By the time I received the Skala 38 Ultralight Backpack (by Gossamer Gear), the dear thing had big shoes to fill. I’ve never been one to splurge on fancy things, but I’ve always invested in excellent backpacks and hiking shoes—gear I could love and trust for years. My previous backpacks from Osprey, Vaude, and Samsonite endured me for years and years, since I loaded them with more weight than I should, and routinely challenged their zippers. Still, they never disappointed.
Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
Lightweight Powerhouse: Gossamer Gear’s Skala 38 Ultralight Backpack Shines in Patagonia
I chose the Gossamer Gear Skala 38 for two key reasons—one of them right there in the name: 1) its ultralight weight, and 2) the roll-top closure with handy pockets. I’ve now used it for months, taking it on two major adventures: a trip to Patagonia and my international move from Argentina to Spain. Here’s my take on its features and where it truly shines.
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Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
Skala 38 Ultralight Backpack – Pros & Cons
Pros
- Featherlight weight (578 g / 20.4 oz) for its size, making it great for air travel and long trekking days.
- Durable, weather-resistant fabrics (recycled Robic nylon + UHMWPE stretch mesh) handle rough use well.
- Adjustable roll-top closure offers flexible capacity and solid weather protection.
- Well-designed external pockets securely hold bottles, snacks, and essentials.
- Comfortable carry with perforated foam straps and removable SitLight pad.
- PFAS-free and eco-conscious materials appeal to sustainability-minded travelers.
- Packs fit in most carry-on bins when not overstuffed.
Cons
- Roll-top learning curve — slower to access contents, especially items at the bottom.
- Minimal internal organization means packing cubes/organizers are almost essential.
- Temptation to overpack with roll-top can push size limits for some airlines.
- No full waterproof guarantee — water resistant, but not submersible.
How light is this 38L ultralight backpack?
Like my colleague, Matador editor Tim Wenger, says, there are too many travel backpacks, so it takes a lot to be impressed by one. But the Skala 38 amazed me with how light it is: just 20.4 oz (578 g)—and it’s not a small bag. It measures 21″ (53.3 cm) to the extension collar and 29″ (73.7 cm) to the top, with a width of 11″ (27.9 cm) and depth of 6″ (15.2 cm). Between the pack body and the pockets, it can carry 38 liters, with a maximum carrying capacity of 25 pounds.
To put that in perspective: I own cotton market bags for my vegetables that weigh more than the Skala 38.
What is the Skala 38 made of?
Being so light, one may wonder what goes into the making of the backpack. The main body fabric is Riptide Ripstop 100D Recycled Robic Nylon, made from recycled materials and coated with 1500mm polyurethane for dependable water resistance. The external pockets use Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE for short) stretch mesh, advertised for its strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to snags and tears.
The shoulder straps feature perforated foam for comfort, and the removable SitLight pad in the back panel allows for additional cushioning (or can be used as a seat in camp). Importantly, the entire pack is PFAS-free—better for both human and environmental health.
The roll-top closure and pockets
Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
Scroll through the above gallery to check out the various pockets and pouches. In theory and practice, roll-top closures offer clear advantages:
- Adjustable capacity
- Better weather resistance
- Fewer failure points than zippers
- More security in crowded areas
These were all reasons I chose the Skala 38, and I’ve enjoyed those benefits—but it took some getting used to (plus, I realized that I access my main compartment way more often than I thought I did). Accessing items at the bottom is trickier than with zippered designs, so I started using packing cubes and organizers—especially for quick access to health-related items.
Even the birds in Patagonia were curious about the roll-top closure. Note: no animal was harmed in the making of this article. The bird landing on the backpack was mere luck. Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
Once I found my packing rhythm, the well-designed pockets became true assets. The tall side pockets, with cinch closures, easily secured my water bottle and mate thermos—something not every backpack manages well. The hipbelt pockets also proved more spacious than they look, perfect for snacks, sunscreen, and small essentials.
Travel Notes
If you’re heading out on an overnight hiking trip, note that this backpack doesn’t have multiple internal compartments—you’ll need to plan where things go. Keep frequently used items in the external pockets or near the top of the main compartment for quick retrieval.
As Gossamer Gear’s own illustrations show, the Skala 38 is rich in useful features for outdoor adventures: trekking pole attachments, a safety whistle, hydration tube routing, compression straps, and reflective details for visibility.
Graphic courtesy Gossamer Gear
For air travel, it’s worth mentioning that size can be borderline for some airlines if you overpack. The roll-top design makes it tempting to fill it tall, so I sometimes had to compress it a bit to fit under a plane seat. That said, it fitted without issue in overhead bins on a budget Argentine airline (JetSmart) and in both under-seat and overhead storage with Iberia. Even fully packed with a laptop, electronics, and several kilos of alfajores, the Skala’s ultralight build meant my shoulders and luggage scale stayed happy.
Summary
Whether I was trekking through Patagonia’s winds or boarding an international flight to Spain, the Skala 38 Ultralight Backpack delivered on its promises. Its featherlight frame never weighed me down, its durable weather-resistant materials kept my gear protected, and once I mastered the roll-top system, its pockets worked perfectly for my needs. This is a minimalist pack with maximum potential—ideal for travelers who value lightweight efficiency, adaptability, and rugged reliability. If you can embrace the roll-top learning curve, the Skala 38 is one of those bags that can take you just about anywhere. 