Gossamer Gear G4-20 42
Ultralight Pack
~$205

Gossamer Gear

Gossamer Gear G4-20 42

Gossamer Gear's frameless classic is the G4-20: 42 L (30 L main), 24.8 oz in Medium, $205. A removable sit pad gives the back its structure, and the fixed hipbelt has pockets.

Approx. price
~$205
Capacity
42 L
Weight
1.6 lbs
Best For
Budget-minded ultralight hikers who want a frameless pack with real torso sizing
Type
Ultralight Pack
Frame Type
Frameless
Capacity
42 L
Weight
1.6 lbs
Max Recommended Load
30 lbs (25 lbs for comfort)
Torso Fit
S 11.5-15.5 in / M 15.5-19.5 in / L 19.5-23.5 in
Material
70D and 100D recycled Robic, PFAS-free
Back Panel
Frameless with removable sit pad
Warranty
One year against manufacturing defects, US purchasers
Raincover Included
No
Fits BV500 Bear Canister
Yes

Features

Hipbelt PocketsFits Bear Canister

Pros

  • ✓$205 is low for a cottage-brand pack in recycled Robic.
  • ✓Three torso sizes, starting as short as 11.5 in.
  • ✓The sit pad doubles as back padding and a camp seat.
  • ✓Hipbelt pockets on a fixed belt.
  • ✓A 30 lb maximum is above most frameless packs.
  • ✓PFAS-free fabric.

Cons

  • ✗Warranty is one year and US-only.
  • ✗Only 30 of the 42 L are in the main bag.
  • ✗A bear canister fits, but Gossamer Gear suggests strapping it on top.
  • ✗Comfort tops out around 25 lb.
Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36
~$190
Ultralight Pack

A vest-style harness and a detachable Fastbelt carrying zip stretch-mesh pockets turn the 36 L Kumo into the Fast Kumo, a fastpacking take on the pack. It weighs 20.7 oz (S/M) or 21.5 oz (M/L) and costs $190.

36 L1.3 lbsVest harness

Weight

1.3 lbs

Capacity

36 L

Frame

Frameless

Best for: Fastpackers and runners covering big days with overnight gear
Gossamer Gear Skala 38
~$225
Ultralight Pack

Frameless and roll-top, the Skala 38 dates from March 2025: 38 L (30 L main) and 20.4 oz complete, made up of a 14.5 oz body, a 3.6 oz Fastbelt and a 2.3 oz pad. It is rated to 25 lb.

38 L1.3 lbsRoll-top

Weight

1.3 lbs

Capacity

38 L

Frame

Frameless

Best for: Thru-hikers who like a roll-top and want to shed belt and pad on easy days
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
~$180
Ultralight Pack

The Kumo is Gossamer Gear's frameless 36 L, using the removable SitLight pad as both back structure and camp seat. At $180 it is one of the best-value frameless packs available.

36 L1.25 lbs70D and 100D recycled Robic nylon

Weight

1.25 lbs

Capacity

36 L

Frame

Frameless

Best for: Low-base-weight hikers and overnighters wanting a cheap frameless pack
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50
~$275
Ultralight Pack

The Gorilla 50 is the Mariposa's smaller, symmetric sibling — 50 liters, under 2 lbs, and the classic 'second pack' people buy once their kit shrinks. It keeps the sit-pad back panel and Robic durability in a cleaner silhouette.

50 L1.99 lbsClassic Second Pack

Weight

1.99 lbs

Capacity

50 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Dialed three-season kits that no longer need 60 liters
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
~$315
Ultralight Pack

The Mariposa 60 is Gossamer Gear's signature pack, famous for its asymmetric pocket layout — one giant over-the-shoulder pocket that holds a tent, plus six more — and a removable back pad that doubles as a camp sit pad. It's the organized person's ultralight.

60 L7 Pockets2.14 lbs

Weight

2.14 lbs

Capacity

60 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Hikers who want everything reachable without opening the main bag
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
~$350
Ultralight Pack

At 7.9 oz, or 10.7 oz with the included torso pad, the ALUULA Murmur 36 is one of the lightest 36 L packs made. It is frameless, rated to 20 lb, with a removable FastBelt.

36 L0.5 lbsALUULA Graflyte

Weight

0.5 lbs

Capacity

36 L

Frame

Frameless

Best for: Experienced hikers with sub-10 lb base weights