What a fantastically refreshing review. No ridiculously long intro just straight into what matters most. I even loved the attention to detail with the time stamps and the list of equipment used. An easy choice to subscribe.
"HEYYYY WHAT'SUP EVERYONE REMEMBER TO SMASH THAT LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE BUTTON AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS, BEFORE I GET TO THE REVIEW LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE PAST 24 HOURS I DISCOVERED POTATOES COME FROM THE GROUNND!!" All joking aside, I appreciate the encouraging comments Daniel 😊 I make the types of videos I'd like to watch - as best as I can - so it's a matter of "putting into the world the things you want to see more of." I hope to continue making stuff, it's a lot of fun for me!
I think Granite Gear packs make the perfect step into ultralight, or at least trying to cut down pack weight from heavier more traditional packs. And just like you have kept it for your winter setup, I have done the same with my granite gear pack. It also is a handy loaner pack if any of my friends who don't hike/camp normally want to come with. Another excellent review!
Your reviews are not only some of the most informative I've come across, but you present the information articulately and keep my attention. Look foward to seeing more reviews dude! Thanks!
I appreciate the encouragement 😊 thank you!! I love making reviews but honestly I'm making adventure videos more often than not and that takes time. Working on a really huge 3 part video of the TMB right now, but after that I want to make a Dandee 35 pack review since it's been so wonderful to hike with.
Great review Taylor. Just copped the drop version for $90 and am excited to get it in! Just redid my whole load out and got my BW down to sub 15lb and this seems like the perfect pack to carry my stuff. Anyways thanks again for the solid review bud!
Funny. I’m in the same boat. After my last couple of trips I did a serious shakedown and got rid of so many “pack my fears” items. Also got a few new pieces of lighter replacement items, (cook-pot, rain jacket, etc.). Dropped my base weight from 22 to 15.5 lbs, (and that’s with a camp chair!), and ordered the Drop version of this pack.
I bought the Drop-version of this pack in 2018 and I have NEVER used it! The reason why is that I also bought the 38-litre version in orange (beautiful color) which is spacious enough for at least a week of self sustaining hiking with my not-so-leightweight tent (Hilleberg Niak, 1.7KG) and sleeping bag (Marmot Helium, 1KG). I don't think the 38L-version was popular enough for GG to keep making it but IMO it's the version that makes more sense. Great review!
Appreciate the review, always to the point with more detail than anyone else. Have you ever considered and of the ULA packs (CDT, Catalyst)? The Catalyst seems to fit in a category. Can carry relatively heavy loads but also can be used to lighter loads when needed.
This was my first pack as well! Got it on sale from Camp Saver for $125, so I figured why not? Turns out my summer gear only fills about half the pack, so I grabbed a G4-20 this fall for those shorter trips. Right now I'm thinking about doing an quick overnight once the lows are above freezing, to dip my toe into winter backpacking. I'll definitely be bringing this pack out of storage so I can bring an absurd amount of extra clothing, and possibly multiple sleeping bags...
No way! I also did the Crown2 to G4-20 switch! Although if I'm being honest, the G4-20 might still be a bit big for my summer set-up now that I've started using a Deschutes Plus 😅 Coincidentally I just got back from skipacking last night and also brought two sleeping bags and two sleeping pads. It was a bit chilly outside of the bags, but man, it was so wonderful to get out into nature. Good luck on your adventures!
Just ordered the Drop version. Can’t wait to get it. What’s your hammock setup? Always interested to see what others are using. Thank you for the excellent content, subbed.
Thank you! Haha my hammock is a cobbled together thing, I'm using an Eno Super Sub for the body that I modified to sew in a bug net, mule tape and poly straps from Antigravity Gear, and a myog UL Hex Tarp kit from Ripstop by the Roll. Love the tarp and straps, they're incredible, however that Warbonnet Blackbird looks mighty fine...
Hey shannon, the water bottle holder was actually a DIY project. My Mom and I made it from some fabric scraps she had that matched the color close enough, and we just eyeballed a design. However, there are plenty of manufacturers that sell shoulder strap water bottle pockets. Gossamer Gear makes a nice pocket like this, I haven't tested it personally, but Gossamer Gear always makes solid stuff in my experience.
Thank you! I'm 6ft with a 19.5in torso, however, as I mentioned in the video, I had a tough time getting this pack to fit perfectly until I tried the Women's Medium version, which fit perfectly. All the men's sizes didn't fit right. I'd suggest trying this at REI, it's one of the few lightweight packs they carry!
