Gossamer Gear is likely one of the unique ultralight backpack producers. They’ve constantly refined its merchandise to adapt to the wants of light-weight backpackers, thru-hikers, and, extra just lately, day hikers, quick packers, and concrete commuters. I began utilizing their packs in 2008 after I hiked The Lengthy Path in Vermont with a Mariposa 60 Backpack and have used each technology of their backpacking packs since then, together with prototypes that by no means made it to market. So, I’ve a hands-on appreciation of their strengths and weaknesses and whether or not they suit your wants. I’ve tried to package deal that know-how into this information, however be at liberty to ask me any questions you might need within the remark kind beneath.
Listed here are some suggestions that will help you with the choice course of.
| Mannequin | Quantity | Weight | Greatest For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mariposa | 60L | 34.2 oz / 968g | Backpacking, Through-hiking |
| Gorilla | 50L | 31.9 oz / 905g | Backpacking, Through-hiking |
| G4-20 | 42L | 24.8 oz / 703g | Backpacking, Through-hiking |
| Kumo 36 | 36L | 20 oz / 567g | Ultralight Backpacking, Day Climbing |
| Quick Kumo 36 | 36L | 21.5 oz / 580g | Ultralight Backpacking, Day Climbing |
| Murmur 36 | 36L | 12.7 oz / 361g | Ultralight Backpacking |
| Loris 25 | 25L | 19.5 oz / 553 g | Day Climbing, City, Commuting, Journey |
| Minimalist | 24L | 11.6 oz / 329g | City, Commuting, Journey |
| Vagabond Jet | 23L | 24.7 oz / 710g | City, Commuting, Journey |
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L Backpack
The Mariposa 60 Light-weight Backpack is Gossamer Gear’s highest-volume and hottest backpack. A medium weighs 34.2 ounces. Whereas Gossamer Gear’s backpacks are unisex, they’re female-friendly with S-shaped shoulder straps and a straight or curved hipbelt that wraps higher round feminine hips and pivots (PVT) along with your hips as you stroll.
Open and Closed Pockets
I like to recommend The Mariposa backpack to most individuals who’ve by no means owned an ultralight backpack earlier than as a result of it has sufficient quantity to hold most backpackers’ current gear. Nevertheless, packing it up may differ from what you’re used to. As an example, the Mariposa has 36L of inner coated storage (as much as the highest of the body, plus further within the extension collar) and 24L of exterior open storage in its entrance and facet pockets. You’ll maintain all of the stuff you need dry within the coated storage and all of the stuff you need easy accessibility in the course of the day within the open pockets, resembling layers, meals, water bottles, a water filter, a tent or shelter, or perhaps a range and cookpot.
The configuration and dimension of its facet pockets distinguish the Mariposa 60 from different packs. For instance, the Mariposa has an extended exterior pocket, which I name a “quiver pocket” on the left facet of the pack. This pocket is nice if it’s raining as a result of you may get your tent out and set it up with out opening your backpack and getting its contents moist. This lengthy pocket may retailer a moist tent separate from the remainder of your gear. After all, you don’t must retailer a tent or shelter in that pocket, nevertheless it’s a really handy place to hold one for those who do.
Along with the stretch mesh entrance pocket, there are two stacked facet pockets on the opposite facet of the Mariposa. The underside pocket is giant sufficient to simply maintain two one-liter bottles for those who don’t use a hydration system, however it’s also a very good pocket to retailer a water filter, a pot/range mixture, or a Jetboil for those who carry one. If it rains, this gear can get moist and doesn’t want storage inside your pack.
Backpack Body and Shoulder Straps
The Mariposa comes with a pre-bent aluminum keep, which slots into the hip belt, permitting it to hold as much as 30-35 kilos. It has load lifters and a replaceable hipbelt with hipbelt pockets that zipper closed. The shoulder pads and hipbelt are well-padded and comfortably formed (S-shaped) to accommodate women and men.
Sizing
The Mariposa backpack is on the market in three torso lengths. Should you’re in between sizes, they suggest sizing up as a result of the load lifters will function at a greater angle.
- Small (16″-18″ | 40.6 cm – 45.7cm)
- Medium (18″-20″ | 45.7cm – 50.8cm)
- Massive (20″-22″ | 50.8cm – 55.9cm)
There are 5 waist belt sizes, relying on whether or not you choose the common straight hipbelt or the curved PVT hipbelt. The common straight belt works finest for males with squarish hips, whereas the curved PVT hipbelt works properly for each women and men.
