Ditch Exos 38 for New Kumo? Need advice.

The Kumo is a cost effective way to try a frameless pack and it’s pretty good one in my opinion.

I have carried my HG Burrow 20 & Phoenix 20 along with a netless hammock, suspension, Superfly tarp, MB Ex Light puffy, 550 Esbit cookset and good for two nights but it’s very tight.

For me, carrying a frameless pack is more about how good they feel than weight savings. I’m not someone that tries to make it rigid with a folded pad against my back or anything like that. I prefer l close center of gravity and flexibility with the load right up on me.

I don’t hang much any more. I think the last trip I hammocked on was in the spring of 2016.

I suspect a ULA CDT would be a better choice for a frameless hammock pack I’ve only used it for ground based setups so far. The CDT is a bit larger than the Kumo (although not nearly as large as I was expecting from the description). The CDT extension collar gives much more usable overflow volume than the Kumo.

Also I’m pretty sure nobody here uses a pack cover. Most of us use compactor bags, DCF pack liners or Nylofume bags.

Not sure if the volume of those two packs are the same.  I found the volume of the Kumo to be inadequate for any multi night trips.  My baseweight is around 12lb though so YMMV.

Thank’s Matt. I went ahead and ordered it. I have been using both a pack cover and pack liner. I’m gonna ditch the cover.

MICHAEL,

By the end of a long day the ounces saved with a frameless pack will be WAY offset by its discomfort, regardless of your low pack weight. Keep the EXOS. I have one and love it.

Remember, the “revolution” in backpacks started by Kelty in the ’60s was that the Kelty transferred weight to the hips via a frame to the padded belt. This greatly improved comfort, even for UL backpackers. Why go back?

Different strokes. I find frameless to be more comfortable at low total pack weights.

The Kumo is a nice comfortable pack. But, you will likely need to upgrade the sitpad to a nightlight pad. It makes a big difference in carrying capacity and comfort.

The new version is also 18.5oz. The added NightLite will add about 3-4oz more for an additional 10 pounds of capacity.

Personally, I would have gotten the new Murmur. You can use the nightlite for an additional 10 pounds of capacity on it, also. According to the specs on the new version (I have an older 2015 version) it is about 1.5″ thicker at 6″ deep. This is ideal for handling stuff sacks. Both my Miniposa and older Murmur have ripped out the sides(repaired) where I put in an 7″ drybag for my sleeping gear. Of course, you can use the pad for sleeping or as a sitlite pad, even though I also carry a NeoAir. The two work well together in early spring/late fall for warmth. I don’t care too much for the angled front pouch on the Kumo. This is just a style gimmick… When I stop in town for resupply, I often just stuff it in the front pouch and go, not bothering to load stuff where it goes. I can do that at camp, later. Anyway, the Murmur would have saved about 5oz, overall. Both have thin padding and wider shoulder straps than most others making them easy to carry. The hip belts are also minimally padded and easily support 60-70% of the pack. I often loosen the shoulder straps on a hot day and let the pack drop off my back…it is a bit cooler. In summer months, I use the Nightlite as a pillow, stuffed into a stuff sack. Anyway, both are good packs for UL travel. The Kumo has a bit of an edge with durability, the Murmur has a bit of an edge with weight. After 25 years of going UL, flirting with SUL, I still think than any UltraLight pack should NOT weigh more than 16oz or one pound. After a couple outings, you can strip off any additional strapping, plastic, elastic, etc to save an additional ounce or so. The top closure on the Kumo doesn’t really need much in the way of compression. The Roll top on the Murmur is about the same way, but a different style.

I just received my first GG pack a Mariposa. I’ll tell you this. It’s much small than the stated total volume of 60L. They include all the pockets as volume and are generous with the capacity. I’m not mad about it. It’s a great pack and plenty big for me it’s just something to be aware of.   I was also looking at the Gorilla because I like its design a little better.  After receiving the Mariposa I don’t think I need a smaller pack like the Gorilla I’ll just stick with the Mariposa and cinch it down a bit and or use less of the exterior storage

I’ll also tell you that I found out quickly I hate loading packs without a stiff back sheet either a frame or at least stays to support the pack. They tend to end up shaped like a football if you stuff them

My brother has the exos pack and likes it a lot. It’s served him well for several years. If you’re looking at GG I’d look at the mariposa or possibly the Gorilla.  I’d buy both and keep whichever is the better fit for your loadout.