I actually already got a smaller pack! It was a bit of an accident, I had been looking to try out a MYOG pack, and was looking through ULGearTrade when I came across a 35L Dandee pack, which looks similar to the Pa'Lente V2 or the Waymark 40L (or any number of standard UL style packs, it's a pretty straightforward design). So far I'm really digging it, and I'm excited to try it out on a summer hike whenever it warms up in MN. To answer your question more generally, smaller volume packs start to get very specialized, but if I hadn't stumbled upon the Dandee 35L, I'd look at the GG Kumo, the Waymark Evlv, and anything from SWD or Atom Packs. However, I'd really recommend Dandee to anyone. He's just a one-person shop making custom packs for a pretty great price in my opinion. I'll definitely be doing a review on it as soon as I can get out and use it on a few real adventures.
@@TaylorPassofaro Just took a look at those Dandee picks! Fresher than fresh and as cottage as they come. Is the material on the front of his packs a pocket btw?
@@Juansoto20233 Yup! Two chest pockets, both large enough to fit a smartwater bottle. Underneath them are some vertical webbing that the sternum straps sit on, but you can also use that webbing to attach whatever else you like (including a camera clip like what I do)
Another excellent review! Oh, PS: One thing I was curious about is the Drop.com version. I didn't realize that Drop was selling slightly different versions of existing equipment! How did you come across that information? Best wishes on all your adventures.
Thank you! Haha, researching and reading about adventure gear is a hobby of mine, so I'm not sure where I came across the information, I suppose I might have read about it on backpackinglight, the Ultralight subreddit, or just when I was doing standard searches for "best lightweight value backpack." At this stage I'm not sure how all the stuff got in my head 😅
OK guys.. for those of you who just watched exciting TH-cam reviews of this pack and planning to buy it.. just don't! don't waste your time and money on this marketing bubble product. yes there are lots of ppl who swear by this pack.. but.. I just recently got this pack and did some testing in a local park walking 2 days few km with abt 12-14kg in this pack. After inspections my doubts were Confirmed. stitching started to fail badly. if u pay attention belt webbing is attached with one seam just onto foam pad, I have no idea what genius decided to make it this way. so that seam is just ripping away that thin foam and nylon under pressure. I saw this comming that why decided to test it prior my trip.i have no idea why people say granite gear stuff is super durable. yes materials used are good, but workmanship and design is just rubbish. save your time and buy a reputable brand gear, for even less money.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, sorry you got a bad one 😕 Granite Gear usually is good about standing behind their products, they've been doing this a long time. That's strange your stitching failed so early so maybe it was a legitimate dud that warranty should cover. For me, I've yet to see any stitching fail or anything on this pack fail in my years of use. I use it for winter backpacking mostly these days so I throw this thing around a ton and don't baby it. I even took it down to Arizona last weekend because I wanted something durable that could stand up to scratchy trails and bushwhacking through the desert and the pack shrugged off everything with ease while remaining comfortable and adaptable. My complaints with the pack still stand, and it's not my go-to pack anymore for many reasons, but there's also a lot of reasons I still use it. Your comment is a good reminder that there is no best pack for everyone, and even though the crown 2 is a good all-rounder, it's really important to try things out and learn your style. It's how I ended up with 4 packs I rotate though depending on the trip! I hope you find a better pack for your needs in the future!
@@TaylorPassofaro yeah.. one pack is never enough:) do you think if load lifters dont provide an angle close to 45 degree i should have gotten a larger size ? bcs i think it s important to get a good angle for weight distribution ..
Usually I do! I should have explained: the side mesh is so tight against a full pack and in such an awkward position that using it for carrying water bottles is rather impractical (see 3:17 with my arms like chicken wings trying to get them out). For a bit more detail, I actually do use them sometimes, but not for anything essential. They're typically where I carry my hatchet and saw when on winter BWCA trips, and I also use them for carrying spare paracord. I think once I used one pocket to hold my water filter, but that was a while ago.
So well explained and edited. I love the voiceover ... so clear and easy to follow. Thank you for sharing this!
Why thank you, that's a very kind thing to say 😊
Thanks for including the timestamps - they are useful to me in videos like this.
What a fantastically refreshing review. No ridiculously long intro just straight into what matters most. I even loved the attention to detail with the time stamps and the list of equipment used. An easy choice to subscribe.
"HEYYYY WHAT'SUP EVERYONE REMEMBER TO SMASH THAT LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE BUTTON AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS, BEFORE I GET TO THE REVIEW LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE PAST 24 HOURS I DISCOVERED POTATOES COME FROM THE GROUNND!!"
All joking aside, I appreciate the encouraging comments Daniel 😊 I make the types of videos I'd like to watch - as best as I can - so it's a matter of "putting into the world the things you want to see more of." I hope to continue making stuff, it's a lot of fun for me!
