Megaversatile, ultralight, and insanely durable. This pack is for plan-ahead thru-hikers and minimalist warriors. For being so light, this animal comes loaded with features.
Enjoy our signature PVT Frame+Belt: an aluminum, closed-shape frame and pivoting hipbelt that allow your pack to move with your natural gait for maximum comfort. The Gorilla's S-curve harness and load lifters carry your haul with even distribution. You also get ample external pockets and a quick-access, fold-over lid to hold as many bananas as you see fit.
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To find the best fit for our PVT packs, you will need your torso length, hip and waist measurements. Below we will give you recommendations on how to measure each of these.
Torso length:
Start at the C7 vertebra at the base of your neck. The best way to find this is to bend your neck and feel the first bump along the base of your neck. This bump is where you will want to start your measurement.
Next, you'll want to find the midpoint between your iliac crest. To find your iliac crest, cup your hipbones on both sides and find the center point on your spine. This midpoint is where your thumbs should be pointing.
Finally, you'll need help measuring from the C7 vertebra to your iliac crest. From there, you'll have your torso measurement.
Small: 16" - 18"
Medium: 18" - 20"
Large: 20" - 22"
If you're in between sizes, you can:
+ size down for more of a shoulder wrap and higher hipbelt
+ size up for a lower hipbelt fit
PVT Belt Sizing (Hip Measurement)
S/M Curved Belt | 28.5"-56" (72.4-142.2 cm)
M/L Curved Belt | 32.5"-60" (85.5-152.4 cm)
S Straight Belt | 26"-53.5" (66-135.9 cm)
M Straight Belt | 30"-57.5" (76.2-146 cm)
L Straight Belt | 34"-61.5" (86.3-156.2 cm)
Hip Measurement:
You will want to find your iliac crest again by cupping your hipbones on both sides. Then, wrap a soft measuring tape or string around the top of your iliac crest. This will tell you your hip measurement.
Waist Measurement:
Using the same soft measuring tape or string, find the smallest part of your midsection—typically, this is 1-2 inches above your belly button—and measure around that area for your waist measurement.
Waist to Hip Ratio:
Calculate your WHR by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement.
If it is 0.85 or lower, you will likely need a curved hipbelt. If it is higher than 0.85, you will likely need a straight
hipbelt. If you're unsure which hipbelt shape will fit best, we recommend purchasing both to dial in the fit. This
is because everyone's anatomy is different.
Pack body 15.4 oz / 437 g
Pack frame 4.0 oz / 113 g
Sitlight pad 2.2 oz / 63 g
Total with no belt 17.6 oz / 500 g
Total with S Straight belt 30.7 oz / 870 g
Total with M Straight belt 30.7 oz / 869 g
Total with L Straight belt 32.5 oz / 922 g
Total with S/M Curved belt 31.2 oz / 885 g
Total with M/L Curved belt 32.2 oz / 912 g
Pack body 16.3 oz / 462 g
Pack frame 4.3 oz / 122 g
Sitlight pad 2.3 oz / 65 g
Total with no belt 18.6 oz / 527 g
Total with S Straight belt 32.0 oz / 906 g
Total with M Straight belt 31.9 oz / 905 g
Total with L Straight belt 33.8 oz / 958 g
Total with S/M Curved belt 32.5 oz / 921 g
Total with M/L Curved belt 33.5 oz / 949 g
Pack body 16.7 oz / 473 g
Pack frame 4.6 oz / 130 g
Sitlight pad 2.6 oz / 74 g
Total with no belt 19.3 oz / 547 g
Total with S Straight belt 33.0 oz / 935 g
Total with M Straight belt 32.9 oz / 934 g
Total with L Straight belt 34.8 oz / 987 g
Total with S/M Curved belt 33.5 oz / 949 g
Total with M/L Curved belt 34.5 oz / 977 g
Total 50 L
Main pack body to extension collar seam (medium) 32 L
Max Carry Capacity 30 lbs
For Comfort 25 lbs
**The volume capacity specs are specific to a medium size pack. Capacity will vary slightly between sizes
S Width 11” / 28.0 cm
S Height 22.2” / 56.5 cm to extension collar seam
S Depth 4.7” / 12 cm
M Width 11” / 28.0 cm
M Height 24” / 61 cm to extension collar seam
M Depth 4.7” / 12 cm
L Width 11” / 28.0 cm
L Height 26.4” / 67 cm to extension collar seam
L Depth 4.7” / 12 cm
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 207 reviews.
