Your daypack is a vital 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 by your native park, and even your work commute. If I might solely have one backpack (fortunately I don’t) it will positively be a daypack. 

Discovering the precise daypack might be laborious. There are such a lot of totally different ones on the market! You want one thing that’s not solely sturdy however can even match all the pieces you must go on a enjoyable and profitable journey (and also you need it to match your type, too).

Gregory lately launched their Arrio line, which is their most funds pleasant line of packs but. They provide minimal options to maintain the price down whereas nonetheless adhering to their excessive requirements of high quality.

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

Gregory Arrio 24 Evaluate Abstract

Gregory is a family identify with regards to backpacks. They attempt to make packs which might be “worn not carried,” they usually do that by modern chassis methods that work together with your physique as you carry the pack versus in opposition to it. 

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

Their new Arrio line is not any exception, and it has grow to be 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 isn’t any laptop computer sleeve and the pack itself is a little bit slim to even match a laptop computer.

The Arrio line is available in 18L, 22L (common and plus dimension), and 24L (common and plus dimension). The 18L and the 24L are high 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 superb daypack, however lacks options to make it an amazing pack. Let’s dive into that extra.

Is The Gregory Arrio Proper For You?

The Arrio is a unisex pack and is greatest suited to these wanting type over true operate and flexibility. It’s light-weight and nice for those who don’t must deliver 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, nonetheless, have a big predominant compartment roomy sufficient to retailer all the pieces you’d want for a day hike.

This pack is for the passion hiker who wants a superb fundamental daypack that’s sturdy sufficient for his or her occasional adventures. If this sounds such as you, it is likely to be the precise match!

Folks trying to do longer hikes the place they should deliver extra gear with them won’t discover this bag very helpful. The 9.5lb max carry weight is a little bit low if you must carry greater than 2 liters of water or any additional 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 a little bit group, utilizing a pack like with a high opening remains to be actually useful. I attempt to hold all of my stuff that I’d want whereas mountain climbing on the surface of the pack and all the pieces 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 may be one water bottle holder on one aspect and the opposite aspect has a bigger zippered pocket. The entrance of the pack has one other exterior zippered pocket.

The Arrio does lack a couple of options that will make it an amazing mountain climbing pack. There’s a curious lack of straps on the surface of the pack to connect issues to. Generally once I hike I like to connect a rain jacket and trekking poles to the surface for simple entry, however there simply isn’t a great spot to do this on the Arrio.

The Arrio has two additional 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 in opposition to a curved again panel that’s meant to maintain your again cool whereas mountain climbing.

Take A Look Inside

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

It has a sleeve for a water bladder and a little bit 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 sporting the pack. This contains 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 lot of these again panels have been round for a very long time, and so far as I’m involved, I nonetheless sweat a ton once I hike—my again being no exception.

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

The hip belt (extra like a strap) leaves lots to be desired. It’s a nylon strap with a buckle, and it doesn’t do an amazing job at assuaging the load off your again. With a extra sturdy hip belt, the load restrict of this pack is likely to be larger, making it extra useful. 

Total this pack carries very effectively; nonetheless, 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 fundamental daypack for those who’re simply trying to carry a couple of necessities in your hikes! Simply don’t count on 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 aspect and a protracted water-bottle-sized zipper pocket on the opposite. I really feel like they may have had the identical impact by placing 2 water bottle holders.

The again zipper pocket is sq. and nice for placing small easy accessibility issues like maps and keys. The final outdoors pocket is the lid pocket. It’s triangular and a reasonably stable spot for extra small issues like sun shades and snacks. 

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

Total it has an honest structure. I discovered that this pack held all the pieces that I wanted on quick and mid-length day hikes. The lid pocket and the entrance zippered pocket held my cellphone keys and a map simply and supplied easy accessibility 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 aspect zippered pocket (however I’m admittedly not a water bladder consumer). 

Group

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

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

That being stated, there are not any straps on the surface to connect issues to the pack. Many different mountain climbing packs from different manufacturers provide you with a couple of loops and steps so you may connect gear.

Gregory Arrio Evaluate

Consolation: Is it Straightforward to Put on?

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

If it was over the really useful weight restrict of 9.5Lbs it acquired a little bit tight within the shoulders, so simply ensure 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 manufactured from a lot larger 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?

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

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

I took this pack on plenty of day hikes and mine nonetheless appears good as new!

Type & Aesthetics: How Does it Look?

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

When totally loaded up, this pack is de facto 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 useful look of a devoted mountain climbing pack just like the Osprey Talon 33.

Guarantee: What Form of Guarantee Does Gregory Provide?

Gregory gives what they name the Gregory Lifetime Assure. It covers all the pieces apart from regular put on and tear, unreasonable or abusive use, and improper cleansing or storage.

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

Transport: Does Gregory Ship Internationally?

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

At the moment Gregory doesn’t ship internationally. Nevertheless, many retailers carry Gregory each on-line and in brick-and-mortar shops.

Gregory Arrio Equipment

There are a couple of equipment that may be added to the Gregory Arrio 24.

The Arrio is designed for use with a water bladder, which you should buy individually. And for those who reside in a moist local weather or journey typically, 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 matches completely into the pack and likewise comes with Gregory’s fast connection technique. If you’ll be utilizing this pack I extremely suggest utilizing the Gregory 3D Hydro 2L Reservoir.

Gregory Raincover

Should you hike or journey typically, 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 could get on-line. Nevertheless, 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 below are a couple of product choices which might be much like the Gregory Arrio 24L, and the way they form up compared to this daypack.

Thriller Ranch Coulee 25L

This daypack is a good fundamental pack that is a little more useful for mountain climbing than the Arrio.

This pack has a extremely distinctive 3-zip opening design that permits 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 additional layers, footwear, or water bottles that you could be need to whip out simply whereas on path.

This bag additionally has a correct padded hip belt that provides help 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, but it surely does have a bladder sleeve. That is positively extra of a mountain climbing daypack than an EDC (day-after-day carry), however it’s a nice closet staple for day hikes!

REI Co-Op Path Pack

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

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

One among 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 aspect 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 additional wet days.

This pack sadly has a sub-par hip strap that doesn’t provide a lot load bearing or consolation. Nevertheless, it does have snug padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap for added help.

Gregory Arrio 24 Evaluate Abstract: Remaining Ideas

The Gregory Arrio 24 is a fundamental backpack. It’s made with high-quality supplies and the again panel feels sturdy but snug in opposition to your again.

Nevertheless, each time I took the Arrio mountain climbing I used to be all the time lacking some characteristic that my different packs had. I believe 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 suitable gear all the time makes for a greater journey. So have enjoyable, and bear in mind to all the time depart it higher than you discovered it!