Finally back and the pack worked great. Took it basically everywhere we went for the week and carried 2 peoples worth of gear in it, including snorkel gear. The snorkel gear fit awkwardly, but made it to the beach without issue regardless. The pack carries great and had plenty of space for what we used it for. I didn’t use the hip belt for the trip but didn’t miss it either. Generally it had ~20lb or less in it.
My only gripe is that SG really should have put Nalgene pockets on the sides. They wouldn’t add hardly any weight, and would easily double as tripod feet holders, like the existing small pocket.