ULA Ohm vs Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50: Specs Compared
How we did this: we compared the specifications each maker publishes on its own product page (weight, volume, load rating, frame, fabric, price). We have not field-tested these packs.
The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 and the ULA Ohm weigh about the same and are rated for the same 30 lb load. The real differences are the frame, the top closure and, for the Custom Ohm, the price of choosing your own fabrics.
ULA Ohm vs Gorilla 50: the verdict up front
Pick the Gorilla 50 if you want a real aluminum frame with a pivoting hipbelt, a lid and a sit pad for $275. Pick the Ohm if you want 5 more liters, a roll-top and a lighter hoop suspension; buy the standard Ohm at $249.99 unless you specifically want to choose the fabric, which is what the Custom Ohm’s $354.99 pays for.
| Spec | Gorilla 50 | Ohm (standard) | Custom Ohm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 31.9 oz (905 g), size M with standard belt | 30.4 oz (862 g) | Not published; depends on fabric |
| Volume | 50 L (32 L main body) | 55 L | 55 L |
| Max load | 30 lb (25 lb for comfort) | 30 lb | 30 lb |
| Frame | Aluminum frame, pivoting hipbelt | 1.2 oz carbon fiber/Delrin hoop | Same hoop |
| Fabric | Recycled Robic nylon | UltraGrid | Your choice: Robic, Cordura, X-Pac or EcoPak |
| Closure | Fold-over lid | Roll-top with Y-strap | Roll-top with Y-strap |
| Price | $275 | $249.99 | from $354.99 |
Sources: Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 page, ULA Ohm page, ULA Custom Ohm page.
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50
- Aluminum frame plus a pivoting hipbelt (Gossamer Gear’s PVT system)
- Removable Sitlight pad doubles as back padding and a camp seat
- Fold-over lid for small items
- 5 liters smaller than the Ohm
- A large with the M/L curved belt is 34.5 oz
- Robic nylon absorbs some water; use a liner
Gossamer Gear’s 31.2 oz headline weight is a small with the S/M curved belt. A medium with its standard M straight belt is 31.9 oz (905 g) and a large with the M/L curved belt 34.5 oz (977 g), so use the figure for your size if you are counting ounces against the Ohm. Of the 50 liters, 32 are in the main body below the extension collar. Gossamer Gear rates it to 30 lb and says it is most comfortable at 25 lb or less.
Check price →ULA Ohm and Custom Ohm
- 55 L, 5 more than the Gorilla
- Side pockets hold two bottles each
- Choice of J or S shoulder straps and several torso sizes
- Custom Ohm: pick fabric, colors and mesh
- Hoop suspension, not a full frame
- Custom Ohm costs $105 more than the standard Ohm
- No published weight for custom builds
ULA builds the standard Ohm in UltraGrid and lists it at 30.4 oz, 55 L and a 30 lb maximum. Its suspension is a 1.2 oz carbon fiber and Delrin hoop rather than a full frame. The hipbelt slides in its sleeve to fine-tune torso fit. The Custom Ohm is the same pack built to order: you choose from Robic, Cordura, X-Pac or EcoPak fabrics, plus colors and mesh. ULA prices it from $354.99 and publishes no weight, because the fabric choice changes it. The Custom Ohm is not made of Dyneema Composite Fabric.
Check price →Which should you buy?
- Loads near 25 to 30 lb, or you want a hipbelt that pivots: Gorilla 50.
- Bulkier kit, or you want a roll-top: Ohm, 55 L.
- Lowest price: the standard Ohm at $249.99.
- A specific fabric, such as X-Pac or EcoPak for less water uptake: Custom Ohm, knowing you pay $105 more and get no published weight.
FAQ
Is the ULA Custom Ohm made of Dyneema (DCF)?
Which is lighter, the Gorilla 50 or the Ohm?
How much weight can each pack carry?
Why pay more for the Custom Ohm?
Can either pack carry a bear canister?
The bottom line
Weight and load rating are a tie. The Gorilla 50 has the stronger frame and the extras; the Ohm has the volume and the lower price. The Custom Ohm only makes sense if you want to pick the fabric.
Related guides
Keep building your system with these closely related guides.
- HMG Southwest 55 vs Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50
- Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 vs ULA Circuit: Head-to-Head Comparison
- HMG Southwest 55 vs Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60: Head-to-Head
- HMG Southwest 55 vs Durston Kakwa 55: Ultralight Pack Comparison
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- How to Pack a Backpack: A Practical System That Works
- HMG Southwest 55 Review: Weight, Specs and Who It's For
- Gossamer Gear: Mariposa, Gorilla, Kumo and Lineup
- Ultralight Backpacks: The Complete Guide to Overnight Packs
