Gossamer Gear G4-20
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Member Gear Review Summary (2 ratings)
The Gossamer Gear G4-20 Backpack features a minimalist design with a lightweight frame and adjustable components, optimizing load distribution for comfort on long hikes. Its 20-liter capacity is suitable for ultralight backpackers seeking efficiency and versatility in a packable, functional solution for backcountry travel.
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I have used the Gossamer Gear G4-20 for every trip that I have been on since 2020. I have used it for very remote long trails like the Hayduke Trail through the Southwest, as well as, more mainstream long distance trails like the Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail. For context, I am a brand ambassador for the company and my hiking partner and I have been for about 5 years now. I have only exclusively used the G4-20 in this time – meaning my experience with similar product is minimal to none so please keep that in mind as you are reading. Regardless, I have used this pack for over 400 days from long trails to mountaineering expeditions and have been through about 4 of them in that time (more on durability later!). Also, worth noting, this review is by no means comprehensive and further detailing, usage and reflection is likely needed!
What Worked Well
The G4-20 carries weight lower on the body making the hiker feel more stable and less top heavy while traveling especially when moving over uneven, loose and/or steep terrain. Unlike other backpacks that can often tend to pack “taller”, the G4-20 seems to focus it’s weight towards a wider bottom of the pack allowing backpackers to get much the weight lower down on the their bodies.
Additionally, each hip belt strap has sizable hip belt pockets. I was able to easily fit my phone, small sunscreen, chapstick and little bleach dropper into one side and 4-5 regular sized bars into the other side. This made it so I could keep moving on those longer days without taking my pack off to do tasks like filling up water, eating a quick snack while walking and doing a quick map check on my phone.
Like many backpacks these days, the G4-20 has a big outside pocket where you can store items that are needed quick access to like snacks, rain jacket, rain pants and first aid kit. After many weeks with this pack I am continually surprised by just how much stuff this pocket can hold, but it is good to be aware how much stuff you do end up putting in the pocket because if you overload it you will start feeling uneven in weight distribution. The side pockets are also a highlight of this pack. The right pocket holds a water bottle and, because of the packs lower body positioning, it makes grabbing your water bottle while the pack is on quick and easy. The left pocket is deeper than the accompanying water bottler pocket and is a great place to store your shelter so you can have quick access for setting it up when you arrive at camp without opening your backpack at all. This helps to ensure that the items inside of your backpack are not exposed to the elements if you happen to be setting up camp in a storm.
What Didn’t Work Well
This pack does have a few downsides. One big one is the two plastic loops that are meant to be trekking pole holders that are sewn into the outside of the pack below the outside pocket so hikers can easily store their trekking poles. Unfortunately, when the backpack is fully packed and you try to utilize these trekking pole holders the poles do not stay in the plastic loops and often fall out making it so you may accidentally and unknowingly drop one or both of your poles. This leaves your only option for storing trekking poles to put them in your side water bottle pocket or the other bigger side pocket. If you were to store your poles tip down this usually ends up with the pole tips damaging the pocket fabric. Alternatively, if you store them tips up then this means you may sacrifice side pocket space with your pole handles taking up so much space you may not be able to put a larger water bottle in there and you definitely would not be able to store your shelter in the larger side pocket.
Lastly, the backpack has a small zipper pocket right below the main opening of the pack. This pocket is great for storing smaller items like a toothbrush, headlamp, spoon or other little items that we may need out in the backcountry. The way this pack is sewn into the pack make sit protrude into the main compartment that stores all of the other gear. At points in time, this pocket can tend to get in the way if it is full and you are trying to pack the backpack leading you to have to empty the pocket to pack the backpack efficiently.
Reliability and Durability
This may be one of the biggest downsides of this pack, though, I do believe that most lightweight equipment tends to fail in this area after years of extensive use. The main area of this pack that seem to fail in reliability and durability is where the stitching of the hip belt meets the main body of the pack. Over time this stitching tends to come loose and will eventually fail. This can be mitigated by controlling the over all weight of the gear you put in the pack which I tend to struggle with as I am often carrying a rope, helmet and other equipment on mountain adventures in the Cascades. Also, the side pockets have a tendency to rip when they get dragged across rock and rough terrain.
ConclusionOverall, this backpack carries weight well, has awesome storage capability on the outside of the pack and can help a hiker make their overall backpacking system more efficient and streamlined. I am a fan of this packs versatility for long backpacking expeditions, as well as, it’s ability to be used in mountaineering and glacier travel environments.
DisclosuresReceived for free: I received this product for free from the brand or their affiliate/PR agency.Brand ambassador/influencer: I have created promotional content for this brand as an ambassador, athlete, influencer, or creator (past or present).Backpacking Light affiliation: I work for Backpacking Light in a paid or official capacity (owner/shareholder, employee, contractor, or paid contributor), but I am posting this review as an independent user and its content was not reviewed or directed by others at Backpacking Light.Thank for starting this Jeff! I own a LARGE GG G4-20 (2022 model) that my scale weighs empty at 26 oz, 1.6 lbs. which is the lightest backpack I own. Jeff says the pack has a 20 L capacity above, but it is best to think of the pack in the 40L range when all other pockets and rolltop extension are included (GG: 42L).
