My DIY G4 pack

[R1ma]

CN: 393 grams, no modifications.

Blog post links:
Part 1 (http://scorpio516.blogspot.com/2013/02/g4-backpack-part-1.html)
Part 2 (http://scorpio516.blogspot.com/2013/03/g4-backpack-part-2.html)

Full version:
I've had an old Camp Trails Rainier pack I've been using since I bought it for Philmont in 1991. It isn't light, and I don't feel like climbing though storage to weigh it. I want to say its up in the 40 oz range. When I took it on a PCT section hike 2 summers ago (2011), I decided I needed a lighter pack! When I was figuring out my hammock underquilt, I saw some nice DIY backpacks, and rather than design something myself when I've never made one before, I decided on the GVP/Gossamer G4.
The G4 seems to not be in vogue, don't know how many people make them now a days, but I gave it a shot.

Ordered from Quest Outfitters. USPS delivered to my apartment complex office and never told me... It sat there for 10 days before I found it. Took me about 10 hours to make, but I spent about 4 of that struggling though the instructions.

Total of 393g (10.8 oz). I haven't tested it out yet, or trimmed any excess webbing.

Pictures:
200852008620087

[VT-Mike]

Looks great, nice job! I hear ya on the instructions. I made one of their tents.

[MuddyWaters]

Looks great.
Still functional and light. Its a classic.

[CenAZwalker]

Nice work, carry it with pride!

[diyguy]

Nice work!

[perrymk]

You did an excellent job.

I hope you can answer a few questions.
Did you make the straps yourself or did you purchase those?
What was your sewing experience prior to this project?

I would like to make a similar pack to yours and adapt it to an external frame, sort of what was done here:
http://www.100megsfree3.com/wordsmith/backpacking/scrappack.html

The big difference for me is that I have made my own external frame and prefer my own design to commercially available frames but haven't sewed more than a ditty bag, and that was a while ago.

Again, great job on your pack.

[R1ma]

The shoulders and waist belt are made with the pack. In the pattern, they are hollow tubes of Oxford fabric. They are meant to be stuffed with socks, etc.

Last winter I made a loose fill underquilt (using primaloft in lieu of down). But before that, the last time I touched a sewing machine was 7th grade home-ec.

[XTrekker]

Nice job on it...Looks good..

[rstms]

I agree...great job. Now I want one! Still for sale a Gossamer Gear for those like me who haven't the time on inclination to build it.

[tammons]

You did an excellent job.

I would like to make a similar pack to yours and adapt it to an external frame, sort of what was done here:
http://www.100megsfree3.com/wordsmith/backpacking/scrappack.html

Again, great job on your pack.

Hope I am not hijacking.....

I did exactly what you are talking about except its a work in progress for about 2 years or so.
I started out building a .5 oz Cuben/silnylon G4. I never could get the bottom right so it ended up just straight.

Figured it was so minimal and somewhat fragile that I would probably have to rebuild it sooner or later so I decided to put it on a frame
and attach the hip belt and shoulder straps to the frame.

The frame is made out of tent poles and 90 bends from quest. These are not the lightest ones they have.
The frame is curved.

You can sew 3 sides of the mesh back oanel then insert the frame and finish the last one but to work it needs to be super tight.
Neat thing (or maybe not) is if you dont glue the joints the entire frame will twist.

This is what the frame looked like when I finished it. I have different shoulder straps on it now. Those in the photo were off an old kelty pack.
I have removed that hip belt and want to make a padded one you can adjust for height. The bag for now tie on the corners, but I am thinking about coming up with a better way of attaching it. Frame and pack weighs 12.5 oz.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z300/tammons3/MISC/SUL%20frame%20pack/BPframe_zps43f563b3.jpg

[tammons]

Oh and to the OP that is a nice pack.

[rstms]

That frame idea is really nice. What size poles did you use?

[tammons]

I think they were the .340 poles. They are not the nano lights.

[William36]

That is unbelievable. Congrats and great-looking bag