Gossamer Gorilla Pack Problems/Questions

This is a fairly common issue I am a bit surprised it didn't come up in nay of the reviews your read). If you search BPL you will also find some threads on this subject and what some people have done about it. I have a GGG and found the same problem. To counter it I always wear something with a collar and I have also made the foam inserts less wide near their top – by cutting some of the foam away.

Overall I have found the GGG a very comfy pack. However, GG definitely need to address this issue.

Ya this is a very common problem people have complained about. To be honest though it has not really bothered me. I do not wear a collared shirt so I just make sure that my shirt is between my neck and the strap and I have been fine.

Thank you for the quick reply. I too am shocked I've never read of this. I feel this is a deal breaker. Is this found in every GG pack? Strange that they do not address it.

I have only used the Gorilla so I do not know if the other packs are similar. I think that the straps on the small torso size are narrower and have the foam sewn in. I'm not sure if this is something they could do for you or not.

The shoulder straps are wider than on most other packs, and for some people it can cause the issue you mentioned. The solution is to replace the padding in both shoulder straps with foam insulation tubes shown in the photo below, which you can get at a hardware store.

The tubes will make the shoulder straps narrower for a much better fit.

Some people put tubes of CCF pipe insulation into the straps rather than the CCF pads that come with the pack. They round out the straps and help to make them narrower. Glen goes into it in the GG site, pack video.

edit: Ceph seems to have beat me to it.

which is why i sound like a broken record when i say "fit fit fit, try try try" whenever i see everyone and their dog recommending their favorite UL brand pack on those threads

no amount of great reviews or UL faith will make a pack fit you … especially when u dont have the ability to try it on

while i dont think theres anything wrong with buying from cottage manuf as long as you can return the pack … buying packs at REI/other stores do have the advantage of being able to try on the pack, and in REIs case return it for any reason at all

bottom line … get the pack that fits you, not what others want you to buy …

Ive done enough research on it too to know its a common complaint. Even discussed in the video on the GG website. Some trim the foam padding inside the straps, or use the pipe insul as padding to help the issue.

It also will depend on how close to your back and how high the pack rides.

Not the only pack or mfg to have this issue either, but seems to be the worst instance of it.

They offer a narrow strap option I think because of this, and the narrow straps are standard on the small torso size.

@ Chase: "Is this found in every GG pack?"

I have an '08 model Mariposa Plus. Yes, the straps are wide, the same as yours. I knew this before purchase from info on Gossamer's site and thought that the pipe insulation idea would work so I bought anyway. It works perfectly. No rubbing, ever. Overall, I couldn't be happier with my pack and would buy it again if in the market!

Is this a problem that 'corrected' design would fix? I suppose, but I haven't talked with Grant or others; perhaps there are other design considerations.

While I agree that one shouldn't have to fix a new product to make it right, do you tweek your other gear? Maybe it'll help to think of the pipe insulation as just customizing another piece of gear?? :-D

Happy Trails.

I have a Gorilla. I cut the foam in the strap to a more narrow width near the neck. This caused the foam to drop down too far in the strap, so I put an appropriate piece of 1/4" foam from an old sleeping pad in the bottom of the strap.

Chase, email Grant at Gossamer Gear. I contacted him last week regarding the same problem with my new Gorilla. I asked him if he could

1. Alter the straps around the neck or
2. Could recommend an alteration service that could do it, or
3. Would he recommend NOT altering the shoulder straps around the neck and if not, why not.

He promptly replied, suggesting that I mark the straps where I want them cut out, send the pack back to him, and he would send it out to someone who does alterations for him. He indicated that, depending on where I marked the straps, they may have to permanently close the velcro pad opening, permanently fixing the padding in the strap. The way I drew it, he will not have to mess with the velcro opening at all.

I offered to pay the alteration expense but Grant has not responded to that offer so I don't know if I will owe him anything or not. I have sent the pack off but have not gotten it back yet. I will get back with this thread when I get my pack back to let you know how it worked out. I'll also include a photo.

