Hey, cool review! They actually now have two regular zip hip belt pockets included.. on mine at least which is sz medium blue that I bought during their black Friday sale.. (instead of one being mesh). I'm editing this now (12/30/20) because apparently some are still getting the packs with only one zipper pocket..🤷♂️ so who knows what's going on at GG 🙃 anyway, I found this to be a perfect transition pack to frameless..., although I wish it had load lifters.. I also found upgrading to their air flow back panel makes a huge difference over the foam one. Otherwise, i love this pack!
@@pieonthetrail I'm pretty sure aside having two zippered pockets, the hipbelt is the same.. still sewn in, and still has the 1.5" webbing. It definitely was a nice surprise seeing the 2 zippered hip belt pockets.. what's strange is, on their website, it's still advertised as having the one sleeve side.. in any event, I agree, having two zippered pockets is definitely better (imho)
@@johndivenere280 that's really bizarre 🤔 I wonder if it was just one batch they made with two pockets.. do you still have the bag it came in? If so look underneath where it days g420 and it should have a po followed by a serious of letters and numbers.. the last 4 of which are the month and year of the batch it came from.. like I told pie, I found it odd that they were still advertising one sleeve pocket and one regular.. what color and size pack did you get? That might also be a factor but🤷♂️ i got the blue in sz medium.. and it came from batch 9/20.
@@johndivenere280 John, in thinking it would only have one zippered pocket, I bought one of their slip on zipper pockets. Are you in the US? If so I can send it to you if you'd like, as I don't need it. Yes, I added shoulder pockets by superior wilderness designs. One of their lycra pouches, and one of their water bottle pockets. It took me a few minutes to figure out the best way to Attach them, but they work great. I'll probably make a quick video showing how to attach 3rd party pockets to GG packs..because since GG have their straps sewn at the end, it's hard to just put most pockets on (unless you want to cut those.. which I didn't) but it's definitely possible, and personally I love carrying some of my water, other weight on the shoulder straps..I find it's comfortable, helps distribute the weight, and easy access to your water. Etc
Super great review I have this pack and absolutely love it!!! My hip belt has 2 zippers now which I love!!! I plan on taking it on my up and coming AT adventures 😊 thanks again happy hiking !!!
Got dam. Got one of those frameless Z-Packs things a couple of years ago.. G4-20 far superior of a back-pack than my 'thing." G4-20 not only superior but $20 less expensive. Thanks for the super review.
I've been thinking about this pack since they started showing it. A few more liters than my Murmur 36 would be great for winter. Nice review, I appreciate it. ATB, Tony
My g420 arrived three weeks ago with two full-sized zipper hip pockets. Pie’s thorough review helped me pick the pack and perhaps encouraged Gossamer Gear to replace that odd mesh pocket.
thanks for the review. i've been looking at the G4 20 and SWD 35HB i like too see you do a follow up review after you get a little more time on the pack
So I pulled the trigger. And didnt even notice the fact that there weren't any load lifters. I went for one night but carried 5 days worth of food to really test the waters. Not sure what my total weight came out to, but hopefully this helps someone out there. The pack is unbelievably comfortable.
@@robduncan7409 I agree. I loaded mine to about 33 lbs for a 7-day hike. Bailed early, but after 4 days and 50 miles, I never once gave a thought to the pack. It was just there doing it's thing comfortably,
Great review! I have the original G4 and do love it if I'm going UL. I did make a few mods to it though. Since the outer mesh pockets are so flimsy I did add shock cord. I also added shock cord and a loop on the strap to carry my water bottle with the Aqua Clip. If I'm going to carry more weight then I'll take a Ribz front pack. That's great because it moves some of the weight to the front of me and evens it out.
Wow great review! It seems like an absolute beast as a backpack for its price for sure! Would you happen to know can you roll the bag into a burrito without hurting the back? It's frameless so you can roll it I guess, but I would want a somewhat long life for my bag, but I need to be able to roll it :/
I use that torso sleeplite pad they sell in my pad sleeve. Bananas bro. I'm digging this packs features. If it had the mesh shoulder strap pockets I'd get one today. "Missing a snack would make me pretty grumpy" 🤣👍
@@jhonyermo yeah someone just told me on another of Pies vids. They look sweet. I'm trying to figure of the g420 or the gorilla works better for me. Removable hip belt of gorilla has me leaning that way but love the other features of this pack.
@@Datsyzerberg Yes sir buddy. But I am almost certain. You can't go wrong with either of those Gossamer Gear choices. If ONLY I had known. I have a ULA and a Z-Packs pack. Just got the Gossamer Gear Day Pack. Still ok with the ULA, wish I had never heard of Z-Packs Nero. Oh well. Live and learn.
@@pieonthetrail no, I use it as a sit pad mostly but it always come in handy and is more comfortable than any other sit pad I've used. Also gives me good rigidity to my pack and in case my hammock ever blew a tire I can use it on the ground. I'm definitely not hardcore enough to roll with just that for insulation. 😺
Have you tried putting a small bear can like the BV450 or BareBoxer 101 inside the G4-20? If so, how does it fit and how much room is left in the interior?
I just got a G4 -20 and I have a BV 450 that fits both vertically and horizontally in the pack. I have plenty of room left for the rest of my gear, but my load is dialed in pretty well. My base weight is just at 16.5#.
How about back ventilation? I'm searching for a backpack to substitute my Thule capstone with a mesh back panel (it's comfortable to feel some breeze at your back)
if you go with this pack, id upgrade to their AirFlow Panel. Much better air flow, as well as working much better as a frame sheet.. Awesome upgrade for 24$
Thanks, very thorough review- Would I be more comfortable carrying 20-25 lbs at the start of a 3 day trek with the GG Gorilla or the G4-20? I really want to save those few oz by buying the G4-20 if it can carry in comfort 20lbs + at times
Great review! First for the G4-20! I'm thinking about picking up one of these little guys. You mentioned yours is a size M. Can I ask your height and waist? I seem to be between sizes (6' tall, 32" waist).
@@pieonthetrail Thanks! I'm trying to decide between the G4-20 and the Mariposa. Completely different packs, I realize, but I've just finished transitioning to an UL setup. Just not sure whether I should go for versatility in a "one pack to rule them all" (Mariposa) or save some money and go compact, which would serve me well a majority of times, but limited in others (e.g. extended trips, winter gear, international travel). Any advice? How to choose a pack - there's your content!
I would not be shopping from them. They refunded me money from a warranty and I accidentally refunded it back to them, and now they have ignored all my requests to resend me the funds. I have had to take it to BBB. And this was at the end of numerous emails trying to deal with a bag that was not what I had ordered, then thankfully found damaged so was able to return to get my funds back. They are a horrible, dishonest company to deal with. Don't support them!
@@pieonthetrail not really If you had been ripped off, and they had not refunded you, lied to you and ignored your requests to close this case via the better business bureau, I am sure you would be pissed too. There are many stories. You just have to look at their reviews. I have seen many complaints on a California backpack forum I am part of. So yes they deserve the review. And it deserves to be posted everywhere. There are better companies to support.
UL hikers want to cut their toothbrush in half to shave weight...yet I see too many of them being fat with a mop of hair and a bush of beard. How about cut the mop of hair 8 oz, bush of beard 3 oz, and drop a few 16-32 oz in fat...just saying.. :P
