Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Review
Cons: Lacks durability of other models, lacks versatility because of small capacity
Manufacturer: Gossamer Gear
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | $165 List | $145 List | $149.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $160 List | $139.96 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Lightweight, useful pockets, comfortable for medium-sized loads | Simple design, inexpensive, durable | Very light, large volume, versatile compression system | Very lightweight, relatively inexpensive, thoughtful design | Great for medium loads, inexpensive, thoughtful set of features, external storage and lashing options |
| Cons | Lacks durability of other models, lacks versatility because of small capacity | Foam pad falls out easily, shoulder straps lack support | No frame, poor comfort for medium loads | Designed for a specific use, lacks versatility, lacks durability | Heavy, less durable than others |
| Bottom Line | This small capacity, lightweight pack is great for mega lightweight overnight excursions | A lightweight, simplified version of our favorite pack from this same company, making a durable, well-designed option | For the ultimate lightweight pack, this pack steals the show with its entirely frameless design and streamlined set of features | Designed for the lightest travelers on the trail, with minimal features and lightweight materials | This incredible pack has tons of features, carries medium-sized loads well, and is comfortable to boot |
| Rating Categories | Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 | Adventure Equipment... | Granite Gear Virga 2 | Gossamer Gear Murmur | Osprey Exos 48 |
| Weight-to-Volume Ratio (35%) | |||||
| Comfort to Carry (25%) | |||||
| Features (20%) | |||||
| Adaptability (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 | Adventure Equipment... | Granite Gear Virga 2 | Gossamer Gear Murmur | Osprey Exos 48 |
| Measured Weight | 21 oz | 24 oz | 18.5 oz | 12.5 oz | 37.6 oz |
| Stripped Weight | 15.2 oz | 23 oz | 18.5 oz | 9 oz | 33.9 oz |
| Claimed Volume | 36 L | 54 L | 50-58 L | 36 L | 48 L |
| Measured Main Pack Volume | 28 L | 45 L | 41 L | 29L | 40 L |
| Measured Volume Total (minus hip belt and shoulder strap pockets) | 38 L | 53 L | 49 L | 40L | 59 L |
| Measured Volume Stripped (minus hip belt, shoulder pockets, and removable lids) | 38 L | 53 L | 49 L | 40L | 53 L |
| Average Weight-to-Volume Ratio (grams/Liter) | 13.5 g/L | 12.8 g/L | 10 g/L | 7.6 g/L | 18.9 g/L |
| Carrying Comfort 15 pounds | Great | Great | Good | Great | Good |
| Carrying Comfort 30 pounds | Poor | Poor | Poor | Poor | Great |
| Frame Type | Foam pad | Removable foam pad | None (foam pad) | Removable foam pad | Tensioned Frame - AirSpeed SL Suspension |
| Fabric | 100D Robic double diamond rip stop | 210 Robic nylon, 400d Robic Bottom Panel | Cordura | 30 & 70D rombic nylon | 100D high tenacity nylon, 100D high tenacity ripstop nylon |
| Main Pack Pockets | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Hip Belt Pockets | 2 | 2 | None | 2 | None |
| Single Hip Belt Pocket Capacity | 1 clif bar | 2 cliff bars | N/a | 2 cliff bars | N/a |
| Shoulder Strap Pockets | 2 | No | No | No | No |
| Whistle on Sternum Strap | Yes | No | None | Yes | Yes |
| Internal Hydration Sleeve | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bag Sizes/Torso Lengths Available | One size | S, M, L, XL | Long, short, regular | One Size | S, M, L |
| Mix and Match Hip Belt Sizes | No | S, M, L, XL | No | No | No |
| Can Easily Strip Off Frame and Hip Belt | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| BearVault BV500 Compatibility | No | Ok | Ok | No | Just OK |
| Lid (aka Brain) | No | No | No | No | Yes, Removable |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Kumo is a small-capacity, lightweight version of some of our favorite packs from Gossamer Gear. This model has a slimmed-down feature set and carries comfortably with a light load.
Performance Comparison
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
The Kumo is undeniably one of the lightest packs in this review. With the foam pad and minimalist waistbelt removed, the Kumo weighs under a pound! With these features in place, it still barely reaches a pound and a half total. While this is impressive, the Kumo's weight-to-volume ratio isn't overwhelmingly light for the measured volume it has. To us, this reaffirms that the Kumo is undeniably an excellent pack for day hikes or shorter trips, or for those that are experts in ultralight travel.
Load Carrying Comfort
For light loads under 20 pounds, the Kumo is a super comfortable pack. With a foam back panel and ventilated well-padded shoulder straps, the pack can handle light loads with ease. The waist belt is minimal and light, but wide, so it spreads the weight out a bit and doesn't cut into hips when cinched down. All that said, if the pack is loaded up with any more weight — above 20 pounds — its lack of support starts to make itself known.
The waist belt is so minimal that our shoulders ended up taking the brunt of the load. This is fine for day trips and light loads but doesn't work well for if you're carrying a lot of weight.
Features
The Kumo is sort of a miniature version of a traditional thru-hiking pack. It has all the same features that our award winners and longstanding favorites do, but almost half the carrying capacity. It has two pockets on the shoulder straps and two side pockets, along with two tiny pockets on the waist belt.
The shoulder strap pockets are useful for sunglasses or a phone, while the side pockets are a bit tight to easily fit a water bottle. The waist belt pockets were too small to fit much beyond a credit card or keys. We loved the roomy, stretchy mesh pocket on the back for extra layers or snacks, as it's nice to not have to open the roll-top every time you need to take off a layer.
Adaptability
The Kumo lacks in this metric due to its small size and singular-use design. We found this pack to be most useful as a daypack — an excellent option for long, fast day missions in the mountains. An experienced ultralight traveler will be able to squeeze in a few nights of gear, but its overall carrying capacity maxes out at 38 liters when full to the brim.
Durability
Though we didn't encounter any issues in terms of durability during our testing period, a bit on reading online revealed a theme of durability issues. The seams are not re-enforced, which resulted in some seams tearing over time with use. We didn't experience this personally, but this could be a concern with consistent use of the Kumo.
We did like how the mesh pocket was reinforced with 100D robic ripstop on the bottom. These mesh pockets are often the weakest link in terms of the overall durability of an ultralight pack, but this feature remedies this a bit.
Value
This pack is a bit expensive for its singular use. There are many daypacks out there that are not marketed as "ultralight" models, but function in a very similar way. However, if you're looking for a pack to take on lightweight weekend fastpacks, and have the equipment required to travel light, the Kumo could be a good addition to your kit.
Conclusion
A model designed to carry a small amount of gear and medium-sized loads, the Gossamer Gear Kumo is a great day hiking pack. While we like the overall design, this is a niche pack that requires extensive experience (or the intent to learn) to make the most of it.
— Jane Jackson
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