Gear Review: Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack
As the days went by down in the canyon, I liked the Gorilla 50 more and more. The comfortable fit was unwavering, even in the heat. I ended every day without super sore shoulders.
Gossamer Gear is a well respected and much-loved ultralight gear company and recently I took the Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack on an epic backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon via Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails. With a few spurs in between.
I knew I needed to choose my gear wisely for this trip, as it was during a hot time of year! So ultralight was on the brain, and I knew durability was an important factor when deciding which backpack to bring. The Gorilla 50 fit the bill due to its capacity, weight and durable build. It got bonus points because it's a really comfortable backpack to wear loaded up for big mile days.
Quick Rundown of the Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack
- 50 liter capacity
- Weight: 31.9 ounces (1.99 pounds!) for a medium
- Made from PFAS-free 70D & 100D Recycled Robic Nylon
- Max load capacity is 30 pounds
- Large external stretch-mesh pocket
- Hydration port and tube router
- Aluminum frame provides rigidity and strength
- Redesigned Load Lifters for an improved performance and better carry
- Great value for an ultralight backpack
My Experience with the Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack
When I first began to prep the Gorilla 50 for my Grand Canyon backpacking trip, I was impressed by how easy it was to adjust the backpack to my liking. The load lifters were nice, the padding in the shoulder straps and hip belt felt really good. I did remove the U-frame for this trip as I did not think it was necessary.
Fully loaded, Gossamer Gear's Gorilla 50 Backpack is shockingly comfortable. I ended up with a 26.8 pound backpack load and felt confident that I would be a happy hiker in a couple weeks as I went down, down, down into the canyon... followed by some very steep inclines!
The first day of my trip arrived and before I knew it the shuttle had dropped me off at the trailhead and I was making my way into the Canyon. As I figured, my backpack was feeling comfortable and the fit was just right.
Initially I wasn't positive if I would like the lid flap on the Gorilla 50, as most ultralight backpacks I've used have had roll top designs. But when it came right down to it the flap lid was great for quickly getting out snacks and stashing away layers. It's a little bit less clunky than the usual roll top. The big stretch front pocket is awesome. It's a great place to put all the things you use a lot. I was happy with the side pockets too and can easily reach my electrolytes bottle from back there when I'm wearing the backpack.
As the days went by down in the canyon, I liked the Gorilla 50 more and more. The comfortable fit was unwavering, even in the heat. I ended every day without super sore shoulders. I never experienced painful chaffing or rubbing from the hip belt. There were a couple days that I definitely added a few pounds of extra water to the load, and I still felt comfortable carrying everything. I found that I enjoyed its simple design. It's thoughtful. Everything you need and would want, but no frills.
It's always a risk trying out new gear on a big challenging backpacking trip. I had very high hopes for Gossamer Gear's Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack and it lived up to everything I was hoping! The stand-outs of this pack are the comfort it has even when fully loaded, and the nice pocket design. They're just big enough to hold what you'd want them to hold and the placement makes them super usable.
My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
