Gossamer Gear Skala 38 Pack – Reviewed & Tested

How light is too light? Ella might have found just right with the Gossamer Skala 38, as long as she packs tight!

I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m no ultralight purist. I’m more than happy to shave off a few grams here and there, but I’ll always make space for the real essentials on a bush trip… like a bag of wine and some soft cheese.

That said, I’ve been hiking for the past eight years, from quick overnighters to week-long treks including the Western Arthurs, and my trusty Osprey Ariel 65 has always been my go-to. It’s an incredible pack but for shorter missions or flashpacking, it’s total overkill.

So when the chance came to dip a toe into the ultralight world, I jumped at the opportunity to see what a different style of human-powered travel could feel like.

Let’s go bud!

Why I’m the Right Person for the Job

As mentioned above, I hike. A lot. Need I say more? Well, probably. 

Over the past almost-decade I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and what makes a tramp feel effortless versus unnecessarily cumbersome.

I’m also picky about my kit. I know the difference between a pack that’s ‘good enough’ and one that genuinely makes a trip easier. I’ve spent countless nights adjusting straps, swapping gear, and dreaming about that perfect balance between weight, comfort, and practicality. 

So when it comes to testing something like the Skala 38, I’m coming at it with a lot of real-world experience and a keen eye to make some all-important judgement calls.

If you can’t find Ella on the trails, head to your local crag

Quick Specifications

Weight: 578g with belt straps attached 
Capacity: Body – 30L. Total including pockets – 38L 
Fabric: Riptide Ripstop, 100D Recycled Robic Nylon
Max Load/Weight: 11-12kg
Comfort Load/Weight: 9kg and below 
Price: $479 AUD 

Buy Now

Gossamer describe the Skala 38 as ‘the ideal size for overnight adventures that push your limits.’

To frame or not to frame?

Framed backpacks, whether internal or external, are designed to transfer weight from your shoulders to your hips, making heavy loads more comfortable over longer distances. They’re ideal for multi-day trips where you’re carrying 12kg+ of gear, food, and water, and they help maintain posture and stability on uneven terrain. For many hikers, a framed pack is the go-to because it lets you carry more without feeling like your shoulders will give out halfway up a hill.

Frameless packs, on the other hand, strip everything back to save weight. They’re lighter, more flexible, and encourage minimalism – perfect for flashpacking, overnighters, or showing off to your mates how elite you are. The trade-off is that they offer less support for heavier loads, and comfort can drop off if you overstuff them. You’ll need to be thoughtful about packing, as almost every extra gram sits squarely on your shoulders and back rather than being distributed through a frame.

578g is only really achievable without a frame

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your style of hiking and load expectations. If you’re carrying heavier gear, a framed pack will make long days more manageable. If you prioritise speed, efficiency, and minimal weight, a frameless pack rewards careful planning and pack discipline. Both approaches have their merits, which is why it’s important to consider the type of adventure you’re undertaking before choosing your gear.

Now, back to the Skala 38.

Design

For such a stripped-back pack, it seems as if the product designers have thought of every meticulous detail to ensure each feature is pulling its weight. 

Starting with the overall structure, the pack has a 30L body with a roll-top design, offering flexibility of capacity and load. The top can be rolled and clipped to the sides or folded back on itself. Inside is minimal, with no internal pockets, but there’s a handy interior hanging loop and tube routing for a hydration reservoir which I’ve used on multiple occasions.

The bag itself is made from a new fabric to Gossamer, their new Riptide fabric made from 100D Recycled Ripstop. It’s tough for its weight, striking a good balance between being lightweight and holding up to regular use. While it’s not as abrasion resistant as heavier fabrics like 210D or 420D nylon, the ripstop weave helps stop small tears or punctures from spreading, which adds to its durability. More on this later. 

Gossamer Gear hasn’t used these fabrics in a pack before

Then we have the UHMWPE Stretch Mesh pocket on the outside of the pack and a small zipped pocket for important shit like your wallet and toilet paper and other essentials. I found the mesh pocket ideal for stashing my water filter, wet weather gear, or anything else I need quick access to.

Next we have the two bottle pockets on either side of the bag, these will fit a normal sized Nalgene but once the pack was fully loaded, it became a bit tricky to slide bottles in and out. If I were to consider more flashpacking overnighter’s I’d want to invest in some skinnier bottles for easier access. A cool feature of these pockets is the adjustable, lockable cinch making them perfect for securing trekking poles or thinner items. 

Both sides come with removable and lockable compression straps and a Lightrek Bungee attachment. 

Some other thoughtful features include back padding that’s fully removable and converts into a Sitlight pad, a trekking pole system on the outer edge, and a sternum strap with a built-in safety whistle. 