I think Granite Gear packs make the perfect step into ultralight, or at least trying to cut down pack weight from heavier more traditional packs. And just like you have kept it for your winter setup, I have done the same with my granite gear pack. It also is a handy loaner pack if any of my friends who don't hike/camp normally want to come with. Another excellent review!
Thank you! I agree, glad to hear your pack is also getting that winter love :D
I have the 38 liter in same colors and love it. Just the right size and carries well. Keep it light.
Your reviews are not only some of the most informative I've come across, but you present the information articulately and keep my attention. Look foward to seeing more reviews dude! Thanks!
Thanks Kevin, that means a lot 😊 I hope to keep making them!
By far the best review of anything ive ever seen lol. You should do this for alot more gear if you arent already. Thanks, bro!
I appreciate the encouragement 😊 thank you!! I love making reviews but honestly I'm making adventure videos more often than not and that takes time. Working on a really huge 3 part video of the TMB right now, but after that I want to make a Dandee 35 pack review since it's been so wonderful to hike with.
Great review Taylor. Just copped the drop version for $90 and am excited to get it in! Just redid my whole load out and got my BW down to sub 15lb and this seems like the perfect pack to carry my stuff. Anyways thanks again for the solid review bud!
Thanks Renz! 😊 If you're at sub 15, this thing is gonna be awesome, good luck on your adventures!!
Funny.
I’m in the same boat. After my last couple of trips I did a serious shakedown and got rid of so many “pack my fears” items. Also got a few new pieces of lighter replacement items, (cook-pot, rain jacket, etc.).
Dropped my base weight from 22 to 15.5 lbs, (and that’s with a camp chair!), and ordered the Drop version of this pack.
Very nice review. And extremely Aesthetically pleasing to watch :)
Thanks JT!
I bought the Drop-version of this pack in 2018 and I have NEVER used it!
The reason why is that I also bought the 38-litre version in orange (beautiful color) which is spacious enough for at least a week of self sustaining hiking with my not-so-leightweight tent (Hilleberg Niak, 1.7KG) and sleeping bag (Marmot Helium, 1KG).
I don't think the 38L-version was popular enough for GG to keep making it but IMO it's the version that makes more sense.
Great review!
That 38L is a beautiful sweet spot, I've been tempted so many times to pick it up!
Thanks for the encouragement 😊
Excellent,detailed non biased review!
Why thank you, that's very kind 😊 I hope to make more!
Appreciate the review, always to the point with more detail than anyone else. Have you ever considered and of the ULA packs (CDT, Catalyst)? The Catalyst seems to fit in a category. Can carry relatively heavy loads but also can be used to lighter loads when needed.
This was my first pack as well! Got it on sale from Camp Saver for $125, so I figured why not? Turns out my summer gear only fills about half the pack, so I grabbed a G4-20 this fall for those shorter trips.
Right now I'm thinking about doing an quick overnight once the lows are above freezing, to dip my toe into winter backpacking. I'll definitely be bringing this pack out of storage so I can bring an absurd amount of extra clothing, and possibly multiple sleeping bags...
No way! I also did the Crown2 to G4-20 switch! Although if I'm being honest, the G4-20 might still be a bit big for my summer set-up now that I've started using a Deschutes Plus 😅
Coincidentally I just got back from skipacking last night and also brought two sleeping bags and two sleeping pads. It was a bit chilly outside of the bags, but man, it was so wonderful to get out into nature. Good luck on your adventures!
@@TaylorPassofaro I've got my notification bell turned on for that Deschutes+ review ;)
@@Jaysus145 Haha thanks! As soon as the ground is bare of snow I'll be getting out there with my cameras!
Fair review. I have this pack and do love its flexibility. But will definitely be looking for a smaller pack as the temperatures climbs.
Well done. Excellent review! I appreciate the info.
Thanks you! I like making these, glad you found it helpful 😁
Just ordered the Drop version. Can’t wait to get it.
What’s your hammock setup? Always interested to see what others are using.
Thank you for the excellent content, subbed.
Thank you!
Haha my hammock is a cobbled together thing, I'm using an Eno Super Sub for the body that I modified to sew in a bug net, mule tape and poly straps from Antigravity Gear, and a myog UL Hex Tarp kit from Ripstop by the Roll. Love the tarp and straps, they're incredible, however that Warbonnet Blackbird looks mighty fine...
Great complete review! Yeah, those women's colors look great actually 😎
Thanks Captain! I'm definitely more of a sucker for the aesthetic than I thought 😅
Where can I find the water bottle holder attachment?
Hey shannon, the water bottle holder was actually a DIY project. My Mom and I made it from some fabric scraps she had that matched the color close enough, and we just eyeballed a design. However, there are plenty of manufacturers that sell shoulder strap water bottle pockets. Gossamer Gear makes a nice pocket like this, I haven't tested it personally, but Gossamer Gear always makes solid stuff in my experience.
