Steph Wetherell finds little to fault with the Gossamer Gorilla 50 – her Best in Test for backpacking carries.
This Gossamer Gorilla 50 ultralightweight pack offers a genuinely unisex fit that will work for a wide range of bodies. I’ve struggled with lightweight packs in the past – their (often) unisex fit doesn’t seem to fit my size 20 body well, but the Gossamer Gorilla addresses this by offering three back lengths, and a selection of five PVT belts that can be interchanged.
Steph Wetherell’s Best in Test
All in all, if lightweight is your thing, there’s very little to fault with the design of this bag, and the interchangeable belts mean it will work for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.- lightweight
- interchangeable belts offering genuine unisex fit
- none
| Quick Specs |
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| Price: $275 | £299.99 (available from Gossamer Gear) Weight: 1075g (Medium pack, M/L curved belt) Volume: 50l Materials: 70D and 100D recycled Robic nylon fabric Features: Hydration clip, ice axe/trekking pole loops, side straps, removeable sit pad Closure: Fold over clipped Back: Non-adjustable, curved frame, removeable foam pad in mesh pocket Hipbelt: Foam and mesh Pockets: Front stretch mesh, 2 side elasticated, 1 small zipped lid, 2 zipped hipbelt Sizes: Small, Medium, Large packs S/M and M/L curved belts, S, M, L straight belts Unisex ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk / gossamergear.com |
The belts are a triumph, offering a curved and straight fit option (depending on your hip to waist ratio) and the largest fitting a 60 inch (curved) or 61.5 inch (straight) hip. I opted for a M/L curved belt and found the fit excellent.
The PVT frame of the bag fits into a pocket on the belt, which allows the pack to move with your gait whilst still allowing interchangeable belts. The main portion of the bag is made from recycled nylon, and the lid folds over and clips down, meaning the pack is versatile in its use – I filled it up for camping trips but also cinched it down for day walks in winter.
There is a loop for a hydration bladder and poles can be attached through compression straps on the outside and a small, elasticated point at the base. There’s a small zippable pocket in the lid, two side pockets and a huge external mesh stuff pocket on the front.
The cushioning on the back of the pack is actually a removable foam pad that can be used as a sit mat, and I found the pack remarkably comfortable, sitting snugly and securely against my back. The lack of ventilation might put some off, but for me the weight saving on the pack outweighs this.
All in all, if lightweight is your thing, there’s very little to fault with the design of this bag, and the interchangeable belts mean it will work for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.
How Steph tested
These rucksacks were tested across South Wales during the winter and spring of 2026. Steph is a size 20 and is 5’10 tall, and tested the rucksacks on a range of different length walks. Weights are from her own scales. This review was first published in the July 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. You can compare it with other in our guide to the best backpacking packs.
