24L Backpack Examined in 2023

Your daypack is an important piece of substances. It’s the go-to bag for any day journey, whether or not it’s a hike in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, a stroll via your native park, and even your work commute. If I might solely have one backpack (fortunately I don’t) it will undoubtedly be a daypack. 

Finding the right daypack may be laborious. There are such a lot of totally different ones on the market! You want one thing that isn’t solely sturdy however will even match the whole lot you have to go on a enjoyable and profitable journey (and also you need it to match your fashion, too).

Gregory not too long ago launched their Arrio line, which is their most funds pleasant line of packs but. They provide minimal options to maintain the fee down whereas nonetheless adhering to their excessive requirements of high quality.

I’ve to be fully frank with you—this isn’t my favourite daypack; nevertheless it does have some good options and serves as a primary pack. Under, I’ll go over my trustworthy ideas on the Gregory Arrio 24L Pack and examine it to another packs I personal.

Gregory Arrio 24 Evaluation Abstract

Gregory is a family identify with regards to backpacks. They try to make packs which might be “worn not carried,” they usually do that via progressive chassis techniques that work along with your physique as you carry the pack versus towards it. 

Gregory, together with a lot of the out of doors gear business, has begun to position a larger emphasis on sustainability. They’ve labored laborious to revamp their packaging to be extra eco-friendly, they usually have an extensive pack repair program to assist hold packs from getting thrown away. In case your pack shouldn’t be repairable on the finish of its life, Gregory recycles or repurposes varied parts of the pack!

Their new Arrio line isn’t any exception, and it has turn into a newer favourite amongst day hikers. It is a pack designed particularly for mountain climbing. It doesn’t embody options {that a} extra versatile journey pack would have. For instance, there is no such thing as a laptop computer sleeve and the pack itself is slightly slender to even match a laptop computer.

The Arrio line is available in 18L, 22L (regular and plus size), and 24L (regular and plus size). The 18L and the 24L are prime loading packs with a drawstring closure and a lid pocket, whereas the 22L is extra like your conventional daypack with a zippered closure. This text is concentrated on the 24L, which has the drawstring shut.

Finally, this bag has the essential options to make it a great daypack, however lacks options to make it an incredible pack. Let’s dive into that extra.

Is The Gregory Arrio Proper For You?

The Arrio is a unisex pack and is finest suited to these wanting fashion over true perform and flexibility. It’s light-weight and nice for those who don’t have to carry a ton of substances with you on a day hike.

Because it doesn’t have the options for optimally carrying a laptop computer, this pack doesn’t actually execute effectively off the path. It does, nevertheless, have a big principal compartment roomy sufficient to retailer the whole lot you’d want for a day hike.

This pack is for the pastime hiker who wants a great primary daypack that’s sturdy sufficient for his or her occasional adventures. If this sounds such as you, it is perhaps the correct match!

Individuals trying to do longer hikes the place they should carry extra gear with them won’t discover this bag very helpful. The 9.5lb max carry weight is slightly low if you have to carry greater than 2 liters of water or any further gear.

It’s particularly not match for peak bagging or rock scrambling, which might be higher suited to a extra supportive pack.

Gregory Arrio Execs and Cons

Gregory Arrio Options

The Outer Elements

Some individuals don’t like to make use of top-loading packs as a result of issues on the backside are laborious to entry. I’ve discovered that with slightly group, utilizing a pack like with a prime opening remains to be actually purposeful. I attempt to hold all of my stuff that I’d want whereas mountain climbing on the surface of the pack and the whole lot that I’ll want when taking the pack off inside the primary compartment. 

So let’s dig into the exterior storage featured on the Arrio.

There’s one water bottle holder on one facet and the opposite facet has a bigger zippered pocket. The entrance of the pack has one other exterior zippered pocket.

The Arrio does lack just a few options that will make it an incredible mountain climbing pack. There’s a curious lack of straps on the surface of the pack to connect issues to. Typically after I hike I like to connect a rain jacket and trekking poles to the surface for straightforward entry, however there simply isn’t a great place to do this on the Arrio.

The Arrio has two further straps that safe the pack to your physique: a sternum strap that properly routes a hydration bladder tube with a whistle on the buckle, and a nylon hip belt. 

The Arrio additionally options the Gregory “Freespan” mesh, suspended towards a curved again panel that’s meant to maintain your again cool whereas mountain climbing.

