Gossamer Gear Gorilla Backpack Review

One critique Don raised was that the Grosgrain loop on frontpanel interferes with tightening the top strap. This had been my experience until this past week. My pack was more filled that any other trip using the gorilla. This time, the ribbon wasn't getting in the way and it kept the strap from falling to the ground each time I unstrapped the top strap. When carrying a smaller load I had unrouted the ribbon so it ran over the top of the retaining ribbon.

–Mark

I know this is old thread, but I don't get back here often…

Maybe the Ohm I saw was a prototype (it is owned by a ULA employee), so it is possible the pockets are taller now than those I saw on the pack I was looking at. But those that I did see, were definately too small (short). I remember talking to the employee about them.

Im a tad confused here…the gorilla pack has an adjustable torso length or not? I also find it a great feature.

The Gorilla does not have an adjustable torso, but is sold in 3 sizes and you can choose between 3 interchangeable hipbelt sizes.

anyone using the neo air in the pad sleeve? if so, what are your thoughts?

also, has anyone taken the pack or checked it in at airports? I am taking a long trip to S. Asia and want to know how it is best transported abroad.

Thanks in advance. I do hope this pack is in stock soon, as I would love to get my hands on it.

Omar:

No direct experience but I would be extremely reluctant to check this pack at the airport — methinks there's a fair chance that straps and/or webbing belts can get caught in conveyor belts and tear off! And I doubt the mesh front pocket will last very long.

While this may be GG's toughest pack, it's still a very light weight pack — and if you plan on using bus/truck for transportation — know that luggage and packs often get tossed rudely into cargo holds or strapped atop the roof racks. I would be concerned with both the pack's light weight fabrics (esp. the mesh front pocket) and also the inability to lock down anything. Sometimes, folks sit atop bus roofs — and some are known to "pass the time" rummaging through packs belonging to rich, first world travelers.

Final point — this one is subjective — a one big hole style backpack can be great for hiking — but a pain in the behind for traveling. YMMV, of course.

If you aren't planning on any unsupported wild camping, I would highly recommend getting a smaller capacity travel pack — something with tougher fabrics, an extra compartment or two — and one that can be locked to discourage opportunistic thieves or just nosy people. Zippers — good quality ones — work much better than cords and straps when traveling.

The SMD Comet has removable stays. I know the Comet is not made anymore. However, the comet was available when the GG Gorilla was first introduced. I compared the packs and bought the Comet. Similar size, weight, price, removable stays, and adjustable torso.

How would you carry a full length sleeping pad with this pack (the full length NightLight, for example)? It won't fit in the sleeping pad pocket, and there are no straps at the bottom.

There is a 'Y' strap on the top.

I was planning on using the Y strap for a bear canister. I am looking at this pack for a 8-9 day trip, and I just can't see it being big enough if I have to put a sleeping pad or a bear canister inside. I suppose I'll just have to make do with a torso length sleeping pad.

Andrei,
The canister, being much heavier, will carry better inside than on top. Any pad, being light, though bulky, will do just fine on top.

What canister are you looking at?

Look Here to gain some other perspectives. The Ohm is similar in size to the Gorilla.

Greg,

Great thread, thanks for the link. I was about to give up on this pack, but I will now reconsider.

Bear canister – I was looking at the BearVault BV500, but I might actually get the Ursack S29. I have no experience with bear canisters, and very little with ultra light backpacking, and I'm not sure how many days worth of food I can fit in the Ursack (10.5L). Hopefully it will be enough for 9 days.

I use a Tarptent Moment for shelter. If I keep it in the stuff sack it came with, it looks like I might be able to carry it in one of the side pockets, and use the compression strap at the top to secure the other end. Alternatively, I can just take it out of the stuff sack and put it in the rear mesh pocket. It looks big enough for that.

Trekking poles – again, I'm a bit at a loss here. I plan to use adjustable poles, I suppose the side pocket / top compression strap combo could work.

Food – for 9 days, I will probably need around 15-16 lbs of food. Adding water, fuel and the rest of my gear (which is not all ultralight), I will be pushing 32-33 lbs. This seems to be at the upper end of the Gorilla carrying capacity. I was thinking of getting the hip belt / shoulder strap pockets and put some of the heavy / small stuff in there, which will take some of the weight off my back, but still leave me with 30 lbs. Has anyone tried the Gorilla with this weight?

I'm just throwing random ideas around, because I'm new to this, and I need to figure things out on paper before I commit and buy. Buying and returning is not a very good option for me either, I live in Canada, so shipping and customs for each package adds up to quite a lot.

Comments anyone?

Andrei,

"BearVault…Ursack…Canada…"

Where are the trips? Are black bears a problem? Grizz? Will you be camping in "popular spots" prone to bears problems, or in off-trail "seldom if ever used" places?

