GEAR REVIEW: Gossamer Gear Lonestar 30 Day Pack

By Will Rietveld

The new Lonestar 30 by Gossamer Gear is a multi-purpose day pack for trail, rock, or snow. Its 30-liter volume and internal frame make it especially useful for cool and cold weather activities, snow sports, or climbing, where extra volume and support are needed to carry essentials. It’s also a good choice if you are the family Sherpa. At 29.5 ounces, it’s not ultralight, but that doesn’t matter so much for day trips; what’s more important are fit, carry comfort, and utility. So, how does the Lonestar 30 stack up in that perspective? (Hint:  it’s my new favorite day pack, and I explain why in this review.)

The Gossamer Gear Lonestar 30 Day Pack is an internal frame top loader with loads of features. 

 Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Gossamer Gear (www.gossamergear.com)
Model	Lonestar 30 Day Pack
Volume	30 liters
Weight	Measured weight 29.3 oz; manufacturer specification 29.5 oz
Materials	Pack body is 100-denier Robic ripstop nylon, bottom and reinforcements are 200-denier Robic nylon; side pockets, hipbelt pockets, and shoulder strap sleeves are nylon mesh
Features	Removable internal contoured aluminum tubular frame, removable hipbelt with 2 zippered pockets, attached fitted top lid with full-width zipper and key clip inside, 3-inch wide shoulder straps with mesh sleeves, hydration sleeve behind backpanel + 2 hose loops, 2 mesh side pockets, internal zippered security pocket, drawcord closure, 2 tool loops and 2 daisy chains on pack front, 2 extended straps with buckles on daisy chains, zig-zag side compression, additional tiedown loops on top lid and bottom of pack
MSRP	$175

Description

The following photo gallery shows the pack’s design and features.

Front View – The Lonestar has a fitted top cap secured with one buckle. There are two daisy chains on the front, each with a tool loop at the top and an attachment strap at the bottom.

Side View – Each side has a zig-zag compression strap that can be released and connected to the opposite side to attach gear to the front of the pack.

Backpanel – The shoulder straps are 3 inches wide and nicely padded, and the backpanel has good padding for the shoulders and lumbar region.

Top View – The top pocket has a full-width zipper on the shoulder strap side and four attachment points on top.

Frame – The tubular aluminum frame is contoured to fit the user's back, and weighs just 3.5 ounces.

Side Pockets – are made of stretch nylon mesh and large enough to fit a 1-liter water bottle.

Hipbelt Pockets – are large enough to carry a cell phone, camera, or numerous smaller items. 

Security Pocket – The internal security pocket is the full width of the pack and zippered for easy access.

 

Hydration Sleeve – A full-height compartment behind the backpanel is the hydration sleeve. It will easily hold a 3-litter reservoir. The closure is a toggle and loop.

Testing

I tested the Lonestar 30 for a three-month period (November-January) doing cold weather and snow-related activities – day hiking, snow hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and backcountry skiing, for a total of 15 trips. I normally carried 6 to 10 pounds but on a few occasions I loaded the pack to 15 pounds to test its comfort (photo by John Martin).

Features – Full-featured may be an understatement, considering the list in the table. Features mean weight, that list of features adds up to a pack weight of 29.3 ounces (measured weight), so the Lonestar 30 is not ultralight. However, pack weight doesn’t matter so much on a day pack, and features are more appreciated. Actually, carrying a bit of weight on day trips is good training for backpacking.

My favorite features on the Lonestar, besides the internal frame, are the shoulder strap mesh sleeves, hydration sleeve behind the backpanel (which provides more room in the main compartment), and the internal security pocket.

Fit – The Lonestar comes in one size which is claimed to fit torsos from 16 to 24 inches (generally, persons from 5’-4” to 6’-4”) and waists 28 to 48 inches. The measured pack torso length is 18.5 inches (underside of shoulder strap to center of the hipbelt attachment), which translates to a size Medium. That said, the pack fits me (6-feet, 20-inch torso) quite well, with the top of the shoulder straps about 1-inch below my shoulders. Taller hikers will have more wrap-around the shoulders, and shorter hikers will have a gap above the shoulders.

