Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
Ultralight Pack
~$180

Gossamer Gear

Gossamer Gear Kumo 36

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 the cheapest pack Gossamer Gear makes and one of the best-value frameless packs available.

Approx. price
~$180
Capacity
40 L
Weight
1.25 lbs
Best For
Low-base-weight hikers and overnighters wanting a cheap frameless pack
Buy from Gossamer Gear

Price and availability on Gossamer Gear’s site may differ.

Type
Ultralight Pack
Frame Type
Frameless
Capacity
40 L
Weight
1.25 lbs
Max Recommended Load
Not specified by the manufacturer
Torso Fit
See manufacturer sizing
Material
70D and 100D recycled Robic nylon
Back Panel
Frameless with removable sit pad
Warranty
Manufacturer warranty; terms not published
Raincover Included
No
Fits BV500 Bear Canister
No

Features

Hipbelt Pockets

Pros

  • $180 is the cheapest entry to a well-regarded cottage brand in this catalog.
  • The removable SitLight pad doubles as back structure and a camp seat, so it is not dead weight.
  • 1 lb 4 oz for 40 L of usable volume is an excellent ratio.
  • 70D and 100D recycled Robic is a proven, repairable woven fabric rather than a laminate.
  • Gossamer Gear has one of the longest track records among cottage makers.
  • Removing the pad strips the pack down further for very light trips.
  • Hipbelt pockets included at this price.
  • Woven nylon is far easier to field-repair than DCF or Ultra laminates.

Cons

  • Frameless, so loads much above 20 lb become uncomfortable quickly.
  • No published maximum load figure.
  • 70D fabric on parts of the body is thin and abrades on rock.
  • Not waterproof, unlike the DCF and Ultra packs at higher prices.
  • No adjustable torso.
  • 36 L is too small for a bear canister plus a week of food.
  • Warranty terms are not published in detail.
  • Requires disciplined packing with the pad positioned correctly to carry well.

Common Questions

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 L1.95 lbsClassic Second Pack

Weight

2.0 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 Pockets2.16 lbs

Weight

2.14 lbs

Capacity

60 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Hikers who want everything reachable without opening the main bag
REI Co-op Flash 55
~$199
Ultralight Pack
4.2(98)

The Flash 55 is REI's ultralight value play — a roll-top pack with the co-op's Packmod system of removable pockets and straps, letting owners configure or strip it per trip. It's the cheapest credible ultralight framed pack from a major retailer.

55 L$199Packmod Modular System

Weight

2.81 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Budget-minded hikers building their first sub-10-lb base weight
🎒
~$200
Ultralight Pack

ULA Equipment

ULA Equipment CDT

The CDT is the largest of ULA's frameless packs and the cheapest way into the brand. UltraGrid is a doubled 200D recycled grid fabric that resists tears well beyond its weight, and ULA states a clear 25 lb ceiling rather than leaving it to inference.

50 L1.69 lbsUltraGrid reinforced double 200D recycled grid with UltraStretch mesh

Weight

1.69 lbs

Capacity

50 L

Frame

Frameless

Best for: Low-base-weight hikers wanting a frameless pack with real torso sizing
🎒
~$200
Ultralight Pack

The Virga3 is Granite Gear's frameless ultralight pack: 1.68 lb as sold, or 1.18 lb stripped of the hipbelt. Granite Gear states a clear 25 lb ceiling, which is more than most cottage brands publish, and offers two torso sizes plus two hipbelt ranges.

55 L1.68 lbsRobic high-tenacity 100D and 210D nylon with Barrier DWR

Weight

1.68 lbs

Capacity

55 L

Frame

Frameless

Best for: Low-base-weight hikers wanting a cheap frameless pack with real sizing
🎒
~$225
Ultralight Pack

The Zerk 40 is Mountainsmith's ultralight entry, using a recycled Extreema ripstop and a removable frame sheet so it can run framed or frameless. At 51 L of measured volume for a 40 L badge it is one of the more honest under-claimers in this catalog.

51 L1.81 lbs210D recycled Extreema ripstop

Weight

1.81 lbs

Capacity

51 L

Frame

Internal Frame

Best for: Hikers wanting the option to run framed or frameless from one pack