michaelporourke
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Primitivo
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I'm a fan of the G4-20. The additional 12L is handy. The 30L should do you fine for the required kit. I start my Camino end of March and that is what I will be bringing along!
Last fall, I used the Kumo 36 (20oz) for the Norte & Ingles. I have used an Osprey Talon 33(under 2 lbs) on previous caminos- also a good pack but slightly heavierHello!
I am walking the Camino Primitivo in September 2022 for 14 days.
I’ve done a fairly exhaustive search for a backpack that was lightweight and would easily pass carry-on regulations.
I’ve narrowed it down to Gossamer Gear backpacks and would love input on if you’ve had experience with them, which would work well, and which would be overkill.
FYI, I’ve never done a long through-hike before like the Camino, so while im hoping to travel light (try to keep it 10% of my body weight - 15 lbs), I’m not very experienced. I’m mindful of the Primitivo being unpredictable weather-wise and should plan to pack for that. I should mention that I’m also packing a small travel camera.
G4-20 Ultralight Backpack (30 L in main compartment and 12 L supposedly in exterior mesh pockets)
G4-20 Ultralight 42 Backpack
A modern nod to a vintage classic. A tip of the hat to an OG pack. We took what made the original "G4" so popular and roped in a gang of new fabrics and materials to create a minimal do-it-all frameless pack.www.gossamergear.com
Gorilla 50 Ultralight backpack (32 L in main compartment and remaining 18 L supposedly from exterior pockets)
Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack
Megaversatile, ultralight, and insanely durable. This pack is for plan-ahead thru-hikers and minimalist warriors. For being so light, this animal comes loaded with features. Enjoy our signature PVT Frame+Belt: an aluminum, closed-shape frame and pivoting hipbelt that allow your pack to move with...www.gossamergear.com
Mariposa 60 Backpack (36 L in main compartment and 24 L in exterior pockets)
Mariposa 60 Backpack
Named for the butterflies that can travel 100 miles a day. This world-famous pack weighs a little and hauls a lot. Recycled Robic nylon resists cuts and tears. Ample pockets make organization a breeze. The Mariposa is sized for big trips, bear canisters, and serious mileage. An S-curve harness...www.gossamergear.com
Thank you for your feedback!
Yes, he does talk very favorably about Gossamer Gear backpacks and also the Ula brand ultra-lites.@davebugg has extensive experience testing backpacks, and uses a Gossamer Gear pack. Hopefully he will weigh in with pros and cons.
Yes. What @stevepjq said. Some GG packs have a type of frame too. They also publish weight limits. Stay within those limits (or slightly over, in my experience), and they work fine. I, too, liked the Osprey’s back—until I tried lighter packs.I like the Osprey’s mesh back as I find that any pack that sits tight against my back causes heavy sweat. Also if the Gossamer is frameless how does the hip belt support the weight without slumping down and putting weight on the shoulders?
Feedback?
Yes! Check the weight on the newer packs, and you’ll be sold. You can save pounds before loading anything—leaving more than enough capacity for a luxury item.Oh man after reading this I realize that I NEED a new backpack. I didn’t realize this until just now! I’m sure Dawn will understand…after all my backpack Osprey 48l is 9 years old and well we all need something new sometimes..so will be pouring over the Gossamer Gear website for fun!
Guy
If you want a lightweight pack with the mesh trampoline style back look at Zpacks.I like the Osprey’s mesh back as I find that any pack that sits tight against my back causes heavy sweat. Also if the Gossamer is frameless how does the hip belt support the weight without slumping down and putting weight on the shoulders?
Feedback?
Agree about the roll down, gives capacity if neededWe have just invested in the Gorilla 50 for each of us - we are walking the Frances from SJPDP in September and wanted as lightweight pack as possible. We bought my husband's pack first to "road test" it first and he is very pleased with it. He has used it several times now on 10-15km day hikes and says its very comfortable and the harness fits well. He says he has now found the perfect backpack! I've just bought the yellow version (he has the grey) - there is only one UK stockist where it is out of stock but I managed to purchase it from a Swedish outdoor company Backpackinglight.dk - which was incidentally £50 cheaper than the UK stockist, with a very reasonable £10 shipping fee and and no customs charges. I'm about to walk the Portugues in a few weeks so shall be putting it through its paces then. But my initial view is that its very well made, very lightweight, and the design is simple but well designed. The exterior pockets are extremely roomy - perfect for water bottles or stashing a jacket.
The Gorilla 50, whilst a 50l capacity backpack, can comfortably work as a 35 - 40l pack as it is a "tube" type shape and you just just fold down whatever is left after filling it and then clip the straps and adjust accordingly.
My torso is only 14
Dave, thanks for all your great advice. I always read your posts to see what I can learn.Who assessed, or how, was you spinal/torso length assessed? I am curious because that issue with the Gossamer Gear pack should not have occurred. When you stated that the fit was not even close, what was it that didn't fit correctly?
Again, my questions are out of concern about the quality control of the company, and not a challenge to what you observed. Also, which Gorilla model was it? Did you also order it with the small size hipbelt rather than the medium size that automatically is include unless specified differently?
Regardless, that Mystery Ranch backpack is a terrific backpack.
Dave, thanks for all your great advice. I always read your posts to see what I can learn.
My torso length was measured at home per the instructions you cited in the previous post using a cloth measuring tape. I am confident that the torso measurement is correct. However, I have had it measured before at REI when I bought my Osprey Sirrus. That backpack was really close to a fit for me for torso length, but the shape of the frame was not a good fit for my body shape because my hips must be too narrow for it.
The only thing I can say about the Gossmer quality control is that their sizing chart might be a bit misleading. For a small it gives these specs:
"Small 17.25” (11.5" - 15.5" torso)
(29 - 39 cm)
Generally fits people 5'6" and under"
I'm only 5'1. I got the small hip belt from Gossmer--it fit great--but when I positioned it properly on my hips, the shoulder harness tightened an appropriate amount by pulling straight down with my torso upright after the hip belt was in place still had about a 3/4 to 1" gap above and behind my shoulders. Additionally the shoulder harness, in that position, hugged my neck too close for comfort. So lesson learned...ultralight is attractive, but super light doesn't necessarily give the best result.
Hats off to Steve the wise pack-fitter at the big REI in Denver. I wore my Osprey pack in fully loaded so he could see what was ailing me. Fortunately the Mystery Ranch was in stock. (Only 3 weeks until my departure!) I have now carried it with 15 lbs on five 10K training hikes and am loving this pack.
If ever in doubt, go see a pack fitter, and be as specific as possible about what you like and don't like so they can help you dial in to the best option for you.
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