I personally like a framed day pack because it simply fits better and carries better. The pack is more rigid and keeps its shape when worn. What is especially nice about the Lonestar is Gossamer Gear’s contoured tubular frame is very lightweight (3.5 ounces) fits the shape of your back, and is easily adjusted for a custom fit. A frameless day pack may have a curve in the backpanel when you use the hipbelt (if the pack has one), and will hang straight if you do not use the hipbelt.

That said, the Lonestar fit me very well and carried very well with different loads. For cool and cold weather trips, the 30-liter volume is about right. However (for me) it has too much volume for most warm weather trips; about 20 liters is better, and my pack of choice is the Gossamer Gear Type 2.

Weight Carrying Capacity – The Lonestar’s internal frame ups the load limits and carrying comfort quite a bit. The frame is a version of the contoured aluminum frame Gossamer Gear uses in their backpacks. They suggest a maximum load of 25 pounds and comfortable load of 20 pounds for the Lonestar 30. Loads that heavy might happen if you use the pack for climbing, or a full load of gear for backcountry skiing, or attach snowshoes to the front of the pack. Note that the pack does not have ski loops for carrying skis.

Versatility – The Lonestar 30 is designed to be versatile, and I found that to be the case. I carried the Lonestar for a variety of activities, all in cold weather where more clothing and extra equipment (like a shovel, avalanche probe, insulated bottle, ski skins, ski waxes, etc) are carried. The Lonestar carried it easily and I hardly noticed the weight or volume.

Backcountry skiing along a (mostly) frozen stream. The day started with single digit F temperatures and warmed to above freezing. That requires a lot of clothing adjustments, and a larger pack to carry clothing and gear (photo by Travis Ward).

Assessment

Gossamer Gear hits the mark on several fronts. The Lonestar 30 is full-featured, versatile, and durable. For a larger volume day pack, the Lonestar 30 combines on-target design and dimensions, a long list of useful features, and a form-fitting frame. It all comes together perfectly. This is now my go-to pack for cold weather activities, especially snow sports.

Although the pack carries wonderfully, I would not use it for backpacking because of its weight. All those features are nice to have for a day pack, but add too much weight for a backpack.

GEAR REVIEW: Patagonia Capilene Air Baselayers

By Will Rietveld

The new Patagonia Capilene Air baselayers (top and bottom) are their warmest. They remind me of the old fishnet underwear that was warm and breathable by trapping a lot of air between it and an overlayer. But the comparison ends there. The Capilene Air baselayers are more high-tech than was ever imagined at the time of the fishnet underwear. They are made of an air blasted 51% Merino wool and 49% recycled polyester yarn, and utilize a new knitting technology that creates a 3-dimensional garment that is nearly seamless. They are noticeably lightweight compared to other garments providing the same warmth. And I found them to be very versatile. Read on for the details.

The Patagonia Capilene Air baselayers Top and Bottom are knitted from a yarn consisting of 51% Merino wool and 49% recycled polyester and have very few seams.

 Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Patagonia (www.patagonia.com)
Model	Capilene Air Crew Top and Bottom (a hooded Top is available)
Weight	Measured weight size men’s Large: Top 7.3 oz, Bottom 6.9 oz; manufacturer specification (size Medium): Top 5.2 oz, Bottom 5.9 oz
Fabric	5.6-oz (190-g) 51% merino wool/49% recycled polyester seamless box-stitch knit comprised of 18.5-micron-gauge lofted wool
Features	3D fabric is soft against the skin, very stretchy, and brushed + nearly seamless to eliminate chafing
MSRP	$129 each

Description

The thing that impresses me most about the Capilene Air baselayers is how S-T-R-E-A-T-C-H-Y they are. Their 3D knit allows them to stretch way out to be worn over something else, and then contract right back to a trim-fitting baselayer. They don’t stretch out and remain baggy.

