Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 vs Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
Quick take: The Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 carries more (36 vs 35 liters); the Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 is lighter (0.5 vs 0.98 lbs).
Which one to buy
Torso length sorts this pair out for a lot of buyers. The Murmur 36 comes in one size, 19-21 in, while the Contour 35 is sold in small, medium and large from 15 to 21 in. If your torso is under 19 in, the Murmur's harness will sit wrong and the Contour is the pack, whatever the scale says.
For long-torsoed hikers it comes down to weight against load. Both cost $350 and both are frameless. The Murmur is 0.5 lb, or 10.7 oz with its included torso pad, and Gossamer Gear rates it to 20 lb with comfort stopping around 15. Hyperlite rates the Contour to 25 lb at 0.98 lb, and that is roughly where it stops carrying well. Its hipbelt is a webbing strap for stability, so your shoulders take the weight on both packs.
The Contour's DCF body is waterproof with taped seams, and a closed roll-top keeps gear dry through sustained rain without a liner. Its drawbacks are no Y-strap over the top for a foam pad, and fold-line wear that is costly to repair. The Murmur's ALUULA laminate is lighter still, but it carries a one-year warranty for US buyers and is often sold out between runs. Unless your base weight sits well under 10 lb, the Contour's extra load headroom and size range make it the safer $350.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
For fastpackers who want a torso size chosen from three, a waterproof DCF body and room for loads up to about 25 lb.
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
Only for experienced hikers with a 19-21 in torso and a sub-10 lb base weight, who will trade load headroom for the lightest 36 L pack around.
| Spec | Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 | Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $350 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Frameless |
| Capacity | 35 L | 36 L |
| Weight | 0.98 lbs | 0.5 lbs |
| Max Load | Up to 25 lbs | 20 lbs (15 lbs for comfort) |
| Torso Fit | Sized S/M/L: S 15-17 in, M 17-19, L 19-21 in | One size, 19-21 in |
| Material | DCF with Dyneema Gridstop and stretch mesh | ALUULA Graflyte V52 |
| Back Panel | Frameless | 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 | Guaranteed against manufacturing defects, no term stated | One year against manufacturing defects, US purchasers |
Pros & cons
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35
- ✓15.7 oz with a removable webbing hipbelt; a padded hipbelt with pockets is a $29 add-on.
- ✓DCF is waterproof rather than water-resistant, so contents stay dry without a liner.
- ✓Dyneema Gridstop panels reinforce the areas DCF alone would wear through.
- ✓Hyperlite's build quality and seam taping are the benchmark in this segment.
- ✓35 L is enough for a genuinely light multi-day kit.
- ✓Stretch mesh front pocket swallows a wet shelter without opening the main bag.
- ✓Strong resale value, which offsets the price meaningfully.
- ✓Hyperlite has the deepest track record of any DCF pack maker.
- ✗$350 for 35 L and no frame is among the worst price-per-litre on this site.
- ✗Frameless at 35 L means the load rides on the shoulders entirely.
- ✗DCF creases and abrades at fold lines over time, which is inherent to the fabric.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗Difficult and expensive to repair compared with a woven nylon pack.
- ✗35 L cannot take a bear canister with a long food carry.
- ✗Warranty terms are less generous than the mainstream brands'.
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.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 vs Gossamer Gear Murmur 36: common questions
Is the Murmur 36 worth it over the Contour 35 just for the weight savings?▾
Only if your total load stays near 15 lb, where Gossamer Gear says comfort stops. The Contour weighs about half a pound more but is rated to 25 lb, so it handles extra food and water better.
Which keeps gear drier in rain?▾
The Contour, as far as anyone can promise. Its DCF is waterproof and seam-taped, and a properly closed roll-top keeps gear dry in sustained rain. Owners add a liner only as insurance for deep fords. The Murmur's ALUULA laminate sheds water too, but Gossamer Gear doesn't claim taped seams, so a liner is cheap insurance.
Can I carry a foam sleeping pad on the outside of either?▾
On the Contour there is no Y-strap over the top, so a full-length foam pad has to ride in the side compression or the front stretch pocket. The Murmur comes with its own torso pad, which serves as its back panel.