When you’re trying to take your light-weight backpacking sport to the following stage, it’s possible you’ll be contemplating a private commencement from the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack to our Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack. Or, possibly you’re trying to up your velocity on path and are eyeing our Quick Kumo 36 Fastpack. In both case, you could be questioning: what’s the distinction between the 2 Kumo packs anyway?
Under, we’ll break down what differentiates the Kumo from the Quick Kumo that can assist you select which is one of the best light-weight backpack for you. We additionally turned to a few our model ambassadors who’ve made the change from the Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack to the Quick Kumo 36 Fastpack for his or her insights. As energy customers of each packs, they’ve a number of on-the-ground expertise to assist inform your resolution.
Meet the Model Ambassador Specialists
Lauren “Sparkle” Veloz (she/her), or Lolo, is a Denver-based long-distance backpacker who hiked the Appalachian Path in about 112 days as a “part” of the Japanese Continental Path. She was the primary identified girl to hike this route and was on a time crunch, so her fundamental objective was to maneuver as quick as she may with the least quantity of weight on her again. Therefore, the Quick Pack grew to become a fast pal.
Riley “Waldo” Ormiston (they/she) is from southern California and has accomplished a number of Pacific Crest Path LASHs (Lengthy Ass Part Hikes, in case you’re unfamiliar with the time period!), the John Muir Path, the Lowest-to-Highest Route (which runs from Dying Valley at 280 ft beneath sea stage to Mt. Whitney at 14,495 ft), and extra. They shifted to the Quick Kumo on the PCT as their gear wants started to alter.
What Options Differ on the Kumo vs. Quick Kumo?
The Kumo and Quick Kumo share loads of the identical DNA. They’re each 36-liter packs. They’re each constructed with customized 70D Robic nylon on the highest and customized 100D Robic nylon on the boot. They each have the identical over-the-top closure, detachable SitLight pad, removable fastbelt, and angled stretch-mesh pocket on the entrance.
Each packs have my important options intact: a very cavernous mesh pocket on the again, hip pockets that may maintain my whole day’s price of snacks, and a thoughtfully designed inner quantity that completely suits my Thermarest, sleeping bag, and BV450 horizontally. – Riley
The powerful, frameless Kumo pack design that has been beloved by thru-hikers for years is current in each fashions. It’s from this strong basis that the Quick Kumo made just a few pivots to assist further use instances.
Harness
One of many standout options of the Quick Kumo is its vest-like harness, impressed by basic working vest kinds. The shoulder straps are lower to hug the chest and designed to carry many small objects inside attain. They’re produced from layers of perforated foam and mesh to extend breathability and scale back weight. The harness additionally consists of two sternum straps to scale back bounce and guarantee a comfortable match.
The Kumo has shoulder straps which might be extra commonplace for backpacking. They’re ergonomic, permitting for a safe however versatile match. The harness leverages one sternum strap, giving the pack a carry feeling extra aligned with our different backpacking packs just like the Mariposa 60.
Match
The Quick Kumo is designed to be worn greater and tighter for much less jiggle throughout quick motion, whereas the Kumo mirrors what you would possibly anticipate from the Mariposa 60. The Kumo sits slightly decrease with a bit extra flexibility for normal climbing journeys.
The Quick Kumo sits slightly greater and ‘hugs’ me nearer than the common Kumo, so it feels safer for after I’m bouncing round making an attempt to maneuver quick via the mud, roots, and rocks on the AT versus the groomed trails that I’ve used the common Kumo on. – Lolo
Storage
The Quick Kumo was designed for hikers, fastpackers, and path runners trying to cowl better distances extra rapidly. This implies they’re much less prone to wish to take breaks for snacks, hydration, or accessing on-the-go gear. To assist this, the Quick Kumo has further easy-access pockets when in comparison with the Kumo.
There are six elastic-secured stash pockets of various sizes on the Quick Kumo’s shoulder straps that may maintain every part from electrolyte tablets to a full water bottle. One is accessible from the underside as properly, making it a simple trash-stash whereas maintaining tempo. There’s additionally an extra zippered pocket on one of many shoulder straps for objects it’s possible you’ll wish to maintain safer, like a telephone. Moreover, the aspect pockets on the Quick Kumo might be accessed from the highest or aspect for fast, on-the-go grabbing and stashing.