 

Close-up of the Capilene Air knitted fabric.

I followed Patagonia’s size charts and found that I would take a size Large in both garments, so that’s what I tested. I’m 6 feet tall and 165 pounds. When the baselayers arrived, both fit loose and seemed to be one size too large. It turned out that this was fortuitous, which I will explain shortly.

The size you choose depends somewhat on how you intend to use them. If you want to use them only as a baselayer – with a body-hugging fit – go one size smaller than the Patagonia size chart. If you want them to be versatile – so they can be worn as a baselayer, midlayer, or outerlayer – go with the Patagonia size chart. It will fit a little loose, but acceptable, as a baselayer.

Testing

 

I tested the Patagonia Capilene Air baselayers on a total of 46 outings including car camping, backpacking, day hiking, snow walking, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snow shoveling, igloo building, and volunteering on a Christmas Tree lot. This photo shows the Capilene Air Top worn as a midlayer, and the Bottom worn as an outerlayer in camp.

I tested both the Top and Bottom as a baselayer, midlayer, and outer layer. That’s the versatility I mentioned earlier – opting for a looser-fitting size allowed me to wear the baselayers any way I desired.

For example, I frequently donned the Top over my hiking shirt, like a fleece pullover, when I need a little more warmth. In camp, for more warmth, I wore the Top as a midlayer over my hiking shirt and then donned an ultralight down jacket and a windshirt or UL rain jacket over the underlayers to seal in the heat.

The Capilene Air Top worn as an outerlayer on the trail in early morning cold temps.

The bottom is a little less versatile because I rarely hiked in it. I mainly wore it as a baselayer or midlayer in camp. Again, it was very convenient to simply put it on over my hiking pants or shorts. It would be very warm for more sedentary situations, like ice fishing, car camping, or cabin wear.

I found it best to simply think of the Capilene Air garments as layering garments, and use them accordingly to regulate temperature. I did not wear them as baselayers on the trail, unless the Top was the only layer I wore, or I wore it under a windshirt in cool temperatures. When the Top is covered by one or more midlayers it is too cumbersome to take it off when I get overheated. Temperatures needed to be in the single digits F, or lower, to comfortably wear them as baselayers while hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing.

For hiking or cross-country skiing on cool winter days in the 20s F, the Top as a single layer under a windshirt is sufficient. When temperatures are in the teens F, the Top as a baselayer or midlayer under a windshirt is sufficient. For snowshoeing and skiing, especially if its windy, I add a hardshell to stay dry if I crash (snow sticks to the fabric like it does to fleece).

 

The Capilene Air Top worn as a baselayer under a heavier weight merino wool shirt while snowshoeing. The combination was comfortable in early morning colder temperatures and on the descent, but I overheated on a 1000-foot steady climb.

I also found the Capilene Air to be very breathable, but again it’s important to wear it as part of a layering system and use it accordingly. For example, wearing the top alone hiking when the temperature is in the 30s F can be very comfortable, even with a light breeze, but it gets chilly if the wind picks up, so time to don a windshirt and it’s comfortable again using the front zipper to regulate temperature.

Since the Capilene Air layers are knitted, one would suspect that they would snag easily. But I did not find that to be the case. I often wore the top as a single layer for hiking when temperatures are above freezing, and bushwhacked through brush on many occasions without damage. However, I did find two drawbacks: 1) the fabric pills somewhat on the underarms from wearing it as an outerlayer, and 2) debris and lint of all kinds readily stick to the fabric, and also Velcro.

After many wearings, the underside of the sleeves are pilled somewhat.

 Assessment

The Capilene Air baselayers are lighter than a typical wool baselayer and (in my opinion) provide a lot more warmth and versatility. But the Capilene Air (especially the Top) goes beyond a baselayer. It’s best to think of it as part of a layering system where it can function as a baselayer, midlayer, or outerlayer depending on the conditions, activity, and convenience. If it’s worn simply as a baselayer for active pursuits, you are very likely to overheat. For more sedentary situations it provides loads of warmth.