I figured I would go ahead and post my modified GG Mariposa Plus backpack for those of you who may be interested. I now mostly use homemade backpacks, but this was my backpack of choice for a while. When I got it, it weighed 22.3 oz. fully loaded. The first minor modifications I made were cutting out the hydration bladder pocket, drinking tube keeper loops, and all tags. Without the aluminum stay and padding, I had the pack down to around 16.2 oz. Once I started making my own gear, I decided to make some more drastic modifications. The first thing I did was cut off the top, side mesh pocket on the right side, because I didn't need that many mesh pockets.
Next, I wanted 2 water bottle pockets, so I cut down the large mesh pocket on the left side and sewed on some elastic at the same height as the right side water bottle pocket.
Then I took the same mesh that I just cut off and made hipbelt pockets with it.
Then I seam ripped the 1 1/2" webbing belt off and sewed on a 1" webbing belt, because there really isn't much of a difference in how they feel.
Then I removed the 3/4" sternum strap and added a 1/2" sternum strap. And the last thing I did was cut off the Y-strap closure and webbing that went all the way down to the bottom of the pack. I plan on adding a velcro closure or bungee compression in place of the Y-strap closure, but I haven't yet.
All said and done, the modified Mariposa Plus now weighs 14.6 oz., and it now has 2 water bottle pockets and 2 hipbelt pockets.
