Your daypack is a vital piece of substances. It is the go-to bag for any day journey, whether or not it’s a hike in Rocky Mountain National 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 positively be a daypack.
Finding the proper daypack might be onerous. There are so many alternative ones on the market! You want one thing that isn’t solely sturdy however will even match all the pieces it’s essential to go on a enjoyable and profitable journey (and also you need it to match your fashion, too).
Gregory lately launched their Arrio line, which is their most finances pleasant line of packs but. They provide minimal options to maintain the associated fee 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; nevertheless it does have some good options and serves as a fundamental pack. Below, I’ll go over my sincere ideas on the Gregory Arrio 24L Pack and examine it to another packs I personal.
Gregory Arrio 24 Review Summary
Gregory is a family title in terms of backpacks. They attempt to make packs which can be “worn not carried,” and so they do that via progressive chassis techniques that work together with your physique as you carry the pack versus in opposition to it.
Gregory, together with a lot of the outside gear trade, has begun to position a larger emphasis on sustainability. They have labored onerous to revamp their packaging to be extra eco-friendly, and so they have an intensive pack restore program to assist maintain packs from getting thrown away. If your pack is just not repairable on the finish of its life, Gregory recycles or repurposes varied elements of the pack!
Their new Arrio line is not any exception, and it has grow to be a newer favourite amongst day hikers. This is a pack designed particularly for mountaineering. 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 a 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 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 article is concentrated on the 24L, which has the drawstring shut.
Ultimately, this bag has the essential options to make it daypack, however lacks options to make it an amazing pack. Let’s dive into that extra.
Is The Gregory Arrio Right For You?
The Arrio is a unisex pack and is greatest fitted to these wanting fashion over true perform and flexibility. It’s light-weight and nice when you don’t have to carry a ton of substances with you on a day hike.
Since 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 fundamental compartment roomy sufficient to retailer all the pieces you’d want for a day hike.
This pack is for the passion hiker who wants fundamental daypack that’s sturdy sufficient for his or her occasional adventures. If this sounds such as you, it could be the proper match!
People trying to do longer hikes the place they should carry extra gear with them may not discover this bag very helpful. The 9.5lb max carry weight is a bit low if it’s essential 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 fitted to a extra supportive pack.
Gregory Arrio Pros and Cons
Pros
- This pack carries effectively. The suspended mesh again panel feels snug in your again and promotes good airflow so your again doesn’t get as sweaty.
- Great integration with the Gregory water bladder. The design of the tube routing and the Gregory water badder clip attachment makes utilizing a water bladder on this pack tremendous simple.
- This pack appears to be like nice! The design is smooth and it isn’t cumbersome in any approach.
Cons
- The hip belt is barely a nylon strap. I discover that this fashion of hip belt doesn’t present sufficient assist when doing any kind of rock scrambling or if you find yourself utilizing the pack for bike commuting.
- The facet and entrance zippered pockets appear type of redundant. They not solely take away quantity from the primary physique of the pack when loaded up, however they’re additionally equally sized and appear to be designed to hold comparable forms of issues like maps and keys.
- The carrying capability of this pack is 9.5lbs. It ought to be capable of carry a bit extra weight in an effort to be my go-to day mountaineering pack. Each liter of water weighs 2.2lbs, so in case you are occurring a hike the place it’s essential to carry 2 liters of water your pack is already midway to the load restrict.
Gregory Arrio 24L Daypack Specs
| Capacity | 24L |
| Material | Nylon |
| Dimensions | 21.7” x 10.6” x 8.7” |
| Weight | 1.62 lbs |
| Max Carry Weight | 9.5 lbs |
Gregory Arrio Features
The Outer Components
Some folks don’t like to make use of top-loading packs as a result of issues on the backside are onerous to entry. I’ve discovered that with a bit group, utilizing a pack like with a prime opening remains to be actually useful. I attempt to maintain all of my stuff that I would want whereas mountaineering 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 is 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 a number of options that might make it an amazing mountaineering pack. There is a curious lack of straps on the surface of the pack to connect issues to. Sometimes 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 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 in opposition to a curved again panel that’s meant to maintain your again cool whereas mountaineering.
Take A Look Inside
The fundamental inside compartment of the pack may be very easy. It is one massive space to retailer all of your gear, and I’d counsel shopping for separate dividers or packing cubes if it’s essential to maintain any of your gear separate or extra organized!
It has a sleeve for a water bladder and a bit clip to carry it in place, which is all the time a key characteristic I search for in mountaineering packs!
Harness
The harness of a pack is all the issues that contact your physique whereas sporting 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 maintain your again cooler although? I’m not so positive. These forms of 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 can transfer up and down and has a whistle on it.
The hip belt (extra like a strap) leaves so much to be desired. It is 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 could be greater, making it extra useful.
