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
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Review
Delivers a perfect set of features, plenty of pockets, comfortable straps, and carries well, all at an affordable price
The Gorilla is a smaller-capacity ultralight pack with a reasonable price tag.
Credit: Justin Simoni
RELATED: Best Ultralight Backpack of 2024
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 ultralight backpack review.
Editor's Note: The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 released an updated version in April 2024. It now sports more hip belt options, updated back padding, and a refined aluminum frame.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang For Your Buck |  Best Overall Ultralight Backpack |  Best for Long Distance Thru-Hikes | Best High-Capacity Pack | |
| Price | $275 List | $315 List | $369 List $369.00 at Hyperlite Mountain Gear | $275 List $275.00 at Amazon | $70 List $39.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | One of our favorites that scores highly in all metrics, is comfortable and versatile, and has just enough features for a reasonable cost | As an all-around great pack, it can carry large and light loads with ease, has plenty of external storage options, and is super comfortable | An excellent lightweight pack with a multitude of external storage space options to complement its main pack compartment | This ultralight pack shines for carrying large loads, especially when comfort is paramount | This pack tries hard to deliver on its promise of a inexpensive ultralight backpack, but falls short of the mark |
| Rating Categories | Gossamer Gear Goril... | Gossamer Gear Marip... | Hyperlite Mountain... | Six Moon Designs Sw... | Homiee 50L with Rai... |
| Comfort (40%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight-to-Volume Ratio (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Gossamer Gear Goril... | Gossamer Gear Marip... | Hyperlite Mountain... | Six Moon Designs Sw... | Homiee 50L with Rai... |
| Measured weight | 31.1 oz | 32.6 oz | 34.6 oz | 38.0 oz | 31.7 oz |
| Weight per liter (full pack) | 0.62 oz/L | 0.54 oz/L | 0.87 oz/L | 0.76 0z/L | 0.63 oz/L |
| Advertised volume | 50 L | 60 L | 40 L | 50 L | 50 L |
| Stripped weight | 17.2 oz | 18.0 oz | 26.0 oz | 27.8 oz | 29.8 oz |
| Measured volume (main compartment) | 39 L | 42 L | 35 L | 55 L | 32 L |
| Organization compartments | Lid, side pockets, center pocket, dual zippered pockets on hip belt, main compartment | Lid, side pockets, center pocket, dual zippered pockets on hip belt, main compartment | Side pockets, center pocket, dual zippered pockets on hip belt, bottom stash pocket, main compartment | Main compartment, stretchy side pockets, stretchy center pocket, dual hip belt pockets, running vest pockets, internal water resevoir pocket | Non-removable lid, mesh side pockets, center pocket, dual zippered pockets on hip belt, sleeping bag compartment |
| Hydration compatible? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Single side pocket 700ml Smartwater capacity | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Single hip belt pocket capacity | 5 Clif Bars | 5 Clif Bars | 6 Clif Bars | 8 Clif Bars | 3 Clif Bars |
| Able to strip off frame and hip belt? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Whistle on sternum strap? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| BearVault BV500 compatibility | Ok | Good | Ok | Good | No |
| Sizes available | Torso: S, M, L Hip Belt: S/M curved (M/L curved and S, M, and L straight sold separately) |
Torso: S, M, L Hip Belt: S/M curved (M/L curved and S, M, and L straight sold separately) |
Torso: S, M, L, Tall Hip Belt: M (S & L sold separately) |
Torso: Adjustable, 4 lengths Hip Belt: S, M, L Shoulder Straps: Vest, Classic Shoulder, S-Curve Shoulder |
Torso: One size |
| Frame type | SitLight foam pad / removable stay | SitLight foam pad / removable stay | 1 removable aluminum stay, embedded, non-removable foam pad | Delrin hoop stay frame | None |
| Fabric | 100D & 70D Robic nylon | 100D & 200D Robic nylon | 150D DCH fabric, Dyneema Stretch Mesh, Hardline with Dyneema | Main body: 100D Robic nylon, Pockets: Ultra Stretch |
420D lattice nylon & 420D plain nylon |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
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
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.
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 the 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. We found the beefy shoulder straps adequate at distributing the portion of the load on your shoulders. We're happy the newest version has added in sorely needed load lifters.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Load lifters help hug our gear to our back when needed. 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.
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.
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.
The Gorilla is durable and versatile, carrying both heavy and light loads with ease.
Credit: Nick Sullens
What Other Ultralight Backpacks 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, check out the Osprey Exos Pro 55. It's a similarly-sized pack to the Gorilla but it manages to squeeze in many of the same details as a regular backpacking pack while still maintaining an ultralight weight. If you would like to cut a little more weight from your backpacking rig but still demand a comfortable carrying system, check out the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra. It uses a lightweight yet strong Ultra 100X and curved carbon stay frame for added support and superior ventilation.
—Jane Jackson, Brandon Lampley & Justin Simoni
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