Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 vs Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
Quick take: The Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 costs $95 less; the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 carries more (50 vs 40 liters); the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 is lighter (1.25 vs 2 lbs).
| Spec | Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 | Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $275 | $180 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Frameless |
| Capacity | 50 L | 40 L |
| Weight | 2.0 lbs | 1.25 lbs |
| Max Load | 30 lbs | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | Sized S-L, 14.5-21.5 in | See manufacturer sizing |
| Material | 70D and 100D recycled Robic nylon | 70D and 100D recycled Robic nylon |
| Back Panel | Removable SitLight foam pad with aluminium stay | Frameless with removable sit pad |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | No |
| Warranty | Gossamer Gear limited lifetime | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published |
Pros & cons
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50
- ✓The archetypal 'graduation pack' — the r/Ultralight cliché is buying a Mariposa, shrinking your kit, then buying a Gorilla.
- ✓Under 2 lbs with a real stay and hipbelt, it carries 30 lbs honestly — better than frameless rivals at similar weight.
- ✓Symmetric pockets fix the Mariposa's polarizing layout while keeping generous capacity.
- ✓The removable sit-pad back panel remains one of the smartest dual-use designs in UL.
- ✓Robic fabric durability matches its big sibling's strong track record.
- ✓Mixed torso/hipbelt sizing gives semi-custom fit off the shelf.
- ✓A BV450 fits cleanly; careful packers manage a BV500 vertically.
- ✓Gossamer Gear's service reputation applies here too.
- ✗50 liters is tight for bear-canister trips or 5+ day food carries — buyers routinely wish for 5 more liters.
- ✗Same sweaty foam back as the Mariposa.
- ✗The 30 lb ceiling is real; water-heavy desert carries overload it.
- ✗Fixed sizes, online-only fitting.
- ✗Mesh pockets remain the wear point in brush.
- ✗The hipbelt is minimal and divides opinion at the top of the load range.
- ✗No lid, no organization beyond the pocket array.
- ✗Price sits close enough to the Circuit that many first-time buyers default to ULA's bigger volume instead.
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
- ✓$180 is the cheapest entry to a well-regarded cottage brand in this catalog.
- ✓The removable SitLight pad doubles as back structure and a camp seat, so it is not dead weight.
- ✓1 lb 4 oz for 40 L of usable volume is an excellent ratio.
- ✓70D and 100D recycled Robic is a proven, repairable woven fabric rather than a laminate.
- ✓Gossamer Gear has one of the longest track records among cottage makers.
- ✓Removing the pad strips the pack down further for very light trips.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included at this price.
- ✓Woven nylon is far easier to field-repair than DCF or Ultra laminates.
- ✗Frameless, so loads much above 20 lb become uncomfortable quickly.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗70D fabric on parts of the body is thin and abrades on rock.
- ✗Not waterproof, unlike the DCF and Ultra packs at higher prices.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗36 L is too small for a bear canister plus a week of food.
- ✗Warranty terms are not published in detail.
- ✗Requires disciplined packing with the pad positioned correctly to carry well.