Reviews You Can Rely On

Gossamer Gear Murmur Review

Designed for the lightest travelers on the trail, with minimal features and lightweight materials
gearlab tested logo
gossamer gear murmur ultralight backpack review
Credit: Gossamer Gear
Price:  $185 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Gossamer Gear
By Jane Jackson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 30, 2020
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 12
  • Weight-to-Volume Ratio - 35% 10.0
  • Comfort to Carry - 25% 5.0
  • Features - 20% 6.0
  • Adaptability - 10% 5.0
  • Durability - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

At only 12.5 ounces, the Gossamer Gear Murmur is half the weight of the previous lightest pack we reviewed; it weighs almost nothing! It feels like a miniature version of some of the other Gossamer Gear packs we have used in the past, with similar pocket configuration and foam back panels. It carries surprisingly well, though our testing indicated it is not suited for loads over 20 pounds. It's designed for a specific use, so we recommend knowing what you're getting into before purchasing this piece of gear. Those who have whittled down their base weight with miles of trail experience may be keen to give this ultralight pack a try.
REASONS TO BUY
Very lightweight
Relatively inexpensive
Thoughtful design
REASONS TO AVOID
Designed for a specific use
Lacks versatility
Lacks durability

Compare to Similar Products

 
gossamer gear murmur ultralight backpack review
Awards   Top Pick Award Best Buy Award  
Price $185 List$255 List$200 List$89.97 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
$200.82 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
70
81
76
73
73
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Very lightweight, relatively inexpensive, thoughtful designLightweight, carries light and medium loads well, adaptable, perfect feature set, more durable than mostSimple design, inexpensive, durableVery light, large volume, versatile compression systemComfortable shoulder straps, great feature set, not great for heavy loads
Cons Designed for a specific use, lacks versatility, lacks durabilityA little small for a bear canisterFoam pad falls out easily, shoulder straps lack supportNo frame, poor comfort for medium loadsDesigned for a specific use, relatively small capacity
Bottom Line Designed for the lightest travelers on the trail, with minimal features and lightweight materialsDelivers a perfect set of features, plenty of pockets, comfortable straps, and carries wellA lightweight, simplified version of our favorite pack from this same company, making a durable, well-designed optionFor the ultimate lightweight pack, this pack steals the show with its entirely frameless design and streamlined set of featuresWith lots of external carry options and thoughtful features, this pack is designed for those who move fast and light
Rating Categories Gossamer Gear Murmur Gossamer Gear Gorilla Adventure Equipment... Granite Gear Virga 2 Mountainsmith Zerk 40
Weight-to-Volume Ratio (35%)
10.0
7.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
Comfort to Carry (25%)
5.0
10.0
6.0
5.0
8.0
Features (20%)
6.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
Adaptability (10%)
5.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
Durability (10%)
5.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Specs Gossamer Gear Murmur Gossamer Gear Gorilla Adventure Equipment... Granite Gear Virga 2 Mountainsmith Zerk 40
Measured Weight 12.5 oz 31.5 oz 24 oz 18.5 oz 27.5 oz
Stripped Weight 9 oz 27.5 oz 23 oz 18.5 oz 21.4 oz
Claimed Volume 36 L 40 L 54 L 50-58 L 40 L
Measured Main Pack Volume 29L 38 L 45 L 41 L 38 L
Measured Volume Total (minus hip belt and shoulder strap pockets) 40L 53 L 53 L 49 L 44 L
Measured Volume Stripped (minus hip belt, shoulder pockets, and removable lids) 40L 48 L 53 L 49 L 44 L
Average Weight-to-Volume Ratio (grams/Liter) 7.6 g/L 16.4 g/L 12.8 g/L 10 g/L 15.8 g/L
Carrying Comfort 15 pounds Great Great Great Good Great
Carrying Comfort 30 pounds Poor Great Poor Poor Poor
Frame Type Removable foam pad Foam pad/removable stay Removable foam pad None (foam pad) Foam pad
Fabric 30 & 70D rombic nylon 70 & 100 denier robic nylon 210 Robic nylon, 400d Robic Bottom Panel Cordura 100D nylon HT, 200D Spectra Double
Main Pack Pockets 3 3 3 3 7
Hip Belt Pockets 2 2 2 None None
Single Hip Belt Pocket Capacity 2 cliff bars 4 cliff bars 2 cliff bars N/a N/a
Shoulder Strap Pockets No No No No 4
Whistle on Sternum Strap Yes Yes No None
Internal Hydration Sleeve No Yes Yes Yes No
Bag Sizes/Torso Lengths Available One Size S, M, L S, M, L, XL Long, short, regular One size
Mix and Match Hip Belt Sizes No S, M, L S, M, L, XL No No
Can Easily Strip Off Frame and Hip Belt Yes Good No No No
BearVault BV500 Compatibility No Ok Ok Ok Ok
Lid (aka Brain) No Yes No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Gossamer Gear Murmur is the lightest pack in this review. It is also one of the smallest we've reviewed.

