Impressions & Conclusion
I have a large frame, so to see how someone with a small frame might handle the GTR-1 loaded with one of my testing rigs, I let my wife try it out. After adjusting the shoulder straps, clicking home the chest strap, and securing the waist strap, she was impressed with how evenly the weight was distributed. It was downright comfortable. I also handed it off to my 12-year-old son, who was immediately surprised at how manageable the load was.
The initial system I strapped into the GTR-1 was enclosed in a SilverStone Redline Series RL06 ATX case, which has exterior dimensions of 7.87-inches x 18.78-inches x 17.91-inches. The GTR-1 handled this modestly-sized mid-tower with ease. It fit into the softshell packing cube with plenty of room to spare. A quick yank of a few straps, and the GTR-1 was tight as a drum. The system was about as secure as it could be. I wouldn’t recommend doing jumping jacks with your custom liquid-cooling loop, but for short jaunts, this product felt more than up to the task.
The SilverStone case proved that the GTR-1 could manage a standard mid-tower, but can it handle a full-tower, perhaps something like the Phanteks Enthoo Pro Tempered Glass Edition?
The Real Test
This is the largest case I currently use, and while it’s no server cabinet, it’s still quite a large enclosure, capable of handling up to a 420mm radiator in the top panel. According to Phanteks, this case measures 9.25 inches x 21.1 inches x 21.7 inches. Although those are within the tolerances listed by Crazzie Pro Gear, I immediately ran into a problem as I tried to stuff the case into the softshell packing cube. I double-checked Phanteks’ measurements, and indeed, the case was less than 22-inches square, but would not fit into the softshell packing cube despite the alleged 23-inch square dimensions. Crazzie Pro Gear says that there’s an extra inch of “stretched” width and height to the main compartment, so I tossed the softshell packing cube aside and got to stretching. Low and behold, the system did fit. Regardless of what the specs sheet says, you probably won’t be able to fit anything larger than this case into the GTR-1. That said, I was impressed that such a bulky case was able to fit at all.
If you exceed the 70-pound weight limit, something totally doable with high-end systems, the GTR-1 seems well-constructed enough that it wouldn’t fail immediately, but upon repeated outings with an above the weight limit payload, you’ll likely put undue stress on the stitching around the zippers and back straps. For some additional peace of mind, Crazzie Pro Gear offers a one-year warranty on the backpack.
Just Scratching The Surface
If you’re someone who attends LAN parties regularly, then the GTR-1 is great to have at-the-ready. but the more time I spend with this beast of a backpack, the more practical use cases I come up with. The GTR-1 will definitely be going with me to the next LAN party I attend, but it’ll also probably tag along on my next camping trip, day at the beach, trip overseas, and the list goes on. Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure my three-year-old weighs less than 70 pounds…
