Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Ultralight Backpack Evaluate

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

Throughout in depth subject testing on the PCT and CDT, we had been impressed by the Mariposa’s capacity to comfortably deal with hundreds as much as 30 kilos whereas sustaining wonderful 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 structure that features a cavernous entrance pocket, numerous aspect 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 affordable weight, the Mariposa 60 delivers excellent worth.

For extra evaluations 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 hundreds. A key characteristic 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 maintaining it secure 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 affords reliable consolation from trailhead to summit and again once more.

Performance

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 delivers high-performance performance by means 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, however it affords a special method over the normal roll-top.

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

The beneficiant hipbelt pockets conveniently retailer each 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 the 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 in depth water publicity take a look at, we noticed important water penetration alongside the again panel and sides of the pack.

The first cloth, a light-weight recycled robic nylon, prioritizes consolation and weight financial savings over sturdy water repellency. Whereas this design alternative 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 aspect pockets incorporate drainage holes to stop water from pooling, a considerate characteristic 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 simple resolution in moist circumstances.

Development

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa achieves a powerful steadiness 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 scale) 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 point out some put on however no catastrophic failures. To scale 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 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 alternative for thru-hikers or ultralight rookies who worth carrying consolation, intelligent group, and weight financial savings. In case your multi-day adventures contain hundreds round 30 kilos and also you prioritize an intelligently designed, feature-rich pack, the Mariposa 60 is nicely value contemplating.

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

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 keen to make use of a pack liner in moist circumstances, the Mariposa might be your very best path companion.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Contemplate?

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 much like the Mariposa:

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Evaluate: The sibling to the Mariposa is the Gorilla 50. After all 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 Evaluate: Should you by no means need to fear about working out of area, the ULA Circuit gives a whopping 68 liters of capability and carries fairly comfortably. It is among the hottest packs of the PCT.

REI Flash Air 50 Evaluate: 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 much like extra conventional packs however the remainder is designed like an ultralight pack.