Our Gorilla 50, bumster and umbrella were absolute lifesavers as we walked over 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago! Having an ultra light pack helped me to keep the carry weight down and the plastic liner protected our contents from the rain. Before long the pack felt like a part of my body. The umbrella was great sun protection on the Meseta! This combination is a must have for anyone considering walking the Camino.
Previously, I relied on a mainstream brand pack for all my trips and it was fine. However, this summer I used the Gorilla on a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail. The capacity was ideal, accommodating a 5-6 day food carry while also requiring thoughtful deliberation about what to bring. The pack was extremely comfortable and I had no problems with durability. With the Gorilla, I was able to reduce weight but added comfort, usability, and style. The removal pad makes the carry more comfortable and a perfect door mat for my tent at the end of the day. I'm a big fan of this pack!
This is my third Gorilla! I loaned the first two to friends, and they loved them so much that I gave the packs to them!
This Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Pack felt a little alien to me :-) see picture. This pack is as secure or better than any other pack I've tried. I now have 15 miles with it on my back (20-25 pound carry) and it does all the big things it should right. But boy is it noisy. As I get more miles on on the pack it is getting quieter. I give it a 4 1/2 stars, 5 stars without the noise.
Simply the best framed pack I’ve ever used! The best frameless I’ve used is the kumo, so it’s no surprise that the gorilla would be this good. It’s extremely comfortable and fits perfectly. I’ve always had issues with framed packs fitting properly and having too many straps. The gorilla is simple and everything functions as it should. Load lifters always have the correct angle and work as intended, which I’ve never experienced.
Fits all my gear. Lightweight! Very comfy. Took it on a quick overnight when I got it. I love it.
I've had this pack for nearly a decade and it's still going strong. In the last couple years a clip broke when it got slammed in a car door, and one of the seams became loose, but I stitched that up and it's as good as new. The elastici-ness the front pocket has gotten more loose over time but still functions well especially given how much I use it. It's gone on through hikes, backpacking trips, canoe and camping trips, overseas travels, and any other adventure I needed a backpack for. It's light, comfortable, and durable. It's the best and the company is great too. I remember when I bought it I was worried about the return policy because I lived in the Arctic and delivery times were slow, anyway, the owner was super nice and gave me a generous return window, and obviously I kept the pack and never looked back!
I’ve had an Osprey and a Deuter in the past but was looking into ultralite packs for my upcoming through hike. After weeks of research, landed up buying the GG Gorilla 50. It’s been an amazing experience so far- easy ordering, quick delivery, great customer support and it literally feels like a cloud ( featherweight) on my back when loaded with all my gear. Can’t wait to take it on my trek and will update again after using it.
Love it, I had a hard time finding bags for tall thin people, I got the large bag with a small hip belt. Im 6’1 and a 28 inch waist. This bag fits great. Plenty of space in the back and love the huge water bottle pockets and massive hip pockets. Also big fan of the mesh pouch it’s huge and it can really hold a lot of stuff in it, the bags worth it.
68 yr old section hiker on AT. Just finished a 40 mile hike in central VA. I was nervous about not having a big solid rig to support my stuff. Boy was I wrong. The pack(gorilla50) felt great on my back. Along with several other upgrades, I lowered my weight from 32 to 23 fully loaded with 2l of water. Love the removable pad I use as my tents doormat. Only one concern. My top snap to access my gear won’t stay closed. I swapped into another slot and it works. Appears to be the sewn in part. Rats. I will find a workaround. Any ideas would be great
I love it!!
