Great pack for the price - Horn Hunter Full Curl System Pack

All in all I love the whole system, and have it set up in a way that seems just perfect for everything I need to carry under a large number of scenarios. The construction is great, zippers are good, but some aren't double zippers. I set it up so the frame has all my essentials I never want to be without, and can fit enough for overnights in the small bag, with food sack in the meat bag (can just strap to outside if need to fill the meat bag). You can really carry a lot without even using the large bag. A few little adjustments and this could be the ultimate pack.

Starting with the frame: Weight would be good to shave down a bit, seems like the hip belt has some extra bulk that could go, especially in the padding. The padding in general, for both hip belt and shoulders, I think should be replaced with something less thick, wider, and softer. There's extra layers of padding in the belt, and it not only crowds the space in the hip pouches, but also makes the belt too bulky and stiff and uncomfortable because it doesn't wrap around nicely. The shoulder straps on the G5 pack are better, but I don't like the foam hip padding on that pack. If Horn Hunter redesigned the hip belt and shoulder straps so they could be swapped out for people who already have the pack, I'd buy it and I bet a lot of others would too. I like the pouches, wouldn't want those to change much, other than double zippers. There is one spot where the frame is slightly exposed on the lumber support where the velcro strip is, when loaded down with weight it becomes noticeable, could bring the lumber padding down further before flaring out to the side to cover this spot. One other issue with the frame is the connection point for the load lifters. With them being attached in the middle near the pickup handle it makes them too narrow for me and when loaded and tightened it pulls the shoulder straps together against my trap muscles. If you had another attachment point for the load lifter tension buckles that were further apart for people with wide shoulders, and then changed the large attachment bag to have a three point velcro connection, you could add/remove the large bag without having to unstrap the load lifters. The last suggestion is a hanging point on the sides for the weapon bearer, and clips on the shoulder straps to enable a side carry weapon bearer style instead of just strapping weapon on the back. I have been hanging mine off the side with the existing buckles and it works, but would be nice if it were all set up for doing it that way on purpose.

Small bag is really well built, but seems crazy heavy for it's size. Seems like it could be made with similar material as the large bag, and doesn't really need the extra padding under the rifle attachment point. I can fit an MSR flylite tent and ground cloth, an inflatable sleeping pad and pillow, a small lightweight packable sleeping bag (in addition to emergency bivy in a wing of frame), packable rain jacket and pants, a down vest, and a small cooking pot with stove inside all in the small bag for overnight trips.

Large bag is good, but if it had a three point wrap around velcro attachment system for the top it would be easier to take on/off without interfering with load lifter straps or attachment points.