I have been sent a couple of Gregory’s new Alpaca gear organisers to test. I have the Alpaca Gear Basket 70 and the Alpaca Gear Tote 30. Both these items can be packed flat. They have a flexible base connected to an aluminium frame, which, when built, offers a durable organiser or carrier. They both have integrated handles and a storage bag for when they are folded flat. There are other sized organisers in the gear storage collection.
Features of Alpaca Gear Basket 70
70l of space.
- Anodised aluminium Guardrail frame with integrated grab handles
- Collapsible space-saving design with stuff-sack
- Double-wall construction for durability
- Padded bottom with two layers of fabric
- Reflective gear loops on all sides to easily spot in the dark
- Large side zippered pocket to separate smaller items
- Corner fibreglass supports are anchored to the Guardrail frame and fasten into the corner by a strong hook-and-loop attachment
- Price: £70
- See: Alpaca 70.
Features of Alpaca Gear Tote 30
- 30l of space
- Anodised aluminium frame with fall-away tote handles
Collapsible with included stuff-sack for storage
Double-wall construction for durability
Structured bottom with two layers of fabric and foam padding
Reflective gear loops on all sides
Designed to fit in the foot well in the backseat of your vehicle
Large interior zippered pocket to separate smaller items
Corner fibreglass supports anchored to the Guardrail frame and fasten into the corner by a strong hook-and-loop attachment - Price: £50
- See Alpaca 30
My thoughts: Gregory Alpaca gear organisers
Storage is a bit of an issue in my home and also in my campervan. I own quite a lot of kit for outdoors activities and it usually ends up being stored in a range of bags and plastic containers. But the storage solutions are rarely big enough or the right shape.
I chose the Gregory Alpaca 70 and Gregory Alpaca Gear Tote 30 for different reasons. The Alpaca 70 is large enough for a range of kit that I keep in my outdoors gear cupboard. The basket has proved to be a great place to stow items for water-based activities, including kayaking and wild swimming. Until I had use of the organiser, most of this kit was distributed between bags or it was on the floor of the cupboard.
Now I know where everything is.
The Alpaca is easy to assemble and sturdy. It is made of very good quality fabric. It is easy to carry about thanks to handles along the top rim.
I have also used the basket for moving kit around, such as from the house and to my campervan, or from my home to a kayaking adventure. When empty, it’s simply to fold it flat so you can slip it into a small space to store it while you don’t need it.
It’s the same with the Alpaca Gear Tote 30. It’s smaller but is really useful in my campervan. I often need to carry items from my home to the van for trips away. I have been using it for keeping various pairs of shoes and it’s also a useful place to store bottles, such as red wine (!), because it is deep enough to cope with the height of the bottle.
The carry handles are welcome, too. My only issue with this organiser is that because it is taller and narrower, it has a tendency to fall over if too weighted to one side or over-flowing with items. The tote is meant to fit in the footwell of a vehicle, so I guess it needs to be this shape.
To counter the toppling issue, I have found a place in my van where it can be propped up / slotted in. Again, the fabric is robust and brilliantly, it can be folded down to take up a much smaller space.
I also like that the Gregory organisers look good. Blue is a great colour and the design is attractive, while still being practical.
Compared to re-useable supermarket bags or plastic containers, the Gregory gear organisers are not cheap. But I expect them to serve me very well for many years – probably decades – to come.