Pack Pad Pocket??

With a mariposa the pad provides a little separation of the pack cloth from your back, which helps a bit with providing a bit of ventilation. The cloth that is used on the pack pocket is breathable, which also helps a bit, especially compared to the silnylon of the original mariposa.

Putting the pad in the pocket also allows for the volume of the pad not taking up room in the main pack, which can be an issue if you are carrying something bulky like a bear canister.

Tom,
Everything James said, plus:

-The pocket keeps the pad in place making it more stable that just putting it in your pack where it could shift around.

-It's easily accessible on the trail if you want a comfy place to sit on your lunch break.

Is it enough of an advantage that you would purchase a GG miniposa over an MLD Prophet for that reason alone?

"-It's easily accessible on the trail if you want a comfy place to sit on your lunch break."

Don't underestimate the value of this feature. Having quick access to a closed cell foam pad for breaks is great — and it makes the pad multi-use.

Hi Tom – I have a Prophet and one of the old Mariposa packs. The sleeve is nice in some ways but it's not significant.
Ron

I'm with Ken on this one. Not only SUPER useful at rest stops, but being able to sit on your pad while packing up everything else is a great feature for me…if you pack your pad inside your pack, you'll have to put it in first, which then means sitting on the ground or worse, standing/kneeling, while you pack up your gear. Especially useful when it's wet/damp out.

Hi Tom,
I wouldn't say that that's the only reason to get a Mariposa over the Prophet. I like the pockets on the Mariposa better and how you can customize your own bungee system. Also, the Mariposa has a removable stay so you get both a framed and frameless pack. I just like this pack all around. I did a short video on it if you want to see some of it's features:

http://www.geartalkwithjasonklass.com/2009/05/gossamer-gear-mariposa-plus-review.html

I am looking at the miniposa…the one that does not have a frame.

I like the idea of the removable hipbelt becasue on my light summer hikes i could have a 11 oz pack.

I already have a prophet with hipbelt wings and it weighs 14 oz. Dont know if i should have gone with the miniposa because of the pad pocket and removable hipbelt?

>I use a z rest for a pad and wondered if there ws any advantage to a pad pocket like on a Mariposa vs. just folding it flat across the back of the pack on the inside??

Alternatively, roll up the Z-Rest (yes, it rolls), stick it in the pack, put your fist in the center of the roll, and bang back and forth vigorously. It unfurls inside and provides a "frame" and a bit of padding.

I just tried it with my Z-Rest and Thompson Peak BP. I was surprised at how well it worked, given that the Z-Rest is designed to fold, not unfurl.

Stargazer