New Gossamer Gear Mariposa

Looks like a nice pack, but….

I have a much older version that has essentially the same features and only weighs 20 oz. I think the weight difference is significant. I really don't like the trend to heavier fabrics (read more durable). If you just be careful with your gear, it will last a long time. Just my opinion.

Well, the fabric won't necessarily last if you're going through rough environments.

What I see is that they are creating a pack to compete with HMG'S Porter and the Paradox Unaweep. A relatively lightweight pack that can take heavier loads while withstanding multiple uses and unforgiving environments.

Bushwhacking through dense forest or navigating slot canyons doesn't allow for treating your pack super delicately. I appreciate durable packs that attempt to be as light as possible. That being said I can understand why people also want the lightest pack possible regardless of long term durability.

How much more durable is this version of the Mariposa in contrast with the last version? It's still significantly lighter than my circuit although I'd have to have the two side by side and carry both to see which I like better. The lack of a shallow pocket on the one side is kind of strange but I can think of plenty of uses for the large pocket. I guess the old Mariposa was the same way and people seemed to like it.

It's an interesting pack, for sure, but until GG stops sewing the shoulder straps straight across, I–and a lot of people with moderately developed trapezius muscles–won't be able to get a decent fit. Without angled shoulder strap attachments, the GG packs just aren't an option for me.

It still remains a mystery why the company continues to exclude a significant portion of the available market when an easy, inexpensive solution is readily available.

I think they are floundering.

I also think the new pack is butt-ugly.

"I think they are floundering.

I also think the new pack is butt-ugly."

+1

I think Ill buy a kumo before they turn ugly as well.

"…but until GG stops sewing the shoulder straps straight across, I–and a lot of people with moderately developed trapezius muscles–won't be able to get a decent fit. Without angled shoulder strap attachments, the GG packs just aren't an option for me."

I understand your problem. I HATE packs that ride on my trapezius muscle. My solution has always been to get a pack with a very wide placement of the shoulder straps so that they sit at the outside end of my shoulders. I moved the shoulder straps on a Vapor Trail to the outside and now it fits great. I do prefer to carry all the weight on my hips with brief periods of shifting a little to my back/shoulders.

All that to simply say that the same problem has different solutions. Must drive pack makes crazy! ;^)

Is it me, or did the Mariposa gain a couple of ounces in the refresh?

So do most people actually prefer the big side pocket? The best thing that I ever did to my second gen was chop down the tall pocket so that I could use two water bottles.

The fabric is interesting, but there is literally nothing else that I like about it. Hopefully it carries well. Doesn't look like they are made in house any longer also.

Ryan

They haven't been made "in house" in a while. Outsourced to Mexico, check the inside of the right hip belt pocket.

Oh, didn't know that. I would have guessed China on this particular pack.

Ryan

Version 1 17oz now what? 28oz.

Yuck on the trim color choice Glen.

Not for me thanks.

This pack may be from China, the previous generation was from Mexico.

Version 1 17oz now what? 28oz.

The version 1 Mariposa was a very very different pack. Much more like the old G4. A large part of the weight gain over the years has been to move from fragility to durability (fabric changes), to add a rigid frame and to add permanent padding in the shoulder straps and hip belt. Having made and used a G4, I applaud those changes … the pack volume leaves room to accommodate too much gear for anything less. Accept that as an opinion from one who routinely uses a completely frameless pack (Granite Gear Virga)

The rest of the weight gain is from adding features that are typically optional on many packs … there certainly are legitimate reasons for individuals to like or dislike that.

As to the color … doesn't bother me at all. But I'm color blind, YMMV.

I have two gen twos — his and her.

GG seems to be chasing a new market — it is their business to run.

There are plenty of choices for UL, so I have no problem their new direction.

I am with Ken, I am disappointed by GG's trend towards heavier packs, much like SMD's new packs and Golite's packs for years. Do you want fries with that new Mariposa? Sure, it their business to run, but they have lost me as a pack customer. I have an older, much lighter Mariposa that I love. It has seen plenty of miles and is holding up just fine. The last pack I bought was a custom Zimmerbuilt that is a mid volume pack. When it is time to get a new, larger volume pack to replace the Mariposa, I will be emailing Chris Zimmer. For my money, MLD, Zpacks, and Zimmerbuilt are the only folks left if you want a truly light, high quality pack.

Will has a solid review at his website.

http://southwestultralight.blogspot.com/2014/08/first-look-gossamer-gear-2014-mariposa.html

I agree it seems a bit odd choice of fabric colors but this fabric is supposedly stronger than dyneema. I own an older version of the Mariposa with the dyneema and I quite like it. I also own an Osprey Atmos pack and the new Mariposa looks an awful lot like my Atmos.

My 50ish liter zimmerbuilt is 24oz

The 60ish liter mariposa is 28oz.

That's not out of wack IMO

Obv 10liters worth of some textile wouldn't be 4oz, but it's not like there's some astronomical heaviness to this new mariposa

Jeff – What fabric is your Zimmerbuilt pack made out of?

That Dimension stuff. VX21, Vx03, and maybe some middle weight version on there somewhere. Mostly VX21.

It isn't really a custom build… it was in his clearance bin last year and i scooped it up.

"What I see is that they are creating a pack to compete with HMG'S Porter and the Paradox Unaweep. A relatively lightweight pack that can take heavier loads while withstanding multiple uses and unforgiving environments."

The Paradox Unaweep and HMG Porter are in a completely different class of packs – they use more durable fabrics and are capable of far heavier loads (and weigh 8 – 16 oz or more than the Mariposa). I don't think Gossamer Gear created this pack to compete with them…

While the new Mariposa looks like something out of REI, it doesn't seem that the pack's suspension has changed in any way. Gossamer Gear still lists the max load at 35 lbs and says it is best with loads under 30 lbs. This range, however, probably hits a sweet spot for many backpackers who typically carry 15-25 lbs, but sometimes go up to around 30-35 lbs.

So glad Gossamer Gear finally decided to have the frame attach directly to the pack's hipbelt, thereby actually transferring weight to the hips…

What's that you say? They didn't actually do this? Oh you're hilarious, stop joking around…

Wait… you really are serious?

You're saying it's still a pack claiming to carry 30 lbs comfortably even though it can't possibly transfer weight effectively to the hips because the hipbelt is not attached to the suspension in any meaningful way?

Oh…

…Then I guess this pack is still dead to me.