Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 vs Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
Quick take: The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 costs $35 less; the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 carries more (60 vs 36 liters); the Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 is lighter (0.5 vs 2.14 lbs).
Which one to buy
These two sit at opposite ends of Gossamer Gear's range, and the Murmur 36 costs $35 more despite being a frameless 36 L bag. That price buys weight: 0.5 lb against the Mariposa's 2.14, in ALUULA Graflyte laminate rather than woven Robic.
Few hikers can use that saving. The Murmur's comfort stops around 15 lb with a 20 lb ceiling, it comes in one torso size of 19-21 in, and hipbelt pockets only come through a belt accessory. It suits experienced hikers with sub-10 lb base weights; anyone carrying a canister, a week of food or winter layers needs something else.
The Mariposa 60 is that something else. Long-term reviews put its comfortable load at 30-35 lbs before its single aluminum stay starts to twist, a BV500 fits horizontally at the top of the bag, and fans say the seven-pocket layout means opening the main bag only twice a day. Its torso and hipbelt are sized separately for a semi-custom fit. The costs: an asymmetric layout that takes practice to balance, a foam back that soaks sweat on climbs, and hipbelt foam that softens over a full thru-hike. The Murmur is also often sold out between production runs, so even a hiker who fits its narrow brief may have to wait.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
For most backpackers, especially anyone carrying a bear canister, several days of food or loads above 15 lb, who wants organization and a stay.
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
Only for experienced hikers with sub-10 lb base weights and a 19-21 in torso who will pay $350 to keep the pack itself at half a pound.
| Spec | Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 | Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $315 | $350 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Frameless |
| Capacity | 60 L | 36 L |
| Weight | 2.14 lbs | 0.5 lbs |
| Max Load | 35 lbs | 20 lbs (15 lbs for comfort) |
| Torso Fit | Sized S-L: S 16-18 in, M 18-20 in, L 20-22 in | One size, 19-21 in |
| Material | 100D and 210D recycled Robic nylon | ALUULA Graflyte V52 |
| Back Panel | Aluminium hoop with removable SitLight foam pad | Frameless with included 3/8 in torso pad |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | No |
| Warranty | Gossamer Gear one-year warranty against manufacturing defects | One year against manufacturing defects, US purchasers |
Pros & cons
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
- ✓The seven-pocket layout is the best organization in ultralight — fans say they touch the main compartment twice a day, morning and night.
- ✓The tall side pocket holds a full tent separately from dry gear, the single most-praised design choice.
- ✓The removable back pad doubles as a sit pad, saving carrying a separate one.
- ✓Robic nylon at 100/210 denier hits a durability sweet spot documented across thousands-of-miles reports.
- ✓Hipbelt sizing is independent of torso sizing, giving semi-custom fit from stock parts.
- ✓Carries 30-35 lbs comfortably with the stay in — honest rating per long-term reviews.
- ✓The Austin-based company's customer service and repair culture draw consistent praise.
- ✓Fits a BV500 horizontally at the top of the bag, which many 60L UL packs can't.
- ✗The asymmetric layout is polarizing — packing balanced weight takes practice and annoys symmetry-lovers.
- ✗The foam back pad ventilates poorly and soaks sweat on climbs.
- ✗The single aluminum stay twists under 35+ lb loads; it's not a heavy hauler.
- ✗Mesh pockets abrade in brush faster than solid-face rivals.
- ✗No top lid and a floppy over-the-top strap system that takes fiddling to compress well.
- ✗Fixed torso sizes with online-only sizing risk.
- ✗At $315 it's priced above the Circuit while carrying slightly worse at max load.
- ✗The hipbelt foam softens noticeably after a full thru-hike, per multiple finishers.
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36
- ✓7.9 oz for 36 L is a remarkably low weight.
- ✓ALUULA Graflyte is a laminate rather than a thin coated nylon.
- ✓The torso pad is included and removable.
- ✓FastBelt comes off for summit or town use.
- ✗Comfort stops around 15 lb.
- ✗One torso size, 19-21 in.
- ✗$350 is a lot to pay for a frameless 36 L pack.
- ✗Often sold out between production runs.
- ✗Hipbelt pockets only via the belt accessory.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 vs Gossamer Gear Murmur 36: common questions
Why does the Murmur 36 cost more than the bigger Mariposa 60?▾
You're paying for the ALUULA Graflyte laminate and the weight: 0.5 lb against 2.14 lb. You give up the frame, 24 L, built-in hipbelt pockets and most of the load capacity, with comfort ending around 15 lb.
Can the Murmur 36 handle a bear canister trip like the Mariposa 60?▾
Not realistically. It's a frameless 36 L bag whose comfort stops around 15 lb, and a canister plus food blows past that. A BV500 fits horizontally at the top of the Mariposa, which long-term reviews say carries 30-35 lbs comfortably.