The Kumo has a extra commonplace, streamlined storage and entry system. It has two water-bottle-sized pockets on both sides, in addition to a stretch mesh pocket with elastic on the prime on every shoulder strap.
When you’re curious how using the quick-access pockets would seem like on the Quick Kumo, try our Instagram video highlighting these options.
Colorway
Okay, so this isn’t actually a function, per se, however path style is a consideration! The Quick Kumo is obtainable in grey and black with orange accents, whereas the Kumo is available in grey and black with crimson accents. When you have been fortunate, you might have additionally snagged the Kumo in our restricted version Vaporwave colorway—a enjoyable mixture of purple, teal, black, and peach.
Completely different Use Instances for the Kumo vs. Quick Kumo
The Kumo and Quick Kumo each carry out properly on a wide range of outings, however relying on what circumstances you’re anticipating extra regularly, it’s possible you’ll want one over the opposite.
The Kumo is nice for if you would possibly want to hold slightly additional weight, corresponding to in drier environments with fewer alternatives for water fill-ups. When you’re doing backpacking journeys or weekend warrior routes on pretty well-maintained trails, it’s an important choice. The Kumo is an ideal pack for if you wish to take your ultralight sport to the following stage, however nonetheless need the basic really feel of a backpacking pack.
When you jog, stroll any sooner than 4.5mph, or do any off-trail Class II+ journey, I believe the extra balanced carry of the Quick Kumo is properly price it. It feels a lot tighter on the physique and extra secure, much less bounce—actually safe for extra bouldery Class III stuff. When you have shoulder points like me, having front-loaded water bottles will also be a lot simpler to seize whereas strolling. However… I just like the crimson accents of the unique Kumo higher! There’s additionally one thing to be mentioned for the simplicity of the OG pocket scheme, which might be pleasingly much less complicated in case you don’t wish to take into consideration optimizing the place you’re placing all of your stuff. – Riley
The Quick Kumo is nice for eventualities the place you wish to transfer quick, possibly even do some path working. Its meant use case was for fastpacking, nevertheless it is useful for any sort of trek the place you would possibly want a safer match. When you’re doing a little climbing or off-trailing, the Quick Kumo is a superb choice. It’s additionally good for anytime you want faster entry to meals, water, or different provides.
The AT has bountiful water sources and nice accessibility to cities and shelters making the Quick Kumo the right dimension to sprint between resupplies with shorter water carries. – Lolo
True Life: I Made the Swap to the Quick Kumo
So, what made Lolo and Riley change from the Kumo to the Quick Kumo? For Lolo, it got here all the way down to comfort and luxury.
I battle remembering to eat and drink until it’s available and handy for me to seize; so, the flexibility to maintain snacks, securely stash trash, and maintain a 750 ml water bottle AND my chilly soaking container (peanut butter jar) within the entrance straps is a large motive I like the Quick Kumo! The straps are so tender and adjustable whereas additionally becoming my determine comfortably—in contrast to loads of working vests that are likely to squish me in all of the fallacious locations. – Lolo
Riley’s change got here after many miles and adventures with the Kumo the place they began to understand they wanted a pack fitted to sooner journey via uneven terrain.
The Kumo has been my favourite pack for years—it’s been my go-to for Sierra journeys, Lowest-to-Highest, and all method of journeys within the Channel Islands, actually something with lower than every week of meals weight. It was the right dimension for me for the PCT—a 10-pound base weight and 20-pound consolation restrict leaves you every kind of room for the comparatively brief meals carries of the path.
However, the PCT in 2023 had some distinctive gear calls for. Leaving Kennedy Meadows in June with full shoulder-season gear and every week of meals, my Kumo weighed in at 34 kilos (don’t inform the Gossamer Gear design crew!). I needed to stash my tent on the surface, which actually took away factors for aesthetics, turning slightly orb-like. The pack dealt with it like a champ—however I don’t essentially advocate doing this.
