REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Useful hipbelt storage
Form fitting
Versatile
REASONS TO AVOID
One size only
Water bottle pockets are hard to access
Gregory Miwok 24 Review
A simple, versatile, hiking focussed daypack that comfortably carries all of your essentials
Credit: Gregory
RELATED: Best Daypacks of 2023
Our Verdict
The Miwok 24 is a versatile, comfortable, and accessible backpack designed specifically for day hiking that is equally useful for daily use around town. It includes special features tailored to hiking in all four seasons and is offered in a size capable of carrying all of your essentials. The pack is capable of carrying a substantial load and conforms well to the body with little movement. This pack is ideal for an avid day hiker, though less suited to more technical activities, such as climbing or alpinism. Its simple nature lends well to everyday use, on or off the trails.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Gregory Miwok 24 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $130 List | $139 List $139.00 at REI | $60 List $59.95 at REI | $65.00 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $40 List $39.95 at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable, useful hipbelt storage, form fitting, versatile | Comfortable and stable, intuitive and functional design, modular set-up, utilizes recycled materials | Lightweight, only includes essential features, comfortable suspension for the weight | Simple, lightweight, versatile | Affordable, minimalist design, lightweight, super packable |
| Cons | One size only, water bottle pockets are hard to access | Non-adjustable frame, large size for minimalist outings | Uncomfortable with heavy loads, lacks durability | A little small, lacks high-end features | Few extra features, thin shoulder straps and hip belt |
| Bottom Line | A simple, versatile, hiking focussed daypack that comfortably carries all of your essentials | Top comfort and stability make this pack the right fit for hauling your gear on any outdoor excursion | This pack is an excellent value, providing all-around performance for light and fast activities at a bargain price | A simple and lightweight hiking backpack that serves a dual purpose with a laptop sleeve | A simple pack that's easy on the wallet, ultralight, and super popular |
| Rating Categories | Gregory Miwok 24 | REI Co-op Traverse 32 | REI Co-op Flash 22 | Osprey Daylite Plus | REI Co-op Flash 18 |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Versatility (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Gregory Miwok 24 | REI Co-op Traverse 32 | REI Co-op Flash 22 | Osprey Daylite Plus | REI Co-op Flash 18 |
| Volume | 24 L | 32 L | 22 L | 20 L | 18 L |
| Measured Weight | 29.6 oz | 41.0 oz | 14.0 oz | 20.6 oz | 9.5 oz |
| Back Construction | Mesh back panel | Contured, foam pad | Removable foam pad | Mesh over vented foam | Simple foam pad |
| Hydration Compatibility | Internal hydration sleeve, hook and loop attachment point, holds up to 3L | Internal hydration sleeve, hook and loop attachment point | Internal hydration sleeve | Internally accessed sleeve, holds up to 3L, bladder not included | Internal hydration sleeve |
| Hip Belt | Padded with pockets | 1 3/8" webbing, countoured padding, ventilated outer layer | Broad, not padded. | 3/4" webbing, removable | 3/4" webbing, removable |
| Number of pockets | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Description of Pockets | 1 main compartment, 2 mesh side bottle pouches, 2 oversized hipbelt pockets, an exterior elastic mesh, and 2 organization pockets (one soft lined). | 1 main combo top-loader/side panel zip, 1 internal mesh w/ overlap closure (inside of lid), 1 external zip on top of lid, 2 mesh side bottle w/ button closure/expansion, 2 oversized hipbelt zip | 1 main compartment, 2 mesh side bottle pouches, 1 side zippered pocket, 1 top pouch | 2 stretchy mesh side, 1 interior padded laptop sleeve, 1 back zippered with internal mesh dividers and key clip, 1 back expandable waterbottle, 1 back zippered. | 1 cinched main compartment, 1 outer zippered |
| Materials | 100% nylon | 300D recycled ripstop nylon | Nylon | Nylon | Nylon |
| Outside Carry Options | Trekking pole lash points, elastic ice axe attachment, hidden compression straps | Trekking pole lash points, ice axe attachments, daisy chains,attachment loops, compression straps | Tool loop and bungee holder | Side compression strap | 1 exterior daisy chain, ice-axe loop |
| Whistle | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Key Clip | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Other Notable Features | Sunglasses shoulder quickstow, soft storage pouch | Steel frame w/ 1 internal stay, hydration tube holder on shoulder strap, included rain cover, water bottle pockets angled forward to allow on the go access | Removeable foam back panel doubles as sit pad, removeable sternum, removeable Packmod bungee | Compatible as an attachment to other Osprey packs | Removeable foam back panel doubles as sit pad, removeable sternum and hip belt straps |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Gregory created a solid midweight contender for the daypack category, capable of holding its own with our best-in-class award winners. The Miwok 24 offers a mid-level range weight-to-volume ratio, a comfortable minimal suspension system, and enough features to satisfy your needs without being an overwhelming amount.
