Gregory Paragon Sustainability Report

The Paragon 60 uses a mix of 100D and 210D nylon with a 300D base, offering moderate abrasion resistance that balances weight and durability. While not as rugged as burlier models with 420D or 600D fabrics, the construction feels well-stitched and refined. Most backpackers can expect solid longevity with basic care, though it's wise to avoid heavy bushwhacking or extended contact with sharp rock.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The Gregory Paragon 60 is treated with a PFAS-free durable water repellent. Gregory uses only PFAS-free durable water-repellent treatments on its products and independently monitors its suppliers for compliance.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Paragon 60 incorporates a 40% recycled ripstop nylon bottom and a 40% recycled polyester lining. Gregory is increasing the use of recycled materials across its products, committing to reducing virgin nylon by 30% by 2025 and 70% by 2030. (It hasn’t disclosed whether it met its 2025 target, though.) Additionally, the brand developed a custom lining fabric made from 40% post-consumer polyester, which it uses in most of its backpacks. This shift allowed Gregory to divert approximately 1.5 million plastic bottles from landfills in 2022. Across Samsonite Group, Gregory’s parent company, 40% of products sold in 2025 incorporated recycled materials.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

Gregory’s Paragon 60 does not feature Bluesign-approved materials. Gregory has not invested in becoming a Bluesign System Partner, but it incorporates Bluesign-approved materials in many of its products. The company set a goal to use 90% Bluesign-approved hardware and buckles by 2024 and believes it has successfully met that target.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 20% Bluesign-approved accessories.

Gregory collaborates with independent third-party auditors to ensure its factories comply with its Ethical Charter and Social Compliance Program. Additionally, the brand’s key suppliers operate in Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)-certified facilities. The WRAP program certifies that manufacturing facilities adhere to safe, lawful, humane, and ethical standards. Every WRAP-certified factory undergoes rigorous social compliance audits every 1–2 years, during which it is assessed on multiple principles, including environmentally conscious practices.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

In 2021, Gregory began packaging all its backpacks in 99% recycled poly bags. In 2022, it also began using recycled paper hangtags and accessory packaging for all its products.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Gregory offers free repair services under its limited lifetime warranty against material and manufacturing defects for all its products. The brand also performs out-of-warranty repairs for issues related to normal wear and tear or accidental damage for nominal fees. In 2022, it launched a DIY repair program, providing field-serviceable parts and instructions to facilitate at-home repairs. Gregory has since expanded the program to reduce emissions associated with shipping items to and from its repair center.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

Gregory doesn’t operate a resale program. However, it makes an effort to recycle parts from products that can’t be repaired and use them in future repairs.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Gregory’s parent company, Samsonite Group, uses the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to track its greenhouse gas emissions. Samsonite aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 emissions by 52% per unit of gross profit by 2030 (compared to its 2023 baseline). The Science Based Targets Initiative verified these goals in March 2025. In 2025, Samsonite reported a 39% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 19% decrease in Scope 3 emissions (which constitute 99% of the group’s total emissions) compared to its 2023 baseline.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Samsonite Group (Gregory’s parent company) publishes an annual impact report that covers the sustainability progress of all its subsidiary brands. The report features thorough greenhouse gas emissions data, as well as details on recycled and preferred materials. Unfortunately, the 2025 report includes little information specifically about Gregory.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.