Articles

Bringing Mountain Smarts to the City: Why the Gregory "Journeyman" Is the Ultimate Backpack for Business Trips

2025.10.02

It’s not uncommon to see people using outdoor-brand backpacks for business trips and travel. But while you get the benefits of durability and comfort, you often have to compromise with a design that's too casual or features that are just overkill.

That's where Gregory, a titan in the American outdoor industry, saw an opportunity.

They developed the "Journeyman," a backpack that keeps the core strengths of their mountain packs but adds the stylish design and practical features needed for city life.

It has since cemented its status as one of the brand's signature travel backpacks. Brand Director Kenjiro Nakajima is here to break down everything that makes it so appealing, from its development story to its detailed specs.

PROFILE

Kenjiro Nakajima

Brand Director, Gregory Business Division, Samsonite Japan, Inc.

As the head of Gregory in Japan, he joined the outdoor industry out of a love for the mountains, enjoying hiking and camping. Recently, he's also been drawn to the appeal of marine sports, practicing a wide range of one-day activities.

A Gregory for travel and business, the Journeyman was born from user feedback

The Journeyman debuted in 2017, its name a coined term for a traveler.

“This backpack was designed for a lifestyle centered on urban travel, whether for business or leisure. A lot of our current Gregory customers have been fans since their student days.

As they’ve gotten older and entered new stages of life, work has become more demanding and business trips more frequent. We created the Journeyman to answer the call from Gregory users for a backpack that could handle business trips and travel. It was subsequently updated in 2021.”

The logo was updated in 2016. The linear, single-stroke mountain symbolizes the single path connecting the brand's mountaineering roots to its future.

Stylish on the outside, with that signature Gregory comfort on the inside

Let's take a closer look at the current Journeyman.

It features a simple, all-black, boxy design, measuring 49 cm (H) x 29 cm (W) x 30 cm (D). With a 30L capacity, it seems just right for a one- or two-night trip, a business excursion, or a daily commute with a heavy load.

“We went with a square shape with business use in mind. Not only does it create a sharp, professional look, but it’s also better for organizing documents and files.”

Trying it on, I found that although it weighs about 1.2 kg, it feels surprisingly light thanks to the shoulder harnesses that contour to my shoulders.

“The shoulder harnesses are curved to follow the contours of the shoulders and are padded with 3D EVA foam. This structure evenly distributes the load, reducing strain on your shoulders even after carrying it for long hours.”

Furthermore, stabilizer straps at the top of the shoulder harnesses pull the pack closer to your back, enhancing the fit and further lightening the load on your shoulders. It also comes equipped with an adjustable sternum strap.

Its square shape allows it to sit snugly against the back.

Packed with details derived from mountaineering backpacks

The pack’s main body is made from a high-performance nylon developed by the American company Invista.

“It’s a material that is significantly more resistant to abrasion and tearing than standard nylon, yet it remains lightweight. At Gregory, we use this Cordura nylon as the primary material for our backpacks.”

The zipper pulls feature the brand's iconic leather toggles.

“They’re made of cowhide, so the more you use them, the softer they become and the better they mold to your hand. Another great feature is that they’re easy to replace.”

The zipper pulls are also sold separately in a pack of four for 990 JPY (tax included).

“The zippers are YKK No. 10. These are heavy-duty zippers with teeth about 10 mm wide, the kind you find on outdoor gear like bags and outerwear that need to be tough. On Gregory’s outdoor-focused packs, we often use them for the main compartment, which bears the most load.”

Let's also check out its user-friendliness.

The main compartment opens wide in a clamshell style, allowing for smooth packing and unpacking.

It features a zippered accessory pocket on top and a zippered front pocket complete with an organizer.

A dedicated laptop compartment with direct external access.

Making the PC sleeve a separate compartment was another key detail.

"The idea was to create a separation between business and personal life. It can feel a bit awkward when you have to pull out your laptop for a business meeting or at airport security, and others can see your change of clothes or souvenirs that have nothing to do with work.

That's why we designed the PC sleeve as a separate compartment on the back of the pack. It also features a mesh zip pocket at the top, perfect for storing charging cables and a mouse."

The pack is equipped with four compression straps on the sides. These straps help stabilize your gear, making the pack more comfortable to carry.

The mesh pocket is handy for storing PC accessories.

The Current Model, Optimized for Business Trips and Travel, Comes in Two Materials

After its 2017 launch, sales grew steadily. However, based on feedback from our business users, we started developing a successor model.

"We kept the fundamental design, details, and size but added features better suited for business trips and travel."

One of the new features is the pass-through sleeve on the back.

"We initially envisioned Gregory users as travelers who pack everything into a single bag for agile movement, so we didn't design it to be used with a suitcase.

However, we received a lot of feedback from people who wanted to use it with their luggage, so we added a pass-through sleeve on the back that slides over a rolling suitcase handle."

The side pockets were also updated.

"They were originally open pockets. But when you place the pack on a rolling suitcase, it tilts, which can cause items to fall out. To prevent this, we added zippers to the openings.

Now you can leave them open for a water bottle or zip them shut to secure digital gadgets and valuables."

The side pockets were updated with zippers.

The current model also comes in two variations.

"Both are black, but they differ slightly in material and detail. One is made from 420-denier CORDURA nylon, while the other uses CORDURA ballistic nylon."

Left: "Journeyman (Black)," ¥42,900 (incl. tax). Right: "Journeyman (CORDURA Ballistic Black)," ¥45,100 (incl. tax).

"The CORDURA nylon model features our signature brown leather zipper pulls, giving it that classic look Gregory fans know and love.

The ballistic nylon version, which offers superior abrasion and tear resistance, is paired with black leather zipper pulls and an all-black logo tag, creating a sleek, stylish look that's perfect for the office."

Its users range widely, from business professionals to students.

"Like all Gregory products, it’s incredibly durable. Plus, its timeless design won't be swayed by passing trends. That's why it's a great long-term investment, even if it costs a bit more upfront."

From its core concept to the materials, construction, and every last component, the Journeyman embodies Gregory's outdoor spirit. For conquering the urban landscape, it will always be the perfect solution.

Text by Ryota Osujo