- S/M Curved Belt | 28.5″-56″ (72.4-142.2 cm)
- M/L Curved Belt | 32.5″-60″ (85.5-152.4 cm)
- S Straight Belt | 26″-53.5″ (66-135.9 cm)
- M Straight Belt | 30″-57.5″ (76.2-146 cm)
- L Straight Belt | 34″-61.5″ (86.3-156.2 cm)
Greatest Use
The Mariposa is a good pack for in a single day and multi-day use on mountain climbing trails in moist or dry climates. It will probably haul every week’s value of meals with out problem. I’ve taken this pack on many Appalachian Path part hikes and multi-day journeys. It’s additionally nice in early spring or autumn when you’ll want to carry a hotter sleeping bag and hotter clothes that require more room in your pack. Learn our detailed assessment of the Mariposa 60L Backpack.
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50L
The Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack is barely smaller in quantity than the Mariposa 60. A dimension medium weighs 31.9 oz. The utmost advisable load for the Gorilla is 25-30 kilos. It’s a good backpack for those who want much less quantity than the Mariposa 60. The Gorilla’s extra-long facet compression straps additionally make it attainable to strap cumbersome gear to the skin of the pack, like snowshoes or a sleeping pad, which is awkward with the Mariposa 60.
Open and Closed Pockets
The Gorilla 50 is a top-loading backpack with a complete capability of fifty liters as much as the highest of the body, not together with an extended extension collar. This contains 32 liters of inside quantity and 18 liters within the pack’s exterior pockets. The Gorilla 50 has an extension collar that extends above the body and provides 10 liters of capability to the pack quantity. This makes the Gorilla 50 a a lot bigger pack, supplying you with extra flexibility to overload it on the excessive finish.
The pack has three open exterior pockets: an enormous entrance stretch mesh pocket and two symmetric facet pockets, making it simpler to steadiness water bottles than with the Mariposa 60. It has the identical over-the-top pocket with a zippered pocket and two giant hipbelt pockets.
Backpack Body and Shoulder Straps
The Gorilla 50 has the identical pre-bent aluminum keep because the Mariposa 60 and may use a straight or curved PVT hipbelt. It has load lifters with shoulder pads which are well-padded and comfortably formed (S-shaped) to accommodate women and men, an identical to these used on the Mariposa 60. Just like the Mariposa, the Gorilla. has a foam sit pad that slots into mesh sleeves behind the shoulder straps. Whereas it doesn’t present any actual structural profit, it is extremely useful to drag out if you desire a dry spot to take a seat down in camp and is straightforward to fit again into the mesh sleeves if you’re able to take off once more.
Sizing
The Gorilla 50 backpack is on the market in the identical torso lengths and waist belt sizes because the Mariposa. They suggest sizing up for those who’re in between sizes as a result of the load lifters will function at a greater angle.
- Small (16″-18″ | 40.6 cm – 45.7cm)
- Medium (18″-20″ | 45.7cm – 50.8cm)
- Massive (20″-22″ | 50.8cm – 55.9cm)
There are 5 waist belt sizes, relying on whether or not you choose the common straight hipbelt or the curved PVT hipbelt. The common straight belt works finest for males with squarish hips, whereas the curved PVT hipbelt works properly for each women and men.
- S/M Curved Belt | 28.5″-56″ (72.4-142.2 cm)
- M/L Curved Belt | 32.5″-60″ (85.5-152.4 cm)
- S Straight Belt | 26″-53.5″ (66-135.9 cm)
- M Straight Belt | 30″-57.5″ (76.2-146 cm)
- L Straight Belt | 34″-61.5″ (86.3-156.2 cm)
Greatest Use
The Gorilla 50 is a good pack for backpacking and thru-hiking, notably for those who favor the symmetric facet pockets or need to strap further gear to the skin of the backpack simply. I’ve used a Gorilla on many Appalachian Path part hikes and backpacking journeys in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and it’s a really responsive pack that’s enjoyable to make use of. Learn our Gossamer Gear Gorilla Backpack Evaluation.
Gossamer Gear G4-20 Backpack
The Gossamer Gear G4-20 is an up to date model of the G4, one of many Gossamer Gear’s earliest backpacks (the 20 stands for 2020, the 12 months this new design was launched). With 42 liters of capability, the G4-20 is a frameless backpack that weighs 25 oz. It’s finest for carrying masses underneath 20 to 25 kilos and makes a pleasant ultralight backpack for multi-day journeys and prolonged day hikes. It’s distinct from Gossamer’s different backpacks in that it’s a roll-top pack with a sewn-on hipbelt. If you’d like a detachable hipbelt and a equally sized quantity, take a look at the Kumo 36 as an alternative.
