Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Ultralight Backpack Evaluation

Backside Line

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is considered one of our favourite ultralight backpacks for thru-hiking. It delivers an distinctive mixture of carrying consolation, sensible options, and light-weight but sturdy development.

Throughout intensive discipline testing on the PCT and CDT, we have been impressed by the Mariposa’s potential to comfortably deal with masses as much as 30 kilos whereas sustaining wonderful stability. The thoughtfully engineered suspension system, that includes an aluminum body, load lifters, and comfortable padding, successfully transfers weight to the hips for all-day consolation.

With a sensible format that features a cavernous entrance pocket, varied facet pockets, and beneficiant hipbelt storage, gear group is a breeze. The notable trade-offs are the pack’s restricted water resistance and the not-so-durable mesh on the entrance pocket.

For ounce-counting fans in search of a feature-rich, comfort-focused pack at an affordable weight, the Mariposa 60 delivers excellent worth.

For extra opinions of our favourite ultralight backpacks, see our full ultralight backpack gear information.

consolation

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 delivers distinctive consolation for an ultralight backpack able to hauling critical masses. A key function is the closely padded shoulder straps and hip belt that present ample cushioning beneath load. Throughout our discipline testing on multi-day journeys, we discovered the padding successfully dealt with about 30 kilos and prevented aggravating typical strain factors.

The Mariposa’s superior suspension system is important to its carrying consolation. The aluminum body and load-lifter straps work collectively to stability the pack’s weight, transferring the load to the hips and preserving it steady towards the physique. 

The detachable foam again panel promotes airflow between the pack and your again, decreasing sweat buildup. This panel additionally doubles as a handy sit pad. With its dialed-in ergonomics and premium padding, the Mariposa 60 gives reliable consolation from trailhead to summit and again once more.

Performance

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 delivers high-performance performance by way of thoughtfully engineered options. Unique to Gossamer Gear are the pack’s fold-top enclosure, redesigned trekking pole holders, and a detachable again panel that doubles as a sit pad. Hikers have a tendency to like or hate the distinctive fold-top enclosure. It takes some getting used to, nevertheless it gives a distinct method over the standard roll-top.

The Mariposa supplies a lot of storage choices and ample capability for gear group. The entrance pocket is large and really stretchy, simply accommodating cumbersome gadgets like rain gear or a tent fly. The pack options three facet pockets—an easy-to-reach water bottle pocket, the next “avocado” pocket, and a tall pocket on the alternative facet that’s good for tents or tent poles. 

The beneficiant hipbelt pockets conveniently retailer each day gadgets like snacks, sunblock, sun shades, or a smartphone. The Mariposa 60 additionally incorporates an ice axe loop for snowy mountain treks. The load lifters assist shift weight in direction of the physique and stabilize the pack.

Water Resistance

Whereas the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 excels in lots of areas, water resistance is just not its strongest swimsuit. Throughout our intensive water publicity take a look at, we noticed vital water penetration alongside the again panel and sides of the pack.

The first material, a light-weight recycled robic nylon, prioritizes consolation and weight financial savings over sturdy water repellency. Whereas this design selection aligns with the preferences of many ultralight fans, it necessitates utilizing a pack liner or cowl to guard gear in moist circumstances.

On a constructive observe, the pack’s facet pockets incorporate drainage holes to forestall water from pooling, a considerate function to maintain you from carrying undesirable water weight. 

In the end, prioritizing weight and luxury over superior water resistance displays Gossamer Gear’s dedication to ultralight design rules. For adventurers who worth the Mariposa’s consolation and group, utilizing a pack liner or cowl is a straightforward resolution in moist circumstances.

Building

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa achieves a formidable stability of light-weight development and sensible sturdiness. With a weight-to-capacity ratio of simply 0.5 ounces per liter, it’s lighter (for the dimensions) and extra sturdy than its sibling, the Gorilla.

After 1000’s of miles of testing on the PCT and CDT, the Mariposa lastly started to indicate some put on however no catastrophic failures. To cut back weight, Gossamer Gear strategically reinforces high-wear areas like the underside panel with sturdy 210 denier robic nylon whereas using lighter 100D robic nylon for the remainder of the pack. Nonetheless, it must be handled lovingly like another ultralight gear.

Whereas the Mariposa 60 might not match the general sturdiness of heavier, extra robustly constructed packs, it strikes a considerate stability that caters to the priorities of ultralight fans. The first weak level we noticed was the vulnerability of the stretchy mesh entrance pocket, which, though extremely helpful for storing gear, proved prone to snagging and tearing.

Ought to You Purchase the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Ultralight Backpack?

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is a superb selection for thru-hikers or ultralight novices who worth carrying consolation, intelligent group, and weight financial savings. In case your multi-day adventures contain masses round 30 kilos and also you prioritize an intelligently designed, feature-rich pack, the Mariposa 60 is effectively price contemplating.

The Mariposa excels at distributing weight comfortably with the aluminum body and padded shoulder straps. The considerate format, together with well-placed pockets and ample storage, streamlines gear administration. Whereas it is probably not essentially the most water resistant or ultra-durable pack obtainable, it balances weight and sturdiness surprisingly effectively.

We wouldn’t name it a finances possibility, however the Mariposa feels fair-priced, particularly contemplating its high quality and innovativeness. If its strengths align along with your wants and also you’re prepared to make use of a pack liner in moist circumstances, the Mariposa may very well be your best path companion.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Contemplate?

Don’t pull the set off on this pack till you try the remainder of our favourite ultralight packs! Listed here are some choices just like the Mariposa:

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Evaluation: The sibling to the Mariposa is the Gorilla 50. In fact that includes the identical Gossamer Gear Particular designs, it’s smaller, lighter, and may be a greater match for the extra dialed-in ultralight hiker.

ULA Circuit Evaluation: If you happen to by no means wish to fear about working out of house, the ULA Circuit supplies a whopping 68 liters of capability and carries fairly comfortably. It is among the hottest packs of the PCT.

REI Flash Air 50 Evaluation: The Flash Air 50 is a superb crossover pack for individuals hesitant to dive into Gossamer Gear’s ultralight mentality. It encompasses a sturdy hipbelt and suspension system just like extra conventional packs however the remaining is designed like an ultralight pack.