Initial Report: Gossamer Gear Mariposa Ultalight Backpack
Date: Nov 27th, 2004 Manufacturer Information Name: Gossamer Gear Website: http://www.gossamergear.com	Product Information Manufacturer: Gossamer Gear Model: Mariposa Ultralight Backpack Year of Manufacture: 2004 Color: Blue & Black Size: Medium Volume: 4,200 c.i. (69 l) 2,900 c.i. (48 l) main body 800 c.i. (13 l) extension collar 500 c.i. (8 l) pockets) MSRP: $129.95 (US) Listed Weight: 14.8 oz - 17.4 oz (420 g - 494 g) depending on accessories Measured Weight:  17.3 oz (490 g)   Individual Component Weights Description Weight Main Pack Body (Sternum Strap & Compression Lacing)  15.7oz (445 g) Foam Shoulder Pads (2)  0.4 oz (11 g) Foam Waist Pads (2)  0.4 oz (11 g) Carbon stays (2)  0.8 oz (23 g)

Product Description

The Gossamer web site does a good job of describing the pack, along with several pictures.  I'll try to detail the description without plagiarizing on their work.  The main body is blue silnylon and the abrasion prone areas are black light weight polyurethane coated rip-stop nylon.  Accessory pockets are a large combined 1300 cu.in. (21 l) and constructed of nylon mesh.  Waist belt and shoulder straps are constructed of the same black nylon as previously note with the inner sweat prone areas constructed of nylon gauze material over laid with nylon mesh.  Optional 3/8 in (1 cm) closed cell foam is included that can be inserted through hook and loop closures.  Sternum strap is removable and side release buckle doubles as a signal whistle.

Pack frame or back of pack (area that contacts the hiker's back) is constructed from the above noted black nylon and has two removable carbon fiber stays.  Additionally, the user can also insert up to a 20" (51 cm) sleeping pad for additional support or padding. I found that my 3/4 length ultalight Thermarest® inflatable sleeping pad comfortably filled the supplemental pack frame.  Insertion of my 3/4 length Thermarest® Zrest maxed out the space and distances the pack 1 3/4 inches (4.5 cm) away from my back.  This concerns me, in that the center of gravity is moved away from the body.  The above photos were taken with 3/4 length ultalight Thermarest® inflatable sleeping pad.

I was especially pleased to see 6 compression loops (3 tie-offs per side) running the length of the back.  These are in addition to the 6 being utilized by the bungee strap.  This would allow the user to downsize the pack when 2,900 cu in (48 l) is too large, thus allowing an under filled pack to be symmetrically filled.  If not for the compression loops, the pack weight would be centered at the base of the pack, rather than over the shoulders.  Since the pack has minimal frame structure, packing and compressing the pack adds to the packs stability.  Unfortunately the needed straps to accomplish the compression are up to the purchaser to provide, unless the bungee cord is restrung for maximum compression.

Extras are a hydration sleeve, axe loop, and bungee cord looping across the full length of the pack's front.  There are a total of 4 mesh accessory pockets.  A large 10 in x 11 in (25 cm x 28 cm) pocket on the lower pack front, a large 7 in x 14 in (18 cm x 36 cm) pocket on the hikers left side and two 7 in x 8 in (18 cm x 20 cm) pockets on the right side.

Person Fit

I'm 6 ft (1.83 m ), 165 lbs (75 kg), torso length is 20 in (51 cm), and waist (as pre my pants) is 32 in (81 cm).  The pack I received was a medium and is listed for torso lengths of 18 in - 22 in (46 cm - 56 cm).  The length fit correctly as the shoulder straps were nearly at 90 degrees (straight back) from top of shoulder to pack, as is visible in the above photo.  The waist was a different issue, as it would not cinch down to my 32 in (81 cm) waist.  Inserting the hip pads and installation of a 3/4 length Ultralight Thermarest® in the back panel brought cinching to a marginally acceptable level. 

I emailed Gossamer on a Sunday morning and received the sketch below within a few hours.  I remind you, this was a Sunday and a reply back in a few hours.  They call it the Thru Hiker waist belt modification, and will be posted to their web site in the near future.  I placed a 3/4 in (2 cm) fold on both sides of the waist belt and now it cinches down comfortably even without a sleeping pad in the back panel.

1. Fold the waist belt to create a "Z" fold between the back connection point and the Hook & Loop "Velcro®" openings.

2. Stitch twice to hold in locations shown

3. Repeat for the other side.

 

 

Summary

Pros:

• Light weight

• Compression loops

• Padded waist belt and shoulder straps

Cons:

• Waist belt had to be modified to my waist

Test Plan

• Three January yurt trips into central Idaho, pack size of 4200 cu in (68 l ) makes for a great pack size.  Expect to be filled to 40 lbs (18 kg)

• At least five Nordic ski trips December through March, and will use as a day pack.  Pack is over sized, but will be about half full when adding my wife's day gear.  Good opportunity to use compression straps.

• Late February/early March two weekend snow camping trips into Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho.

• April and May will start hitting the lower/southern elevations.  Also planning a trip through Grand Canyon.

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 47

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: aisrad@cableone.net

I started backpacking 21 years ago, mostly 3 day trips with at least one 7 day trip per year.  By backpacking, I’m referring to summer, winter camping, and fall hunting.  About half my trips are light weight solo and the other half with my family.  I own a llama that was purchased when my 3^rd child was 2, some 10 years ago.  This allowed me to continue backpacking as a family activity.  When I’m not with the family/llama I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  In recent years I’ve begun substituting a collie for the llama.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.