Eeek! Absolute eek! I never thought I would even be interested in reviewing
or comparing gear, but here we are. After two years of carrying my beloved
Granite Gear Crown2 60, I decided to try out the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
after hearing so many good things about it, and wanted to see if what I
heard was true-that the Mariposa carries heavier loads better than the Crown2.
or comparing gear, but here we are. After two years of carrying my beloved
Granite Gear Crown2 60, I decided to try out the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
after hearing so many good things about it, and wanted to see if what I
heard was true-that the Mariposa carries heavier loads better than the Crown2.
Now before I go on, I want to state how much I love my Crown2. It was my very first
“lightweight” backpack I purchased after lugging around a 60 liter Gregory which was
absolutely massive and over the top. Despite the huge weight difference, I was still
extremely reluctant in the beginning to delve into lightweight backpacking. My worrying
was all for naught, however, because I immediately fell in love with it.
“lightweight” backpack I purchased after lugging around a 60 liter Gregory which was
absolutely massive and over the top. Despite the huge weight difference, I was still
extremely reluctant in the beginning to delve into lightweight backpacking. My worrying
was all for naught, however, because I immediately fell in love with it.
With the Crown2, my hip pain and chafing disappeared immediately as well as the
aching in my shoulders which always appeared toward the end of a good day of
backpacking.Part of what sold me on the Crown2 also was the removable lid,
because at the time I was convinced my happiness lay in the presence of this
item in particular.
aching in my shoulders which always appeared toward the end of a good day of
backpacking.Part of what sold me on the Crown2 also was the removable lid,
because at the time I was convinced my happiness lay in the presence of this
item in particular.
As time went on, I began to make little adjustments here and there to the pack,
and my gear in general. The more I backpacked with the Crown2, the more
particular I began to get about the gear I stowed inside. And eventually, the lid
went too! Who thought a person who began with an almost 6lb pack would
graduate to removing parts? Well I did, and I was absolutely thrilled because
of the easy roll top which compacted my gear exactly the way I wanted.
and my gear in general. The more I backpacked with the Crown2, the more
particular I began to get about the gear I stowed inside. And eventually, the lid
went too! Who thought a person who began with an almost 6lb pack would
graduate to removing parts? Well I did, and I was absolutely thrilled because
of the easy roll top which compacted my gear exactly the way I wanted.
I didn’t purchase the Mariposa because I was unhappy with my pack,
I just was intensely curious about how a differently constructed pack
would feel with the loads I tend to carry. In a nutshell, I laid out the major
differences in the pack I’ve seen so far:
I just was intensely curious about how a differently constructed pack
would feel with the loads I tend to carry. In a nutshell, I laid out the major
differences in the pack I’ve seen so far:
For now, the Mariposa comes out on top for me for a few different reasons.
But before I talk about those, just a word of caution that I have only day-hiked
with this model with a total weight of 16.6lbs.
But before I talk about those, just a word of caution that I have only day-hiked
with this model with a total weight of 16.6lbs.
First of all, ventilation. The Crown2 has a unique ventilation system that has
a main channel along your spine with little gaps that branch out a few times
on the side. I found this to be ineffective as my back always got a hotspot
that would pocket with sweat within 5 minutes of a trip. The Mariposa did
no such thing. The Mariposa uses a sitpad as cushioning and ventilation and
the bubbled pattern provides tons of little pockets to provide perfect ventilation.
Although I did end up sweating, the air circulated much better on the Mariposa.
a main channel along your spine with little gaps that branch out a few times
on the side. I found this to be ineffective as my back always got a hotspot
that would pocket with sweat within 5 minutes of a trip. The Mariposa did
no such thing. The Mariposa uses a sitpad as cushioning and ventilation and
the bubbled pattern provides tons of little pockets to provide perfect ventilation.
Although I did end up sweating, the air circulated much better on the Mariposa.
I also found the Mariposa to pack up much tighter to my body which I feel
greatly impacted the phenomenal balance and carry of this pack. I always
felt like the Crown2 was pulling me backwards and I had to work to balance
myself to keep me from tipping over. The Mariposa packed down to right
at my neck level whereas the Crown2 packed to above my neck. The Mariposa
also packed tightly against my back and I felt no pull backwards.
greatly impacted the phenomenal balance and carry of this pack. I always
felt like the Crown2 was pulling me backwards and I had to work to balance
myself to keep me from tipping over. The Mariposa packed down to right
at my neck level whereas the Crown2 packed to above my neck. The Mariposa
also packed tightly against my back and I felt no pull backwards.
Finally, I will hopefully be delving into the world of Youtube soon
and will do an in-depth review and comparison of these two packs in
the near future, so keep an eye out for that!
and will do an in-depth review and comparison of these two packs in
the near future, so keep an eye out for that!
Until next time,
Mighty Mouse
