Gear Talk - Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight Backpack review:

I got the Gorilla Ultralight Backpack as I needed a light backpack that could still carry all my gear, along with four to five days' food, with comfort.

I was recommended this backpack by Joe Newton and Andrew Mazibrada.  After reading Will Rietveld's excellent review on Backpacking Light I ordered one from the USA direct from Gossamer Gear.  

I have used this pack in the Peak District, briefly on the Cumbria Way, 2011 TGO Challenge and other walks, with my last trip again seeing the Gorilla as my pack of choice over others.

Design


The top loader, frameless Gorilla is made of a 210 denier PU coated ripstop, combined with a power-stretch stretch nylon mesh for the wand pockets and rear pocket, which is a large pocket that can accommodate a shelter along with other kit with ease. 

It is a slim profile pack with an internal removable curved stay, which transfers the load weight onto the removable hipbelt.  There is a sternum strap and the shoulder straps are sewn in.  The pack has various attachment points which allow shock cording to be attached to cinch down loads and lash items to it. 

The back has a mesh sleeve, which allows the inserting of a sleeping mat or foam pad to add comfort.  I personally only have a thin foam pad for this that I use as a sit-mat mostly and have had no discomfort  with items poking into my back.  

The hipbelt is removable and has a wicking mesh backing, along with the shoulder straps, and removable foam inserts - which allow you to remove them and insert items of clothing for padding instead, theoretically saving weight.  

On each side one compression strap is attached near the top, and the lidless design has a simple rolltop closer with a y-strap which is adjustable, and if used in places where bears woud be a risk can accommodate a bear canister (but I can't test that in the UK) and cinches down the whole load.

There are ice axe loops, a haul loop, an adjustable sternum strap and a hydration bladder holder with ports for the hydration tubes, which can be held on the shoulder straps with what Gossamer Gear calls grosgrain tube keeper loops.  

The Gorilla comes in three back lengths of S, M, L and measuring your torso length is essential for a correct fit.  The hipbelt also comes in different sizes.  Measure your hip to ascertain the correct fit.  

Claimed weight of a size large is 686g.  I measured mine for the 2011 TGO Challenge with shock cord attached for compression of the load, and an improved retention strap for the internal curved frame stay, at 691g.

Performance


The Gorilla pack when I have used it has always carried superbly.  It indeed grips to me.  The hipbelt is a much superior design to the one on my MLD Prophet, which is attached on the sides, unlike the more substantial Gorilla one.  The Gorilla hipbelt is a full length design that curves right round from your lumber region to grip the hip tightly, distributing the load that is transferred very effectively to it by the curved frame stay. 


Walking down Glen Lonan on the TGO Challenge I carried four and a half days food with water, along with all my gear and there was no discomfort or shoulder ache.


On other times on steep descents the stability and slim profile allowed me to keep the load closer to my center of gravity for  a natural walking position.  For example, the descent of An Stuc on the Ben Lawers range is described as one unsuitable for someone backpacking with a large pack.  I had no stability issues when I descended this way on the Challenge using this excellent pack, with total control and stability.

So, for carrying the load and for stability I cannot fault the Gorilla.  There have been comments online criticising the wide shoulder straps, which are attached very close together, and I have found that the Velcro opening to insert the foam padding can rub the neck, causing discomfort.  


I only noticed this once when wearing a t-shirt.  But when using a top that had a long collar or hood I never noticed rubbing, nor any discomfort.  I have at times walked without the hipbelt done up to see how effectively the shoulder straps could disperse the load to my shoulders; they are wide at four inches and very effective at this.  But they need to be spaced a bit further apart and could be better designed.  But they still work well right now.  


You can remove the stay if needed to reduce the weight a bit more, but I would not bother as it's light as it is. 


Where the pack lacks performance is in the small retention straps to keep the curved stay in place, which are ineffective.  They tore loose when I took a fall in the Lake District.  The pack took the full brunt of this fall and the top side compression strap on one side also tore loose.  

When it rains, the durable 210 denier PU coated ripstop material is porous and wets out very fast.  This material is durable, but not the most suitable for the wet UK.  A Dyneema  material would be more suitable.  A full sealable dry bag to keep contents dry is essential in a wet climate.

The top compression straps are not placed in the best position and the pack when partly loaded has a misshaped profile as a result. The other annoying flaw is that the foam padding in the shoulder straps slips down at times.  

Summary 


So: a pack which needs better designed shoulder straps,  has a material that leaks, shoulder strap padding that slips, with poorly placed top compression straps.  In addition, the flimsy curved stay retainers tear loose.  


So why did this pack get Gold and highly recommended by Will Rietveld?  Why do others rate it?  

Simple: like me, they know it's a superb backpack.  It's light and carries 20lb so well that you forget the pack is on you.  The bottom line is that the Gorilla is a fantastic rucksack, with all its flaws.

The good news is that Gossamer gear are a organisation that listens to feedback. They reflect and improve.  The harness will be updating on the next generation of packs.

Right now, this pack is still a good pack.  I use it and will continue to use it.

Improvements are needed. The shoulder straps need revising and narrowing a bit and the attachment points to be further apart, thus preventing the rubbing on the neck; Gossamer Gear are looking at this already, as we know. The material used could be revised - use of a Dyneema material instead would reduce water intake and the wetting-out tendency of the current material.  The position of the top side compression straps can also be improved

Overall conclusion.

The Gorilla is flawed brilliance. 


Gossamer Gear are in the process of changing their pack range.  I hope the Gorilla's flaws are erased and the pack improved, but without losing its combination of robust construction, superb hipbelt, internal curved stay and still being light while able to carry that extra weight of several days' food and extra kit when needed. 


Right now I would still recommend this pack with its flaws.  I also look forward to seeing any updated versions.  

Other reviews:

Section Hiker

Journeyman Traveller 

Disclaimer. 

I bought this pack and it was not provided to me as a Trail Ambassador for Gossamer Gear.