Gregory Citro 24 H2O vs Arc'teryx Aerios 18
Quick take: The Gregory Citro 24 H2O carries more (24 vs 18 liters); the Arc'teryx Aerios 18 is lighter (1.25 vs 2 lbs).
Which one to buy
Same $180, two very different ideas of a daypack. The Citro 24 H2O spends its money on water: a 3 L reservoir comes in the box, along with a ventilated VaporSpan back, hipbelt pockets and 6 L more room. The Aerios 18 spends it on construction: a thermoformed AeroForm back that holds its shape rather than compressing, and a gridded fabric aimed at scrambling and fast mountain days.
The bladder is the cleanest decider. The reservoir is a third of the Citro's value, so if you drink from bottles you're paying for something you won't use. If you do use a bladder, the Citro is hard to beat at this price, and its sleeve keeps a leak away from your gear.
The Aerios suits a narrower buyer: someone moving fast on scrambles, where a pack that shifts is a real problem. Its close, structured fit is the point, but it's a try-before-you-buy pack because the molded panel fits a narrower range of backs. It has no hipbelt pockets, the one gap in an otherwise polished pack, and 18 L limits it to short days. For general day hiking, Gregory's Nano 18 covers the same volume for $75.
Neither has torso adjustment (the Citro is one size; the Aerios is one pack size with its harness offered in two sizes) and neither includes a rain cover, so plan on a liner or dry bag either way. Gregory backs the Citro for life; Arc'teryx covers defects for the practical lifetime of the pack and repairs wear damage for a fee.
Gregory Citro 24 H2O
For day hikers who drink from a bladder and want a ventilated back, hipbelt pockets and room for a full day's kit.
Arc'teryx Aerios 18
Right for scramblers and fast mountain days where a close, structured carry matters, provided the molded back fits you and 18 L is enough.
| Spec | Gregory Citro 24 H2O | Arc'teryx Aerios 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $180 | $180 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (86) | 4.2★ (22) |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 24 L | 18 L |
| Weight | 2.0 lbs | 1.25 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by Gregory | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | One size | REG pack size with an interchangeable harness in two sizes |
| Material | 210D honeycomb CryptoRip nylon with 420D high density nylon | Body: 210D Hadron (94% nylon, 6% polyarylate LCP), FC0 DWR; 100D Cordura nylon accents |
| Back Panel | VaporSpan ventilated suspension | AeroForm thermoformed back panel |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Gregory lifetime warranty | Arc'teryx limited warranty: defects in materials or workmanship for the practical lifetime of the product; wear and misuse repairs at a nominal charge |
Pros & cons
Gregory Citro 24 H2O
- ✓A 3 L reservoir is included, larger than the 2.5 L bladder Osprey bundles with the Manta 24.
- ✓2.0 lb undercuts the Osprey Manta 24 by 1.4 lb for the same volume and a bigger bladder.
- ✓$180 is $30 less than the Manta 24 despite the larger reservoir.
- ✓210D honeycomb CryptoRip nylon resists tear propagation better than plain weaves of the same denier.
- ✓Ventilated suspended panel keeps airflow behind a pack that is often worn on hot days.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✓The women's Juno 24 H2O is the direct counterpart at the same price.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty.
- ✗No torso adjustment.
- ✗Gregory publishes no maximum load figure.
- ✗The bundled reservoir is wasted cost for anyone who prefers bottles.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗210D is lighter-duty than the 400D ripstop on the Zulu 24 LT, which costs $10 less.
Arc'teryx Aerios 18
- ✓The AeroForm thermoformed panel holds its shape under load rather than compressing like foam.
- ✓210D Hadron, a nylon with a liquid-crystal polymer grid, is one of the most tear-resistant fabrics at this weight.
- ✓20 oz is light for a pack with a structured back panel.
- ✓Arc'teryx build quality and finishing are a genuine step above the rest of this group.
- ✓The close, structured fit suits scrambling where a loose pack shifts.
- ✓Liquid-crystal polymer is a high-modulus fibre normally reserved for far more expensive gear.
- ✓Strong resale value.
- ✓Backed by Arc'teryx's warranty and service network.
- ✗$180 for 18 L is expensive, and the Gregory Nano 18 covers the same volume for $80.
- ✗18 L limits it to short days or fast-moving trips.
- ✗No hipbelt pockets.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗The thermoformed panel fits a narrower range of backs than an adjustable system.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗One pack size, with the harness offered in two sizes.
- ✗Technical construction is wasted on general day hiking.
Gregory Citro 24 H2O vs Arc'teryx Aerios 18: common questions
Is the Citro 24 H2O worth it if I don't use a hydration bladder?▾
Probably not, since the bundled 3 L reservoir is a large part of what you pay for. The Aerios also costs $180 without a bladder, but spends that money on its thermoformed back and gridded fabric instead.
Which of the two carries better on a scramble?▾
The Aerios 18. Its thermoformed panel holds its shape and the close, structured fit keeps the pack from shifting. The Citro's suspended mesh back is built more for airflow on hot trail days than for precise movement.
Which is easier to fit without trying it on?▾
Neither adjusts, though the Aerios's harness comes in two sizes. Its molded panel suits a narrower range of backs, so it's a try-before-you-buy pack. The Citro is one size too, and its women's-fit sibling, the Juno 24 H2O, exists if the harness doesn't sit right.