Backpacks

Gregory Arrio 30 Daypack | Review

Comfort is king with this versatile and multi-featured daypack from American brand Gregory

Why We Chose The Gregory Arrio 30: Superb comfort, intuitive organisation, hydration reservoir compatible

Gregory have optimised their simple design philosophy to produce an all-round gem of a backpack, with all the features you need for day on the trails. If you’re familiar with that horrid chill you get on the summit when the cold wind bites your sweat-soaked back as soon as your remove your pack, you’ll love the Arrio’s FreeSpan ventilated back panel. The suspended open-air mesh keeps you cool throughout the day, making sweaty back scenarios far less likely. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of clever storage solutions and the pack is compatible with Gregory’s patented QuickDry 3D Hydro Reservoir System.

Who Is the Gregory Arrio 30 For

This is the perfect pack for days spent hopping from cove to cove along the coast or peak-bagging in the mountains. Its streamlined form, zippered stash pockets and hydration system make it ideal for fast and light adventures. This is further enhanced by the fact it weighs in at just 850g, making it a pack you could use for a spot of trail running. It’s comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to such a degree that you might even find yourself choosing it for the commute.

Features

One of the Arrio’s main selling points is Gregory’s FreeSpan ventilated back panel, which maximises airflow and works in conjunction with a moisture wicking mesh. This, coupled with the perforated foam of its breathable shoulder harness and its integrated shoulder straps, mean that the Arrio sits so beautifully on your back, you might forget its even there.

“The ventilated back panel, in particular, is just the right angle to allow airflow and provide enough support.”

Your hydration needs are taken care of with a purpose-built sleeve, routing system and clip for Gregory’s 3D Hydro Trek Reservoir, which can be purchased separately. Elsewhere, useful features abound, such an integrated safety whistle in the sternum strap and its front bungee system. It also boasts a fitted rain cover for when the heavens open.

The Arrio’s intuitive organisation is a real plus, with quick-access pockets on the top and to the side that are zipped up with best-in-class ComfortGrip pulls. You’ve also got a side stretch mesh pocket, perfect for a flask or a first aid kit. It’s worth noting that there are no ice axe attachments here, for those with winter walking in mind.

Materials

The rabbit that Gregory have pulled out the hat here is that, despite all these great features, they’ve still managed to create a lightweight model worthy of the fastpacking tag. This is due to the quality of materials they’ve used. The body consists of 210D honeycomb Cryptorip HD nylon and the base is made from 420D high density nylon. Both feature PFC-free DWR, which gives them their water repellent quality. Sustainability has been considered too, with 40% recycled polyester going into the lining.

There’s a choice of three striking colours: for those wishing to imitate Navy Seals, the Arrio comes in Flame Black, while Brick Red and Empire Blue are your other two options.

Tester’s Verdict

Ash Routen, Expedition writer and photographer

“I’ve given this a run out both in the hills of Snowdonia, and during less taxing countryside walks. On a basic level the pack sits very nicely on the back and is comfortable. The ventilated back panel, in particular, is just the right angle to allow airflow and provide enough support. And the shoulder straps have a nice amount of cushioning and it’s perforated to allow some breathability. At first look, the nylon fabric used on the main body feels quite heavy duty and perhaps a little overkill, but the pack actually weighs in favourable compared to a similar size Osprey pack that I own”

Ash Routen using the Gregory Arrio during our Test Team event in the Rhinogydd. Photo: Jamie Barnes

“There is of course an integrated rain cover at hand, but with the thickness of the nylon and the DWR coating I wouldn’t bother using it unless I was in really poor weather. The mesh side pocket favours durability over stretch, which is fine, but I would have preferred a second mesh side pocket instead of the zipped stash pocket. This pack has all the features and space you need for a day (or overnight if you pack light) in the hills, but some might miss a trekking pole stow and, in winter, an ice axe loop.”

Gregory Arrio 30

Price£95
Weight850g
More info webtogs.com

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