Our Raider Rig has an important configuration option that we wanted to write a more in-depth explanation on: G-Hooks or Side Release Buckles.
Side Release Buckles
The Good: Side Release Buckles are used extensively in both tactical and civilian gear. They have a long track record of durability, weight savings, and all at a cost-effective price point.
The Bad: They're not invincible. Enough crushing force at a low enough temperature will cause them to break. They can also lose effectiveness when obstructed with sand, dirt, snow, etc. Lastly, it's not our preferred option for the Raider Rig just because they're bulkier than the hooks and take longer to change your Rig to Bandolier Mode.
The Ugly Upside: in spite of the downsides listed above, the buckles used on the Raider Rig are split bars, meaning they're user replaceable. If you ever manage to destroy yours just drop us a line and we'll hook you up with replacement parts.
G-Hooks
The Good: they're low profile, durable, and easy to add or remove from the Raider Rig when you need to. They also tend to hold their sizing adjustments better because of the angle they "pinch" the webbing at compared to regular buckles. As far as the Raider Rig goes, we believe it's a more streamlined option overall and makes for a better experience.
The Bad: the immediately obvious downside is cost, as it adds $10 to the cost of the rig due to the hardware costing more. Other than the price, we believe this is the better Raider Rig experience overall.