Gossamer Gear Murmur Dyneema DX First Look

From the october newsletter.

New Stuff – At long last the new Murmurs are nearly done and in production, and surprise, we will be offering 2 models!   The 2012 standard model is largely silnylon beefed up with some strategic dyneema gridstop and weighs about 8 oz.  The Murmur DX is largely a 140 denier dyneema gridstop with a bit of 210 denier doublerip and some Gorilla mesh and weighs just under 12 oz.  Both packs feature our new "Over-the-top" closure system, our new more ergonomic harness and a few other goodies to boot.   We expect them in early December and you can email to support@ if you'd like us to notify you by email when they are back in stock.  We promise to post some pictures and perhaps some video as well.

"I'm kind of surprised at the 'weight creep' comments. Yes these newer designs weigh more. But we've all seen how the really light stuff fails. Durability is not just fluff. As in all things, there is a balance. The Murmur's belt is removeable. If you need SUL, get a 0.35 (or whatever) cuben pack from ZPacks.com."

I'm finding this thread entertaining. You know these companies are in it to earn a living, and if they are making heavier packs with each passing generation of products, it's logical to assume heavier packs make more money. More sales, fewer warranty problems, whatever… So who is to blame? The company making the packs, or the market that is demanding the heavier packs?

BM

i find it odd that some smaller manuf are making heavier packs … and many mainstream brands are making lighter packs

theyll likely end up in a happy medium somewhere

that said …. a bag that is light enough for trail use, and durable enough for multisport and urban use … is likely a better value proposition than a bag that cost more but is more limited in use and life

"I'm finding this thread entertaining. You know these companies are in it to earn a living, and if they are making heavier packs with each passing generation of products, it's logical to assume heavier packs make more money. More sales, fewer warranty problems, whatever… So who is to blame? The company making the packs, or the market that is demanding the heavier packs?"

I think the comments are more towards the Murmur getting pregnant. If Chevy came out with a 4 door Corvette and eliminated the 2 door model, most affectionados would not consider it a Corvette.

I like the design. It looks like it has some good features and it will serve it's purpose well.

That being said, I agree that I am not positive it's purpose will be the same as past Murmurs. My last MYOG pack was a clone of the murmur, minus some things to make it even more simple such as the back pad holder, hipbelt, and front pocket. I loved the pack, but I think the idea of a bit more durability would be great. I've recently been taking my pack out less just because there are some failures beginning to show in the seams, and the one thing that I really don't want to fail in the field is my pack. Some failures are due to it being made as I learned to sew, but most are just material failure. So maybe the heavier fabric could be better. Testing it will be the only way to tell.

"I think the comments are more towards the Murmur getting pregnant. If Chevy came out with a 4 door Corvette and eliminated the 2 door model, most affectionados would not consider it a Corvette."

I'm not a Chevy man but I have to commend and admire GM for keeping the Corvette a Corvette, and not violating it for the sake of the almighty dollar. On the other hand, look up the history of the Ford Tunderbird. It started out its life in direct competition with the Corvette ad a 2 seat sports car, but very quickly turned into a 5000lb land yacht as soon as the Ford execs figured out they would appeal to a larger market that way.

Sorry for the derail…

BM

"I would be interested in knowing what sort or wear problems you have seen with the cuben packs?"

Two of them that I saw were covered with duct tape from tears or worn out spots. Another, belonging to a guy I hiked with at the end, was just thread bare. It looked exactly like my cuben wallet that I used, ready to pop holes and fall apart. I would not use that fabric for any wear application like a bivy bottom, pack etc.

I know someone else must have already beat me to this, but here’s some good news.

Looks great…

Wow, pretty darn impressive at 8.4oz…! Nice.

Since the body has silnylon instead of all Dyneema as pictured earlier, perhaps it won't be quite as expensive as we thought.

I would probably buy the 8.4 oz murmur at about $100

I really wish there was a $50-60 sul pack out there, minimal features, small volume 30ish liters, sil or something to cut costs at the sake of less duribility. For my sul overnighters durability wouldnt be an issue.

@tyler

Not sure on the capacity, but this might fit your requirements.
http://arrowheadequipment.webs.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1790641

Nice to see that the Murmur isn't going heavier after all. Offering 2 versions is a smart move.

I approve the non-DX version!

"I approve the non-DX version!"

Yeah!!!!

Murmur Dyneema DX will be renamed to something…They mentioned it as a replacement for the old Miniposa. I can certainly agree that it will do that, despite loosing the traditional shoulder pockets and hip belt pockets. The UL Murmur will likely be named the same with just some material changes. I am really looking at it as a replacement for my defunct G5.
Some Spec's
Weight:8.4 oz
Capacity: 2,200ci/36L
15lb comfort capacity/20lb maximum carry capacity
Materials: 30d 1.3oz. per sq yd silicone coated ripstop nylon/UL 140d Dyneema ripstop

8.4 oz is a slight increase in weight. With some judicious use of a razor blade, I believe this could be gotten down to <8oz without hurting things.

Durability can be enhanced by burning any raw cut edges with a lighter, in & out.
Trimming/melting the waist belt is always the first mod. Replacing the Torso strap with 1/2" straping/elastic/lighter buckle works better. More breathing room, less tension on my chest.

Plastic Buckles for the lid? Two of them?? These can be removed and replaced with loops of de-cored para-cord. I don't think I have ever needed a full buckle on a lid except to compress things. Fiddling with a truckers hitch works as well as fiddling with a buckle/line, then pulling. These can go, to me.

D-rings on the shoulder straps can be removed. Never use stuff attached to my shoulders due to a back/neck injury. The extra strap can be added back as reinforcement to the shoulder harness. (After a resupply, I often have a bit more than 20lb.)

I use a folded/moded nightlite pad about 50" long/7-8oz. Heavier than a sitlite, but, it works better as a frame and is warmer to sleep on, sit on. It does push the pack away from my body about 1" more leading to my packing weight closer to my body. This should still work on the new Murmur with a little steam and "persuasion."

Like many others, I like elastic on the sides for the compression and placing things in the pockets(my stove/lighter and tarp-rolled tightly-goes in one side, and extends to nearly the top of the pack balancing my water on the other side…the cord holds it.) So the compression loops will be used.

Anyway, I will be ordering one as soon as they can make one.

The so called lid looks real good. Typically, I pack my fishing rod on one side leading to a higher side than center. Hopefully, the odd looking shape will help with that.

But if Chevy offered a 4 seater or 4 door Corvette people would buy it. It did not hurt Porsche sales with the Panamera 4 seater model.
http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/panamera/

To get back on track it's cool Gossmer gear is offering two versions of the Murmur Pack.
Terry