A Ski Pack for Skiers
Simple, organized design doesn’t have to mean bare-bones minimalism. The women’s Gregory Targhee 24 packs a range of features into a simple, thoughtful design that offers good organization and easy access to essential day touring gear. The Targhee has been a fixture in the Gregory backpack line for many years, and the latest edition is a great example of a ski pack designed by people who understand the priorities of a seasoned backcountry skier.
The Targhee 24 offers practical features that work without excess straps, buckles, or complicated access. It has a modest volume that keeps you from packing more than you need, while still having the room required for a good day tour. It’s a ski pack for skiers. There’s a men’s version too, the Targhee 26. It’s a little larger (2 liters) but features the same clean, functional design.
The Targhee 24 ski pack fits a typical backcountry skiing load with room to spare.
Functional Design
The Gregory Targhee 24 ski pack is a clamshell pack with back-panel access and a dedicated avalanche safety tools pocket that’s accessible independently of the main body. The pack’s modest size fits a short torso well, offering a snug fit that sits naturally at the hips without extending too high above the shoulders. At 24 liters, it falls on the smaller side for a backcountry ski day pack. Nonetheless, its clean design maximizes storage volume and holds a typical day’s load nicely.
The design includes three distinct packing zones: the main body, the avalanche tool pocket and an accessory pocket at the top of the pack. A small hipbelt pocket offers on-the-go access to small stuff like sunscreen or a snack. Even given the pack’s relatively small overall volume, the avalanche tools pocket is deep enough to accommodate a full-size shovel and probe without issue.
Why Choose Backpanel Access
Most packs are either top loaders with a single large opening at the top or panel loaders with access to different zones via zip panels that offer clamshell-like access. Some packs offer a combination of access options, such as a top loader with side-zip access or a panel loader with backpanel access. The Gregory Targhee 25 keeps it simple with backpanel access. The design offers full access to the main body with fewer zippers and a cleaner exterior. It also means you can set the pack down at transitions and access the full interior without snow buildup on the back panel.
Modern Details
While the design is straightforward, Gregory adds several modern features without complicating the design. Number one is a helmet carry harness. The simple system is built into the front panel and stows neatly into a dedicated pocket when not in use. Its fixed design makes it easy to use and means there’s no separate attachment to lose. The next extra feature is hydration bladder compatibility with insulated drink-hose storage in the shoulder strap. It’s a nice feature if you prefer using a hydration bladder, and it goes virtually unnoticed if you don’t.
Bottom Line – A Ski Pack Made for Efficient Touring
In the era of avalanche airbags and sometimes overengineered pack design, the Gregory Targhee 24 and 26 are refreshingly simple, yet fully featured ski packs. They have everything you need to keep your gear organized and easy to access while offering a snug, comfortable fit that feels great while skiing. The women’s pack has the right proportions to fit a smaller torso well. It rides comfortably while breaking trail and securely while skiing. Quick access pockets keep small essentials easy to grab, and a dedicated pocket keeps your snow safety tools secure and out of the way until you need them. Nice work, Gregory.
Check out the Gregory Targhee 24 Ski pack at Gregory.com
Offpistemag is an AI-free zone. All content is created by experienced skiers and riders. If you find a mistake on offpistemag.com, rest assured, it was made by a human being.
