Does downsizing to a smaller pack make even sense??

Ok here goes my latest dilemma.

I have a Gossamer gear mariposa (about 800g) and generally extremely happy with it.

I am aware however that it is a little overkill as I hardly ever use the 60l capacity.

I want to downgrade and just saw a lovely zimmerbuilt quickstep second hand.

Very tempted to buy!!

36l, 277g but no hip belt or chest straps which very much worries me (lack of support).

But then I was thinking:

I can only use it for short summer trips as it's so tiny.

The small amount of items I can manage to squeeze inside are so light that if I put said items in my mariposa it's so light that it doesn't matter anyway because it's not heavy. Who knows the mariposa might actually carry it better too as it has good support.

So why bother with such a tiny pack?!!

Am I seeing this wrong??
Can someone enlighten me in case i missed something?

However of course a cuben Fibre 45 - 50l bag with a significant weight saving would be perfect ( and also has hip and chest support)

Anyone selling ???

Basically it doesn't make sense to buy the zimmerbuilt, right?

Thank you for input and your views

If you are uncertain it's probably not right. Wait for the time you know it's the "right thing".

cathyjc said:

If you are uncertain it's probably not right. Wait for the time you know it's the "right thing".

Click to expand...

Best advice ever hahaha

Thank you.. Yes we know when it is right because we feel it.... Sometimes we forget to use that feeling / instinct / intuition

Too small. Too light. Too expensive if its the one on ebay.
You'll compensate by adding some stiffening....or won't be happy.
You can always pack 'podgy' with the Mariposa...letting the load compress your sleeping bag....
But hey, I backpack with 40 litre max...and can only fill that when I carry 4 days food.

I use old Mariposas as they are 530g with frame. I got shot of all my smaller packs as I won't find anything lighter that carries as well for the volume. I just pack podgy as @edh says.

edh said:

Too small. Too light. Too expensive if its the one on ebay.
You'll compensate by adding some stiffening....or won't be happy.
You can always pack 'podgy' with the Mariposa...letting the load compress your sleeping bag....
But hey, I backpack with 40 litre max...and can only fill that when I carry 4 days food.

Click to expand...

I cannot see one on ebay. Could you send the link please ?

And What is stiffening? Thank you

Maybe it was FB....sorry I'm about to dine; I take that seriously
I was meaning CCF or somesuch for stiffening....

Not sure there is much to be gained in practice going bellow 10oz.
But clearly the answer is you NEED packs covering
6l
8l
10l
12l
Etc
Etc

edh said:

Maybe it was FB....sorry I'm about to dine; I take that seriously
I was meaning CCF or somesuch for stiffening....

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Ok... Thank you

Ok, I get it! Thank you
Enjoy the preciousness of a yummy dinner

Enzo said:

Not sure there is much to be gained in practice going bellow 10oz.
But clearly the answer is you NEED packs covering
6l
8l
10l
12l
Etc
Etc

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Yes exactly... I feel so too.. No real gain, just more compromises than what could have been the benefits.

Enzo said:

Not sure there is much to be gained in practice going bellow 10oz.
But clearly the answer is you NEED packs covering
6l
8l
10l
12l
Etc
Etc

Click to expand...

There are never to many packs.

If the current rucksack is too big, just don't compress your kit as much

Stay large...

Just take more snacks.

And perhaps a kite* too

*although @tom informs us that there are serviceable varieties available, of 26g or less. Which hardly seems consciencable

Maybe if we saw a gear list we could scrutinise your needs and talk you into even more unnecessary purchases

craige said:

Maybe if we saw a gear list we could scrutinise your needs and talk you into even more unnecessary purchases

Click to expand...

OH goshhh help!! That made me giggle TV

Might just have to make one... Can't pass on an excuse to be talked into more NECESSARY purchases lol

gixer said:

If the current rucksack is too big, just don't compress your kit as much

Click to expand...

