Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Review

The features and unique top closure of the Mariposa are exactly what we want in an ultralight backpacking pack. The large external, center mesh pocket holds plenty of clothing — we even fit a watermelon in it — while the side pockets vary in size to carry anything from a Jetboil stove to a Nalgene water bottle to a few snacks.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Mariposa achieves top marks for comfort. The shoulder straps, hip belt, and back padding work in unison to transfer much of the pack's load off the shoulders and onto the hips. The internal upside-down U-frame seems to work marginally better than single stays at keeping the bag from blowing out into your back and giving the pack both horizontal and vertical stiffness right where you want it.

The manufacturer advertises the load limit of the Mariposa at under 35 pounds, and our tests in the lab and out on the field feel this is more than reasonable and perfect for the 60L advertised total volume. This is a more than reasonable weight limit for an ultralight backpack, and we never had to remove stuff to carry the Mariposa comfortably.

The back padding and the hip belt are removable, so if you have a load of 15 pounds or less, you can hike without them. In our tests, that proved comfortable enough to make the Mariposa also usable as a daypack for short jaunts. The back padding can also be swapped with something you prefer better, as you can insert whatever you'd like into this space. The shoulder straps have load lifters, which are very useful and not something every ultralight pack maintains. We also found that the beefy shoulder straps greatly help distribute weight and balance more comfortably across your shoulders.

Ease of Use

The Mariposa is one of the most versatile packs we tested. It's easy to remove the frame and waist belt when slimming down your kit and preparing to carry lighter loads.

The side compression straps and the over-the-top closure also allow for significant adjustability of the internal volume. The Mariposa easily accommodates a bear can — something to consider if you plan to travel in National Parks and a growing number of Wilderness Areas where these hard canisters are now required.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

We tested the Gossamer Gear Mariposa in a medium size, and it weighed 32.6 ounces, with a total volume of 60 liters.

The Mariposa is very modular, and many of the main components can be removed to help save weight in whatever way works for you. We measured each of the components of this pack to help give you an understanding of which parts weigh the most:

• Main pack: 18.0 oz (520 g)

• Hip belt: 7.8 oz (221 g)

• Back padding: 3.7 oz (105 g)

• Aluminum frame: 3.0 oz (85 g)

The amount of gear you can fit in the main pack will vary depending on how much you're okay with overfilling. We measured the main compartment volume at 42 liters to the top without squeezing the contents to bursting.

Uniquely, the Mariposa also has two side pockets on one side and a single very deep pocket on the other. The combined capacity of these three pockets is quite impressive — across all three, we fit well over eight liters of water or ten 700ml Smartwater bottles. We measured the center pocket capacity at about 6.75 liters, the small top flap pocket at roughly 3.4 liters, and the two hip pockets at 0.83 liters (or five Clif Bars) each. All told, that's a total measured capacity of about 62 liters.

We also calculated the weight-to-volume ratio of each pack, using the weight of the full pack (that we measured) and the advertised total volume. The Mariposa has a respectable ratio of 0.54 ounces per liter. The lightweight Robic nylon used for most of the pack helps a lot here, at the slight disadvantage of not being exceptionally waterproof compared to Ultra or DCF materials. If you'll be out in precipitation, consider a pack liner of some sort — Gossamer Gear sells one themselves. The beefy shoulder straps, super comfortable hip belt, and luxurious back padding add some weight — but they're also the design features that make this pack a standout.

Adjustability

The modular design of the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 allows you to adjust the pack to your body easily and be ready for your next adventure. The shoulder straps are well-padded and fit most people. The hip belt fits a wide range of body types and can be removed altogether to save a few hundred grams.

The back padding is also removable. For the seasoned ultralight, an easy trick is to use your closed-cell foam sleeping pad instead of the included back padding, taking it out at night to sleep on. The Mariposa back mesh makes this easy to swap out, saving you 3.7 ounces, or 105 grams. For loads of less than 20 pounds, you can also experiment with going without the internal frame.

Side cinch straps help to compress the Mariposa for smaller loads, but there is only so much you can minimize a 60L pack. It's doable, but if you frequently day hike, you'll likely want to invest in a smaller pack for these shorter outings.

Should You Buy the Gossamer Gear Mariposa?

The Mariposa impressed us with its comfortable waist and shoulder straps, larger carrying capacity, and thoughtfully designed external pockets. Like any quality piece of equipment, Mariposa is an investment, but it pays off in comfort, weight-to-volume ratio, and durability over years of use. The pack is highly versatile, so even if you're not always going on long-distance trips, the Mariposa will still be useful as a day-hiking or traveling pack. This pack truly does it all.

What Other Ultralight Backpacks Should You Consider?

If the Mariposa is too much capacity for you, look at its slightly less voluminous sibling, the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50. This pack shares many of the same design characteristics as the Mariposa in a 50-liter package, rather than 60. The Osprey Exos Pro 55 is another slightly smaller ultralight backpack with plenty of comfort and features to keep you organized and cruising along the trail. If you need a little more volume but want a pack with a similar weight-to-volume ratio, take a look at the Six Moon Designs Swift V. It's an excellent pick for newer backpackers looking to lighten their load as well as salty veterans of the trail.