Gregory Nano 24 Day Pack

I bought this bag for everyday carry and light day hiking with my toddler (I have a Gregory Jade 38 that's a few years old for more serious full-day adventures). It has the durable material and smooth zippers that all Gregory packs have, plus a beautiful color scheme as a bonus (I got it in "Rio Blue"). It can hold my 32 oz Nalgene and my kid's 20 oz water bottle and a bunch of snacks, plus extra layers, a first aid kit, etc. which makes it great for being on the trail for a few hours or full-day trips to the zoo, an amusement park, or the like. I especially love that my 16" Dell laptop can fit in the compartment for the hydration bladder, which means I can also use it as a carry-on for the occasional work trip. I'm pleased to say it fits me well, which isn't always the case with unisex packs as I'm 5'2" and have a shortie 17" torso. The quick access pocket and exterior mesh "kangaroo" pocket are fantastic design choices for things like sunglasses, bug spray, sunblock, and so on, as well as the interior zip pocket, which fits our family's passports. Overall, no complaints. I've had many packs and I think this size is perfect - big enough but not excessively large.

I just upgrade to the Nano 24 from the Nano 20 and I'm very happy. It's a versatile, lightweight, and comfortable backpack that I use for most of my outdoor activities. The small outer pocket is deep and it's hard for things to fall out of it, which is an improvement over the Nano 20. I also like that there's a secure pocket in the main compartment that can keep a wallet and keys secure while rummaging around. I have two minor complaints. First, the design of the main compartment zipper means it can "fall open" easily if the small compartment is heavily loaded. This isn't a big deal unless you have a lot of small things in the main compartment, but it can get annoying. (On the plus side, the same design makes the backpack roomy.) Second, the mesh outside pocket is a little small, and it would be nice if it were a little bigger. None of these retract from my rating, but they are annoying. Overall, I think this is a great backpack!

The Nano Rio Blue combines an attractive design with a playful color palette. One of its best features is the additional back zipper, originally intended for the water reservoir, which also works perfectly for securing travel documents. This allows quick access to items such as plane tickets without opening the main compartment. However, the bag could benefit from an extra pocket to enhance organization. In terms of durability, the material feels lighter and finer compared to Osprey’s sturdier fabrics. While it may not seem as robust, I’m optimistic it will provide years of reliable use.

I only have one slight complaint. The color is much darker and greener than blue in real life. As for the pack, it has the inner hidden zip pocket I wanted, fits large water bottles well, great quality, and stash pocket that is super useful. A great light weight back, that I expect to last a very long time.