Initially introduced in 2016, the Gypsy backpack by Grey Ghost Gear is one of several low-profile bags offered to keep inquisitive eyes off of the individual. The Gypsy itself is designed as a lightweight, every-day backpack that provides multiple compartments around a flip-top style backpack for the armed civilian.

With its waxed canvas exterior and nylon interior, the Gypsy has an overall size of roughly 19” in height and a 16” width at the top (with a slight taper to the bottom). This gives the Gypsy a total of 17 liters in storage space. All exterior zippers are oversized and weatherized to prevent moisture saturation along the zipperline.

Exterior

From the front, the Gypsy’s flip-top exterior has a squared-off design with two 6” wide, zipper-secured, side-opening accessory pockets (lined with velour fabric) that allows for storage of smaller immediate-need items. Under the bottom of the flip-top are two adjustable 1” slide-release buckles that connect into the middle of the front exterior, thus securing the backpack’s main opening.

Under the flip-top, at the top of the Gypsy is a 12” wide, zipper-secured storage pocket that is 8” in height, under which there are two nylon MOLLE bands that allow the end-user to attach pouches while still keeping them concealed under the flip-top.

At the bottom of the front exterior is another 12” wide envelope-style accessory pocket that is 8” in height and 2” in depth, and secured via hook-and-loop with a Hypalon field on the exterior for further attaching items. The envelope-style pocket can be further opened by dual zippers that allow the entire pocket to open flat and grants access to the interior’s slip pocket, three elastic nylon storage pockets and two pen sleeves, and two mesh accessory pockets (secured via zipper).

At the top of either side of the Gypsy are compression straps used to taper the top under the flip top, while at the bottom are collapsible storage pockets (one per side, and with a hook-and-loop secured flap when collapsed) designed to fit a Nalgene water bottle.

The Gypsy’s backpanel includes a full-length field of nylon mesh for added breathability and moisture wicking, while two 4” wide ½” thick open-cell foam pads provide extra comfort. The pads are also spaced to allow for a 2” wide channel between the two to improve airflow and heat dissipation.  The main internal storage space can be immediately accessed via two zippers along both sides of the backpanel should the need arise.

The adjustable, yolk-designed shoulder straps feature Hypalon material at the top and are contoured with 1” thick open-cell foam for added padding along the shoulders. Each shoulder strap also includes four nylon loops for running hydration tubes or attaching carabiners.

The bottom of the Gypsy has two rows of nylon MOLLE webbing for attaching additional pouches, accessories, or other items as needed.

Interior

The Gypsy’s main storage compartment is unsecured and unobstructed to give full access to the interior. Inside the backpack is a 12” wide, zipper-secured pouch on the top half that is 7” in length, and a full field of hook-and-loop (female) material on the bottom half for attaching holsters or other accessories.

The Gypsy is available in Charcoal (featured), Olive, Black, and Field Tan.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Good (4/5): With its MSRP of $164.99 as a mid-level EDC bag, the Gypsy offers a great level of functionality, quality materials, and durability in a pack that gives no greater outerward appearance than that of a commonplace civilian backpack. The closest market competitors would be The Last Call ($175.99) by Vertex, the Axiom ($365.00) by Triple Aught Design, or the Blade 20 Backpack ($150) by Arc’teryx Leaf. Other market alternatives of EDC backpacks are readily found, but often lack the extensive hardware, design, or quality materials that make the tactical purpose of the backpack apparent or otherwise not as effective in blending in with civilian appearances. As such, the Gypsy has a good value of materials and design amid the market of alternatives.
• Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the benefit of the Gypsy’s thick open-cell padding on the backpanel and shoulder straps were immediately apparent when the pack was fully loaded. The channel on the backpanel created by the two ½” thick padding aided in mitigating body heat despite the Midwestern spring temperatures. One of the more notable aspect for comfort was the Gypsy’s ability to keep the pack’s center of mass up high on the shoulders because of its yolk strap design. Alternative packs often have a sack-like approach to them wherein all the weight is consolidated at the bottom. If not worn properly, or there is no waist pad, this can have an adverse effect on the body. But as the Gypsy is tapered on the top with the yolk of the straps adjustable to keep the bulk of the weight up high, and thus was more evenly distributed along the upper torso.
• Durability – Excellent (5/5): The Gypsy has an exterior of waxed canvas, an interior of smooth nylon, genuine YKK zippers throughout, and Duraflex slide-release buckles for rapid access giving it all the outward marks of a high-end civilian day bag. During moments of Midwest spring rain, it was noted the waxed canvas exterior did a good job of beading water off the exterior and preventing saturation. Add into it the presence of extensive bartack and X-pattern reinforcement stitching throughout the bag, and a high degree of durability was put into the Gypsy’s overall design.
• Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the Gypsy’s design and low-profile exterior were ideal as a light-moderate EDC pack that was easily at home for a day at the office, on the range, on a day hike, and even a short camping trip—all while providing the capability for the armed civilian to have a firearm at arms distance. The multiple pockets and laser-cut MOLLE compatible fields offered the added benefit of expanding on the pack’s functionality by adding accessories or additional pouches if so desired. The open-ended main storage compartment was well secured under the flip-top cover and with both side zippers on the back panel made accessing the main storage compartment easy and quick. Perhaps one area of recommendation for functional improvement to GGG would be to slightly expand on the 6” width of the flip-top exterior pockets as it was difficult to get a hand into. As immediate access pockets, these should be easy to get into and those with larger hands will find the opening smaller than the width of their hands. Elsewhere, it would be an improvement to put rubberized tubing on all the zipper paracord pull tabs, as well as include a carrying handle just above the yolk for when the bag is not carried on the shoulders. These are common elements to civilian bags and could be added without compromising the low-profile appearance.
• Weight – Average (3/5): Weighing in at 44 ounces (empty), the Gypsy offers the end-user a combination of a waxed canvas exterior (to keep its outward appearance low) and a  smooth nylon interior (for utility). Additional options in MOLLE webbing and a hook-and-loop field offer that increased capability to include the end-user’s choice of firearms or accessories. In comparison, market alternatives would be The Last Call (90.4 ounces) by Vertex, the Axiom 24 Pack (37.6 ounces) by Triple Aught Design, or the Blade 20 Backpack (44 ounces) by Arc’teryx Leaf. As it stands, the Gypsy is of appropriate (or average) lightweight design considering its materials and design that makes it ideal for low-profile work, day hikes, or light days out on the range.

 Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)

Product Link: https://greyghostgear.com/products/gypsy

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

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