Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack Review

00:19 Basic Features
01:27 Reasons For Choosing The Mariposa
02:08 Pros
02:12 Comfortable With A Heavy Load
03:03 Hip Belt
03:53 Double Decker Side Pockets
04:25 Top Closure
04:46 Durability
06:02 Cons
06:09 Tall Side Pocket
08:10 Ventilation
09:33 Gossamer Gear Pack Liner
10:32 Final Thoughts

* I do NOT accept anything from gear companies. I do not do paid reviews. I do not have any sponsors. All opinions are my own, based on my experiences. I do not plan to ever incorporate sponsorships on this channel in an effort to remain 100% impartial. If I were to accept gear in exchange for a review I would disclose it per FTC regulations.

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[hikesperry]

I've been using this pack for 4 years and love it. I carry a 2 man tent and a bear vault and have never had a space problem. The 2 hip belt pockets are surprisingly roomy. I wash it 2 or 3 times a season and it still looks good. Not new, but good.

[ronaldrose]

Hello Dixie, thank you for the great review of a fine quality product. You always do a super job on your reviews. Another big thank you for assisting Second Chance on his PCT trek. Always take good care of yourself. The very best to you, your Mom and Fancy. 🤗

[cometsmom]

Can't wait to see your Spain hike. It always a pleasure watching your videos.

[laur-unstagenameactuallyca]

Aw glad you have a review of this pack! I had my mind set on it for a while but for some reason I never realized you'd made a review on it. Makes me happy to see that it's that good coming from a trusted source 🤗

[luboyanev]

Thanks for sharing, one thing that would have been interesting to hear is how it compares to your other packs (the arc haul and the osprey)

[DrewBoswell]

My Mariposa has held up well since I got it in 2016. It's tougher than it looks at first. Like you, I find the pad makes my back sweat from lack of airflow. The only thing I'd change is to make the hip belt pockets larger, but that's about it. The pack is so well designed with useful features that it makes me happy to wear it. That one tall pocket I consider my wet stuff place. My tarp goes in it, along with my rain gear and pack cover. If I'm carrying an umbrella, it's in there too. That way if it starts raining, I only have to look in one place for whatever I need to deal with the precip.


One other possible negative of the Mariposa is that it's so roomy you might be tempted to over pack it. Don't, because once you get much over 28 pounds in it, the ride is not as comfortable. But that scenario is easy to avoid with experience. Anyone considering a 60L pack would do well to try the Mariposa.

[thecaublelife]

I am so glad that you had a positive experience with the Mariposa! I carried the Mariposa pack on the AT and wanted to love it so much, and it was fine - except my load lifters broke! The right one went first, and luckily it happened right around trail days and the people at Osprey fixed it. Then around the Whites, my left one broke and I finished out the trail with it broken! Ah! Still searching for the perfect pack even after a thru-hike under my belt haha

[douglamont]

Your reviews are great. You give a honest review base on your own actual experiences. However, if you personal dislike something, you also include other people's comments for a complete unbiased point of view. You're doing a great job keep it up. Thank you very much.

[HippieHikerChik]

Glad to hear you liked the Mariposa. I switched to the Mariposa from an Osprey Ariel and have been super happy. I have the upgraded back pad and it does help with the ventilation. The more I use the pack, the more I really love the outside pockets. I keep my shelter and a 1L Smart Water bottle fitted with a tube in the tall pocket then keep a 20 oz bottle with BCAA powder or other electrolyte replacement in one of the short pockets. The zipper pocket on the top is super handy as well.

[Phorphor]

Dixie!! Guess who is about to start the Oregon Coast Trail? Thank you so very much for all of your advice. Your insights have been priceless to me during this planning process.

[montana]

I haven't commented in some time: so I just want to say Ur the best & I love the creative way U photograph nature. It was fun watching U, Ur mom & Fancy Mae.
I'm still a fan & still watching...wayne

[shorty]

Enjoy your videos. Thanks for supporting Second Chance!

[AmericanDrainWorks]

all these companies should be paying you... you should be sponsored. Your are amazing. Thank you for your information.

[dianal.]

Thank you for the review! I'm looking forward to your videos when you're in Europe! All the best to the whole family!

[girlgonefishing]

I love my Mariposa, the long sleeve has a hole in the bottom to let water drip off from a tarp/tent! Thanks Dixie for the review.

[hikerJohn]

Goose and Turkey Roasting Bags work well for keeping clothes and sleeping bags dry. Either Reynolds or True Liberty brand bags. They are odor resistant as well being made of a type of nylon. I did consider the Mariposa but got the Arc Haul to save weight.

[mary.peacefulhikesn.j.]

Great review! As for a pack having four side pockets, Zpacks has this option. I have the Scout (I have a small back) and needed more space so I added the optional upper pockets and I don't know how I lived without them!!! I put my Sawyer Kit in one side and my stove/pot in the other for easy access of midday coffee on the trail. ~mary

[NancyandMako]

Just watched your video again I just got this pack for my thruhike this spring on the AT. I am taking my Standard Poodle along some of the trail and needed some additional space. I have used G4-20 for the past year and absolutely love it!!!! Excited to try out my Mariposa pack!! Again thx so much for your amazing videos!!!!

[MarkusSenior]

Thanks for this great review Dixie. I will be testing Gossamer Gear's Silverback 55 on a Sierra Nevada (Mineral King) trip in a few days. Curious how it will hold up, especially as I was also contemplating going with the Mariposa first…. But then went with the Silverback for durability and also the added carry capacity for my camera gear… Let’s see how it will work out.
Looking forward to your Camino videos. My brother did one route last year and loved it.

[snowymatrix]

Love this pack! I've had it 4 months and done 2 trips and 400 miles and still looks like new! I bought the phone strap shoulder pocket that GG sell and it fits my massive S9 plus - thanks Dixie! :-)