Thoughts on Gossamer Gear

"Packs have made some trade off between weight and durability, thus becoming heavier with each generation. "

I think that's a pretty common thing as the makers get reports of real world failures and see what it adds up to in replacement costs…

billy

I don’t know all the ins and outs of GG production, but my pack has a “made in USA” label sewn into it.

I notice that GG has replaced the cords that used to secure the folded down top with more conventional nylon webbing. I believe some people thought the cords were too fiddly, although I think they’re fine.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog

I used the 1st gen gorilla to shreds (ice tools & ski carries did it in), and loved it. I picked up the new 3rd gen & its way more refined, comfortable & seemingly more durable. I want to compare it to another pack before I decide if I'll keep it, but in my opinion the improvements are well worth the small weight creep. The new contoured shoulder straps are some of the better ones of seen on a light pack & it carries a 30 + lb load very comfortably. Its a really nice pack.

Hey Serge, does your new Gorilla have a tag inside that says made in Vietnam?

I've got a brand new Mariposa, which I love by the way….the tag inside says made in Mexico with American components.

…

In the Gear Deals Forum I described their new packs as more "fussy." There is the "Over The Top" pack closure "system." I just want a pack that closes, not a "system." How about a simple roll-top? I also don't want a "system" that is really a flap with a lame little zipper pocket in it. I don't want to buy a separate detachable hip belt, I want my $210 pack to COME with a hip belt, not pay $30 for one. IF I want my detachable hip belt to have pockets I would order pockets. I don't want "trekking pole hardware" or a "grosgrain drinking tube keeper loop." Seriously, a "grosgrain drinking tube keeper loop"?!

Each little tweak, each little addition on it's own is no big deal, but they start to add up and the weight creeps up. I liked my old Murmur, G4 and Mariposa. Clean, simple, minimalistic, light and cheap. Remember their old slogan, "Lightweight and Affordable Gear"? They did cost a lot less. All those upgraded fabrics and grosgrain drinking tube keeper loops keep the price creeping up. They are also being made out of the US now. Why would I buy a new GG pack when I can order from MLD and Ron Bell? I will get a pack that is better made, lighter, made in America by a guy who answers my emails. It will also cost less. That used to be GG. GG made a packing error in my last order and it took a bunch of off putting emails from "customer service" to finally get it worked out. Can you imagine getting a rude email from Ron Bell or Joe Valesko? Remember when Golite made simple, light, affordable packs like the Breeze and the Gust? Where is Golite now? GG lost me with that flappy pocket closure system thing.

Thanks for the feedback Edward, that's exactly the kind of information I was looking for, as far as the "cons" side goes.

I have used a 2012 Dyneema Gorilla extensively over the past two years and have to agree on the goofy over the top closure. I don't see the point of it, but it is something I got use to and it stop bothering me after some time. The over all fit and comfort of the pack, however, is just spot on for me. That fact alone is what kept me using the pack, even after trying a number of others. I am also one of those people who the wide flat shoulder straps worked very well, I find them quite comfortable.

Interesting on the customer service feedback, although I have not personally had to utilize GG customer service, I have read other's reports of negative experience that mirror your own. I'd say that is something they really need to look at and take seriously.

I do remember the "affordable" days of GG. You would think with the outsourcing of production they would be able to drop the price a bit instead of increasing it. Although looking at other packs I would consider in a somewhat similar class, their prices are in line with ULA and SMD.

Disclamer-I'm NOT a GG Ambassador and I respect peoples right to their opinions, and thus, have no qualms about offering my own…

I love GG. I don't use the current packs because I find the G4 to be, for me, the best pack ever designed. If I catch wind that GG ever plans to discontinue the G4, I will buy 3 THAT DAY! Why? because I'm 47 now, and I get 10 years out of each one, and I plan to hike with a G4 til I'm 87! If you check my history over in gear swap, you'll see I sold a ULA OLM 2.0 last year. Nice pack, but not even close to my G4!

I've only contacted GG customer service 2 times over 12 years and probably 20 orders. The first time, I wanted a One Shelter and the website said it was sold out. Emailed them, and BAM! they had one for me, and put it in the mail that day. Yes, I understand that was 4 years ago. Don't care, though…. my experience says that was an A+. The other time, about 2 years ago, I asked them if they would make me a G5 even though its been out of production for several years. They said NO. I suppose I could have got my feelings hurt because they didn't hook up a loyal customer, but I decided to suck it up and found one here on Gear Swap. Do they get an F for not hooking me up? Nope… I'll give that experience a B+ because the response was prompt, professional, definitive, and NOT UNREASONABLE.

