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Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Review

Delivers a perfect set of features, plenty of pockets, comfortable straps, and carries well, all at an affordable price
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gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review
The Gorilla is a smaller-capacity ultralight pack with a reasonable price tag.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Price:  $255 List
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Manufacturer:   Gossamer Gear
By Jane Jackson, Brandon Lampley & Justin Simoni  ⋅  Jul 18, 2023
85
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 16
  • Comfort - 40% 10.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 9.0
  • Weight-to-Volume Ratio - 20% 5.0
  • Adjustability - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 is an excellent ultralight backpack with fantastic value. It's full of excellent features that make it exceptionally usable and is among the most comfortable options we tested. Although it's not the most lightweight model in our lineup, it handles light to medium loads (up to 30 pounds) with supreme ease and comfort. The durable upside-down U-frame enables the well-padded shoulder straps and waist belt to distribute weight comfortably down onto your hips. When carrying smaller loads, the Gorilla cinches down and carries very well. This pack is stacked with features, including large external pockets on the back and a large lid for stowing smaller items. There's no shortage of storage space inside and out on this comfortable pack. To compare it to the competition, check out our article on the best ultralight backpacks.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Carries light and medium loads well
Adaptable
Perfect feature set
More durable than most
REASONS TO AVOID
A little small for a bear canister
Editor's Note: We retested the latest version of the Gorilla and updated this article on July 18, 2023, to reflect our new findings and comparisons with other packs in this lineup.

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Bottom Line One of our favorites that scores highly in all metrics, is comfortable and versatile, and has just enough features for a reasonable costAs an all-around great pack, it can carry large and light loads with ease, has plenty of external storage options, and is super comfortableThis ultralight option doesn't leave out all the fantastic features found in packs at higher weight classesOne of our favorite packs with its comfortable waist belt, large side pockets, and a volume that is just right for ultralight backpackingDesigned for the lightest travelers on the trail, with minimal features and lightweight materials
Rating Categories Gossamer Gear Goril... Gossamer Gear Marip... Osprey Exos Pro 55 Adventure Equipment... Gossamer Gear Murmu...
Comfort (40%)
10.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
Ease of Use (25%)
9.0
10.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Weight-to-Volume Ratio (20%)
5.0
8.0
5.0
7.0
10.0
Adjustability (15%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
Specs Gossamer Gear Goril... Gossamer Gear Marip... Osprey Exos Pro 55 Adventure Equipment... Gossamer Gear Murmu...
Measured weight 31.1 oz 32.6 oz 33.2 oz 31.4 oz 12.5 oz
Weight per liter (full pack) 0.62 oz/L 0.54 oz/L 0.60 oz/L 0.50 oz/L 0.35 oz/L
Advertised volume 50 L 60 L 55 L 63 L 36 L
Stripped weight 17.2 oz 18.0 oz 30.4 oz 20.4 oz 9.0 oz
Measured volume (main compartment) 39 L 42 L 33 L 41 L 29 L
Main pack pockets 4 5 3 3 3
Lid (aka brain) Yes Yes Yes No No
Hydration compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Single side pocket 700ml Smartwater capacity 3 5 5 N/A N/A
Hip belt pockets 2 2 2 2 2
Single hip belt pocket capacity 5 Clif Bars 5 Clif Bars 4 Clif Bars 8 Clif Bars 2 Clif Bars
Able to strip off frame and hip belt Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Mix & match hip belt sizes M
(S & L sold separately)
M
(S & L sold separately)
No XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL No
Shoulder strap pockets No No No No No
Whistle on sternum strap Yes Yes Yes No No
BearVault BV500 compatibility Ok Good Good Ok No
Sizes available S, M, L S, M, L S/M, L/XL S, M, L, XL One size
Frame type SitLight foam pad / removable stay SitLight foam pad / removable stay 3.5 mm powder-coated LightWire frame Simple frame - 1.2 oz carbon fiber / Delrin active suspension hoop Removable foam pad
Fabric 100D & 70D Robic nylon 100D & 200D Robic nylon NanoFly: 100D nylon x 200D UHMWPE ripstop Ultra 400, Ultra 200 30D Condura & 70D Robic nylon

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla earned high scores for both load-carrying comfort and durability. Its weight-to-volume ratio is compelling, and its feature set includes all the pockets and straps we consider most useful. The latest version of the Gorilla features an updated lid.

Performance Comparison


gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - nothing reminds us of the joy of sweet simplicity than a good walk...
Nothing reminds us of the joy of sweet simplicity than a good walk in the woods with a lightweight, highly functional pack like the Gorilla 50.
Credit: Justin Simoni

Comfort


The Gorilla is exceptionally comfortable. The shoulder straps, hip belt, and back padding do a great job transferring load weight off your shoulders and onto your hips.


The internal upside-down U-frame works better than single stays, keeping the bag from expanding and pressing into your back. It also gives the pack horizontal and vertical stiffness where you need it. The recommended load limit is 30 pounds, and our tests, both in the lab and out in the field, proved this is more than reasonable and perfect for this pack with a 50-liter advertised volume.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - the gorilla, all packed up with equipment and five days of food for...
The Gorilla, all packed up with equipment and five days of food for a 250-mile wintertime section hike on the Appalachian Trail. The total weight is 24 pounds: 9 pounds of food and fuel, 1 liter of water, and a 13-pound base weight.
Credit: Brandon Lampley

With the hip belt and back padding removed, you can still comfortably carry a load of less than 15 pounds. Our testers found that weight was comfortable enough with the padding and hip belt removed. As the back panel padding is simply inserted into mesh pockets, you can also insert your own padding instead — whether to make the pack more comfortable or lighten your load by sticking your closed-cell sleeping pad in there while you hike. The shoulder straps lack load lifters, which is somewhat disappointing, but we found the beefy shoulder straps adequate at distributing the portion of the load on your shoulders.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - the gorilla can fit three 700 ml smartwater bottles in each of its...
The Gorilla can fit three 700 ml Smartwater bottles in each of its two side pockets.
Credit: Justin Simoni

Ease of Use


Some of the standout features of the Gorilla are also the easiest to use. The generous exterior pockets had us dreaming up trips where we could put all our essentials for the day in them and never have to open up the main pack body — such luxury!