Open and Closed Storage
The G4-20 is a roll-top backpack within the Gossamer Gear product line (just like the Murmur 36 beneath), making it a lot less complicated to make use of than the over-the-top pocket used on the higher-capacity Mariposa 60 or Gorilla 50. Just like the Mariposa, the G4-20 has one lengthy quiver pocket, good for storing a tent physique, and a shorter pocket on the alternative facet. Along with a entrance mesh pocket, it has an exterior entrance pocket with a waterproof zipper good for storing private objects.
Sizing
The G4-20 is on the market in three sizes:
- Small – Torso (11.5″ – 15.5″); Hip (25″ – 35″)
- Medium – Torso – (15.5″ – 19.5″); Hip (30″ – 42″)
- Massive – Torso (19.5″ – 23.5″); Hip (32″ – 50″)
Greatest Use
The G4-20 is a good choice for ultralight backpacking, thru-hiking, and prolonged day hikes the place there’s a very good probability you’ll spend the night time out and you’ll want to pack further gear as a contingency. It’s made with thinner much less sturdy materials than the Mariposa or the Gorilla, so you’ll want to deal with it extra gently. Learn our Gossamer Gear G4-20 Backpack Evaluation.
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L
The Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack is the favourite backpack of Gossamer Gear’s sponsored Model Ambassadors. It’s good for skilled ultralight backpackers with compact masses who nonetheless want a backpack that may carry as much as 20-25 kilos. The Kumo can also be a wonderful backpack for tougher day hikes the place you need to carry further layers and for journey journey as a result of it doesn’t have an inner body or aluminum keep, making it simple to tackle airplanes.
The Kumo is just like the Gorilla, with symmetric water bottle pockets, a entrance mesh pocket, and an over-the-top pocket best for storing maps or journey paperwork. It additionally has a detachable hip belt with zippered mesh pockets for storing snacks, trekking poles holders, and an ice axe loop.
Weighing 20.5 ounces, the Kumo is on the market in two sizes for torso lengths starting from 16″-24″ inches and in hip belt size that ranges from 28″-50″. The utmost advisable load for the Kumo is 25 kilos. Learn Our Gossamer Gear Kumo Evaluation
Gossamer Gear Quick Kumo 36L
The Gossamer Gear Quick Kumo 36 has the identical structure and options because the Kumo 36 however has vest-style shoulder straps, making it appropriate for fastpacking (working and backpacking), ultralight backpacking, and prolonged day hikes. The vest-style shoulder straps have quite a few exterior pockets that may carry comfortable bottles, electronics, and snacks. Additionally they place the pack larger up on the torso, making it simpler to run with if that’s your jam, with the identical non-obligatory hip belt because the Kumo 36, which additionally helps maintain the pack from bouncing in case you are working.
Just like the Kumo 36, the Quick Kumo has symmetric water bottle pockets, a entrance stretch mesh pocket, and an over-the-top pocket best for storing maps or journey paperwork. There are additionally trekking pole holders, an externalized foam sit pad, and an ice axe loop. It weighs 21.5 oz, barely greater than the common Kumo 36. Learn our Gossamer Gear Quick Kumo 36 Evaluation.
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36L Backpack
The Murmur 36 Hyperlight Backpack is Gossamer Gear’s lightest backpack, weighing 12.7 oz. This pack is meant for hardcore ultralight backpackers who carry lower than 5 kilos of substances (minus meals, water, and gas) for in a single day journeys, though it could actually additionally make a really good day pack. It’s significantly much less sturdy than Gossamer Gear’s different packs and may solely be used on developed trails to keep away from snagging and tearing the material.
The Murmur is just like the Kumo as a result of it has facet water bottle pockets, a big mesh again pocket, and makes use of a SitLight Sit pad as a framesheet to present the pack just a little further construction. The most important distinction is that the Murmur has a roll-top closure as an alternative of a high lid pocket.
The Murmur is on the market in a single dimension for torso lengths of 16″-24″ with a hip belt dimension of 24″-42″. The utmost advisable load for the Murmur is 15-20 kilos. See our Gossamer Gear Murmur Backpack Evaluation.
Gossamer Gear Loris 25
The Gossamer Gear Loris 25 is a frameless daypack with vest-style shoulder straps with stretch mesh pockets, making it simple to hold a smartphone or snacks inside simple attain Weighing 19.5 oz, it’s a terrific pack for day hikes and journey with an extended entrance zipper that permits you to entry the content material of the principle compartment with out having to undo the highest lid. It is a nice function on a day pack (and distinctive on Gossamer Gear packs) since day hikers usually entry the contents of their principal compartment extra regularly and since daypacks have much less open exterior storage quantity than multi-day backpacks.