Trip Types: Â I use the G4-20 for very specific trips, that is my 3 season weekend UL backpacking or 3 season week long UL backpacking trips in lower CONUS where I expect little to no brush bushwhacking and I am aiming toward the smallest base weight I can get ( ~ 12 lbs. currently).
Performance, “What I Like:” I find the pack to be extremely comfortable at or below 25 lbs. A lot of variables may be present here that makes this true for me, my health and strength for 1, but this packs excels at total weights below 25 lbs. That said, I have hauled 35 + lbs. in this pack for longer treks where my food bag was maxed out, but I always find that I hardly notice the pack on below the magic 25 lbs. For Big & Tall Guys (LARGE): I find the shoulder straps and waist band to be plenty adequate for my build, I am at 6′ 3″ and 245 lbs, typically at a 38″ waist in pants and 48+” chest. I find that the shoulder strap adjustment buckles are where they should be in my side or below armpit, plenty of excess strap to adjust my sternum strap and likewise for my waist buckles. This p[ack in LARGE definitely delivers for the big dudes. I also like the factory loop in the main compartment of the pack for hanging a water bladder, plus L & R holes for running the plumbing for such. The hip pockets are roomy for my Fire/toilet/sunscreen in one and my map and phone in the other. I dig the small front top pocket for my shit kit and other valuables. I really like that one of the pack side pockets is larger than the other, this is great for over sized water bottles, tent or pole storage. The nylon materials are not waterproof, but I find the pack to dry quickly when needed. I also appreciated the removable over the top buckle and strap for holding down tents, jackets or other items needing to be secured to the outside. The middle rear stretch mesh is pliable and allows one to add quite a bit of gear here, best for wet tents, rain jackets and my sm. sit pad.
Durability, “What I don’t like:Â The GG G4-20 is a bit fragile, the 70D & 100D Robic nylon is light but also vulnerable. In my first season using the G4-20 I took a an unexpected fall and ripped two small holes in my hip belt pockets, nothing too harsh, but there ye go. The most vulnerable portion of the pack is with out a doubt the front main mesh carrier. While the mesh is great and flexible for adding odd gear, each season I have punctured and tore this mesh in one or more places. This mesh is especially vulnerable when you are navigating downed logs on the trail and you are like me and try to crawl under with pack on. I would not recommend this pack if you are off trail or expect to be pushing through dense vegetation. I now patch each new front mesh holes with band patches to contain the pocket and fleshout my pack like a Punk Battle Jacket!
Here is a photo of my G4-20 in Hells Canyon 5/2023, note the first addition of a “punk” patch to mitigate mesh tears.Other critiques of the G4-20 include the back “seat pad” while removable and cool, I never use it as a spare seat pad as I find it too full of negative space for a good, warm and waterproof base to sit upon, so I always care an additional matt for lunch naps and resting on (GG 1/8 foam pad works well here). I do wish that GG would have either re-sized the G4-20 or the 1/8 UL foam pad to be interchangeable with the G4 back support pad location. I tried to swap out the factory pad with the GG 1/8 foam pad to save weight, but found that the GG 1/8 pad was too wide to slip into the G4 back pad pockets, a missed opportunity there in my book. The only other feature that doesn’t work is that this G4 is an unframed ruck sac and so once all your gear is out it folds like a wet taco, just takes getting used to is all.
Comparison: I own 4 large backpacks all for unique backcountry situations and conditions. they are:
1. 1995 Dana Design Terraplane. expedition pack, weighs close to 9 lbs. I only use this now for helping my mates in packing out meat on hunting trips.
2. ULA Catalyst. 75L, weighs 3 lbs. my go to expedition pack where I need the room and capacity to carry large loads for long miles or trail crew work. Used in Alaska twice for long trips and on the Ptarmigan Traverse .
3. Lite AF 46 Curve ultra. 46-50 L, weighs 2.3 lbs. My winter, trail crew work or weekend warrior trip where I need to be waterproof and durable enough to push through tough vegetation and where a larger/heavier pack is not needed.
Conclusion: I love the GG G4-20 for very specific reasons and seasons. I find it best for my UL 3 season adventures where I expect little to no bushwhacking and where i aim to take a minimum kit. I find the pack to be very comfortable at loads 28 and below and I appreciate that GG makes packs for board chested dudes. I would recommend this pack for these conditions and the fact that it is generally affordable for low income hikers.
DisclosuresObtained independently: I paid for this product or received it as a personal gift from someone not affiliated with the brand.
Here is a photo of my G4-20 in Hells Canyon 5/2023, note the first addition of a “punk” patch to mitigate mesh tears.- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