Nice review.
How tall are you? And how long your torso is? I’m 5’9, torso is 19 inch, I’m not pretty sure is this pack fit for me or not.
Thank you!
I'm 6ft with a 19.5in torso, however, as I mentioned in the video, I had a tough time getting this pack to fit perfectly until I tried the Women's Medium version, which fit perfectly. All the men's sizes didn't fit right. I'd suggest trying this at REI, it's one of the few lightweight packs they carry!
Those water bottle pockets made me feel feeble, glad it was the pack and not me.
If you were to get a smaller pack than the G4-20, what would it be?
I actually already got a smaller pack! It was a bit of an accident, I had been looking to try out a MYOG pack, and was looking through ULGearTrade when I came across a 35L Dandee pack, which looks similar to the Pa'Lente V2 or the Waymark 40L (or any number of standard UL style packs, it's a pretty straightforward design). So far I'm really digging it, and I'm excited to try it out on a summer hike whenever it warms up in MN.
To answer your question more generally, smaller volume packs start to get very specialized, but if I hadn't stumbled upon the Dandee 35L, I'd look at the GG Kumo, the Waymark Evlv, and anything from SWD or Atom Packs. However, I'd really recommend Dandee to anyone. He's just a one-person shop making custom packs for a pretty great price in my opinion. I'll definitely be doing a review on it as soon as I can get out and use it on a few real adventures.
@@TaylorPassofaro Just took a look at those Dandee picks! Fresher than fresh and as cottage as they come. Is the material on the front of his packs a pocket btw?
@@Juansoto20233 Yup! Two chest pockets, both large enough to fit a smartwater bottle. Underneath them are some vertical webbing that the sternum straps sit on, but you can also use that webbing to attach whatever else you like (including a camera clip like what I do)
Another excellent review! Oh, PS: One thing I was curious about is the Drop.com version. I didn't realize that Drop was selling slightly different versions of existing equipment! How did you come across that information? Best wishes on all your adventures.
Thank you! Haha, researching and reading about adventure gear is a hobby of mine, so I'm not sure where I came across the information, I suppose I might have read about it on backpackinglight, the Ultralight subreddit, or just when I was doing standard searches for "best lightweight value backpack." At this stage I'm not sure how all the stuff got in my head 😅
OK guys.. for those of you who just watched exciting TH-cam reviews of this pack and planning to buy it.. just don't!
don't waste your time and money on this marketing bubble product.
yes there are lots of ppl who swear by this pack.. but..
I just recently got this pack and did some testing in a local park walking 2 days few km with abt 12-14kg in this pack. After inspections my doubts were Confirmed. stitching started to fail badly. if u pay attention belt webbing is attached with one seam just onto foam pad, I have no idea what genius decided to make it this way.
so that seam is just ripping away that thin foam and nylon under pressure. I saw this comming that why decided to test it prior my trip.i have no idea why people say granite gear stuff is super durable. yes materials used are good, but workmanship and design is just rubbish.
save your time and buy a reputable brand gear, for even less money.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, sorry you got a bad one 😕 Granite Gear usually is good about standing behind their products, they've been doing this a long time. That's strange your stitching failed so early so maybe it was a legitimate dud that warranty should cover.
For me, I've yet to see any stitching fail or anything on this pack fail in my years of use. I use it for winter backpacking mostly these days so I throw this thing around a ton and don't baby it. I even took it down to Arizona last weekend because I wanted something durable that could stand up to scratchy trails and bushwhacking through the desert and the pack shrugged off everything with ease while remaining comfortable and adaptable. My complaints with the pack still stand, and it's not my go-to pack anymore for many reasons, but there's also a lot of reasons I still use it.
Your comment is a good reminder that there is no best pack for everyone, and even though the crown 2 is a good all-rounder, it's really important to try things out and learn your style. It's how I ended up with 4 packs I rotate though depending on the trip! I hope you find a better pack for your needs in the future!
@@TaylorPassofaro yeah.. one pack is never enough:) do you think if load lifters dont provide an angle close to 45 degree i should have gotten a larger size ? bcs i think it s important to get a good angle for weight distribution ..
Useless side mesh? Don't you carry water bottles?
Usually I do! I should have explained: the side mesh is so tight against a full pack and in such an awkward position that using it for carrying water bottles is rather impractical (see 3:17 with my arms like chicken wings trying to get them out).
For a bit more detail, I actually do use them sometimes, but not for anything essential. They're typically where I carry my hatchet and saw when on winter BWCA trips, and I also use them for carrying spare paracord. I think once I used one pocket to hold my water filter, but that was a while ago.