The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is a 60-liter lightweight backpacking pack that weighs about 34 oz (970 g) in a size Medium with its removable aluminum frame and hip belt installed [1]. It is built for long-distance hikers who have trimmed their base weight but still want room for bulky gear, food carries or a bear canister, with a recommended load of 35 lb [1]. If you regularly carry more than that, a heavier framed pack is the better choice.
Status: current
The Mariposa 60 is a current Gossamer Gear model, sold by authorized dealers including Garage Grown Gear, which listed it in stock in October 2026 [1], and the EU retailer Outdoorline [2]. We could not load Gossamer Gear’s own product page, so specs below come from those retailers. Weights vary slightly by torso size and which hip belt you choose [1][2].
Specs
| Spec | Mariposa 60 |
|---|---|
| Volume | 60 L total; 36 L main body to the bottom of the extension collar [1] |
| Weight (fully configured) | Small 33.4 oz (947 g); Medium 34.2 oz (970 g); Large 36.2 oz (1,026 g) [1] |
| Frame | Removable, closed-shape aluminum PVT frame that slots into the pivoting hip belt [1][2] |
| Load | Recommended load 35 lb; comfort limit listed as 30 lb [1] |
| Fabric | Recycled Robic nylon, 100D body and 210D bottom and side pockets; PFAS-free [1][2] |
| Weather | Not fully waterproof; seams are unsealed, so a pack liner is recommended [2] |
| Hip belt | Removable PVT belt with pockets on both sides; straight or curved fits [1][2] |
| Hydration | Hydration tube router; two easy-reach water bottle pockets [1][2] |
| Closure | Roll-top with lid pocket [1] |
| Pockets | 7 external, including a large front stretch-mesh pocket [1] |
| Torso sizes | S 16–18 in; M 18–20 in; L 20–22 in [1] |
| Dimensions | 11 x 7 x 22 in, plus an 11.5 in extension collar [1] |
How the frame and hip belt work
Gossamer Gear calls the suspension “PVT.” The aluminum frame is a closed shape that fits into a pocket on the hip belt, and the belt pivots so it moves with your hips as you walk [1][2]. The frame is removable, which lets you strip the pack down when your load is light [1].
Hip belt fit is a real choice with this pack. Small packs ship with an S/M curved belt; Medium and Large ship with a Medium straight belt [2]. Outdoorline relays Gossamer Gear’s guidance that a curved belt suits a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.85 or lower, and a straight belt suits a higher ratio [2]. Other belt sizes are sold separately [2]. If you are between sizes or have a pronounced waist-to-hip difference, plan on ordering the belt that fits rather than the default.
Features worth knowing
- Lots of external storage. Seven external pockets, including a big front mesh pocket for wet layers and a lid pocket [1].
- Trail-friendly details. Trekking pole attachments, a side ice axe loop, a headphone port and a removable SitLight foam pad that doubles as a seat [1][2].
- S-curve harness with load lifters to help the pack ride close to your back [1].
- Not waterproof. Line it. Outdoorline specifically notes the unsealed seams and recommends waterproof stuff sacks or a liner [2].
Who it suits
- Thru-hikers and long-distance backpackers with a light base weight who still need high volume for food carries, winter layers or a bear canister.
- Hikers who want a lot of external pocket space for on-the-go access.
- People willing to dial in hip belt fit for a lighter pack.
Who should skip it
- Anyone routinely carrying more than about 35 lb. Garage Grown Gear lists 35 lb as the recommended load and 30 lb as the comfort limit [1].
- Hikers who want a waterproof pack out of the box [2].
- People who prefer a fully padded, heavily framed traditional backpacking pack.
Current alternatives
| Pack | Volume | Weight | Load guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 | 50 L | 885 g (S), 905 g (M) | 11.3 kg comfort, 13.6 kg max [3] |
| ULA Circuit | 68 L | about 1,038 g (M) | 15 kg or less recommended [4] |
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50. The Mariposa’s smaller sibling uses the same PVT frame-and-belt system and S-curve harness, with a 32 L main body and 50 L total [3]. It is lighter and smaller, with a recommended comfort load of 11.3 kg and a maximum of 13.6 kg [3]. Choose it if your kit is compact and you do not need the Mariposa’s extra volume.
ULA Circuit. A common comparison for thru-hikers. Backpacking Light Australia lists 68 L total, about 36.6 oz for a Medium, a carbon fiber and Delrin hoop with an aluminum stay and foam frame, a roll-top closure, bear canister compatibility and a recommended maximum load of 15 kg or less [4]. It gives you more total volume in a similar weight class.
Bottom line
The Mariposa 60 is a high-volume, roughly 2 lb pack for hikers with a light base weight who want lots of external pockets and a pivoting hip belt. Get the hip belt fit right, keep loads within about 35 lb, and use a liner. If your kit is compact, the Gorilla 50 saves weight; if you want a bit more volume in the same weight class, look at the ULA Circuit.
Sources
- Garage Grown Gear — Mariposa 60 by Gossamer Gear (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Outdoorline — Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- TNS Outdoor — Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Backpacking Light Australia — ULA Equipment Circuit 68L Backpack (accessed Oct 8, 2026)