The perfect pack for trips that are equal parts running and backpacking

The Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36 (shop now) takes everything we love about their ultralight packs and adjusts it to meet the needs of multi-day fastpackers by adding running-vest style shoulder straps for a more secure, less bouncy fit.

• Weight: 21.5 oz
• Price: $190
• Materials: 70/100D Robic Nylon
• Frame: Foam Sit Pad
• Load Capacity: 25 lbs
• Internal Volume: 28L
• External Volume : 8L
• Pros: Ultralight. Excellent & Voluminous rear and shoulder strap storage. Good Value. Complimentary Sit Pad. Secure running vest-style fit.
  
• Cons: 70d nylon and stretch mesh are not the most durable. Sweaty back panel. Wide shoulder straps can rub against lower neck. Small hip belt pockets and side pockets.

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Construction & Features

The Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36 is an incredibly sweet design based on GG’s tried and true ultralight pack formula: fold over closure; zipper pocket lid; large external mesh pockets; compression shock cords on the side, finished off with foam sit pad back panel/frame. And the whole thing weighs in at an incredibly ultralight 21.5 oz in size M/L.

But what differentiates this from most other backpacks, and all of the other packs in Gossamer Gear’s line, is the running-vest style shoulder straps for an extra secure fit. That’s because they’re much wider and thicker and do a better job of holding the pack in place, and higher up the torso, to prevent bouncing and swaying of gear as you run.

One small complaint we have about these shoulder straps is that they are so big and wide that the interior side can rub against the lower neck, depending on your body and how the pack sits. This wasn’t a huge problem, nor was it uncomfy but could be depending on how it fits you.

They’re also fully decked out in pockets. They feature two bottle pockets, one zippered pocket, one trash pocket, and a mesh pocket. They are connected by two sternum straps to perfect the torso fit. Frankly, we wish all backpacks, not just fastpacks, had shoulder straps with built-in pockets like these. Our only complaint is that when storing a water bottle, it will bulge and eliminate virtually all space in the ancillary pockets.

On the flipside, the hip belt pockets are much smaller than average, able to store only one snack item each. But on the whole, this hip belt is much comfier than a simple unpadded nylon webbing strap that you see on many other fastpacks.

If you look closely and compare to other running vests, the extra wide shoulder straps transition to nylon adjustment webbing a bit higher up than most, and it might have been nice if they wrapped around the side of the rib cage a bit more, as this can reduce upward bounce. That said, in wearing in the real world, it hasn’t actually been a problem or issue whatsoever.

Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36 Review Verdict

This is an excellent ultralight fastpacking backpack with a very secure fit, incredible external storage, a user-friendly design, very low weight, and all for a good price. It’s our pack of choice for trips involving a mixture of trail running and hiking.

Compare to other models in our guide to the best fastpacking backpacks.