I do not mind the size, was more conscious of carrying the unnecessary weight of the backpack which I am not actually fully making use of ... I actually quite like my backpack... But any excuse to get weight down

Autumn Flower said:

I do not mind the size, was more conscious of carrying the unnecessary weight of the backpack which I am not actually fully making use of ... I actually quite like my backpack... But any excuse to get weight down

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800g ain't bad for a rucksack
If it's comfortable and under 1kg i recon you're lucky you've found something

This place does seem to be more of a rucksack fetish site than a hiking site at times

Can't say as i really understand it to be 100% honest
As i said above if you've got something that carries the sort of weight you pack, for the trips you hike, is comfortable and is under 1kg i'm not sure why you'd (in general) keep looking or buying rucksacks

It's the same with rucksack size
Personally i'd sooner have something that's slightly over sized
Might just be me, but it don't half wind me up trying to squeeze every last molecule of air out of every stuff sack every time i pack up, even then the rucksack is like me trying to fit in my old 32" jeans with every seam popping and stretching

It's really easy to go down the "this kit must be better" path, i know i've done it
I bought so much crap, my mindset being i've not found the perfect rucksack, tent, sleeping bag etc etc

The reality is it's only walking, it's placing 1 foot in front of the other
As a species we've been doing it for a few years, and sleeping outdoors

There is no "perfect" anything for hiking, it's all a compromise

So if you've found a rucksack that's lightweight and is comfortable i'd save your money for train, plane or car tickets/fuel and enjoy more trips

gixer said:

800g ain't bad for a rucksack
If it's comfortable and under 1kg i recon you're lucky you've found something

This place does seem to be more of a rucksack fetish site than a hiking site at times

Can't say as i really understand it to be 100% honest
As i said above if you've got something that carries the sort of weight you pack, for the trips you hike, is comfortable and is under 1kg i'm not sure why you'd (in general) keep looking or buying rucksacks

It's the same with rucksack size
Personally i'd sooner have something that's slightly over sized
Might just be me, but it don't half wind me up trying to squeeze every last molecule of air out of every stuff sack every time i pack up, even then the rucksack is like me trying to fit in my old 32" jeans with every seam popping and stretching

It's really easy to go down the "this kit must be better" path, i know i've done it
I bought so much crap, my mindset being i've not found the perfect rucksack, tent, sleeping bag etc etc

The reality is it's only walking, it's placing 1 foot in front of the other
As a species we've been doing it for a few years, and sleeping outdoors

There is no "perfect" anything for hiking, it's all a compromise

So if you've found a rucksack that's lightweight and is comfortable i'd save your money for train, plane or car tickets/fuel and enjoy more trips

Click to expand...

Now now Gix, talk like that will have you in the sin bin for weeks.

The wheels will be falling off the capitalist machine with that kind of make do, and mend type of attitude

I'm pretty rubbish at neatly stowing into an only just big enough pack too..
It's a different story trying to get all your stuff in, whilst crouched in a slightly soggy tent, when everything is a bit damp, compared with Hank showing us how he does it, on his dry workshop table, under sunny Californian skies.

But maybe @Daymoth is a tad more competent .

Hot take
Small packs are just for signaling status.

or because you like them.....

gixer said:

800g ain't bad for a rucksack
If it's comfortable and under 1kg i recon you're lucky you've found something

This place does seem to be more of a rucksack fetish site than a hiking site at times

Can't say as i really understand it to be 100% honest
As i said above if you've got something that carries the sort of weight you pack, for the trips you hike, is comfortable and is under 1kg i'm not sure why you'd (in general) keep looking or buying rucksacks

It's the same with rucksack size
Personally i'd sooner have something that's slightly over sized
Might just be me, but it don't half wind me up trying to squeeze every last molecule of air out of every stuff sack every time i pack up, even then the rucksack is like me trying to fit in my old 32" jeans with every seam popping and stretching

It's really easy to go down the "this kit must be better" path, i know i've done it
I bought so much crap, my mindset being i've not found the perfect rucksack, tent, sleeping bag etc etc

The reality is it's only walking, it's placing 1 foot in front of the other
As a species we've been doing it for a few years, and sleeping outdoors

There is no "perfect" anything for hiking, it's all a compromise

So if you've found a rucksack that's lightweight and is comfortable i'd save your money for train, plane or car tickets/fuel and enjoy more trips

Click to expand...