The Loris 25 additionally sports activities all the opposite options that Gossamer gear packs are identified for, together with a sit pad, entrance stretch mesh pocket, and facet bottle pockets. It additionally has a further inner zippered pocket to retailer valuables, and its hydration pocket can double as a laptop computer sleeve. Learn our Loris 25 Backpack Evaluation.
Gossamer Gear Minimalist and Vagabond Jet
Gossamer Gear’s different backpacks, the Minimalist, and the Vagabond Jet are primarily daypacks good for committing, city use, and journey. The Minimalist is a straightforward sack with straps that has sewn-in again padding and mesh facet and entrance mesh pockets. It’s huge sufficient to hold a laptop computer and the opposite odds and ends you want in the course of the day.
The Vagabond Jet is purpose-built for airplane journey with high carry handles, shoulder straps, a devoted Air Tag pocket, and mesh shoulder strap and water bottle pockets. It’s a slick journey pack that may serve double obligation as a daypack.
Gossamer Gear FAQ
Backpack Quantity
Many ultralight backpacking corporations, together with Gossamer Gear, measure the amount of their backpacks in a different way than mainstream backpack producers. That is essential to know in case you are attempting to check the weight-to-volume ratio of a traditional backpack to an ultralight backpack. When measuring backpack quantity, corporations like Granite Gear, Gregory, and Osprey solely measure the amount of the closed storage and don’t embody the amount of exterior mesh pockets, pockets with out lids, or the added quantity of an extension collar of their quantity specs.
Whereas Gossamer Gear breaks out the amount of open and closed storage in its specs for every pack, the full quantity is computed by including up the volumes of all open pockets and closed storage. The completely different quantity calculation is justified as a result of most ultralight backpacks have far more open storage than standard ones, however it may be complicated.
When utilizing an ultralight backpack, the belief is that you can be storing most of your daytime gear, water, and meals within the open, exterior pockets of your pack so that you don’t must cease and dig round in your pack to search out them. This packing method allows you to hike farther and quicker every day.
Sit Pads
The Mariposa 60, Gorilla 50, G4-20 42, Kumo 36, Quick Kumo 36, Murmur 36, and Loris 25 all include sit pad pockets and foam sit pads that may be eliminated and used as path seats. When you can change them with a unique pad, you need to keep away from utilizing a thicker one as it can place the pack farther away out of your torso.
Most Weight Suggestions
Gossamer Gear’s most advisable weight suggestions for all of their packs are fairly correct. When you can exceed the utmost advisable load on a Gossamer Gear backpack when you have sufficient house to take action, the consolation of the hipbelt and its potential to help the additional weight does degrade, placing extra of the load in your shoulders.
Mesh Pocket Sturdiness
The exterior mesh used on the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, Gorilla, Kumo, Quick Kumo, Murmur, and Loris Backpacks is kind of robust so long as you hike on developed trails and keep away from bushwhacking off-trail via dense brush. The facet pockets on the Mariposa and Gorilla backpacks are made out of strong material which considerably will increase their resistance to ripping and the underside of the pockets on the Mariposa, Gorilla, Kumo, Quick Kumo, and Murmur is bolstered with further material to withstand abrasion. As somebody who had a historical past of tearing the mesh on older mannequin Gossamer Gear packs, I can attest that the sturdiness of the mesh is vastly improved over earlier variations of Gossamer Gear’s backpacks and is kind of sturdy.
Cloth Sturdiness
Gossamer Gear’s packs are made with recycled robic nylon and have a number of completely different thicknesses relying on the pack dimension. Robic is now used extensively by different mainstream pack corporations and is about two occasions extra abrasion-resistant than the earlier model of nylon utilized by backpack producers. That mentioned, none of Gossamer Gear’s packs are sturdy sufficient for off-trail mountain climbing and are supposed for mountain climbing on maintained trails. As with all light-weight backpacking gear, there are limitations to the sturdiness of the backpack materials, and due care have to be taken to keep away from damaging them. Gossamer Gear packs can final via a thru-hike if not abused indiscriminately.
Repairs and Pack Customization
Gossamer Gear outsources buyer pack restore requests to an organization named Rugged Thread. They will restore nearly any harm you do from mesh rips and abrasion to changing buckles, straps, or zippers. Gossamer Gear doesn’t supply pack customization. Should you contact Rugged Thread instantly, point out Gossamer Gear since they’ve negotiated reductions for purchasers.
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We solely earn a living if you buy a product via our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and impartial gear opinions, newbie FAQs, and free mountain climbing guides.
