Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight Backpack Evaluation

Backside Line

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 is considered one of our favourite ultralight backpacks, providing a formidable steadiness of consolation and minimal weight. After testing it for over 600 miles throughout assorted terrain—from the rugged Spanish Pyrenees to the Pacific Crest Path, Olympic Mountains, and Wonderland Path—we discovered it excels at masses as much as 25 kilos whereas offering options that improve the mountaineering expertise, like spacious hipbelt pockets, an revolutionary trekking pole attachment system, and an built-in sit pad.

The PVT body and well-padded hipbelt ship excellent consolation for an ultralight pack, protecting it comfy even when weighed down.

Whereas the recycled robic nylon building retains weight low, it requires cautious dealing with and extra waterproofing options. The distinctive two-step closure system could take some getting used to or a dealbreaker for some.

This pack affords glorious worth for minimalist backpackers who primarily stick with established trails and prioritize weight financial savings. Nonetheless, these planning frequent bushwhacks or requiring bombproof sturdiness ought to take into account extra strong choices from our information to the greatest ultralight backpacks.

consolation

Regardless of its ultralight design, the Gorilla 50 is a mushy and comfortable pack that excels at managing heavier masses. The PVT body system successfully transfers weight to the hips, and we discovered it remained comfy even approaching its 30-pound max capability. The padded hipbelt is stitched with breathable mesh over ample padding. 

The shoulder straps are constructed equally, and so they distribute weight evenly throughout the shoulders with out creating stress factors, even after consecutive lengthy days. Not like some ultralight packs that sacrifice consolation for weight financial savings, the Gorilla 50 balances each fantastically.

One consolation situation value noting: the sting of the again panel can create pack rash, notably in sizzling climate. Whereas this didn’t considerably influence our general expertise, it’s one thing to think about if you happen to’re delicate to pack rubbing. Regardless of this minor downside, the Gorilla 50 delivers excellent consolation for an ultralight pack, particularly when loaded underneath 25 kilos.

Performance

The Gorilla 50 incorporates a number of distinctive design components that set it other than most ultralight packs. Most notably, the closure system makes use of a particular two-step fold-top design. This enclosure is unique to Gossamer Gear and is a polarizing function. It takes some getting used to and turns into intuitive with some follow, nevertheless it eliminates the choice for a high strap. 

One other function unique to Gossamer Gear is their model of trekking pole holders. The attachment factors have been upgraded this 12 months, offering significantly better safety and ease of use than earlier Gorilla fashions. 

One of many coolest design options is the removing sit pad built-in into the again panel.

The entrance mesh pocket supplies beneficiant storage for moist gear or objects you want fast entry to all through the day. The aspect pockets strike an excellent steadiness between accessibility and safety – whereas not the best to achieve whereas carrying the pack, they’re manageable for grabbing water bottles on the go.

The Gorilla has two very satisfying hipbelt pockets. Made out of a mushy, pliable materials, they’re notably spacious and straightforward to function with one hand. We normally haven’t any downside becoming an entire day’s value of snacks in them. 

The inclusion of load lifters provides one other layer of performance, permitting you to dial within the match and shift weight distribution as wanted all through your hike.

Water Resistance

The Gorilla 50 prioritizes light-weight efficiency over climate safety, which turns into evident the second it begins raining. 

The recycled robic nylon is minimally proof against water. Throughout our testing, we observed that water first breaches the seams and soaks via the material shortly thereafter. Water made it into the pack throughout however was the worst on high. 

Not like rivals utilizing waterproof supplies like Dyneema Composite Cloth, Gossamer Gear opts for softer, extra pliable supplies that improve consolation and scale back weight however sacrifice water resistance. 

This design alternative means you’ll want so as to add waterproofness with a pack liner or pack cowl. Many skilled backpackers favor utilizing a pack liner no matter their pack’s water resistance. 

Though the Gorilla 50 affords just about no inherent safety from rain or water crossings, the robic nylon could be very light-weight and dries rapidly.

Development

This pack could be very light-weight, saving materials reinforcement solely the place it’s essential – the underside, straps, and hipbelt. The pack’s essential physique is constructed of 70 denier recycled robic nylon. Gossamer gear makes use of the 70D nylon on the elements of the pack that don’t see a variety of put on to shed weight.

 In locations that see probably the most put on like the underside panel, hip belt, shoulder straps, and the underside of the entrance mesh pocket, 100D robic nylon is added to extend thickness and minimize down on abrasion.

The areas most liable to put on are the mesh zones on the entrance pocket and the sit pad inserts. After a number of hundred miles of utilization, we observed some small holes and tears creating within the mesh.

Gossamer gear packs are greatest for on-trail, long-distance hikers as they prioritize weight financial savings over sturdiness. To get probably the most out of those packs, they should be handled with care, taking warning when setting them down on the bottom and stuffing objects into the mesh pocket.

Ought to You Purchase The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack?

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 hits a candy spot for ultralight backpackers who need a comfy pack with out the burden penalty.

Its PVT body system and well-padded hipbelt comfortably carry masses as much as 25-30 kilos, making it ultimate for minimalist thru-hikers and weekend warriors alike. The pack affords considerate options like spacious hipbelt pockets, an revolutionary trekking pole attachment system, and a detachable sit pad within the again panel.

This isn’t the pack for tough bushwhacking, dragging over scree, or persistently moist circumstances. The light-weight robic nylon building prioritizes weight financial savings over sturdiness and water resistance, requiring cautious dealing with and extra waterproofing options. The distinctive two-step closure system and delicate mesh pocket may additionally be deal breakers for some customers.

For many who stick with established trails and recognize minimalist design, the Gorilla 50 is a superb worth. It packs a ton of helpful options into an inexpensive worth level whereas protecting the general weight low.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Think about?

When you’re after one thing a bit of extra sturdy or waterproof, there are higher choices on our full information to ultralight backpacking backpacks.

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Evaluation: The Mariposa is the large brother of the Gorilla 50. It makes use of the identical supplies and building philosophies however is upgraded with 10 extra liters of capability and bigger pockets all through.

REI Flash Air 50 Evaluation: When you’re not fairly able to decide to the ultralight model of Gossamer Gear packs, the REI Flash Air 50 is a superb crossover pack with an excellent sturdy hipbelt and again panel. 

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Evaluation: The HMG Southwest cures a lot of the potential deal breakers of the Gorilla 50 however with fewer options. It’s supremely waterproof, has 5 extra liters of quantity, and a extra conventional roll-top enclosure.