Gossamer Gear G4-20 Ultralight 42 Backpack ?

[Stellamaris]

I am currently looking for a new backpack for my next camino and was wondering if anybody on the forum has triednwith the gossamer G4-20 UL 42 ?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

You might want to check this thread out!

I recently ordered a new Gossamer Gear G4-20 backpack with the intention of using it next Spring on the Camino. This was my first experience with an ultralight frameless backpack. I just returned from a week of backpacking in Yellowstone NP and I used the G4-20 exclusively. I ordered the "Feedbag" accessory that attaches to the pack straps and I used it for a bear spray canister. I also purchased the Lightrek Hiking Umbrella which I carried attached to the side of the pack.

When I received the pack I was immediately weirded out by the lack of structure. I played around with packing methods and found that by not compressing my down jacket and other soft items I was able to get the pack filled out a bit. I was very skeptical when I departed for the trip. I did several hikes including an 11 mile backcountry hike, often off-trail. I was carrying relatively light loads of around 10-14 pounds, using water bottles in the side pockets.

Conclusions? I love this pack. I literally forgot I was wearing one, which in my mind is the highest praise I can give a pack. It was so comfortable with the lighter loads I was carrying it just disappeared. I flew down trails dodging bison and bears and had a blast. I struggled a bit getting water bottles in and out of the side pockets while wearing the pack, but I can easily rectify this with a longer water bottle. It had more than enough volume for an extended day hike, swallowing down and rain jackets, water shoes, food, bear spray, first aid kits etc. I think it's going to be a perfect choice for the Camino for me.

I may try to stiffen the back a bit with a different back pad, but beyond that it's perfect. It looks like a lump when sitting on the ground, but comes through on my back and that's what matters.

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Edited to add: a quick check shows multiple other references, it would be worthwhile reading through them, not all are so positive

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Edit: a post a bit further down mentioned that @davebugg commented on the Gossamer G4-20 in the thread linked to in post #2 above. I leave my original post below through.

Maybe forum member @davebugg who reviews backpacking gear for manufacturers is familiar with this pack. Use the forum's search engine for Gossamer and use Dave's handle.​

 

[Anhalter]

Too big and too heavy for my personal taste, but i like Gossamer packs. They are well built and beginner friendly. Also some nice features. Personally i regard the G4 as a weird in-between and not my favorite. If you want to go light, theres the Kumo (and Murmur, but i stand with the official reccomendation on that one), if you are heavier, the Gorilla or Mariposa might be worth the extra weight and offer lots more flexibility.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Maybe forum member @davebugg who reviews backpacking gear for manufacturers is familiar with this pack. Use the forum's search engine for Gossamer and use Dave's handle.

Dave comments on it in the thread I linked above

 

[Jan Runkel]

I am currently looking for a new backpack for my next camino and was wondering if anybody on the forum has triednwith the gossamer G4-20 UL 42 ?

I used this on the Via Podiensis last spring and loved it. Plenty of room and I like having a little less weight to start.

 

[arfajajc]

I walked from SJPP to Santiago de Compostela in mid April this year with a Gossamer Gear G4-20 and loved it. It's very lightweight relative to all but the most ultralight packs (700g for the medium) and yet has enough structure with the removable "sit pad" to be very comfortable for long days. Obviously you need to be a light traveller with a light backpack like this. I believe Gossamer Gear recommends carrying no more than 11kg for maximum comfort. My pack weight was 7kg with 1 litre of water. The size was perfect - I wouldn't pick anything smaller, as trying to cram everything into a smaller pack is tedious. With the roll-down top you can reduce the size/volume depending on your needs, but you've always got the option of extra room when needed (i.e. for extra food and water on long unsupported sections of more remote caminos). Excellent, good-sized pockets on a very comfortable hip belt, deep stretch side pockets for water bottles (I had no problem reaching back to grab my Salomon soft flask water bottle), etc, etc. It's not waterproof but I always use a pack liner so that wasn't an issue - and we got some decent rain during my camino! I would highly recommend it!

 

[Stellamaris]

I walked from SJPP to Santiago de Compostela in mid April this year with a Gossamer Gear G4-20 and loved it. It's very lightweight relative to all but the most ultralight packs (700g for the medium) and yet has enough structure with the removable "sit pad" to be very comfortable for long days. Obviously you need to be a light traveller with a light backpack like this. I believe Gossamer Gear recommends carrying no more than 11kg for maximum comfort. My pack weight was 7kg with 1 litre of water. The size was perfect - I wouldn't pick anything smaller, as trying to cram everything into a smaller pack is tedious. With the roll-down top you can reduce the size/volume depending on your needs, but you've always got the option of extra room when needed (i.e. for extra food and water on long unsupported sections of more remote caminos). Excellent, good-sized pockets on a very comfortable hip belt, deep stretch side pockets for water bottles (I had no problem reaching back to grab my Salomon soft flask water bottle), etc, etc. It's not waterproof but I always use a pack liner so that wasn't an issue - and we got some decent rain during my camino! I would highly recommend it!

Thank you, did the bag ( medium I understand) fit the carry-on size ?

 

[Stellamaris]

Dave comments on it in the thread I linked above

Thank you, very useful advice.

 

[Stellamaris]

I used this on the Via Podiensis last spring and loved it. Plenty of room and I like having a little less weight to start.

Thanks

 

[Ellen Gotts]

I Have a Gossamer Kumo 36. Have done a number of Camino's with it including some lengthy ones.
Love it and moulds to my body. Hardly know it is there!
My back does get sweatier as unlike my previous Osprey this pack sits right on my back. Also have to be better organised when packing as the pack does not have any extra pockets etc. , but I found these not major issues . The pack itself is brilliant

 

[Jan Runkel]

Thank you, did the bag ( medium I understand) fit the carry-on size ?

Yes.

 

[arfajajc]

Thank you, did the bag ( medium I understand) fit the carry-on size ?

Yes, I had no problem carrying it on, but then I only had about 6kg (no water) in it, so it wasn't full, and I had it rolled down as compact as I could make it with those contents. If you had it completely full with 42 litres of gear it may or may not be compact enough for carry on, especially on smaller regional flights.

 

[WalkingLester]

I have used the G4-20 on several caminos. Now on the Primitivo. I like it a lot. I don’t mind sweaty back. I carry about 6 kg. It’s pretty full then. I changed from the Mariposa because that one was too big. Realize the actual internal capacity is about 30(?) liters. The rest is of the volume, 12 l, is from the external pockets. On a plane, I pack most everything inside the backpack. It always fits in the overhead. I have never had any airline staff check whether it meets the criteria for carry on. I have taken it to Spain with and without the sit pad. Structurally I think the pad makes little difference. I am too lazy to take it out and sit on it. I like that Gossamer Gear puts on a lot of exterior pocket space. I use a plastic liner as it is not waterproof. Like a lot of lightweight backpacks it’s nothing special. It’s a sack with shoulder straps to carry your stuff.