View Full Version : Gossamer Gear "Murmur"
Anyone have any luck with this pack? Do you like it? Thinking about buying it but I wanted to get y'alls input first.
I have a GG Mariposa and love it. Thanks,
- Greg
I can't offer you much feedback except for that the spinnaker fabric it's made from is quite noisy imo. It's loud enough to drive some people crazy, while others have said it doesn't bother them in the least.
Depends on what you want to use it for...it's not for a tent & 3# sleeping bag or long hikes or winter gear
garlic08
11-12-2009, 20:25
I considered it for a day pack. It's not big enough for me for a thru hike. I carry a full sleeping bag and tarp tent. Maybe an overnighter if I didn't need to carry water, but I don't need a dedicated pack for that use. Or if you're a quilt and tarp person.
I once used a spinnaker version of the old Gossamer Gear G-5 pack, and it was just OK. Spinnaker is not nearly as strong as silnylon and too easy to puncture and tear. By the end of a two-month hike (1200 miles), I'd repaired it enough with duct tape that any weight savings over silnylon was gone, and the pack was useless. The silnylon version of the same pack has lasted me over 4000 miles and is still usable.
The Murmer is pretty small. For a thru-hike you need a big pack to carry lots of food. Still, I did meet someone hiking the PCT with a Murmer in Section B. He was very happy with it. I carried the G4. It was for me a huge bag of food. Most people seem to have the Mariposa or Mariposa Plus.
Chance09
11-20-2009, 22:52
I think you'd be fine on the AT with it, food resupply points being as close as they are. I would personally look into ZPacks instead for a small UL pack. Haven't tried either but i like the many different ways to customize the zpack. They also come in differnet sizes the heaviest being 4 oz and change. I was debating getting one for the PCT but i think i've settled on comfort over and SUL pack.
http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/pack_options.shtml
BOWSINGER
11-22-2009, 13:14
The Murmur is now listed as made of Silnylon. I got one in September and it looks and feels like Silnylon to me. The GG Murmur page is in bad need of an update and edit job. The headline says “SILNYLON” and “NOW IN STOCK” but the spec sheet still lists 1.1 oz spinnaker and the order section says “OUT OF STOCK”.
I have only used the Murmur for a couple of day hikes and one tough overnight bushwhack. The little pack did just fine, it fits me well, and the workmanship is great. I like it a lot.
Looks like they are back in stock! Just in time for the holidays :)
I think you'd be fine on the AT with it, food resupply points being as close as they are. I would personally look into ZPacks instead for a small UL pack. Haven't tried either but i like the many different ways to customize the zpack. They also come in differnet sizes the heaviest being 4 oz and change. I was debating getting one for the PCT but i think i've settled on comfort over and SUL pack.
http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/pack_options.shtml
I bought two zpacks for my kids because they are so light. Holding up great with only 300 trail miles on them. One is silnylon and one is cuben fiber. The cuben seems to be a tough material against punctures and snags (water proof) but just a little noisy at first. I highly recommend the top strap with the haul loop option because it sort of works like a load lifter. Great customer service.
I think Joe just got back from a hike so zpacks is on hold now untill Dec. 7 or 8th.
I don't mean to ruffle feathers, but when you start getting into backpacks FOR THRU-HIKING that weigh less tha 10 oz, and talk of 4 oz backpacks, these pack wts are achieved for a VERY selective UL group. I'm not bad mouthing these packs! I'm an UL long distance backpacker myself. I'm just trying to point out that with these kind of backpack wts there ARE DEFINITELY tradeoffs. And, many of these tradeoffs simply may not be acceptable for the vast majority of thru-hikers! These wts are achieved not merely by constructing with some special SUL fabric. The designers have also cut wt by having few or next to no features, poor comfort for 25 + lb loads, smaller volumes designed with less fabric aimed at those who have minimal volume and Ul to SUL wt gear, and despite what some may say durabity is an issue.
I don't mean to ruffle feathers, but when you start getting into backpacks FOR THRU-HIKING that weigh less than 10 oz, and talk of 4 oz backpacks, these pack wts are achieved for a VERY selective UL group.
See post #3
BOWSINGER
12-07-2009, 17:42
the Murmur Is Now Listed As Made Of Silnylon. I Got One In September And It Looks And Feels Like Silnylon To Me. The Gg Murmur Page Is In Bad Need Of An Update And Edit Job. The Headline Says “silnylon” And “now In Stock” But The Spec Sheet Still Lists 1.1 Oz Spinnaker And The Order Section Says “out Of Stock”.
i Have Only Used The Murmur For A Couple Of Day Hikes And One Tough Overnight Bushwhack. The Little Pack Did Just Fine, It Fits Me Well, And The Workmanship Is Great. I Like It A Lot.
Now It Is On Sale With $5.00 Off And Still/again Out Of Stock.
I don't mean to ruffle feathers, but when you start getting into backpacks FOR THRU-HIKING that weigh less tha 10 oz, and talk of 4 oz backpacks, these pack wts are achieved for a VERY selective UL group. I'm not bad mouthing these packs! I'm an UL long distance backpacker myself. I'm just trying to point out that with these kind of backpack wts there ARE DEFINITELY tradeoffs. And, many of these tradeoffs simply may not be acceptable for the vast majority of thru-hikers! These wts are achieved not merely by constructing with some special SUL fabric. The designers have also cut wt by having few or next to no features, poor comfort for 25 + lb loads, smaller volumes designed with less fabric aimed at those who have minimal volume and Ul to SUL wt gear, and despite what some may say durabity is an issue.
The vast majority of thru hikers are not carrying UL loads, at least the ones I meet on the trail every year up in the Whites and in Maine.
While your post is accurate, this is the UL forum and I think it's assumed when question like these are posted that base weights will be low. Few UL hikers with base weights of 10 pounds or less will ever have loads over 25 pounds even immediately following a re-supply.
Now It Is On Sale With $5.00 Off And Still/again Out Of Stock.
From the sounds of it, my sister was on the "notify me when back in stock" list, and snagged one when there were more available. It looks like they are out of stock again, though!
BOWSINGER
12-12-2009, 13:27
GLAD I got mine when I did. I really like it.