Bottom Line
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is one of our favorite ultralight backpacks for thru-hiking. It delivers an exceptional combination of carrying comfort, practical features, and lightweight yet durable construction.
During extensive field testing on the PCT and CDT, we were impressed by the Mariposa’s ability to comfortably handle loads up to 30 pounds while maintaining excellent stability. The thoughtfully engineered suspension system, featuring an aluminum frame, load lifters, and cushy padding, effectively transfers weight to the hips for all-day comfort.
With a practical layout that includes a cavernous front pocket, various side pockets, and generous hipbelt storage, gear organization is a breeze. The notable trade-offs are the pack’s limited water resistance and the not-so-durable mesh on the front pocket.
For ounce-counting enthusiasts seeking a feature-rich, comfort-focused pack at a reasonable weight, the Mariposa 60 delivers outstanding value.
For more reviews of our favorite ultralight backpacks, see our complete ultralight backpack gear guide.
Quick Specs
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
Most Comfortable Ultralight Backpack
CleverHiker Rating: 4.7/5.0
Price: $315
Weight: 2 lb. 2.2 oz.(medium)
Volume: 60 L
Max Weight Rec.: 35 lbs
Pros
- Comfortable
- Quick closure
- Good organization
- Convenient SitLight pad included
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Fabric isn't the most durable
comfort
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 delivers exceptional comfort for an ultralight backpack capable of hauling serious loads. A key feature is the heavily padded shoulder straps and hip belt that provide ample cushioning under load. During our field testing on multi-day trips, we found the padding effectively handled about 30 pounds and avoided aggravating typical pressure points.
The Mariposa’s advanced suspension system is critical to its carrying comfort. The aluminum frame and load-lifter straps work together to balance the pack’s weight, transferring the load to the hips and keeping it stable against the body.
The removable foam back panel promotes airflow between the pack and your back, reducing sweat buildup. This panel also doubles as a convenient sit pad. With its dialed-in ergonomics and premium padding, the Mariposa 60 offers dependable comfort from trailhead to summit and back again.
Functionality
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 delivers high-performance functionality through thoughtfully engineered features. Exclusive to Gossamer Gear are the pack’s fold-top enclosure, redesigned trekking pole holders, and a removable back panel that doubles as a sit pad. Hikers tend to love or hate the unique fold-top enclosure. It takes some getting used to, but it offers a different approach over the traditional roll-top.
The Mariposa provides lots of storage options and ample capacity for gear organization. The front pocket is huge and very stretchy, easily accommodating bulky items like rain gear or a tent fly. The pack features three side pockets—an easy-to-reach water bottle pocket, a higher “avocado” pocket, and a tall pocket on the opposite side that is perfect for tents or tent poles.
The generous hipbelt pockets conveniently store daily items like snacks, sunblock, sunglasses, or a smartphone. The Mariposa 60 also incorporates an ice axe loop for snowy mountain treks. The load lifters help shift weight towards the body and stabilize the pack.
Water Resistance
While the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 excels in many areas, water resistance is not its strongest suit. During our extensive water exposure test, we observed significant water penetration along the back panel and sides of the pack.
The primary fabric, a lightweight recycled robic nylon, prioritizes comfort and weight savings over robust water repellency. While this design choice aligns with the preferences of many ultralight enthusiasts, it necessitates using a pack liner or cover to protect gear in wet conditions.
On a positive note, the pack’s side pockets incorporate drainage holes to prevent water from pooling, a thoughtful feature to keep you from carrying unwanted water weight.
Ultimately, prioritizing weight and comfort over advanced water resistance reflects Gossamer Gear’s commitment to ultralight design principles. For adventurers who value the Mariposa’s comfort and organization, using a pack liner or cover is an easy solution in wet conditions.
Construction
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa achieves an impressive balance of lightweight construction and practical durability. With a weight-to-capacity ratio of just 0.5 ounces per liter, it’s lighter (for the size) and more durable than its sibling, the Gorilla.
After thousands of miles of testing on the PCT and CDT, the Mariposa finally began to show some wear but no catastrophic failures. To reduce weight, Gossamer Gear strategically reinforces high-wear areas like the bottom panel with sturdy 210 denier robic nylon while utilizing lighter 100D robic nylon for the rest of the pack. Still, it needs to be treated lovingly like any other ultralight gear.
While the Mariposa 60 may not match the overall durability of heavier, more robustly constructed packs, it strikes a thoughtful balance that caters to the priorities of ultralight enthusiasts. The primary weak point we observed was the vulnerability of the stretchy mesh front pocket, which, although incredibly useful for storing gear, proved susceptible to snagging and tearing.
Should You Buy the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Ultralight Backpack?
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is an excellent choice for thru-hikers or ultralight beginners who value carrying comfort, clever organization, and weight savings. If your multi-day adventures involve loads around 30 pounds and you prioritize an intelligently designed, feature-rich pack, the Mariposa 60 is well worth considering.
The Mariposa excels at distributing weight comfortably with the aluminum frame and padded shoulder straps. The thoughtful layout, including well-placed pockets and ample storage, streamlines gear management. While it may not be the most water-resistant or ultra-durable pack available, it balances weight and durability surprisingly well.
We wouldn’t call it a budget option, but the Mariposa feels fair-priced, especially considering its quality and innovativeness. If its strengths align with your needs and you’re willing to use a pack liner in wet conditions, the Mariposa could be your ideal trail companion.
What Other Ultralight Backpacks Should You Consider?
Don’t pull the trigger on this pack until you check out the rest of our favorite ultralight packs! Here are some options similar to the Mariposa:
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Review: The sibling to the Mariposa is the Gorilla 50. Of course featuring the same Gossamer Gear Specific designs, it’s smaller, lighter, and might be a better fit for the more dialed-in ultralight hiker.
ULA Circuit Review: If you never want to worry about running out of space, the ULA Circuit provides a whopping 68 liters of capacity and carries quite comfortably. It is one of the most popular packs of the PCT.
REI Flash Air 50 Review: The Flash Air 50 is an excellent crossover pack for people hesitant to dive into Gossamer Gear’s ultralight mentality. It features a sturdy hipbelt and suspension system similar to more traditional packs but the rest is designed like an ultralight pack.