Take A Look Inside

The primary inside compartment of the pack may be very easy. It’s one massive space to retailer all of your gear, and I might recommend shopping for separate dividers or packing cubes if you have to hold any of your gear separate or extra organized!

It has a sleeve for a water bladder and slightly clip to carry it in place, which is all the time a key characteristic I search for in mountain climbing packs!

Harness

The harness of a pack is the entire issues that contact your physique whereas carrying the pack. This consists of the shoulder straps, the hip belt, the sternum strap, and the again panel.

The again panel on the Arrio is nice as a result of the suspended mesh conforms to your physique as you put on it. Does it actually hold your again cooler although? I’m not so certain. A majority of these again panels have been round for a very long time, and so far as I’m involved, I nonetheless sweat a ton after I hike—my again being no exception.

The shoulder straps are padded and mesh on the underside, making them actually comfy. The Sternum Strap is about as generic as they arrive. It could possibly transfer up and down and has a whistle on it.

The hip belt (extra like a strap) leaves quite a bit to be desired. It’s a nylon strap with a buckle, and it doesn’t do an incredible job at assuaging the load off your again. With a extra sturdy hip belt, the load restrict of this pack is perhaps greater, making it extra purposeful. 

General this pack carries very effectively; nevertheless, for those who put an excessive amount of gear into the pack it feels tight within the shoulders and simply uncomfortable. Once more, this pack actually is an efficient primary daypack for those who’re simply trying to carry just a few necessities in your hikes! Simply don’t anticipate to take a ton of substances or water up the path with you on this pack with out it being uncomfortable.

Pockets

There are 5 locations for storage on this pack. On the surface, there’s a water bottle holder on one facet and a protracted water-bottle-sized zipper pocket on the opposite. I really feel like they might have had the identical impact by placing 2 water bottle holders.

The again zipper pocket is sq. and nice for placing small quick access issues like maps and keys. The final exterior pocket is the lid pocket. It’s triangular and a reasonably strong spot for extra small issues like sun shades and snacks. 

The primary cavity of the pack is spacious and has a water bladder sleeve. 

General it has an honest structure. I discovered that this pack held the whole lot that I wanted on brief and mid-length day hikes. The lid pocket and the entrance zippered pocket held my cellphone keys and a map simply and supplied quick access to snacks.

I discovered myself wishing that there was a second water bottle holder as a result of I all the time gave the impression to be placing a second water bottle within the facet zippered pocket (however I’m admittedly not a water bladder consumer). 

Group

It is a top-loading pack. There isn’t any entry to the primary compartment from wherever however the prime. The one organizational characteristic the primary compartment has is the bladder sleeve, which undoubtedly is useful when mountain climbing.

I want the bag had one other inside pocket for group, however Gregory does a great job of placing some pockets on the surface so your smaller gadgets don’t must go in the primary pocket and they’re prepared for fast entry.

That being stated, there aren’t any straps on the surface to connect issues to the pack. Many different mountain climbing packs from different manufacturers provide you with just a few loops and steps so you’ll be able to connect gear.

Gregory Arrio Evaluation

Consolation: Is it Simple to Put on?

The primary factor that I preferred concerning the Arrio pack was that when it was loaded as much as the load restrict it felt comfy on my again. The mesh again panel creates a customized match for each individual that places it on. The Arrio is one dimension so it’s designed to suit everybody. 

If it was over the advisable weight restrict of 9.5Lbs it obtained slightly tight within the shoulders, so simply make sure to not overload it!

Supplies: What’s It Made Of?

The pack is 100% nylon with an Alloy metal body to provide it form and to droop the mesh again panel.

The underside of the pack is made from a lot greater denier nylon making the underside extra sturdy and really feel thicker to the contact.

All the cloth has a DWR (Sturdy Water Repellent) end that makes the pack waterproof till the end wears off. This is quite common on all nylon items of substances. 

Sturdiness: Will it Final?

General, this pack is fairly commonplace when it comes to sturdiness for a daypack.

I really feel just like the Arrio is a strong pack when it comes to workmanship. Gregory used high-quality supplies for the whole lot on the pack, from the buckles and straps to the thick nylon on the underside of the pack. 

I took this pack on loads of day hikes and mine nonetheless seems to be good as new!

Fashion & Aesthetics: How Does it Look?

This pack is basically stunning! Gregory did an particularly nice job of selecting aesthetic colours.

