Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 or Osprey Exos 58?

Have researched packs until exhausted and have my pack choices for my 2018 AT flip thru hike (heading north from Harper's Ferry then returning to it to head south) narrowed down to a Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 and the Osprey Exos 58. Both look to be great packs but can't seem to find anybody online that has both and offers a side-by-side comparison as to what they liked and didn't like about each against the other. Would really like to know which of the two are more comfortable and had fewer problems for real long hikes.

Really like the tent side pocket on the Mariposa; and all the other external pockets. Really like the lifetime warranty on the Osprey and the overall design of it. I've gone to REI and been fit with the Exos and it felt good...have not found a Mariposa to try out.

So far, I'm estimating to be at about 25 pounds base weight before food/water. I drink lots more water than the average person (medical condition) so will carry a few extra liters besides a couple of SmartWater bottles, otherwise in good physical shape with lots of camping experience from international motorcycle adventuring but limited hiking experience.

Anybody here have (or had) both of these packs and can provide some feedback regarding these two when matched up against each other?

Thanks!

Wild guess. Try The Sectionhiker web pages. He reviews a lot of gear in this category. Hope you find what you're looking for.
Wayne


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25 lb before food/water and your considering a lightweight pack that maxes at about 30?

Carry "a few xtra liters"?

You need a conventional pack like an atmos, you will be carrying 45+ lbs

I agree with Muddywaters. In my opinion, you've got too much weight for either pack. The upper limit of these packs is ok to push for a week or weekend. But you don't want to walk 2000+ miles with it at its comfort limit. Because that really what it is - a comfort limit. I packed 40+ pounds in my ULA Circuit for Philmont. It was fine for 10 days. But I won't do it again. My normal load is under 30 lbs total and makes it a dream to carry. I would especially caution agains the Mariposa with that weight total. They are both high quality picks and you will probably;y be happy with either - with 10 less pounds. Just one mans opinion. Best of luck to you. JC

I thru'd with the GG mariposa. It's a great pack. Make sure you have the right size hip belt and that it can be cinched down for when your stomach shrinks. So, tighter than is comfortable now. It can hold 30lbs, though my full pack I tried to keep under 20lbs.

My buddy thru'd with an Osprey and cut the "brain" as they say off of it. He said the pack worked well but if he hiked again he'd switch to something lighter. Ospreys are a dime a dozen on the AT so you will surely be able to find someone to tell you more.

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Originally Posted by lwhikerchris

I thru'd with the GG mariposa. It's a great pack. Make sure you have the right size hip belt and that it can be cinched down for when your stomach shrinks. So, tighter than is comfortable now. It can hold 30lbs, though my full pack I tried to keep under 20lbs.

My buddy thru'd with an Osprey and cut the "brain" as they say off of it. He said the pack worked well but if he hiked again he'd switch to something lighter. Ospreys are a dime a dozen on the AT so you will surely be able to find someone to tell you more.

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FYI - You wouldn't have to cut the pack lid, aka "brain", from the pack if you choose the Osprey. The Exos 58 has the integrated "FlapJacket", a thin cover thats built into the pack for use when the removable brain is left behind.

If you need to carry more water weight, I'd look into something like the Atmos 50. It may weigh an extra pound or so, but will be a much better pack for what you're doing.

I've owned both of these and would lean towards the Exos if the belt fits. I returned my Exos because the belt padding did not fully cover my hip bones. If you have less spare tire than me, the Exos should work. If not, I would recommend the ULA Circuit over the Mariposa.

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I also drink a lot of water, and have gotten better about consuming it at the source in the last year or two. I finished a pretty dry section hike last fall never carrying more than 2 1/2 quarts.

Good data also helps keep down what you carry, there is often recent information on springs in the hiker comments of Guthook's Guide.

I have the latest model Mariposa and wouldn't want to carry your load in it. 15 pound base weight with 3 days of food and 4 liters of water had it maxed out comfort wise. Until your base weight gets under 20 pounds I'd stick with conventional packs like the Osprey Atmos, Gregory Baltoro, etc.

Appreciate everybody's answers. Think I'll look into a better bag that can carry more weight...I can get my gear list down to 24 pounds to what I'd want with me for six months. I'll eyeball the Atmos a little more.

I can't compare but I've had the Mariposa 60 now for several years and several hundred mile section-hikes and I absolutely love it! When I get it packed and step on the scale it adds 30lbs to my weight.... and that is with five or six days worth of food and 1 liter of water. The long pocket on the side is great for tents and the other external pockets are real convenient for organizing gear.

Wow. There is some really good advice in this thread! +1

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Originally Posted by nsherry61

Wow. There is some really good advice in this thread! +1

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I agree. I'm liking this group more and more...

Look into the six moon designs fusion 50 or 65. The frame and suspension system are supposed to be top notch for carrying heavier weight.

I owned an Exos 58 for a short time and own a Mariposa now. The Exos looked good and I liked the brain on it, but besides that and the far superior ventilation, the pack just didn't work out for me. I have a small torso length but a little more girth and the waist belt just didn't fit. I went from a small to a medium, but then the pack height was too far up on my back. The shoulder straps were so lightly padded and stopped right above my armpit that it caused a lot of rubbing and discomfort. I was only doing a long day hike to test it out with 15 pounds in it. Don't even get me starte on the miniscule and basically unusable hip belt pockets. It went back to REI.

I bought my Mariposa last year and took it out for a week in the Smokies. My fully loaded pack weight was a pound heavier that your base weight. It rode like a charm. Yes, your back will sweat out in it. The top lid wont fit a lot of items, but the hip belt comes in different sizes, and the pockets all around are great. It's my go to pack from late spring to early fall.

As others have said, with that base weight you have, you'll need a much sturdier pack. You definitely can't go wrong with the Osprey Atmos. I'm gun shy on Osprey's hip belt pockets though, so I have a ULA Catalyst that carries 30-35 pounds with ease, I can change the hipbelt out, and it's a lot lighter than the Atmos.

Good luck on your search.

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Originally Posted by JumpMaster Blaster

As others have said, with that base weight you have, you'll need a much sturdier pack. You definitely can't go wrong with the Osprey Atmos. I'm gun shy on Osprey's hip belt pockets though, so I have a ULA Catalyst that carries 30-35 pounds with ease, I can change the hipbelt out, and it's a lot lighter than the Atmos.

Good luck on your search.

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I concur completely on the Catalyst. Outdoor Gear Labs rated the pockets at 8 Cliff Bars. Believe it.
Believe the 30-35 (or probably more) pounds too.
One caution on the ULA Catalyst sizing: If you are on the border between sizes order UP! I was measured in a shop for a medium. I wish I had gotten a large.
The Catalyst is a good pack. Even if my load suddenly dropped by half I would keep it.
Wayne


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Listen to the people that are telling you to go with a gregory or atmos. I own the GG Mariposa, and have used an exos in the past, and unless you get the base weight down, neither of these packs are a good decision for you. Atmos is an incredibly awesome load hauler, as is with the gregory packs. Don't get a mariposa or exos and load it to 25 lb base and expect it to be comfortable at full load

Neither of those packs are a good choice for you.

I have an Exos 48 and 30ish pounds is the most id put in it. The Mariposa probably max's out earlier.

Look into something like an Atmos or Aether with your base weight.