Gossamer Gear Mirage 40 vs Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
Quick take: The Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 costs $100 less; the Gossamer Gear Mirage 40 carries more (40 vs 36 liters); the Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 is lighter (0.5 vs 1.2 lbs).
Which one to buy
Both are ALUULA Graflyte packs from the top of Gossamer Gear's range, both come in one size, both are built in batches that sell out, and both carry the same one-year, US-only warranty. The $100 between them buys a frame. The Mirage 40 has a carbon-fiber X-frame and a 25 lb rating; the Murmur 36 is frameless, comfortable to about 15 lb and rated to 20.
That makes load the decider. With a sub-10 lb base weight and short resupply gaps, the Murmur's 0.5 lb is hard to argue with, and its FastBelt comes off for summits or town. Add a few days of food and water and you'll pass its comfort range quickly, while the Mirage keeps carrying at 1.2 lb, still among the lightest framed packs sold.
Torso fit may decide for you first. The Mirage fits 16-20 in, the Murmur 19-21 in, so only a 19-20 in torso fits both; shorter hikers are pushed to the Mirage and taller ones to the Murmur. Neither has hipbelt pockets built in.
Gossamer Gear Mirage 40
Worth the extra $100 if your loads climb past 15 lb once food and water go in, or your torso is under 19 in.
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
For experienced hikers with sub-10 lb base weights and a 19-21 in torso who want the lightest possible pack and keep loads near 15 lb.
| Spec | Gossamer Gear Mirage 40 | Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $450 | $350 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Frameless |
| Capacity | 40 L | 36 L |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs | 0.5 lbs |
| Max Load | 25 lbs | 20 lbs (15 lbs for comfort) |
| Torso Fit | One size, 16-20 in (hipbelt 28-44 in) | One size, 19-21 in |
| Material | ALUULA Graflyte V52 with UHMWPE stretch mesh | ALUULA Graflyte V52 |
| Back Panel | Carbon-fibre X-frame (0.125 in rods) | Frameless with included 3/8 in torso pad |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | One year against manufacturing defects, US purchasers | One year against manufacturing defects, US purchasers |
Pros & cons
Gossamer Gear Mirage 40
- ✓18.6 oz with a real frame is among the lightest framed packs sold.
- ✓ALUULA Graflyte is a laminate with a high strength-to-weight ratio.
- ✓A carbon X-frame transfers load without aluminium stays.
- ✓Bottle pockets have cinch closures.
- ✗$450 for 40 L is the most expensive pack in Gossamer Gear's range.
- ✗One torso size, 16-20 in.
- ✗No hipbelt pockets.
- ✗Gossamer Gear builds it in batches, so it is often sold out between runs.
- ✗A 25 lb ceiling limits it to light kits.
- ✗One-year, US-only warranty.
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
- ✓7.9 oz for 36 L is a remarkably low weight.
- ✓ALUULA Graflyte is a laminate rather than a thin coated nylon.
- ✓The torso pad is included and removable.
- ✓FastBelt comes off for summit or town use.
- ✗Comfort stops around 15 lb.
- ✗One torso size, 19-21 in.
- ✗$350 is a lot to pay for a frameless 36 L pack.
- ✗Often sold out between production runs.
- ✗Hipbelt pockets only via the belt accessory.
Gossamer Gear Mirage 40 vs Gossamer Gear Murmur 36: common questions
Is the Mirage 40's carbon frame worth $100 over the Murmur 36?▾
If your total load regularly passes 15 lb, yes. The Murmur's comfort stops around there, while the Mirage is rated to 25 lb on its carbon X-frame and still weighs only 1.2 lb.
Which of these one-size packs fits my torso?▾
The Mirage covers 16-20 in and the Murmur 19-21 in, each in a single size. Hikers under 19 in should look at the Mirage, and those over 20 in at the Murmur.