I wanted to test an ultralight pack for my trek in the Himalayas. I bought this pack based solely on the reviews, which were so helpful that I decided I owe it to the community to write one, too. This pack has so many things that I've found lacking with others. I LOVE that I can access the side pockets without taking it off. I kept my camera and snacks in them, things that are absolutely essential for me to have easily accessible :-) The big mesh pocket, though it frayed quite quickly, is robust and was perfect for stuffing in layers as I removed them throughout the day and for storing damp clothing. I took the recommendation of other hikers and opted to skip the rain cover and instead bought the liners. Best choice I ever made. This really helped me keep my gear sorted throughout the whole trip, which was especially helpful at high altitude with an addled head and frozen fingers. My only complaints are the zipper pocket on the roll up cover. I wasn't sure what to put in there because it was not easily accessible once inside and also complicated the rolling process if it was the wrong size or shape. I also missed having shoulder strap adjustments to shift my pack weight. But overall I still give it five stars and I'm happy I made the switch!
I had a different brand ultralight backpack that I used for 1 to 3 night hiking trips. I just couldn’t get it to fit right. It was uncomfortable. I decided to look for another ultralight pack and ordered the Gorilla 50. Feels great! I’m 5’3”, 135 pounds, and have a short torso. Ordered size small.
Sick! I needed something bigger than my Kumo 36 so I went with this over the Mariposa.
So good
Incredible design and construction. Ultralight. Deceptively accomodating.
Very lightweight and comfortable!
Super lightweight but good size. Tub style bottom on the mesh pocket is a nice touch
I loved everything about the backpack but it doesn't have a very wide to squeeze in my compressed backpack. I just needed more room. I will buy this again for a summer gear hike
It’s the off season currently and I’ve only used the pack one time on a training hike for about 5 miles. I’m not a small man at 6’1” 300# and was extremely happy with the large frame and large belt upgrade. I recommend measuring yourself and getting the proper hip belt size. It puts the pouch location in proper placement so one can reach them. It also allows you to draw down the tension around your hips so it doesn’t slide down your waist. The pack has plenty of adjustment for when the pack settles in and the load lifters and shoulder straps keep the pack snug and in place. I have a previous name brand pack. It is very comfortable however not ultralight. I saved 4 lbs with the GG Gorilla 50 and it is surprisingly as comfortable if not more comfortable than my previous back. It also holds all my gear which is a huge plus including my 2# chair. The pack seems quality built and I’m looking forward to using it more in the future.
I like it very much
Really dig the pockets, pretty easy to get a water bottle or two in there. The pack seems to distribute weight really well. It can be a little squeaky near the frame and I wish it were a roll top closure. The straps rub my shoulders raw if wearing a tank top and it doesn't accommodate boobs very well. Still very pleased at the quality for the price.
I just finished thru hiking the AT with this pack- I think this bag is a great lightweight framed option that isn’t super expensive but still good quality. Would recommend! I felt it carried weight super well and was very comfortable. It was comfortably for longer food or water carries. I really like that the pack is very minimal but the pockets it does have are functional- the hip pockets and side pockets can fit a lot and made it so I could easily reach snacks or water without having to stop and take off my pack. The only issues I had with the pack were needing to replace the hip belt and the foam pad, but given how harsh thru hiking is on gear those were easy and pretty inexpensive fixes. The sewing/seams on a few spots have come loose, and sometimes (I think it depended on how I packed it) the bag would be squeaky. But again, all pretty minor stuff for the amount of use. Overall really happy with this pack, and have always had really awesome experiences with their customer service!
I love the back its light and minimalistic carys everything I need plus some luxury items
One damn sexy backpack
Given that it is December in Michigan, have yet to use this pack. However, it will be fun to tryout a lighter pack and continue to take less and go further with fewer sore joints and muscles after a march. After researching many lightweight packs and owning a lighter Gregory pack, this Gossamer version seemed like a solid value.
Just bought this for a trip to Scotland next summer, hiking the West Highland Way. It's an investment in a lighter, more compact overnight hiking experience. I have only taken it on a short trial run but so far so good!
Excellent !
Love this backpack, but wanted to write a quick post about the quality of customer service from Gossamer Gear. I wrote them an email about a return at 10:30 PM on a Sunday evening, and I received a response 5 minutes later. Not kidding. Best folks I've ever dealt with in terms of customer service.
Sehr schnell und unkompliziert geliefert. Bin begeistert von dem guten Stück. Leicht, robust, sehr bequem. Kann den Rucksack nur weiterempfehlen. Besten Dank!
