The Mariposa 60 backpack is Gossamer Gear’s bestseller. Here are my thoughts and first impressions. With a 35-pound weight and 60-liter capacity, it passes the bar for winter backpacking. It has a removable internal frame, 7 pockets, a comfortable hip-belt and shoulder straps, and weighs only around 2 pounds. You have a choice between small, medium, and large and you can configure the hip belt size as needed.
In my ongoing quest to find the best ultra-light backpack for winter backpacking, I recently tried Outdoor Vitals’ Shadowlight™ Ultralight Backpack. This is my first impression.
Most ultralight packs are designed for light loads and 3-season thru-hikers. In recent years larger size ultra-light packs have become available. The challenge is finding ones that are adaptable to winter backpacking requirements, such as a 30–35 pound weight limit, 50–60 liters of capacity, and the ability to put all liquids, a closed-cell pad, an ice ax, and snowshoes on the exterior. The Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack is one such option.