Performance Comparison


This highly specific, technical pack is designed for the experienced ultralight backpacker. The quote that we come across time and time again among ultralight companies is you are unsure if this pack is for you, then it probably isn't. This applies to the Murmur as well, as the pack requires a meager base weight, which typically can only be achieved after plenty of experience and trail time to refine one's kit.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio


It is in this category that the Murmur shines. The pack is by far the lightest we have reviewed, weighing in at 12.5 ounces or a mere 9 ounces stripped.

gossamer gear murmur ultralight backpack review - the murmur is comfortable for small loads on the lighter end of the...
The Murmur is comfortable for small loads on the lighter end of the spectrum.
Credit: Eric Bissell

The main body of the Murmur has about a 30-liter capacity. This makes it a small pack overall, and only useful for expert backpackers when used as a multi-day backpacking pack. There are three external storage pockets on the outside made of stretchy mesh material, which are great for layers and snacks that you may want access to throughout the day. Other packs have this design while providing more storage and support.

gossamer gear murmur ultralight backpack review - the large external pockets are key in providing ample storage for...
The large external pockets are key in providing ample storage for this small pack.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Load Carrying Comfort


The Murmur is designed in a similar style to the Mariposa. Both Gossamer Gear packs have a foam back pad that is removable as well as very lightly padded shoulder straps. The Murmur also has a removable, lightly padded waist belt that provides a bit of extra support. The removable foam pad is the best part of this suspension system; we found it easy to take off as a seat to avoid sitting on the pack itself. It's not comfortable when carrying loads over 20 pounds, which is fairly obvious when looking at the minimalist suspension system and lightweight materials used in its construction.

gossamer gear murmur ultralight backpack review - here, the foam back panel sits in its mesh pockets, providing...
Here, the foam back panel sits in its mesh pockets, providing support for the rest of the pack.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Features


When it comes to features, the Murmur is a very simple pack. It has a waist belt, with pockets, a sternum strap, and as we mentioned above, a foam back pad to provide some structure. As far as storage goes, the Murmur follows the same template as many packs in this review with its three external storage pockets. Unlike the majority of packs we have reviewed, the Murmur does not come with side compression straps, though these can be added later.

gossamer gear murmur ultralight backpack review - we liked the easy to use waist clasps that keep the waist belt in...
We liked the easy to use waist clasps that keep the waist belt in place on the Murmur.
Credit: Eric Bissell

The water bottle holders on the sides are tall and narrow, a shape we preferred since it easily held our bottles in place. This pack lacks a lid and instead has a roll-top closure system. The top is reinforced with plastic to make it stiffer and thus easier to roll, which is a nice feature. Though opening and closing a roll-top pack can be a pain, we preferred this seal to a drawstring closure that some of the packs we've reviewed tote.

Adaptability


Some features that can be removed to reduce the weight of this pack even more (the foam back panel and the waist belt). This makes the pack extremely light and reduces the minimal support even more. That said, this makes the Murmur a great daypack for short hikes from a base camp. The Murmur scored low in this metric because its use is so specific; it's not designed for base weights over 10 pounds, which requires specific, compressible ultralight gear.

gossamer gear murmur ultralight backpack review - the murmur's back panel works well as a seating pad when stopping on...
The Murmur's back panel works well as a seating pad when stopping on the trail for a break. it is by far the easiest foam panel to remove and replace.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Durability


The Murmur falls short in this metric, as the material is very lightweight and easily damaged by wear and tear on the trail. The pack is made up of a combination of 30 and 70 denier Robic nylon and the pockets are made of an ultralight micro-mesh material. The Murmur should be treated lightly since it is designed with weight efficiency, as opposed to durability in mind.

gossamer gear murmur ultralight backpack review - the murmur is designed for those who take ultralight backpacking...
The Murmur is designed for those who take ultralight backpacking seriously and whose base weight is down to 10 pounds or so.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Value


The Murmur is relatively inexpensive at first glance. Compared to larger-capacity options from other ultralight-specific brands, the Murmur comes at a fair price. That said, the pack is so specific and small (and not particularly designed with longevity in mind), that it ends up being a fairly expensive product. If you are certain that this pack is for you, the price is manageable, but otherwise, could seem like a lot of money for a specific piece of gear.

Conclusion


The Gossamer Gear Murmur is a niche pack designed for expert ultralighters willing to cut down their base weight to the bare minimum. The pack is made of very light nylon and mesh and has a fairly simple design. The main body has a capacity of only 30 liters, making it one of the smallest packs we have tested in this review. If you are looking for a very lightweight, small capacity pack, then this is a good option. But, if you are not sure, there are many other options out there that are more versatile and designed with a wider range of uses in mind.

Jane Jackson
 

Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.

GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.

Learn More