Gregory Citro 24, 30, 24 & 30 H2O Plus Unisex Day Hiking/Hydration Backpack

Backpack reviewOsprey Manta 24 vs Gregory Citro 24I narrowed my decision for a daypack with frame and hip-belt with pockets down to these two packs, based on high reviews for both.Manta kudos: has a better back trampoline, pack fully separate from the back. Trekking pole stash while wearing. Built-in rain cover. Adjustable shoulder strap height.Citro kudos: smaller, looks less “over the top”; shoulder straps were more comfortable; more subdivision for storage; larger stretch pocket; easier zippers on waist belt pockets.Equal: side mesh pockets accessible with pack on; both are comfortable, both sit on hips well and take pack weight off shoulders.Both good packs, but kept the Citro. Mainly for trimmer size and better pockets (I prefer multiple pockets, the Manta design was more about one large central storage area).I didn’t prefer (but wasn’t totally against) the Manta’s sideways-entry back panel pocket. The Manta shoulder straps were slightly chafing my shoulders on test loads, so it concerned me that might amplify on actual hikes. I also heard some intermittent squeaking from the Manta on test loads walked around my small house.I really liked the Citro’s pocket setup, lots of areas to subdivide gear, the main storage area had a small separate zippered pouch up top. The main storage is plenty big, but the Manta was bigger. The Manta had smaller and less of the various outer pockets. The back stretch pocket was noticeable smaller than on the Citro.If you don’t like lots of sections and pockets, you won’t want the Citro.I didn’t get a chance to try the water reservoir in the Manta, since I returned it, but even just the connection system for the hanger was easier on the Citro. The Citro mouthpiece worked great, but wasn’t anything special. It looked like the same mouthpiece on the Manta. The reservoir is very easy to access, attach/remove, and fill. I also like that the tube disconnect was up top, unlike my old Camelbak.Both seemed to use the same or similar sternum strap connector, it was minimalist and magnetic (but also had hooks to keep it attached). It can be connected and disconnected one-handed. It worked great on the Citro. The mouth piece stays magnetically attached just fine. And there is also a strap storage hook for the tube when not wearing the pack.The Citro overall felt more like a souped-up day pack, while the Manta seemed more like a toned down backpacking pack.I’m not sure if they both had the same storage volume of 24 liters, but the Manta just looked bigger. It was visibly bigger just sitting next to the Citro. Maybe the Citro was more about the multiple pockets for the volume, while the Manta was more about “one big pocket” design which made the pack need to be larger. And the better back trampoline support in the Manta may have also been a factor. Might have just made it appear larger.I don’t think you could go wrong with either pack.I preferred the multiple smaller pockets approach of the Citro, along with the trimmer profile, the easier to access and unzip waist belt pockets, and the well-engineered water reservoir system.I have to also note that upgrading to a pack with a frame and a hip belt was a worthy investment for my hikes. It’s night and day as far as hauling my gear compared to the Camelbak MULE I am upgrading from.I’ve been using the Citro on multiple extended day hikes, and have been very pleased with the choice and the purchase. I have no regrets, and find that Gregory has put a lot of thought into all the details of this pack.

I wanted a larger pack to replace my 22L Camelback for hiking Kilimanjaro. The 30L Gregory Citro was at the low end for the recommended trip size, yet worked well. I might have opted for the 35L, but it did not come with the 3L water reservoir.I've used 3 other water reservoirs, and Gregory's 3-liter is my clear favorite. The detachable hose, easily attached compartment bladder, mouthpiece with magnet, and convenient-sized cap were all ideal. I expect the bladder will also be among the easiest to clean. Perfection would have included an insulated mouth tube. The tube doesn't seem to freeze as easily as my Camelback's. But, it still froze in subzero mountain temperatures.In the main storage compartment, I did manage to stuff 3 jackets along with all of my other gear, which was my primary pack objective. One gripe was the top packet seemed smaller than the Camelback's', making it a tight fit for storing a sandwich, let alone other small items. As a consultation, there is a nice small zippered pocket in the main compartment, that I found perfect for storing a headlamp and car keys. 2 others in our Kilimanjaro group also used the same pack. It served us well for 8 days on the mountain and I'll continue to hike with it as my main day pack.

I'm getting back into hiking (day and overnight) after an almost 10 year hiatus. Although I normally eschew spending a lot of money on something like a day pack, I purchased this one on a recommendation. I'm glad I did. I remember the discomfort that's possible with day packs from my previous hiking days, but this pack was so comfortable it might as well not even be there. I've taken it so far on 3 10 - 12 mile conditioning hikes over rugged terrain, with around 2000 ft of elevation change, loaded at 20 lbs., and I can confidently say that this is the most comfortable day pack I've ever used. The included hydration bag is of high quality, and the magnetic chest strap/mouthpiece stowage is nice. The shoulder straps are comfortable, as is the back suspension and waste strap. Multiple pockets help keep things neatly organized and accessible. So far I've yet to have a single chaff or sore spot from a pressure point from this pack . Can't recommend it highly enough, and I'll definitely be looking to Gregory for my overnight backpack.The only con for me is that only the mantis green color was available, which I don't particularly care for. Can't think of anything else about it that I don't like.

Well made, lightweight, durable. Fits great with lots of adjustment. Included hydration pouch is one of the best on the market. Used this most recently in Olympic, Rainer and North Cascades over 10 days. It did not disappoint. Highly recommend.

This is a fantastic pack for day hiking, especially here in the hot/dry southwest. I love the water delivery system and airflow in the back. Decent adjustment straps make this easy to customize to your best fit. The separation of storage areas of different sizes perfect for day hikes with a mix of gear from phones to keys, wallets, jacket, cameras, etc.A few relatively minor items I'd love to see improved. The magnetic mouthpiece attachment is semi-useless. Pops off way too easily and would've been much better as a simple clip. Clever idea, but just not trail ready. I would like to have seen some dedicated loops on the outside of the pack for carabiners to snap on additional gear (tripods, hiking sticks, etc.).Another color option would be a bonus, but that's trivia.