"I'm not sure how many days worth of food I can fit in the Ursack."

It certainly depends on your food "style". And using an OP sack inside (recommended) reduces what you can get in there, due to the OP closure. Also, your first day doesn't need to go in.

I struggle to get 8 days in a Ursack. For more than 7 or 8 days I now take 2 Ursacks, and split the food. It's adds weight, but makes packing Much easier.

My next trip is in Yukon, Kluane National Park, which is south of Alaska. Both grizzly and black bears. I wouldn't say they are a big problem in the area, and the camping will be entirely off trail – wilderness, to be exact. While that makes a bear encounter less likely, it also leaves me stranded if I lose my food, and I'm 3 days away from the exit point.

If you can only get 8 days into an Ursack, I can't expect to do any better. You seem to have been doing this for a while, and I'm just starting. However, after 2-3 days I will have consumed enough to fit all of my food inside, and during the first 3 days, whatever fits inside will be enough for me to bail out if I lose the rest.

Thanks for the answers, they help a lot.

Yep…I'd give a canister a strong consideration!

As for experience…I've got None in that country. But there are others lurking about who have plenty. Hopefully they will chime in.

I'm going to try the BV500 with my Gorilla this summer in the Sierra's for 7 days. I'm going to carry the canister empty on top using the Y straps (probably add some velcro to both). Food should fit fine in the pack with my gear, but will not have to deal with the bulk of the canister inside or heavy canister on top. Got the idea from some nice folks on this site.

Brad,

That sounds a lot like what I'm planning. What do you figure your pack will weigh, everything included? I'm trying to find someone who has used this pack with around 30 lbs, to see how it carries with this weight. I know +30 lbs is a long shot on these forums, but you never know…

The velcro sounds like a pretty good idea, by the way…

I'm between 30 and 31 pounds with 7 days of food. Base weight is around 14 pounds with the BV 450. I'm trying to see if two of us can get our food in 1 BV450 and 1 BV500.

I'm carrying a few extras like reading materials and probably have extra with some of my supplies (sunblock, TP, lighters, food, etc). My longest trip to date is 4 days, so this is new territory. I will learn from the trip and adjust accordingly.

I'm going the first week of August, so the weather will allow me to carry less clothes. For example:
– Rain gear: only bringing rain jacket (Marmot Mica)
– Layers: Golite short sleeve, thin smartwool long sleeve, Montbell EX
– Might bring one extra short sleeve shirt. On the list now
– Trail running shorts and a light pair of long pants to wear over them

i will carry my Marmot Hydrogen (30 degree) and that should be plenty with my layers. Based on past experience.

I will cook with the Caldera Keg and use the caddy for mug and freezer bag cooking.

Based on past use I should have room in the Gorilla for everything. I haven't carried over 20 lbs in the Gorilla, so I'm expecting the first couple of days to have some discomfort. Every day will get better and lighter.

That's the plan today, but I have several more months to adjust. I will also check the weather the day before flying out and adjust accordingly.

Have a great trip.

Brad,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, my trip got scrapped. I will be buying the Gorilla anyway, it looks like I might be able to squeeze in a shorter trip (5 days) later in the year. For 5 days I shouldn't have any issues with either space or weight.

I have a torso size of 19.5", so according to the sizing chart, I should be getting the Medium. However, I have been trying some Osprey Aether packs on, and the Large seemed to fit better. Their Medium is supposed to be good up to 20.5", and the Gorilla Medium only goes up to 20". Has anyone tried both packs? Is it a good idea to size the Gorilla based on how the Osprey fit?

"No pack you wear is going to prevent your back from sweating, I don't care how fancy it is or what it's made out of."

Of course it won't prevent your back from sweating, its what happens with that sweat thats important. I have owned a GoLite Jam2, Litespeed and a GG virga, and none of them comes close to the air circulation of my Exos (which replaced an Atmos). Sure you are going to sweat, but the Exos allows the sweat to evaporate (thus cooling me off, important here in Arizona) The other packs didn't.

Per write up above:

What's Not So Good

* No backpanel ventilation.
* Frame not anchored to hipbelt.
* Shoulder straps may be too wide for some hikers.
* Grosgrain loop on frontpanel interferes with tightening the top strap.

Recommendations For Improvement

* None, the Gorilla pack is as ideal as it gets.

So which is it? 4 "not so good" points or a pack that's as ideal as it gets?

Looking at the 4 points, the wide shoulder straps are a subjective issue — but points 1,2 and 4 read like improvement points to me. Are they? Or are they not?

Hey there,

Does anyone have any experience of using the Bearikade Expedition with this pack? Thinking of buying this for a trip into the Sierras next year.

Thanks

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