Review: The Gregory Kiro 24L

BY MARY BETH SKYKIS

I wrote Gregory packs off about a decade ago. The thick materials of the pack just looked heavy. Everyone that wore one appeared tired, disgruntled, and unhappy. Back then, I wasn’t even close to being an ultralight hiker, but I still knew that many Gregory packs weighed double that of popular Osprey and ULA packs, which was reason enough for me to doubt them. So, when I received the new Gregory Kiro 24L day pack in the mail this spring, my expectations were low. Surely, a pack that prioritized durability would continue to produce bulky gear. Then I slipped the straps over my shoulder, buckled the hip belt, and found myself challenging everything I knew about the brand. 

The first thing I noticed about the Kiro 24L was its comfortable design. Through the years, I always ended my hikes with bruised hips from an unforgiving hip belt and a heavy load. Yet the Kiro’s hip belt was both elastic and sturdy, creating support without rigidity. This left my hips feeling fresh, even after lugging myself up a Colorado 13er recently. What was more was that it was more breathable than some of the packs I’d owned, thanks to its perforated 3D foam back panel. And, most importantly, this pack defied my expectations when it came to weight. The 24.64-ounce bag is competitive with other daypacks I loved, like the 30.65-ounce Black Diamond Trail Vista. Yet the lighter design didn’t seem to compromise reliability. Instead, it provided me with the convenience of a spacious, durable pack that could tackle even the longest backcountry days. 

I still wouldn’t say that the Kiro 24L pack is perfect. I didn’t love that the pack trades a water bottle compartment for a zippered compartment (that can fit a Nalgene) on one side. While I generally love having lots of pockets, the placement of that particular one contributed to an unbalanced load. Additionally, there are still plenty of day packs that cut pack weight even more drastically (like the 16-ounce Pingora Focus 23). But the truth is that this pack made me realize that sometimes added comfort is worth a few extra ounces (*cue eye roll from ultralight backpackers*), and that even Gregory recognizes the importance of reducing strain on your body while hiking.