Neatly packing the car for a road trip has never been my forte. The suitcases might be filled with carefully folded clothes, and I may have consulted a written checklist to ensure nothing was forgotten, but that’s where the organization ends. Snacks are typically stuffed in an unreliable paper grocery bag on the floor of the backseat, while my assortment of camping gear is crammed in an overworked cardboard box. Loose in the trunk are bike helmets, dusty hiking boots, and other outdoor bric-a-brac cartwheeling around with every turn.
Then, when it’s time to unload, several trips are needed to transport everything to the hotel or campsite. This chaotic system might still be in place if not for the Gregory Alpaca Series. Specifically, the Gear Basket, Gear Pods, and Wide-Mouth Duffel—my three road trip heroes.
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Each of these car trunk-friendly travel organizers scores points in appearance, with understated yet attractive designs and a cool “Slate Blue” color palette. More importantly, they go beyond good looks with their tough and functional construction, light weight, and intuitive organization capabilities. From a two-hour drive to Colorado Springs to dog-sit for my in-laws to a five-hour drive to Grand Junction for mountain biking and other outdoor adventures, these Gregory pieces have pulled their weight and then some. If you're a like-minded road tripper dealing with the usual packing quandaries, let me make a few revelatory introductions.
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The Gregory Gear Basket 70 was an immediate favorite when I was introduced to the brand's Alpaca Series. Out of the packaging, it comes folded flat for easy storage, but all it takes is popping the rods into each corner of the basket to get it assembled and ready for action. As a bonus, it comes in a roomy mesh stuff sack that I’ve been using as a laundry bag on longer trips.
Lifting it while empty is practically effortless—so much so that you might wonder if such a lightweight, aluminum-framed bin is sturdy enough to haul heavy and bulky items. Spoiler: It is. Hitting the gear capacity sweet spot at 70 liters, it's big enough to hold plenty of stuff without taking up too much trunk or backseat real estate.
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The Wide-Mouth Duffel 50 has also proven to be a welcome companion on road trips. Deep enough to carry water bottles and snacks as well as any extra clothes and shoes a suitcase couldn’t handle, this hefty 50-liter duffel is like Mary Poppins’ bag with its seemingly limitless storage space. It’s got strong handles sewn into the top for carrying by hand as well as a padded shoulder strap. It’s as lightweight and well-balanced as the Gear Basket.
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The Gear Pod 5 and Gear Pod 10—offering a gear capacity of 5 and 10 liters, respectively—have turned out to be equally valuable additions to my packing process. Equipped with smooth-gliding zippers and mesh lids for seeing what’s inside, these sturdy little pods hold more than you’d think while taking up minimal space in a suitcase or bin. My favorite uses for them: storing shoes and sandals, stowing toiletries, and keeping miscellaneous items like swimsuits separate and easy to find.
