GG Gorilla received – sizing question (among others)

not sure what you mean by shoulders not on the straps. Are the connections where the straps are sewn at your shoulders higher than the tops of your shoulders so that the back and half of the top of your straps do not contact your shoulders? If so, it may be too big, or it may be that the pack is empty and you are not wearing it low enough on your hips. What happens when you let the slack out of the straps? I suggest loading the pack if you haven't and playing with hip belt placement. Ideally it will be around 90* or directly over your shoulder, maybe slightly below. if it connects lower than this, or much higher, you might need a different size. Others who know more about fit should chime in here shortly.

Interesting that you say that…my gorilla fits me the same way (at least what I'm picturing…). At first I thought it was a mistake, but wow does it carry nicely!

For me, the straps are nearly perpendicular to my shoulders, so the only real contact seems to be the front of my shoulders. When fully loaded it does sink ever so slightly, but it definitely carries all on my hips and feels great on my back and shoulders (where I usually blister with most packs I've carried).

Mine does not have a hydration sleeve. But it's a 2012.

"Is there supposed to be a built-in hydration bladder sleeve with this pack? I thought I remember this on the description somewhere. Anyone?"

It is not in the description anywhere. It does mention a grossgrain loop on the shoulder strap for holding a drinking tube, perhaps that's what you're thinking of.

My 2013 Gorilla does not have a hydration sleeve, but it does have a small loop from which to hang a hydration bladder.

David, any chance you could post a couple of pics? A bit of extra height can be desirable on long days on the trail where there is some torso collapse and belt slip. Too much height can be an issue, however.

I have a 2012 and it had a hydration sleeve. Never used it so I removed it. Here is a link to the original product announcement and it lists "an inegrated hydration sleeve."

http://gossamergear.com/wp/buzz-blog/product-announcement-the-2012-gorilla-is-here

Maybe they dropped that feature for the 2013 models.

I have a 2013 GG Gorilla size Medium and have had the same thoughts as David..my torso length is 18.5in…..the point where the straps connect to the pack is slightly higher than my shoulders with a light load and about level with my shoulders with a heavier load. I questioned the fit and considered trying a small but the medium pack carries very comfortably so i am staying with the medium sizing for the moment.

"the point where the straps connect to the pack is slightly higher than my shoulders with a light load and about level with my shoulders with a heavier load."

Garth, that fit is actually the theoretical ideal I think, for a pack. I'm jealous. So no worries on that account! Ultimately it is how it feels to *you* when loaded with your usual gear.

Hi Mark,

Your right…it feels comfortable hence I am sticking with the sizing…thx for your comments…cheers!

I recently bought an L Gorilla from a BPL member. I measured my torso at 18.5 to 19.5, depending on how I did it. Same thing for me, the straps come off just about horizontal from my shoulders, maybe a slight angle up. I attached the hipbelt just a little higher than normal to lower the pack body, and with some weight the straps come off my shoulder just a little below horizontal. Haven't hiked with it yet, so I hope it works this way. My biggest concern is that the inside of the straps tend to rub a little against my neck, and I don't have a thick neck by any stretch of the imagination.

Stephen,

I was a little confused by your post. You said you *raised* the hipbelt to lower the pack. I had to do the opposite. In order to get the shoulder straps to have full contact with my shoulders, I had to loosen the hipbelt, but then it ended up sitting too low. Here are the pics as promised.

Yes – by those pics I believe the torso size to be a bit long given where the hipbelt is.

Mchale likes his packs with the guide harness to be worn like this with the shoulder straps up at an angle but it is not comfortable (the straps can rub your neck) nor effective (the shoulder straps can't offset belt slip over a long day).

Does GG offer a shorter torso size?

Looks a bit tall. Two things to consider before you send it back for a small.

The hipbelt can be moved up a hair, as all it's held in place with is velcro. Only do this if doing so meshes well with how the curve in the stay interfaces with your lumbar curve. A good meld between stay shape and lumbar is the most important thing for heavier loads.

Size the pack with actual hiking weight. There will be some collapse under real world conditions.

GG torso sizing is accurate. Almost every other pack makers is not, which leads to some confusion.

I know I've been in the "ideally should be level" camp, but hardly any packmakers, even the cottage industry ones, allow for custom changes in the shoulder strap attachment or major torso length adjustments. It would require too may things to change ,I think. So it seems like people might to have to just swallow being off by an inch or so, though it does look like David might need the next size down.

Given this what do people think is better, slightly too short or slightly too long? I think I'm going with slightly too short (the traditional answer), at least if there are load lifters. Still in a LW pack (and especially a LW load)it should not make much of a difference either way. Is there an argument that with no load lifters the correct answer is "slightly too long"?

"Is there an argument that with no load lifters the correct answer is "slightly too long"?"

Yes, absolutely. The slightly longish packs tend to place most of the weight on your hip belt. Carrying 10-15 pounds, it really doesn't matter, though.

Loosening the shoulder straps will allow the pack to pivot away from your back…much cooler in summer on fairly level trails, though for fairly steep ascents or descents, you might want to tighten it up to prevent swaying.

David,

Regarding proper fit, when I tension the shoulder straps to the proper length and loosen my hip belt, with a weighted pack, should the hip belt automatically fall into place around my hips? I've read that the correct way is to buckle your hip belt first and then tension your shoulder straps, but when I do this, I don't get full wrap around my shoulders as you can see in the pics above.

My hunch is that a properly sized pack should sit at the same spot on your torso regardless of whether the hip belt is secured or not. Is this correct?

Sorry I wasn't clear, David. As someone else has already clarified, the hipbelt can be attached a little higher on the pack body (by up to about an inch), which will in turn lower the pack by the same amount when you wear it with the belt at the proper location on your hips. Of course this will change where the stay loads up on your backside, so it may not work for you.