Grant also indicated that he has gotten the same feedback from several customers and is looking at making a change to the straps in the future. I am not sure when that will be, however. But thus far I am very pleased once again with the great response and service that Grant and the guys at Gossamer Gear provide. Frankly, if they are to remain a player in the ultralight gear arena, they have to provide great products AND great service. I do see the shoulder straps as a problem with the Gorilla pack but Gossamer Gear is very cooperative about finding a solution to their current customer's concerns!

I just purchased the Gorilla after reading many great reviews and have the same problem. However if you have a wide neck/shoulders it isn't just a minor comfort issue – its a huge deal breaker that ruins an otherwise great pack. I have worn a lot of backpacks over the years and I have to say these are some of the least comfortable straps ever.

Just emailed GG about it. I have no doubt their customer service is great, but I'm really not interested in fiddling around with alterations. If its such a known issue they should fix it. Perhaps I'm just a bit annoyed because I specifically asked them about fit issues for people with broad shoulders and they did not mention it. I'm not trying to insuate I was deceived or anything to that effect, it just seems like a really lousy shoulder strap design. I want to like this pack but it's too painful to wear.

Pack fit is almost as individual as shoe fit. You will probably have to try a number of different packs with your gear plus the equivalent in weight/volume of a week's food, and be prepared to pay return shipping for those which don't work for you. When I was looking for a lightweight pack, I was prepared to do just that. I was just extremely fortunate that the first pack I ordered (SMD Comet, now discontinued) fit me as though it were custom made. Chances are probably about 95% that it won't!

That said, I've noticed the same problem with Gossamer Gear packs. Try the pipe insulation as suggested. If that doesn't work, send the pack back and order another brand. (You can always use the pipe insulation on your pipes if it doesn't work in the pack.)

Brian,

I understand your annoyance and frustration. When we spend weeks/months of our lives debating packs and pouring over reviews, receiving a product that you must first alter to get somewhat comfortable feels like we have been cheated. Sure, pack fit is like shoe fit, but this is not just pack fit, it is a design flaw. I was told by GG that I could return mine if it was unused. Unfortunately, by that point I had already taken it out in a rainy, muddy night to test how bad the neck chafing would be. So now I am dealing with it. Which sucks because everything else about the pack I love. Well, minus the front strap secure design which does not work correctly unless packed full.

My only suggestion and way I have gotten it to feel alright is:

Keep the padding GG gave you inside the straps, but also stuff an extra hiking sock in each strap. Play with different clothes that you are also bringing. Helps some.

Below is the email from GG, indicating that in 2012 they are changing things:

"Chase,

We do know that the shoulder straps affect the way it rides on some people. This does not occur in the majority of users. If you have been following
your own thread, you will see what some users have done to remedy the problem. If the pack is unused, and you want to send it back for a refund, Please feel free to do so.

When the 2012 model of the Gorilla comes out, the shoulder straps will be spread out further, and this will help some, and hinder others. The packs will not always fit every person comfortably, kinda like pants and shirts.

Once again, if you want to send it back, we would be happy to refund the order.

Please know that only two people handle day to day operations, and one has been out of the office this week."

Wish I could get my hands on the 2012 pack

Not that it will help or change your problem but I have a GG Mariposa Plus, a Gorilla and a Murmur. They all fit me great. I have no strap problems. Of the three the Gorilla is my go to pack and the most comfortable pack that I have ever owned (and I have owned about a dozen). The Murmur is a close second. Based on the information about the 2012 strap change I would be afraid of it for myself. I would be worried now that it would not fit me well at all considering how well the present model does fit. I am sorry that you are having such problems and I feel your frustration as I have been down that road with other gear including another well known pack. Good luck and I hope that you arrive at a workable solution.

What sizes are yours?

All three are larges.