If you typically carry 25 pounds or less on your outdoor adventures, and are looking for a lightweight, comfortable backpack, then the G-Pack from Gregory Mountain Products may be exactly what you need. The G-Pack is a versatile pack that serves the needs of day hikers, trekkers, adventure travelers, and fast packers alike. Here's what makes the G-Pack a world class backpack:

• As with most Gregory packs, they come in a variety of sizes to fit a variety of many different people. Each pack has a different capacity and weight.
  
   
  • Small: 2,800 cubic inches, 2 pounds 9 ounces
    
     
  • Medium: 3,050 cubic inches, 2 pounds 12 ounces
    
     
  • Large: 3,300 cubic inches, 2 pounds 14 ounces

  
  Because sizing is so critical to the comfort of a pack, it is a good idea to personally visit a Gregory dealer to get your back measured so that you know which size of the back is best for you.
   

• As you can see above, the G-Pack has a low weight to capacity ratio. It weighs about 1-2 pounds or so less than most packs of the same size without sacrificing comfort or stability.
  
   
• Because of the roominess of this pack, you may be tempted to carry more than you should. The G-Pack is designed to optimally carry up to 25 pounds, and you will not want to exceed that limit if you are looking for the greatest comfort.
  
   
• Gregory calls the main fabric used in the bag their G fabric. This is a silicone impregnated, 30 denier fabric that is not only ultralightweight, but tear resistant. When you first look at it and feel it, it kind of gives you the impression of crepe paper. But don't let that fool you. It is a very tough fabric. The bottom of the bag is made out of a 210 denier Cordura nylon fabric for extra abrasion protection.
  
   
• Construction build quality is top-notch. In fact, it is a work of art. You may want to consider storing it in your living room to show it off to your friends and neighbors.
  
   
• The G-Pack is a top loader. The main body of the sack is sealed with a draw cord for protection against rain. Sitting on top of the pack is a zippered pocket that acts as the cover of the bag. The zipper is water-resistant, but not waterproof.
  
   
• While it is hard to see this from the picture of the G-Pack, the outside of the pack has a single, large combination mesh/G fabric pocket. This can be used to hold light gear, such as a jacket, tarp, or other similar gear. Since there are no divisions in the pocket, small items can be hard to find. It is best used for larger items. It can also be used to hold two water bottles.
  
   
• The G-Pack doesn't have any extra loops or straps for gear.
  
   
• Inside the pack is a single pocket that can be used as hydration pouch, although there is no hydration port. If you use a hydration pouch, the hydration tube will have to come out of the top of the pack.
  
   
• The pack's harness is comfortable and includes load lifters to help bring the pack closer to you back for greater comfort and stability.
  
   
• The elastic-damped sternum strap is adjustable up and down, allowing you to customize the fit.
  
   
• The Gullwing belt is amply padded and comfortable. It also includes load control straps to further customize the fit and comfort. The belt, along with the lightweight framesheet and single aluminum stay, is more than adequate to transfer the pack's weight to your waist.
  
   
• The G-Pack's back panel is made of a breathable Aerotech mesh and includes chimney ventilation channel. This channel helps to draw air up the back of the pack, helping to cool you. The Aerotech mesh material also does an good job of absorbing perspiration. On the other hand, because the Aerotech mesh is so good at absorbing moisture, you won't want to get it wet by placing it down on wet ground or snow, otherwise it will get really wet.

The Gregory G-Pack is good all around basic pack with few frills to get in your way.

Using the Gregory G-Pack in the Real World

I like the no-frills design of the G-Pack. I am not a big fan of extra loops, straps, pockets, and so on. I like a simple top-loading pack that is big enough to carry the gear I need for a particular outdoor adventure. Part of this is because these all contribute to extra weight, and part of it is because sometimes all those extra frills just get in the way.

I have been carrying the G-Pack in very hot weather, and have found it to be more than comfortable (at least as comfortable as anyone can be in hot, humid weather). The back panel does a good job of preventing sweat build-up, and the ventilation channel helps to keep my back cool. It is also very comfortable against my back. Stability is also good, so you wont' have any problems with the back moving about your back as you hike and move about.

Likewise, I have found the shoulder straps and waist belt comfortable up to 25 pounds. In fact, after a little while on the trail, I tend to even forget that I am wearing a pack. With all of the available adjustments, the pack can be fitted to meet virtually every body. At first, it may take some experimentation to get the right fit, but once you do, you will find the pack very comfortable.

If you expect to be in heavy rain, I would recommend a backpack cover, such as one of the ones made by Gregory. This is because the pack is not waterproof and will leak. In addition, the back panel can absorb a lot of water.

So far, the pack has held up well to wear. While the thin G fabric is tough, I would not recommend a lot of heavy bushwhacking while wearing it. But again, that is not what this pack is designed for in the first place.

Recommendation

For day hiking, trekking, adventure travel, and lightweight backpacking, the G-Pack will suit you well up to 25 pounds. But if you need to carry more gear, or if you need a pack for climbing or mountaineering, then you will want to take a look for another backpack.

Product Notes

The G-Pack is available in three sizes (as previously described) and comes in only one color: true blue. The MSRP is $149.00.