The Gossamer Gear Grit is made for traveling fast and light, carrying only what I need for peakbagging or a long-distance run.
Overview: Gossamer Gear Grit 28L Fastpack
MSRP: $180
Weight: 16.2 ounces total; 14 ounces for the body, 1.2 ounces for the SitLight pad
Capacity: 28 liters, not including the vest harness pockets
Maximum carry weight: 25 pounds
Fabric: Riptide ripstop, 100D recycled Robic nylon; UHMWPE stretch mesh; PFAS free
Size: One size, with the best fit for a 17-to 20-inch torso
About the Grit 28L Fastpack
The ultralight Grit is part of Gossamer Gear’s new Type II collection, gear that’s meant to get you through your next adventure, no matter how challenging. The Grit rides lightweight on my back but still has the features I want: external pockets to hold a phone, water bottle, and snacks, a zippered security pocket for my car key and wallet, and a main body that swallows extra clothes, a raincoat, and other assorted gear. The outer stuff pocket holds anything I want to get at quickly. And for the first time Gossamer Gear uses UHMWPE fiber (also used in Dyneema) for its touted strength-to-weight ratio. But what I like most about the Grit is its vest harness suspension, which puts the pack’s weight firmly on my body’s core.
Carrying Capacity
Main Compartment: The Grit’s main compartment easily holds my raincoat and rain pants, extra top layers, and any other gear I want tucked away. The roll-top extension collar expands to give the pack 28 liters of inside storage in the main body.
Top Outside Pocket: I like this small, zippered pocket that Gossamer Gear added to its packs. I store my wallet and car key here, and because it’s on the top outside of the pack I can reach it easily and calm my fretting that I haven’t lost my keys in the woods.
Mesh Outside Pocket: Enough room to store lunch, water filter, and first aid kit.
Harness Pockets: The Grit has a variety of stash pockets on the vest harness, where I store my phone and snacks. One of the pockets has a zipper for added security and a thin water bottle fits in the large pockets. There’s also an attached whistle.
Gear Straps: A fixed bottom loop and upper adjustable loop are good for storing trekking poles. And there’s an outside loop for an ice ax or other gear I want to attach to the pack.
Water Bladder: There’s a water bladder loop on the inside back of the main compartment with slits for a hydration tube.
SitLight Pad: The is a common feature in Gossamer Gear packs, and can be removed to use as a sitting pad during trail breaks or removed entirely to save 2 ounces.
Pack Weight: Gossamer Gear recommends a maximum weight of 25 pounds for pack and gear, 20 pounds for a comfortable carry. With 25 pounds loaded in the pack I would definitely want a hipbelt added. My comfortable carrying weight is about 10 pounds, in line with a pack meant for traveling fast and light.
Comfort
Fit: The Grit fits torsos from 17 inches to 20 inches, and is comfortable for me and my 5-feet, 10-inch height. The pack might not be a good fit for people whose torso is outside the 17- to 20-inch range.
Suspension: The dual sternum straps can be height adjusted. The vest harness adjusts by pulling up on the harness straps, moving the pack tighter and comfortably against my core. No sore back or hips with the pack strapped firmly to my core.
No Hipbelt: The Grit does not come with a hipbelt, but the pack has attachment loops to add a Gossamer Gear minimalist Fastbelt.
Thumb Loops: These loops for resting arms instead of hanging them have become standard on most Gossamer Gear backpacks.
Materials
Fabric: The main body of the Grit is made from PFAS-free 100D recycled Robic nylon, a relatively low-cost fabric that helps keep down the pack’s price. The UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, an ingredient in Dyneema) stretch mesh used for the front and side pockets combines exceptional strength with abrasion and tear resistance.
My Take
The Grit is part of Gossamer Gear’s Type II Collection of packs meant for backcountry adventures that test your limits, ones that may not be fun in the moment but make for great stories when the trip is over. I haven’t been there yet but I’m looking forward to getting there with the Grit on my back.
Grit Pros
Ultralight: At 16.2 ounces the Grit is a dream to carry.
Stash Pockets: There’s a slim top pocket that closes with a zipper and is good for holding my car key and wallet. There are also multiple pockets on the vest harness for my phone, a small water bottle, and snacks. And side pockets hold my liter-size water bottles.
Main Outer Pocket: This is a good place to store my lunch, rain gear and water filter.
Vest Harness: I like the way the harness and two sternum strap fit snugly to my core, keeping the pack from bouncing while I’m moving.
Compression Straps: Thin cords contribute to the Grit’s light weight, and are strong enough to hold down the roll top and compress the pack.
Grit Cons
Sizing and Fit: The Girt comes in one size, which is good for someone like me who at 5 feet,10 inches fits the pack’s 17- to 20-inch torso range. But the pack might not work for anyone outside that range.
No Hipbelt: This may be a con for some people, but I don’t miss a hipbelt on the Grit. And the vest harness pockets make up for the lack of hipbelt pockets.
Phone Pocket: Gossamer Gear says a phone will fit in the zipper pocket on the vest harness. Mine doesn’t, but it does fit securely in the two wide pockets on the harness.
Overall Value
Gossamer Gear is committed to quality gear at a lower price by using durable Robic fabric and a limited amount of Dyneema-like stretch mesh. That keeps the Grit’s $180 price tag well below packs made completely with Dyneema and Ultra, ultralight, strong and expensive materials. And the Grit doesn’t skimp on features I expect in a pack, a commitment I’ve been pleased to find in other Gossamer Gear packs. I knew on my first hike with the Grit that Gossamer Gear succeeded once again in designing a great pack, and my opinion hasn’t changed over the course of many more hikes.
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This product was donated for purpose of review.