Oh, I see above it looks like you’ve already ordered it  let us know what you think?

“It’s much small than the stated total volume of 60L. They include all the pockets as volume and are generous with the capacity.”
Yup. There is really no standard for measuring a bag’s volume. Some bags use stretchy mesh pockets. How do you measure those? Some do NOT include any pockets/pouches, just the main body. They are all over the scale. Example: My Southwest is about the same as my 2012 Murmur. The difference (~5L) is made up of external pad keepers and a stretchy front pouch. HMG does not use either.

“I’ll also tell you that I found out quickly I hate loading packs without a stiff back sheet either a frame or at least stays to support the pack.”
Yup, I agree. The first thing in the pack is the nightlight for loading it.

I used the Gorilla on several trips and find it to be too heavily padded. It is difficult to cinch it tight enough to support the weight and be comfortable. It bounces and eventually slips down. This may not bother you if you only hike 4-6 miles and take a break by dropping the pack. The only time I drop the pack is usually one 15min break at lunch (sometimes) and at the end of a day. It bothers me I cannot keep it on all day comfortably. The Mariposa is close to the same. But if you only get out a couple times a year, the padding likely feels great. I do not care for a lot of padding.

Both my Miniposa and older Murmur have ripped out the sides

A problem almost no one complains about and many people are willing to buy a new expensive pack every year or two.

I have worn out or destroyed several minimalist packs and they aren’t cheap. Just more junk for our land fills. I now use two heavier internal frame packs that will outlast me.

Trash compactor bag works very nicely for me.  My pack is also cuben so I really don’t see much moisture get inside the pack anyway.

I really like a frameless pack but not everyone else seems to.  It’s good for me up to about 25 pounds.  I rarely carry more than that.  I’m currently using a MLD Prophet.  I like it better than a couple of previous frameless packs.  The straps are very comfortable and it’s laid out simply and functionally. And it’s plenty big for my gear.

Michael, which pack did you order and how is it working for you?

I ended up buying the Kumo and taking it out last weekend. Total weight was about 17 pounds. I did like the way it felt snug against my back. But I did feel it a little in my shoulders…the hip belt doesn’t really seem add a whole lot. I’m going to keep it for summer and day hikes. It did rain for a couple of hours while we were hiking. I had my quilt and clothes in a compactor bag and when I set up camp everything in side was dry. As wet as the outside of the Kumo was…nothing got inside the pack.

Michael, you can try various thicknesses of pad in the pad keeper. This will add support rather incrementally. 1/8″ bad full length, 1/4″ pad torso length or full length, Nightlite pad cut down to two layers or use full three layers, and (my favorite in spring and fall) is Nunatac’s Luna pad (http://www.nunatakusa.com/site07/accessories/lunapad.htm) You can cut 10.5″ segments and *just* fit a ~55″ torso pad in for use on top of a Neoair. All supply support and weight transfer to your hips. I usually hike with around 22-24pounds in summer for two weeks out, for late and early season, I use the thicker pad for more support down to the hip belt.

Yeah the over the top lid does a good job keeping things dry. It really sheds water better than any roll top I own. With a fair amount of snipping, sewing, you can drop about 1.5oz off the pack. I don’t care much for the sliding torso strap, though. It jammed up on both my Osprey and my daughters Gregory. I ended up old fashioned on one trip and just tied a bandana around the straps. The lid can be attached with a couple pieces of good cord, letting you snip off the loops & buckles associated with it. Also, the so-called improved shoulder straps are worse carrying things on your shoulders than the older wide straps. But these are all minor quibbles, I guess…a lot is preference.

Have fun! Lots’o stuff you can do to fix up the weight.