3D cradle padded hip belt with large zippered pockets.

You also have Gregory’s sunglass QuickStow system on the shoulder harness, plus several pockets and attachment loops for trekking poles. In light of these features, you have a versatile and comfortable pack.

The numbers are as follows:

• Weight: 2.19 lb (993 g).
• Volume: 30 L (1831 in³).
• Torso fit: 16 – 21 in (41 – 53 cm).
• Waist fit: 41 – 60 in (104 – 152 cm).
• Carry weight: 25 lb (11.3 kg).
• Dimensions: 21.7 x 11.8 x 9.6 in (55 x 30 x 25 cm).

2. Gregory Mountain Products Amber 44 Backpack Plus Size

The Amber series is one of Gregory’s lines of backpacks designed for women. In contrast, men can enjoy the same benefits with the similar Stout series. All of them are available in several different volumes, and also as regular as well as plus size packs.

The Amber series has been on the market for years; this is its latest update. But it also includes the features typical for Gregory’s Plus Size series. In other words it is comparable to 2X-6X in apparel sizing.

It is an excellent overnight pack and can also be used for long-day tours when you carry lots of stuff. It features what Gregory’s calls the VersaFit suspension and includes an adjustable torso length.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Adjustable torso length.
• Bottom compartment.
• Lightweight.
• Rain cover.

Cons:

• The price is a bit steep.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The pack has a classic top access, where you have a collar and lid. But it also has a zippered bottom compartment. Note that it comes with a rain cover included.

To be sure is fits a woman’s physicality, Gregory’s has equipped it with a padded wraparound hip belt and a perforated, breathable shoulder harness with a sternum strap equipped with an integrated safety whistle.

It has the usual pockets on the hip belt, on the sides, a lid pocket, and a front oversized stretch mesh pocket. All standard attachment options and straps are in place.

The numbers are as follows. The pack is relatively light, weighing only 2.93 lb (1.33 kg), and its volume is 44 L (2685 in³). Its recommended maximum carry weight is 45 lb (20 kg). Comparatively, this is a lot for such a mid-size pack.

The torso range is 14 – 19 inches (36 – 48 cm), and the hip belt range is 41 – 60 inches (104 – 152 cm). The dimensions are 25 x 12 x 10.5 inches (64 x 31 x 27 cm).

3. Gregory Mountain Products Katmai 65 Plus Backpack

Here you have Gregory’s famous backpacking Katmai 65 pack for men, but with added extra features for larger users. This is a feature-rich pack built in the classic style with a lid and collar. You also have a full-length side-loading access zipper, plus a separate bottom compartment.

We have included it on our list because of its extra plus-size features. It is comparable to 2X-6X in apparel sizing, with extended-length shoulder straps and hip belt straps.

The torso sizing is consistent with all other Gregory products. It has adjustable shoulder harnesses and torso length, an adjustable hip belt, and a 3D ComfortCradle for body-hugging comfort.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Great ventilation.
• Many pockets.
• Fully adjustable.
• Many attachment options.

Cons:

• A bit on the heavy side.
• No rain cover.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The best part of this backpack is its FreeFloat 360 ventilated back panel with dynamic flex panels and auto-rotating shoulder straps. They are designed to move with the natural movements of your body for comfort and an unrestricted range of motion. It also features moisture-wicking materials with Polygiene Stays Fresh Technology. This air-mesh treatment inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

This all is supported with a perimeter alloy frame and fiberglass, anti-barreling cross-stay. You also have plenty of pockets and attachment options for added versatility.

The internal hydration sleeve uses Gregory’s SpeedClip hydration hanger that is compatible with Gregory’s 3D Hydro Trek Reservoir (not included).

Gregory’s makes this backpack in two sub-sizes, S/M and M/L. The S/M weighs 5 lb (2.27 kg) and holds 60 L (3661 in³) of stuff up to 45 lb (20.4 kg). It measures 28.7 x 12.6 x 17.3 inches (73 x 32 x 44 cm). The torso fit is 15 – 19 inches (38 – 48 cm), and the hip belt fits 39 – 60 inches (99 – 152 cm).

This is a pack for men, but they also have the corresponding Gregory Mountain Products Kalmia 60 Plus Backpack for women.

Final thoughts

In viewing our selection of plus-size backpacks for overweight people, we hope you see how great these packs are. In conclusion, they have all the excellent features of standard Gregory’s packs, but include features for plus-size users. As mentioned above, these are just a small sample of the 15 packs that Gregory has in its Plus Size series. But we believe that the different volumes of these ones cover a variety of outdoor activities.