As for overbuilt packs, with added features you may or may not want, that's easy! It's your pack, cut-off or remove whatever you don't want. Don't want those trekking pole holders? Get out your scizzors! Don't like the over the top closure? That's easy too… buy a G4!

"As for overbuilt packs, with added features you may or may not want, that's easy! It's your pack, cut-off or remove whatever you don't want."

Exactly. +1

Gotta say I LOVE my murmur hyperlight which I have used for the last year or so. I also got myself a G4 for winter use which I plan to use plenty this upcoming winter. I did email GG about buying it with custom side pockets but they replied no. Oh well, I figured it out and made it work. I happen to love the option of buying a pack with or without hipbelts..As I do not use or need the hipbelts since my pack weight is so low. The prices seem fair to me..the 2 packs I own from them were relatively lower priced then other packs I have owned from Granite Gear and ULA. I like my murmur hyperlight so much that I plan on buying 1 or 2 more for future use in case they do stop producing them…and after using my G4 this winter if I am as happy as I think I will be..I may buy 1 or 2 more of them also..

When I was hiking the pct this year I encountered a lot of dissatisfaction with Gossamer Gear from hikers. Their God awful communication is enough to deter me. One of my good buddies that I hiked more than halfway with broke one of his trekking poles and tried many many times to contact them for a replacement. Phone, email whatever. Never got ahold of them.

I also don't like the direction they went with their company. I was able to see some gossamer gear packs at pct kickoff and the materials like the webbing felt cheap and things like the closure system and zipper were super gimmicky. I miss their old designs, which were light and well thought out.

Just to clarify, the new murmur has no shoulder padding and weighs about 11oz with little strap belt and has a max carry load of 25lbs.

The MLD burn weighs 12 oz with a somewhat padded hip belt the best shoulder straps I've ever felt and can carry up to 50lbs. (Not advised)

The burn is also made in the USA only cost $28 more than a murmur.

Just my .02

Looks like P Mags got dumped by Gossamer Gear recently too. http://www.pmags.com/brand-ambassador-no-more http://carrotquinn.com/2015/02/07/long-distance-hiking-has-no-brand-some-thoughts-on-sponsorship/ Their website only shows about 15 people as being "brand" ambassadors now, so maybe they dumped alot of people. Does that mean business is good and they don't need you anymore or does that mean business is not going so well and cost must be cut? I always dislike seeing gear recommended by those that have a conflict of interest (relationship with company) with no disclosure of the relationship. It cheapens these forums to allow it.

Never owned any of their products….but I did eyeball a pack or two of theirs at the OR show a couple yrs ago that were being used in another companies booth. I thought they were beautifully made, in every sense. And they felt good on me. I'm a bit put off with their shipping costs though…and honestly, though I'm sure people will argue…I'm turned off on the pricing of their pole grips. $22.50 for what looks identical to what Backpacking Light was selling for $10…or $6 if you were a member! Perhaps they were different. From the photos, they look the same: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/bpl_cork_pole_grips.html#.VeNTgJe23Yh And GG wants $8.99 to ship those grips. I ship stuff all the time…and I see what others charge…and that just seems excessive to me. I've seen a number of posts here in the past stating the same thing. Perhaps for some items, they have gotten better, I don't know.

BPL had those prices, a LONG time ago. BPL was also unable to run a profitable store and went out of business. Comparing a decade old price from a historic webpage vs the costs to buy today is hardly a fair comparison.

You're probably correct, Willie. But the shipping…I still think it's more than it needs/should be.

#ERROR!

…for no good or very apparent reason.JMO.

I just ordered a Gorilla and Mariposa to compare the two and shipping for both came to $8.99. I think that's extremely fair. They also answered my sizing questions and refunded the returned Mariposa (I settled on the Gorilla) very fast. I like how they refine their packs often and I still think GG is a fine business. Just my $.02

I was jumped into the GG cult years ago. Just bought a pack for my daughter. I have been happy with all of my purchases from GG Always feels good to support such a good company.

With postage some forget that when you have to pay other people to do the job, packing and posting costs more than the stamp on the parcel. Maybe they should use the E Bay way of doing things . Want free postage ? Here it is : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Camping-stove-Multi-Fuel-Outdoor-Camping-Stove-Backpacking-Cookware-Hiking-Kit-/221863425909?hash=item33a8173775 Stove $69 , free postage. Want the item for less and don't mind postage costs ? Go for this : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/multi-fuel-Camping-Stove-Outdoor-Sport-Hiking-Propane-Gas-Oil-Stove-/321636254454 Stove now only $57.96 plus $21.47 postage (same seller….) No , I don't know if that stove is any good.