Performance Comparison
The Miwok 24 provides solid all-around performance in a simple yet convenient design.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Comfort
Daypacks by design don't carry heavy loads. Despite this fact, Gregory's Miwok 24 has a mesh and foam suspension style keeping weight to a minimum while providing adequate comfort for decent loads. The mesh and foam design brings the pack slightly off the back of the user, increasing the breathability of the pack and while maintaining comfortable support. The foam itself is cut with ridges that provide relief for common pressure points like the spine. While there isn't as much ventilation as a full mesh suspension style back panel, the comfort and ventilation outperform other models with similar weight and size.
The Miwok's back panel offers a nice balance of comfortable padding and mesh ventilation.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Weight
For having a rather robust feature set, the Miwok stays at a rather humble weight for the class. At under two pounds (29.6 ounces), the pack is in the mid-range for its weight-to-volume ratio. Although it's a bit too large for the fast and light crown, it performs well for its weight range and is ideal for most normal hikers. It is actually a bit lighter than other higher-rated packs in the same size range.
Versatility
The Miwok 24 is a fairly simple pack that is versatile enough for various uses, though it has some features specifically tailored to hiking. The pack features compression straps, an ice axe strap and loop, hip belt pockets, a sunglasses holder, and a reflector tab for a bike light. The pack remains flexible enough to comfortably be used for cycling, hiking, and scrambling. The pack doesn't have as many external pockets and attachment points like some other packs, but the features it does have are well executed and lend themselves well to multiple disciplines. The narrower profile doesn't hinder its range of motion either. The lack of an included rain cover and average wet weather performance leaves room for some improvement.
Ease of Use
Gregory struck a good balance between features and simplicity. The Miwok 24 has only the necessary features and straps to get the job done. When not in use, they stay well hidden and out of the way. The hip belts, in particular, are a wonderful feature on a pack of this size. They are large enough to fit the essentials without being overwhelming or awkward. Big plastic zipper pulls, and orange lined interior makes opening and finding items in any compartment a breeze. The small organization compartment is even lined with a soft fabric to help protect sensitive items.
Capable of holding all the adventure goodies
Credit: Jacob Clark
Durability
With the typical quality that we've experienced with other Gergory products, we didn't have any durability concerns with the Miwok 24 during our testing. The back panel and mesh pockets are tight weaves and thicker material that are not likely to snag on branches or tear from being dragged. The water-resistant nature of the pack leaves a bit to be desired, though. Without a rain cover, the pack did well, showing minimal signs of water inside. However, some soaking through of the fabric was noticed and a little bleeding through the zipper. Marginal, but still not waterproof. We would recommend a rain cover or individual protection for sensitive items inside the pack.
This pack continues the reputation of Gregory's solid construction, though its water-resistance left a little to be desired.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Value
The Gregory Miwok 24 offers solid value as a well-versed daypack. It is competitively priced and has a solid range of features across the board. If your goal is to find a daypack that you can take on or off the trail without breaking the budget, this is a solid contender. If you have more specific needs for a more technical pack, we would recommend looking elsewhere. While it does have some useful features, it is still a fairly simple backpack.
Conclusion
The Miwok 24 pack is a jack of all trades pack but master of none. It is best as a hiking or commuting pack, and there are still enough features, capacity, and comfort to work well no matter the activity.
The Miwok is a simple and solid all-around performer.
Credit: Jacob Clark
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Jacob Clark
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