GoLite Pinnacle or Gossamer Gear Mariposa

i have a 1st generation Jam & a Mariposa, but not the Jam^2.

a key feature that i look for and find nearly indispensable is a mesh front pocket for drying things (IF the rain has stopped!). For me the choice is easy between a Jam (1st gen. and, probably J^2 2nd gen.) & a Mariposa. It's the Mariposa, but that's just my preference since i like many other things about BOTH packs. The Jam^2 would have to be much, much superior to the 1st gen. Jam to sway me away from the Mariposa. Even if it's equal to the Mariposa, the mesh front pocket will still sway me towards the Mariposa.

I've owned two Gusts, and I think the new Pinnacle is very similar, although I have no direct knowledge. I just this morning received a Mariposa that I bought used off this site. I have a 21" torso and a 44" chest. For me the Gust shoulder pads were just not long enough. Although I have not been able to load the Mariposa up,(I've just been playing around with it in the office this morning. It seems to me that the sizing is better. I built a single stay setup for the gust, which I liked, but the combination of the torso length/shoulder pad length made it unusable for me. However, I'd say TRY both of them before you make any decision.

Thanks for your comments. I'd be interested to hear any updates you have after trying out the Mariposa some more. I'm also about a 45" chest, but the tops of my shoulders are very wide (I need at least XXL clothing).

I'd love to try both of them out, but it's not like I can drive to the nearest Walmart and compare them. Trying them out basically amounts to ordering them and returning one and paying for shipping. In all likelihood I'll order one and return it if I'm really disappointed.

Hi Eric,
Was just in the same situation where I was in need of replacing a large heavy pack that I was using for winter backpacking, ended up going with the Pinnacle for a slightly different reason, was concerned about the durability of fabric used with the Mariposa when it came to attaching crampons & snowshoes to the outside of the pack, the Pinnacle seemed a bit more durable for this type of equipment. First winter weekend trip using this I found it to be a nearly perfect pack for hauling a bulky load with previously mentioned equipment lashed to the outside. The pack felt comfortable due to load lifters in the shoulder strap area allowing adjustments to be made as needed, larger hip belt fins made a more comfortable fit as well. Pinnacle does also seem like it will easily carry 40lb loads was probably closer to 30lbs when using and it felt fine. They also have seemed to created some type of frame that relies less on a rolled up sleeping pad, noticed this when pack was empty, Torso length seemed fine on the medium that I am using but my torso size would call for 19”, Mariposa seems like a really great pack, but I would give the Pinnacle a thumbs up for winter loads if that is when you will most likely be using this pack.
Also compactor system seems fine for decreasing the size of the pack but will most likely be using the smaller original Jam once into 3 season travel with a smaller and much lighter load.
(and no I dont work for Golite, just a happy customer)
Best of luck
Jim