Grayl  Mission EXP Hip Pack - 4.5 L

Overall, I am quite happy with it. I purchased to use as a medical bag for coverage at large events where I'm moving through crowds. And the setup has made a definitive difference in our ability to provide care and move patients in a hurry. I'm able to get airway equipment, including cyclone BVM and ET tubes into the main compartment, with room to spare for gauze and ACE wrap. Top pocket holds enough for IVs, including connectors and tecaderms. I had to put flushes in the lumbar pouch, but I can't even feel them through the padding. Then the front pocket has a couple ABD pads and scalpels, decompression needles. I plan to add a couple tourniquet pouches to either side in the molle. And if I need, I think the bottle pouches can hold a liter of NS or LR. I keep radio ear pro in one of the front waist pocket, and nose clamps in the other. I could easily keep a couple sets of gloves instead. But I use another attachment for quick access to gloves. I did get a large mod pouch for tape, alcohol wipes and other small odds and ends. I wouldn't mind switching for an XL modpouch if they ever make one, as the large isn't big enough for IV needles. The lower bottle mount, I squeezed in a quickLitter. It has already been a literal life saver. But I wish the bottle straps had a hook and ring setup so it would be easier to get in and out. The fixed straps require some finesse to get the litter in and out. I can't imagine a bottle being much different. Overall, very comfortable, and does the job. Small complaints would be the adjustable straps for the waist interfere with the molle and attachments quite a bit. And they don't seem to do much with a full load. Also, the lower molle line on the sides are not all fully spaced, so you can't fit every standard attachment through both rows.

This is a great little bag for hiking and travel. Although I would’ve liked some straps with a ring inside the two little zipper pockets, closest to the buckle for gear of attention of some kind. The same kind of strap and ring on the front of the bag.

This really is an awesome waist belt. There is nothing else like it on the market (I really looked). It is built extremely well and the water bottles don't fall out like my old waist belt. The one nit is that the key leash, and clip are in a mesh pocket inside the main pocket. The mesh pocket already can be zipped closed so my thought is that the clip is not needed there. I have my wallet, keys, air pods and glass case hooked to that clip (see photo) so it would be better to have the clip as part of the main pocket.

Great pack it holds significantly more than my original hip pack and with more organization for the need now items. The water bottle holders really sold it for me as just the grayl bottle isn’t enough for a lot of our outings. I can use the grayl to filter and top of my go to bottle and keep the grayl in reserve full. This past weekend was my first outing 2 camelback steel podium bottles and the grayl full and on the belt. All the accessories for pretty much any situation in my pack with snacks. Worn as a butt pack the weight really disappeared and made navigation through ridiculous crowds very manageable.

The product is well-made and can carry a substantial amount of equipment needed for the trails.

I have been looking for a small pack that actually rides at the waist and below not at the lumbar area. This pack does exactly that. Along with the water bottle holders being off the pack and on the waist belt, I can now easily get to my water bottles. Only issue is, I use this as my main pack for long day hikes and carry a full load out in it (water purification, food, emergency gear, emergency shelter, hat, and gloves) is it has some weight to it. As such, it has a tendency to slip or tilt down wards. I have attached an after market harness to the pack which instantly corrected the issue and makes it even more comfortable to carry. Would love to see you add proper attachment point and maybe even offer a dedicated shoulder harness. Wonderful product!

I had been struggling to find a "perfect" pack for solo day hikes. I wanted to take only what I needed and keep weight to a minimum. On a whim I purchased the 4. 5L hip pack and frankly couldn't be happier with it. The pack is VERY comfortable, stays in place nicely, and has just enough room for all my gear. The expandable side pouches are fantastic! I paired mine with a G-Mod multi-tool pouch and a Med pod pouch. PERFECT! Its even comfortable as a cross body carry. 100% recommend this!

As I do like the the expansion pack a few improvements could be made, for instance the bottle drops could be a little wider at the opening than they are my Nalgene 32 oz barely fits and my geo press dose not fit the rubber at the base of the geo press makes it impossible to insert the sleeve, the molly although usefully could be better placed as well overall for what I want to do with this pack it should workout well

The good is that it’s just the right size for some basic emergency gear and of course, the Grayl with a cup. I wish you had titanium cups for the older Grayls rather than the stainless steel, but either way, not to heavy and a great size. The bad, well none that I’ve discovered yet and I’ve used it on two hikes so far (I’ve only had it a week). I think this is going to be a major piece of kit for me.

This is one of the best bags/hip packs I have experienced. Everything from the compact size, to the plethora of pockets and organizers, I would 100% recommend. The only flaw I found could simply be an issue with preference but that’s the fact that the pack pulls hard on the hips when loaded. I’m planning on purchasing a universal Y or X harness to provide better lift and carry capacity.