Packing the car neatly for a trip has never been my forte. Suitcases may be filled with carefully folded clothes, and I may have resorted to a written checklist to make sure nothing is forgotten, but organization ends there. Snacks are usually crammed into a treacherous paper grocery bag on the floor of the back seat, while my assortment of camping gear is crammed into an overused cardboard box. The trunk is littered with bike helmets, dusty hiking boots, and other outdoor junk that gets thrown around at every turn.
Then, when it’s time to unload, it takes several trips to haul everything back to the hotel or campsite. This chaotic system might still be in place if it weren’t for the Gregory Alpaca Series. Specifically, the Gear Basket, Gear Pods, and Wide-Mouth Duffel—three of my road trip heroes.
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Each of these trunk-friendly travel organizers scores points for appearance, with their simple yet attractive designs and cool “Slate Blue” color palette. More importantly, they go beyond their good looks with their sturdy and functional construction, light weight, and intuitive organizational capabilities. From a two-hour drive to Colorado Springs to care for my in-laws’ dog to a five-hour drive to Grand Junction for mountain biking and other outdoor adventures, these Gregory pieces have pulled their weight and more. If you’re a like-minded road tripper struggling with the usual packing dilemmas, allow me to provide a few revealing introductions.
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Gregory Gear Basket
The Gregory Gear Basket 70 was an instant favorite of mine when I was introduced to the brand’s Alpaca Series. When unpacked, it folds flat for easy storage, but all you have to do is pop the rods into each corner of the basket to get it assembled and ready to go. As a bonus, it comes in a large mesh bag that I use as a laundry bag on long trips.
When empty, lifting it is almost effortless, so much so that you may wonder whether such a lightweight, aluminium-framed bin is sturdy enough to carry heavy, bulky items. Spoiler: it is. Once the 70-litre gear capacity hits its sweet spot, it’s big enough to hold plenty of stuff without taking up too much boot or backseat space.
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Gregory Wide Mouth Duffel Bag
The Wide-Mouth Duffel 50 has also proven to be a welcome companion on the go. Deep enough to hold water bottles and snacks, as well as extra clothing and shoes that a suitcase can’t handle, this heavy-duty 50-liter duffel bag resembles Mary Poppins’ bag with its endless storage space. It has strong sewn-in handles and a padded shoulder strap for carrying by hand. It’s as light and stable as the Gear Basket.
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Gregory Gear Pods
The Gear Pod 5 and Gear Pod 10 have been equally valuable additions to my packing process, offering a gear capacity of 5 and 10 liters, respectively. Equipped with smooth-gliding zippers and mesh lids to make it easy to see what's inside, these sturdy little pods hold more than you'd think while taking up minimal space in a suitcase or tote. My favorite uses for them: storing shoes and sandals, stacking toiletries, and keeping miscellaneous items like swimsuits separate and easy to find.