I bought this for my first ever backpacking trip- it was 6 days in the Wyoming Wind River Range back country. My pack started at 36 pounds and it was fantastic! I didn’t realize until I was reading the specs that “max load” is 30#. It easily carries more than that. I loved pretty much everything about it. I originally purchased a Small based on the sizing guide. It didn’t seem quite right and I worked with customer service to get a medium just in time for the trip. Caroline was so easy to work with as she tried to help me determine what the problem was. Once I got the fit on the medium dialed in, it was very comfortable. I loved all the outer pouch options for storing gear and water. For my next trip, I’ll probably get a strap pouch for more options. Only two suggestions I’d have for the design team - a zigzag bungee setup on the sides would be awesome. Also, a way to secure loose strap ends so they don’t flop around- like a loop to tuck into. There were 13 other packs on my trip and didn’t see any that I thought I’d like better than mine. Also- spring for the seat pad! I used it as a seat and also under my sleeping pad in the hip area- it made a huge difference for my general comfort.
A truly well crafted backpack! Just took it out into the Colorado Rockies and loved every minute of carrying it. Every detail on the pack is well thought out and of high quality. As an experienced guide for the last 35 years, I find this to be my favorite of numerous packs I have owned.
A really amazingly well constructed and thought out backpack design! It carries so well, and I love being able to organize my gear easily in it. I highly recommend the Gorilla 50👍
Ended up getting the added seat cushion and glad I did because the orange one that originally come with the bag came folded so it rubbed on my lower back when hiking. The additional seat I got is much nicer and perfect to use as a stand in frame support for the pack. The pack itself is nice quality, incredibly lightweight and I love all of the storage and pockets on the pack. With all of the research I've done I found it hard to find an ultralight pack, with a lot of pockets that didn't break the bank. This pack for the cost far exceeds my expectations and I am very happy!
Haven't had a chance to teally use it in anger just yet, but it takes my gear with plenty of room to spare, has some great features and fits comfortably.
I bought the Gorilla 50 to replace a overweight Kelty pack that I had. I was skeptical at first that a 4 pounds savings could be so vital, but I was wrong. This pack rocks. I have packed it with my hammock, tarp, top and underquilts plus enough food for 3 days along with 3 liters of water. This thing carries like a dream. My only complaint now is that I wished I had waited a little longer and got the updated version that was just released.
It took me forever to sort through all the different packs and decide on this one, and I'm so glad I did! The size if limiting what I can pack (a good thing), and making me realize how much happier I will be without the extra weight.
Really happy with this pack. The weight is great, comfort for my not great back is very good. Have done some short hikes to shake it down and exceeded my expectations. Not only that, but Gossamer is a great company to order from! I bought the 42 liter originally not realizing it didn't have a frame, and they took care of it quickly and easily. Great company!
Its made from magic! Hands down, this is the most comfortable pack I’ve ever carried. No other pack fits me and carries like a GG. I have owned and carried many, many packs from both the big boys (Gregory, Osprey, Mystery Ranch, Granite Gear, etc.) and smaller cottage makers (ULA, Six Moons Design, etc.) and none come close to evaporating the weight like a GG. The brilliant transfer of weight to the hipbelt via the inverted frame, coupled with the plush shoulder straps and cushy backpad, make the Gorilla a delight. My SMD Fusion was close in carry comfort, but at about 90% of the comfort with a 21oz weight penalty, its now a dust collector in my gear closet. My biggest gripe is that they don’t use the counter-pull tightening system on the hipbelt buckle. I have no idea why, but that one miss (its a head-scratcher for sure) isn’t enough to keep me away from this otherwise best-in-class pack.
Love this pack! I own several packs from GG, which is by far my favorite brand of packs and accessories, and the Gorilla seems to be my go-to for multi-day travels (though each pack I own has its benefits and its hard to choose). My trips are often 7-10 days long in tropical climate. It's been used as a carry-on for flights, and it's easy to wear on my aging aching back. The pack evenly distributes weight across my hips and back, and I sometimes forget I'm wearing it. I spent a few days in Barbados, walking miles each day to the next stop on our agenda, and I didn't break a sweat. I've used it in Florida and will use it again in Singapore. Ventilation is not an issue for me, even with my hot flashes. My only suggestion to GG is maybe add a zipper on the extension collar for easier access inside, like the Loris ;)
