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Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Review

This pack wowed us with its perfect set of features, comfortable design, and impressively large carrying capacity
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gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review
The Mariposa out for a few days hiking through the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park. The pack has ample room in the side pockets for stoves, bottles, and food, while the mesh pocket is large enough for a few extra layers.
Credit: Jane Jackson
Price:  $285 List
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Manufacturer:   Gossamer Gear
By Jane Jackson & Justin Simoni  ⋅  Jul 18, 2023
93
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 16
  • Comfort - 40% 10.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 10.0
  • Weight-to-Volume Ratio - 20% 8.0
  • Adjustability - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

For a lightweight workhorse that is durable and adjustable, nothing compares to the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. This pack is large enough to carry heavy and bulky loads but easy to adjust to accommodate smaller hauls as well. Its removable hip belt and frame make it light and compact, and the removable foam backing is an excellent addition for trail-side stops and added carrying comfort. The shoulder straps are thick, which cushions and distributes weight incredibly well. Of all the packs we tested, this one is by far the most comfortable right out of the box. Its design is easy to figure out without needing extra accessories or features to be ready right away for the trail. See how it measures up versus competitors in our article on the best ultralight backpacks.
REASONS TO BUY
Abrasion-resistant Robic nylon
Comfortable
Well-designed pockets
Carries both light and heavy loads well
REASONS TO AVOID
Large capacity makes it less versatile
Editor's Note: We retested the Mariposa alongside our latest lineup and updated this article on July 18, 2023, to include additional findings, measurements, and comparisons.

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Bottom Line As an all-around great pack, it can carry large and light loads with ease, has plenty of external storage options, and is super comfortableOne of our favorites that scores highly in all metrics, is comfortable and versatile, and has just enough features for a reasonable costThis ultralight option doesn't leave out all the fantastic features found in packs at higher weight classesOne of our favorite packs with its comfortable waist belt, large side pockets, and a volume that is just right for ultralight backpackingDesigned for the lightest travelers on the trail, with minimal features and lightweight materials
Rating Categories Gossamer Gear Marip... Gossamer Gear Goril... Osprey Exos Pro 55 Adventure Equipment... Gossamer Gear Murmu...
Comfort (40%)
10.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
Ease of Use (25%)
10.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Weight-to-Volume Ratio (20%)
8.0
5.0
5.0
7.0
10.0
Adjustability (15%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
Specs Gossamer Gear Marip... Gossamer Gear Goril... Osprey Exos Pro 55 Adventure Equipment... Gossamer Gear Murmu...
Measured weight 32.6 oz 31.1 oz 33.2 oz 31.4 oz 12.5 oz
Weight per liter (full pack) 0.54 oz/L 0.62 oz/L 0.60 oz/L 0.50 oz/L 0.35 oz/L
Advertised volume 60 L 50 L 55 L 63 L 36 L
Stripped weight 18.0 oz 17.2 oz 30.4 oz 20.4 oz 9.0 oz
Measured volume (main compartment) 42 L 39 L 33 L 41 L 29 L
Main pack pockets 5 4 3 3 3
Lid (aka brain) Yes Yes Yes No No
Hydration compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Single side pocket 700ml Smartwater capacity 5 3 5 N/A N/A
Hip belt pockets 2 2 2 2 2
Single hip belt pocket capacity 5 Clif Bars 5 Clif Bars 4 Clif Bars 8 Clif Bars 2 Clif Bars
Able to strip off frame and hip belt Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Mix & match hip belt sizes M
(S & L sold separately)
M
(S & L sold separately)
No XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL No
Shoulder strap pockets No No No No No
Whistle on sternum strap Yes Yes Yes No No
BearVault BV500 compatibility Good Ok Good Ok No
Sizes available S, M, L S, M, L S/M, L/XL S, M, L, XL One size
Frame type SitLight foam pad / removable stay SitLight foam pad / removable stay 3.5 mm powder-coated LightWire frame Simple frame - 1.2 oz carbon fiber / Delrin active suspension hoop Removable foam pad
Fabric 100D & 200D Robic nylon 100D & 70D Robic nylon NanoFly: 100D nylon x 200D UHMWPE ripstop Ultra 400, Ultra 200 30D Condura & 70D Robic nylon

Our Analysis and Test Results

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


gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - stop and smell the flowers in comfort with the mariposa.
Stop and smell the flowers in comfort with the Mariposa.
Credit: Maddock Rigby

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.

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - with a capacity of over 60 liters, we were blown away by how...
With a capacity of over 60 liters, we were blown away by how comfortable this pack is with a heavy load.
Credit: Jane Jackson

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.

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - a velcro tab holds the mariposa's aluminum frame in place. it's...
A velcro tab holds the Mariposa's aluminum frame in place. It's quick and easy to remove this frame.
Credit: Jane Jackson

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.

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - the mariposa is modular, allowing you to separate and use the main...
The Mariposa is modular, allowing you to separate and use the main pack body apart from the hip belt, back padding, and metal frame.
Credit: Justin Simoni

Weight-to-Volume Ratio


We tested the Gossamer Gear Mariposa in a medium size, and it weighs 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)

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - taking in the alpine scenery with the mariposa. nothing beats the...
Taking in the alpine scenery with the Mariposa. Nothing beats the comfort of this pack for long days on the trail.
Credit: Jane Jackson

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.

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - the mariposa has two side pockets on one of its sides that can fit a...
The Mariposa has two side pockets on one of its sides that can fit a total of five 700ml Smartwater bottles. The other side has a single extra deep pocket that can also fit five bottles.
Credit: Justin Simoni

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.

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - the mariposa swallowed up 42 liters of ping pong balls with enough...
The Mariposa swallowed up 42 liters of ping pong balls with enough space left to close the top flap.
Credit: Justin Simoni

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 very 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.

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - swap out the included back padding for your own sleeping mat to save...
Swap out the included back padding for your own sleeping mat to save on grams and interior space!
Credit: Justin Simoni

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.

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - the ultralight mariposa will help you float up those hill climbs...
The ultralight Mariposa will help you float up those hill climbs like a butterfly.
Credit: Justin Simoni

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.

gossamer gear mariposa 60 ultralight backpack review - with over 60 liters of capacity, where you go with the mariposa is...
With over 60 liters of capacity, where you go with the Mariposa is up to you.
Credit: Maddock Rigby

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, which shares many of the same design characteristics as the Mariposa in a 50L 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.

Jane Jackson & Justin Simoni