Gossamer Gear Murmur Backpack

My Price: $185.00

Manufacturer: Gossamer Gear

Made In: USA

Availability: Online (www.gossamergear.com)

Weight: Just Pack 8.5oz, sit pad 2.3oz, removable hip belt 2.3oz total weight 13.1oz

Season use: 1

Review:  Gossamer Gear’s own website says “we recommend that you don’t buy this pack” and they are probably right. Although the pack can hold 36 liters of gear its incredibly small and not really padded shoulder straps make for a very uncomfortable carry if your total pack weight climbs above 15lbs. I have only carried this bag on a handful of single night trips when I want to test myself to see just how lightweight I can go. The pack features a removable hip belt which has two very small hip belt pockets. Its back panel has a removable sit pad that weighs 2.3 ounces and can be removed without opening the bag. The sit pad acts as a frame and can be replaced with a folded up 1/8” foam pad (also from Gossamer Gear) that weighs only 2.7 ounces and can be used folded as a sit pad or laid out as a sleeping pad or sleeping pad insulator if you have a blow-up air mattress. The pack has a large center roll down opening and a mesh front pocket for stashing items you may need in a hurry. Despite a pack body weight of 8.5 ounces, it features trekking pole loops and two water bottle pockets that can fit two smaller water bottles or one Nalgene.

This pack is stripped down to be as lightweight as possible and because of that I wouldn’t even bring it on my traditional day hike. However, if you are after the absolutely lightest pack and load out possible this may very well be the pack for you. Cheers!

My Rating: Borrow if you want to cut every gram possible!

Rating scale:

-Bypass: This isn’t worth the money.

-Borrow: Handy but may or may not be worth your money.

-Buy: Get one. You’ll love it!

May the miles you hike be filled with wonder and the glasses you raise be filled with whiskey.

Cheers!