My Kumo, particularly, has been topic to every kind of nonsense it wasn’t designed for: hauling 20 kilos of water via Dying Valley, bushwhacking via heavy undergrowth, squeezing via tight slot canyons, and so forth. By the point I made it to Oregon, my candy Kumo with properly over 2,000 cumulative miles was getting slightly creaky within the shoulder straps, particularly after I jogged. It was time for one thing… sooner. – Riley
4 Concerns for Utilizing the Kumo or Quick Kumo Backpacks
When you’re making an attempt to resolve between the Kumo or the Quick Kumo, listed here are just a few issues that Lolo and Riley really useful.
1. Give Your self Time to Modify
The Quick Kumo has a special harness than the Kumo or different backpacks it’s possible you’ll be used to carrying. Permit an adjustment interval earlier than taking it on a multi-day journey to let your shoulders and chest get used to the sensation.
My major recommendation to somebody switching from the usual to the Quick Kumo is that this: go simple on the burden for just a few days till your shoulders regulate. I discovered the usual Kumo’s shoulder straps to be barely wider and/or cushier, which distributed the burden higher. I like overloading my Kumo, however I’d take the 25 lb max load of the Quick Kumo extra severely, not less than at first. – Riley
2. Pay Consideration to Your Load
The Quick Kumo is about going quick and lightweight. Whereas you might have a behavior of overloading different packs, attempt to use your Quick Kumo as a chance to essentially pare down your equipment. It will also be an important go-to for shorter journeys.
The Quick Kumo is actually most comfy underneath 25 lbs, so I’d select this pack for trails with resupplies round 3 to 4 days max, whereas I’ve seen the Kumo loaded with as much as 6 days and nonetheless carry properly! The zipper pocket on the straps and additional D rings on the Quick Kumo are options I a lot want as properly. – Lolo
3. Assume About Your Storage
The variety of pockets on the Kumo and Quick Kumo range. Take into account the way you wish to entry your gear and whether or not front-loading some key objects on the shoulder straps appeals to you.
Utilizing the Quick Kumo’s shoulder strap pockets for water bottles (500 ml and 700 ml Smartwater match completely) provides a lot simpler entry to them on path, and makes for higher weight distribution. That is noticeable in case you’re strolling, however additional essential in case you’re jogging down a hill. Nevertheless, this additionally means no matter goodies you have been maintaining there earlier than might have a brand new house. Whereas my telephone match completely within the zipper pocket on the left shoulder strap, my little digicam by no means discovered a house that was equally safe and accessible. It ended up in my shorts pocket within the morning, then in one of many hip belt pockets after I’d eaten some snacks. – Riley
4. Select Your Harness Choice
The Quick Kumo has a double sternum strap, whereas the Kumo has a single sternum strap. Take into consideration whether or not you need a snugger match with the twin straps or in case you want the additional respiratory room of a basic one-strap harness.
The double chest strap is nice when you get it dialed, however required some trial and error to get there, for me. The usual Kumo’s single, stretchier strap is barely extra comfy and fewer restrictive for simple strolling, however I discover it may possibly experience up the rails if I jog loads. The Quick Kumo’s double straps clip into slots, to allow them to’t unintentionally shift. They’re extra customizable to your physique and luxury, although I had minor discomfort when respiratory actually closely throughout the Dump Truck Problem in Washington. – Riley
Choose the Kumo or Quick Kumo Backpacks for Fast, Mild Journey
The Kumo and Quick Kumo share loads of the identical nice options, but in addition differ in some key methods. Take into account your climbing, backpacking, fastpacking, or path working targets when choosing one of the best pack for you. And we hope that Lolo and Riley’s insights will help you resolve whether or not a change to the Quick Kumo could be best for you!
Whether or not Kumo, Quick Kumo, or slightly little bit of each, we’d like to share within the journey with you! Be certain to share the enjoyable with us by tagging Gossamer Gear on social media (@gossamergear) and utilizing the hashtag #takelessdomore.
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