Overall this pack carries very effectively; nevertheless, when you put an excessive amount of gear into the pack it feels tight within the shoulders and simply uncomfortable. Again, this pack actually is an efficient fundamental daypack when you’re simply trying to carry a number of necessities in your hikes! Just 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 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 is triangular and a fairly strong spot for extra small issues like sun shades and snacks.
The fundamental cavity of the pack is spacious and has a water bladder sleeve.
Overall it has a good format. 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 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).
Organization
This is a top-loading pack. There is not any entry to the primary compartment from wherever however the prime. The solely organizational characteristic the primary compartment has is the bladder sleeve, which positively is useful when mountaineering.
I want the bag had one other inner pocket for group, however Gregory does job of placing some pockets on the surface so your smaller objects don’t should go in the primary pocket and they’re prepared for fast entry.
That being mentioned, there aren’t any straps on the surface to connect issues to the pack. Many different mountaineering packs from different manufacturers offer you a number of loops and steps so you’ll be able to connect gear.
Gregory Arrio Review
Comfort: Is it Easy to Wear?
The fundamental factor that I appreciated 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 beneficial weight restrict of 9.5Lbs it received a bit tight within the shoulders, so simply make sure to not overload it!
Materials: 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 backside of the pack is manufactured from a lot greater denier nylon making the underside extra sturdy and really feel thicker to the contact.
All of the material has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) end that makes the pack waterproof till the end wears off. This is quite common on all nylon items of substances.
Durability: Will it Last?
Overall, this pack is fairly normal 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 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 a number of day hikes and mine nonetheless appears to be like good as new!
Style & Aesthetics: How Does it Look?
This pack is actually stunning! Gregory did an particularly nice job of selecting aesthetic colours.
When totally loaded up, this pack is actually smooth. There aren’t a bunch of buckles or straps hanging off the pack and all the pockets seamlessly match collectively. making a really clutter-free pack.
This doesn’t have the extra rugged or useful look of a devoted mountaineering pack just like the Osprey Talon 33.
Warranty: What Kind of Warranty Does Gregory Offer?
Gregory gives what they name the Gregory Lifetime Guarantee. It covers all the pieces apart from regular put on and tear, unreasonable or abusive use, and improper cleansing or storage.
It’s , not nice guarantee. It basically covers you if the workmanship or the supplies are faulty while you get your pack. Compared to the All-Mighty assure (they may substitute or restore and pack for any purpose from any period) that Osprey gives on their packs, this isn’t an amazing guarantee.
Shipping: Does Gregory Ship Internationally?
Gregory ships to in all places within the United States, Alaska and Hawaii included, in addition to to Puerto Rico and Guam.
At this time Gregory doesn’t ship internationally. However, many retailers carry Gregory each on-line and in brick-and-mortar shops.
Gregory Arrio Accessories
There are a number of 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 when you 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 methodology. If you will be utilizing this pack I extremely suggest utilizing the Gregory 3D Hydro 2L Reservoir.
Gregory Raincover
If you hike or journey typically, you’re more likely to run into fog or rain sooner or later alongside your journeys. Although the pack is handled with a DWR end, these items put on out over time. The greatest option to maintain your pack dry within the rain is with a rain cowl. They do make generic covers which you can get on-line. However, those from the producer are all the time higher, and so they have a tendency to suit your particular pack significantly better.
Gregory Arrio Alternatives
Here are a number of product choices which can be much like the Gregory Arrio 24L, and the way they form up compared to this daypack.
Mystery Ranch Coulee 25L
This daypack is a good fundamental pack that is a little more useful for mountaineering 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. Where 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 when you don’t want it!
This pack sadly doesn’t include a laptop computer compartment, nevertheless it does have a bladder sleeve. This is certainly extra of a mountaineering 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 Trail Pack (males’s and girls’s), designed for mountaineering, commuting, and carry-on journey.
This bag has a prime opening very similar to the Gregory Arrio 24, and a small entrance zip pocket for maps and snacks.
One of my favourite options of this bag are the smooth straps on the entrance which can 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 provide a lot load bearing or consolation. However, it does have snug padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap for added assist.
Gregory Arrio 24 Review Summary: Final Thoughts
The Gregory Arrio 24 is a fundamental backpack. It is made with high-quality supplies and the again panel feels sturdy but snug in opposition to your again.
However, each time I took the Arrio mountaineering I used to be all the time lacking some characteristic that my different packs had. I believe for me the shortage of an actual hip belt and a second water bottle holder was an actual turn-off for me.
That being mentioned in case you are a hydration pack consumer and on the lookout for a light-weight mountaineering pack, the Arrio is an superior pack for you. The proper gear all the time makes for a greater journey. So have enjoyable, and keep in mind to all the time go away it higher than you discovered it!