The excellently designed load-bearing system's upside-down U-frame, the replaceable or customizable back padding, and the comfy hip belt were easy to dial in for our own body and gave us confidence off the deck to carry our kit to the ends of the earth if needed. Compression straps and a huge center pocket allow the Gorilla to easily scale up and down in volume. The hip pockets provide a home for maps, snacks, and your camera within easy reach.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - the side straps on the gorilla help cinch down the main pack body's...
The side straps on the Gorilla help cinch down the main pack body's load. This is important as the top flap won't compress the pack like a roll-top would.
Credit: Jane Jackson

The throwback knapsack-style top lid may be the most polarizing feature of this pack: you're either going to love it or question why Gossamer Gear didn't opt for a roll-top like so many of its competitors. However, we soon found ourselves feeling relieved that every time we opened the pack, we didn't have to unroll the top, grab the gear we were searching for, then re-roll up the top. It's safe to say that our love of the Gorilla top flap has grown on us.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - the gorilla is modular, allowing you to separate and use the main...
The Gorilla is modular, allowing you to separate and use the main pack body apart from the hip belt, back padding, and metal frame.
Credit: Justin Simoni

Weight-to-Volume Ratio


The Gossamer Gear Gorilla weighs 31.1 ounces or 882 grams, with a total volume of 50 liters.


It is quite modular, allowing you to remove many components to shed weight, including the back padding, aluminum frame, and hip belt. The weights for all these parts are:
  • Main pack body: 17.2 oz (488 g)
  • Hip belt: 7.5 oz (214 g)
  • Back padding: 3.4 oz. (95 g)
  • Aluminum frame: 3 oz (86 g)

We used ping pong balls to measure the internal volume of the main pack body. With the top flap securely closed and not overstuffed, we measured the main compartment at approximately 39 liters. We also measured the approximate volumes of the other pockets. The center pocket is about 5.4 liters, each of the two side pockets is about 3.7 liters, the top flap pocket is roughly 3.4 liters, and each of the two hip belt pockets is about 1.7 liters (or 5 Clif Bars each). Combined, the Gorilla has an approximate total volume of around 53.2 liters.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - replace the included back padding with your own closed-cell foam...
Replace the included back padding with your own closed-cell foam sleeping pad to free up some internal space and shed a few grams.
Credit: Justin Simoni

By comparing the measured weight of the Gorilla (with all its components intact) to its advertised total volume, we calculated its weight-to-volume ratio at 0.62 ounces per liter. This is about average among the ultralight backpacks we tested. The Gorilla keeps weight low by incorporating flyweight 100D and 200D Robic nylon. Some of the features that make this pack comfortable, like the hip belt and back padding, add weight. But as we've said, these features are optional. You can even replace the back padding with a closed-cell foam sleeping pad to serve two functions like a true ultralight traveler.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - the pu coating on the robic ripstop nylon is water resistant under a...
The PU coating on the Robic ripstop nylon is water resistant under a light rain fall, but you'll want either a more burly pack cover or an internal pack liner to really make things protected from the elements.
Credit: Justin Simoni

Adjustability


The Gorilla is easy to adjust to different body shapes and sizes. Its shoulder straps are well-padded and fit most people — though here again, we miss how the lacking load lifters would have hugged our gear to our back. The hip belt fits a wide range of body types.


With a removable back panel, it's easy to swap out for padding that better fits your body or your packing style. The Gorilla's included panel is thin and easily conforms to the shape of your back and your gear. Depending on how you like to pack, the Gorilla's aluminum U-frame can also be removed, allowing further customization of its fit and final shape.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - this hip belt feels great worn snuggly on our lead tester's narrow...
This hip belt feels great worn snuggly on our lead tester's narrow hips. The adjustable webbing also affords plenty of flexibility when it comes to customizing comfort and fit.
Credit: Justin Simoni

Smaller loads are kept secure and compressed with the side cinch straps. As a 50-liter pack, it's perhaps slightly less ideal for smaller missions like casual day hikes. On the other hand, if those short hikes require specialized gear — like climbing equipment or snow paraphernalia — this extra space may be precisely what you need for your daytime adventure.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - the gorilla is fully loaded with large external pockets.
The Gorilla is fully loaded with large external pockets.
Credit: Jane Jackson

Should You Buy the Gossamer Gear Gorilla?


With great features and a durable aluminum frame for carrying comfort, the Gorilla truly is one of the best and most adaptable ultralight models we tested. With a fairly reasonable price tag for such a specialized piece of gear full of impressive lightweight technology, it's also a great value for just about any ultralight hiker.

gossamer gear gorilla 50 ultralight backpack review - the gorilla is durable and versatile, carrying both heavy and light...
The Gorilla is durable and versatile, carrying both heavy and light loads with ease.
Credit: Nick Sullens

What Other Ultralight Backpack Should You Consider?


If you love everything about the Gorilla but crave a little more internal volume (and more external volume as a bonus!), look no further than the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, which has 60 liters of advertised volume over the Gorilla's 50 liters. If you're a fan of super-useful features, the Osprey Exos Pro 55 is a similarly-sized pack that manages to squeeze in many of the same details as a regular backpacking pack but at an ultralight weight.

Jane Jackson, Brandon Lampley & Justin Simoni