Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Review: A Lightweight Pack for Long Distance Trails

Introduction

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is a 60 litre ultralight backpack built for long distance hiking and multi-day backpacking. It has earned a following among thru hikers on routes such as the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, and it also turns up on UK long distance walks including the Coast to Coast and the Cape Wrath Trail in Scotland. The thinking behind it is straightforward: remove the heavy structure, keep the fabric tough, and let the load sit close to your body.

At around $300, or roughly £250 in the UK, it sits well above the average backpack price. That makes it a pack worth understanding properly before committing, especially if you are used to a sleeker, more traditional design.

This guide covers what the Mariposa 60 does well, where it asks for compromises, and who is most likely to be happy with it after a full season of multi-day trips.

Who This Pack Suits

This is a pack for backpackers who have already trimmed their kit list and want the pack itself to stop being the heaviest item in the equation. It is designed to carry roughly 30 to 35 pounds, which is about 13 to 15 kilograms, and it performs best when you stay at or below that range.

It suits multi-day and long distance walkers who pack light and accept a simple design in exchange for a low weight. It is less suited to anyone who expects a rigid frame, a suspended mesh back panel, or the sleek narrow profile of a classic alpine-style pack. The Mariposa is an American design with a different shape: when loaded, it sits bulkier and wider than many European packs, and it relies on the shoulders and hips rather than an internal frame to carry the load.

Main Strengths and Build Quality

Weight is the headline. Depending on which size you choose, the pack weighs between roughly 800 and 900 grams, and it is available in small, medium and large with different back lengths and hip belt sizes. That is genuinely light for a 60 litre pack.

The main body uses 100 and 200 denier nylon, a tight, hard wearing fabric that handles the abuse of real trails. Brushing past brambles, catching a gate or squeezing through a barbed wire fence should not tear it. That said, some areas of the pack use lighter, less tightly woven material, so the durability is not uniform across every panel.

When the pack is fitted correctly it rides high and stays stable, supported by broad shoulder straps and a substantial hip belt. The shoulder straps are chunky and well padded, which gives good support, though the width may feel large for some wearers and could lead to rubbing over long days. There is a sternum strap with a built-in whistle, plus ice axe loops and several attachment points around the body.

Storage and Pocket Layout

The Mariposa 60 is generous with space and pockets, and there are seven in total. The main compartment is a large single cavity that swallows a tent, sleeping bag, roll mat, stove, food and clothing for a multi-day trip without much fuss. A hydration sleeve at the back lets you route a hose so you can drink while walking.

The top is an over-the-top hood design with a sizeable zipped pocket, large enough for a toilet kit, sun cream and hand warmers. It has two clips plus a small clip for gathering loose fabric, and the zip toggle is easy to grip with gloves. The top is not removable. The fabric has only slight water repellency, so a separate rain cover is a sensible addition.

On the front, a full stretch mesh pocket takes hats, gloves and snacks. On the right side there is a bottle pocket that holds two water bottles within reach while walking, with a second pocket of the same size above it for a first aid kit, waterproofs or tent pegs. The left side uses a long full-length stretch pocket, which is harder to use while moving because there is no bottom access point, so anything stored there usually means stopping and taking the pack off.

A useful detail is the removable foam sit mat that doubles as the back panel. One packing note worth remembering: the pack tends to settle backwards rather than upwards when full, so keep heavy items close to your body for a more stable carry.

Comfort and Carrying Feel

Because there is effectively no frame, the mesh back panel sits directly against your back all day. That means you will sweat against the pack and finish long days with a damp back. The mesh also needs washing and drying properly after trips to avoid mould. If your kit is not packed smoothly, you will feel the contents pressing against you. There is no separation between you and the load.

The hip belt is substantial, and the two hip belt pockets are genuinely useful, holding a phone, snacks, a compass or batteries. Tightening the hip belt is less satisfying: the straps pull away from the body rather than across it, which makes it harder to get the belt feeling properly supportive. This is a small point, but a well fitted hip belt matters over long distances.

A few other practical notes. There are ice axe loops and attachment points, but no roll mat loops underneath, so everything needs to fit inside the pack. Optional extras such as a shoulder strap pocket are available if you want quicker access to small items. The Mariposa is available in a standard grey, with a green camo option also offered.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The first consideration is the side pocket. If you like to retrieve items without stopping, the full-length stretch pocket on the left will frustrate you.

The second is weather protection. There is no waterproof cover included, and the fabric’s water repellency is limited, so budget for a cover if you walk in wet conditions.

The third is the back panel. Without a frame or suspended mesh, the pack runs warm and leaves you damp. In colder conditions that contact can feel insulating, but airflow is always limited.

The fourth is the fit. The chunky shoulder straps and the hip belt tightening system will not suit every body shape, and a pack that does not sit comfortably can cause problems over hundreds of miles.

The fifth is price. Most backpacks sit somewhere between $100 and $150, and the Mariposa adds well over $100 on top of that. You are paying for low weight and durable materials, not for features.

Buying Advice

The Mariposa 60 makes the most sense for backpackers who have already reduced their base weight, plan long multi-day routes, and want a pack that carries 13 to 15 kilograms without adding much weight of its own. If that describes your trips, and you are comfortable with a pack that sits flat against your back, it is a well made, thoughtfully put together option.

Sizing deserves real attention. The pack comes in small, medium and large with different back lengths and hip belt sizes, so choose carefully and make sure the hip belt carries the load rather than your shoulders. The brand is known for responsive customer service and a clear ethos of helping people get outside with lighter kit, which is a reassuring thing to have behind a purchase at this price.

If you want a ventilation gap between your back and the pack, a sleeker profile, or a lower price, this is probably not the right choice. If you want a light, tough 60 litre pack for long trails, it is worth serious consideration.

Think of it as a long term piece of kit rather than an impulse buy. Choose the right size, add a rain cover, learn how it packs best, and it will serve you well season after season.

Conclusion

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is light, durable and roomy, with a sensible pocket layout and a large main compartment that handles multi-day loads. Its compromises are clear: no frame, a warm back panel, an awkward side pocket for on-the-move access, and a price well above average.

For backpackers who value low weight and tough materials over ventilation and sleek lines, those trade-offs are reasonable. For everyone else, the same money buys a more conventional pack. Match it to the way you actually walk, and it is a confident buy.