When totally loaded up, this pack is basically modern. There aren’t a bunch of buckles or straps hanging off the pack and the entire pockets seamlessly match collectively. making a really clutter-free pack.

This doesn’t have the extra rugged or purposeful look of a devoted mountain climbing pack just like the Osprey Talon 33.

Guarantee: What Sort of Guarantee Does Gregory Supply?

Gregory gives what they name the Gregory Lifetime Guarantee. It covers the whole lot aside from regular put on and tear, unreasonable or abusive use, and improper cleansing or storage.

It’s a great, not nice guarantee. It primarily covers you if the workmanship or the supplies are faulty while you get your pack. In comparison with the All-Mighty assure (they may change or restore and pack for any purpose from any period) that Osprey gives on their packs, this isn’t an incredible guarantee.

Delivery: Does Gregory Ship Internationally?

Gregory ships to in every single place in the USA, Alaska and Hawaii included, in addition to to Puerto Rico and Guam.

Right now Gregory doesn’t ship internationally. Nonetheless, many retailers carry Gregory each on-line and in brick-and-mortar shops.

Gregory Arrio Equipment

There are just a few equipment that may be added to the Gregory Arrio 24.

The Arrio is designed for use with a water bladder, which you should purchase individually. And for those who reside in a moist local weather or journey usually, a rain cowl is all the time useful to remain dry!

Gregory 3D Hydro 2L Reservoir

The Arrio comes with a SpeedClip and a compartment for a water bladder. This Gregory branded bladder suits completely into the pack and in addition comes with Gregory’s fast connection technique. If you’re going to be utilizing this pack I extremely suggest utilizing the Gregory 3D Hydro 2L Reservoir.

Gregory Raincover

Should you hike or journey usually, you’re more likely to run into fog or rain in some unspecified time in the future alongside your journeys. Though the pack is handled with a DWR end, these items put on out over time. One of the best ways to maintain your pack dry within the rain is with a rain cowl. They do make generic covers you can get on-line. Nonetheless, those from the producer are all the time higher, they usually have a tendency to suit your particular pack significantly better.

Gregory Arrio Alternate options

Listed here are just a few product choices which might be just like the Gregory Arrio 24L, and the way they form up compared to this daypack.

Mystery Ranch Coulee 25L

This daypack is a superb primary pack that is a little more purposeful for mountain climbing than the Arrio.

This pack has a extremely distinctive 3-zip opening design that enables for fast and full entry to your gear, snacks, and extra. The place this backpack actually excels over the Arrio for my part is the 2 entrance woven pockets that make it simple to slide in your further layers, footwear, or water bottles that you could be wish to whip out simply whereas on path.

This bag additionally has a correct padded hip belt that provides assist when carrying a heavy load—and it’s detachable for those who don’t want it!

This pack sadly doesn’t include a laptop computer compartment, nevertheless it does have a bladder sleeve. That is undoubtedly extra of a mountain climbing daypack than an EDC (on daily basis carry), however it’s a nice closet staple for day hikes!

REI Co-Op Trail Pack

REI actually shines with their Path Pack (men’s and women’s), designed for mountain climbing, commuting, and carry-on journey.

This bag has a prime opening very like the Gregory Arrio 24, and a small entrance zip pocket for maps and snacks.

One in all my favourite options of this bag are the modern straps on the entrance which might be nice for attaching trekking poles and different gear. It additionally has a water bladder compartment and facet mesh pockets for water bottles and different necessities.

The recycled nylon materials is waterproof, and the pack additionally comes with a rain fly for these further wet days.

This pack sadly has a sub-par hip strap that doesn’t supply a lot load bearing or consolation. Nonetheless, it does have comfy padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap for added assist.

Gregory Arrio 24 Evaluation Abstract: Remaining Ideas

The Gregory Arrio 24 is a primary backpack. It’s made with high-quality supplies and the again panel feels sturdy but comfy towards your again.

Nonetheless, each time I took the Arrio mountain climbing I used to be all the time lacking some characteristic that my different packs had. I feel for me the dearth of an actual hip belt and a second water bottle holder was an actual turn-off for me. 

That being stated if you’re a hydration pack consumer and in search of a light-weight mountain climbing pack, the Arrio is an superior pack for you. The precise gear all the time makes for a greater journey. So have enjoyable, and keep in mind to all the time depart it higher than you discovered it!