You made me giggle... And yes I agree with you totally!!

Think the reason people get so obsessed about it though is because they want to have ultimate fun, maximum pleasure and comfort (especially if you walk long distance over many days covering high altitude each day). The right pack does impact that and can make a beautiful difference.

But all in all I totally agree with you, I actually never had a problem with my pack or even considered going down this route until I allowed myself to be influenced.

And now it's too late to turn back... I'm intrigued, it is contagious... I want to see if there is a better suitable pack, bring the weight down, increase comfort etc etc

However especially with me having made a commitment to myself 6 weeks ago that this is enough and to make do with what I have (except for super hyper essential items such as my recently acquired bivy and sourcing for a more rain proof shelter) I am going to take your wise words on-board and for now at least let it go.

I do love my little mariposa (his name is Henry).

Fair Weather Camper said:

Now now Gix, talk like that will have you in the sin bin for weeks.

The wheels will be falling off the capitalist machine with that kind of make do, and mend type of attitude

I'm pretty rubbish at neatly stowing into an only just big enough pack too..
It's a different story trying to get all your stuff in, whilst crouched in a slightly soggy tent, when everything is a bit damp, compared with Hank showing us how he does it, on his dry workshop table, under sunny Californian skies.

But maybe @Daymoth is a tad more competent .

Click to expand...

You made me laugh

Autumn Flower said:

..Think the reason people get so obsessed about it though is because they want to have ultimate fun, maximum pleasure and comfort (especially if you walk long distance over many days covering high altitude each day). The right pack does impact that and can make a beautiful difference.
And now it's too late to turn back... I'm intrigued, it is contagious... I want to see if there is a better suitable pack, bring the weight down, increase comfort etc etc I do love my little mariposa (his name is Henry).

Click to expand...

I just feel a wee sibling for Henry is on the cards. Tell him to play nice.

But @edh , you don't count. You actually use your kit!
There was a thread a year or two ago regarding small packs. I had my mind changed by the persuasive argument that 10-20l worth of extra volume can add only tens of grams and as long as your not spending your day squeezing through gaps you may never notice. Horses for courses of course but for me I now use a 40-50l pack. My gear will fit into a 20 though sans grub.

Had a similar discussion about push bikes with a mate of mine recently

He was taking the pee cause one of my MTB's is 2009 the other from 1994
Apparently 26" wheels and 3x9 gears aren't as much fun as modern kit

Admittedly he is faster than me, both uphill and downhill
Mind you he's younger, slimmer, fitter and has 2 arms on the handlebars

When we got back home he was complaining that the rear shock wasn't rebounding well, his fancy 12x1 gear kept jumping, his remote front fork lock-out wasn't working........

Me i'd dragged my old, fat, knackered body up and down the mountain, my old bike was as good or bad as it always is, i stopped many times to catch my breath and looked out at the amazing views
I'd managed to ride a uphill section in one go instead of stopping as all the other times
I was tired, sweaty but grinning ear to ear
Don't how how a newer bike or components could have equalled more fun

In my mind, if the kit does it's job i.e. gets you around the ride on a MTB, dry if it's a tent, warm if it's a sleeping bag, but is all light enough not to completely knacker you out, i don't think kit has any impact on fun when it comes to the outdoors

I have seen people where it does, but i've also seen these people come and go pretty quickly, as for them they're drawn to the kit or showing off their new kit to complete strangers on the internet
That buzz quickly fades

I think if you're drawn to the outdoors then getting out there is the priority, kit is just a means to an end

Look at Mole, FWC, Teepee, Tom, Oct
They probably have more nights on the hills than the rest of the forum put together, it's rare you hear anything of them go on about kit though, Teepee wants something so he makes it which is even better still