I also really loved the colourway, with those pops of purple throughout. It looks so good it’s officially turned me into a backpack nerd on my commute to work, no small feat.

The back panel doubles as a sit pad, how good!

Performance

Performance-wise, the Skala 38 is an impressive little workhorse. It’s incredibly light and easy to carry, and when packed smartly under 9kg, it feels balanced and surprisingly stable for a frameless pack.

Then there’s the pack sizing. The Skala only comes in one size with no variation for gender or height. As a 162cm (5’4”) adventurer, I definitely felt that limitation. The bag sat a little low so I needed to tighten the shoulder straps all the way up and the sternum strap didn’t land in quite the right spot for me, so I didn’t end up using it much. 

While it’s a handy inclusion for those it fits, a one-size design inevitably means it won’t work perfectly for everyone. Fit plays a huge role in how a pack carries, and without adjustable torso lengths or gender-specific sizing, the comfort and performance you get out of it can vary quite a bit depending on your body shape. For taller or broader hikers, it’s likely a non-issue, but for shorter or more petite frames, it’s something to keep in mind.

Petit hikers may struggle with the one size fits all approach

Durability

Designed in America, and maybe not made with Australia’s sharp scrub in mind. The ripstop fabric isn’t as heavy-duty as some other materials and after three months of regular use, I’ve already managed to poke a few small holes through it (no doubt by trying to fit through sandstone slot canyons). The fabric however is made to ensure small punctures or holes don’t tear and I can vouch for that. 

This again is the tradeoff when choosing an ultralight fabric vs a heavier grade nylon so make sure you’re balancing these pros and cons before purchasing.

Holes are perhaps inevitable with fabric this light, but at least they don’t grow in size

Comfort

Super comfy, at least until you start pushing the weight limit. Once it creeps past that sweet spot of around 9kg, the lack of structure really starts to show. You’ll feel more strain through your shoulders and upper back, especially on longer hikes. 

If it’s not fully packed, the bag tends to buckle in half and slump awkwardly against your back. Careful packing makes all the difference here, keep it full and balanced, and it carries beautifully.

Moving on to the strap situation – I found the shoulder straps to be quite comfortable complete with perforated foam and THE BEST built-in stretch mesh pockets making it super easy to stash key items like your phone (my iPhone 16 was a bit of a squeeze) and sunnies! The pack also comes with a detachable and adjustable hip belt with more stretch mesh pockets (this is where I keep my snacks for the day).  

The chest pockets were a huge win!

It’s important to note, as mentioned above, because this pack is a frameless one, the hip straps won’t really distribute weight to your hips so be ready for this. Instead they help to secure the pack to your body and make it a bit more of a stable carry. 

Sustainability

Gossamer Gear’s sustainability efforts are just alright. The Skala 38 uses recycled fabrics like 100D recycled ripstop, which is a solid step towards reducing environmental impact, and the brand clearly prioritises durable materials that are built to last. 

That said, there’s limited transparency on their sustainability page around sourcing, manufacturing processes, or end-of-life recycling programs, which makes it hard to fully assess their environmental footprint. Using recycled fabrics is a positive move, but it’s only part of the story. 

For hikers who value eco-conscious gear, more information and measurable sustainability initiatives would strengthen trust and show a clearer commitment beyond durability alone.

Price

As with most ultralight kit, this bag comes with a hefty price tag. On Backpacking Light it sits at a whopping $479. Ouch. You’re paying for the ultralight fabrics, clever design, and thoughtful features, but it’s definitely not a pack you grab on a whim. If you’re used to your standard hiking pack, the price might make you blink, but for anyone chasing every gram and loving the ultralight life, it could be worth it.

You pay more to get less, like a supercar!

Final Thoughts

The Gossamer Gear Skala 38 is a brilliant little pack for anyone wanting to explore the ultralight side of hiking. It’s featherlight, streamlined and full of clever touches that make life on the trail easier, from the removable Sitlight pad to the stretch mesh pockets and roll-top design. For overnighters or flashpacking trips under 9 to 10 kilos, it carries comfortably and looks good while doing it.

That said, it does come with compromises. Comfort drops once you push the weight past its sweet spot, the frameless design means your shoulders take most of the load and the one-size-fits-all design won’t be perfect for everyone. The fabric is lightweight and mostly durable, but it can take a beating in rough conditions. 

All in, the Skala 38 is perfect for hikers who love minimalism, value every gram and don’t need to haul heavy loads. It is not a do-it-all pack, but for the right adventurer it is a fun, functional and well thought out pack that makes even a short overnight feel like a proper ultralight experience.