Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Ultralight Backpack Overview

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

Throughout in depth subject testing on the PCT and CDT, we had been impressed by the Mariposa’s capacity to comfortably deal with masses as much as 30 kilos whereas sustaining glorious stability. The thoughtfully engineered suspension system, that includes an aluminum body, load lifters, and soft padding, successfully transfers weight to the hips for all-day consolation.

With a sensible format that features a cavernous entrance pocket, numerous 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 lovers searching for a feature-rich, comfort-focused pack at an inexpensive 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 below load. Throughout our subject testing on multi-day journeys, we discovered the padding successfully dealt with about 30 kilos and averted 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 steadiness the pack’s weight, transferring the load to the hips and preserving it secure towards the physique. 

The detachable foam again panel promotes airflow between the pack and your again, lowering sweat buildup. This panel additionally doubles as a handy sit pad. With its dialed-in ergonomics and premium padding, the Mariposa 60 provides 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 provides a special strategy over the normal roll-top.

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

The beneficiant hipbelt pockets conveniently retailer every day objects 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 just isn’t its strongest go well with. Throughout our in depth water publicity take a look at, we noticed important 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 lovers, it necessitates utilizing a pack liner or cowl to guard gear in moist circumstances.

On a optimistic 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. 

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

Development

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

After hundreds 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 every other ultralight gear.

Whereas the Mariposa 60 might not match the general sturdiness of heavier, extra robustly constructed packs, it strikes a considerate steadiness that caters to the priorities of ultralight lovers. The first weak level we noticed was the vulnerability of the stretchy mesh entrance pocket, which, though extremely helpful for storing gear, proved vulnerable 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 learners 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 value 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 might not be probably the most waterproof or ultra-durable pack out there, it balances weight and sturdiness surprisingly effectively.

We wouldn’t name it a funds possibility, however the Mariposa feels fair-priced, particularly contemplating its high quality and innovativeness. If its strengths align together 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 ultimate path companion.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Take into account?

Don’t pull the set off on this pack till you take a look at the remainder of our favourite ultralight packs! Listed below are some choices just like the Mariposa:

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

ULA Circuit Overview: When you by no means need to fear about operating out of area, the ULA Circuit supplies a whopping 68 liters of capability and carries fairly comfortably. It is likely one of the hottest packs of the PCT.

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