Gossamer Gear Miniposa™ Ultralight Backpack View Larger Image

Product Description

NOW IN STOCK IN MEDIUM AND LARGE.

"The Gossamer Gear Miniposa™ is a solid ultralite backpack capable of handling anything from a short day hike to multi-week / multi-hundred mile trips. And it's smaller volume & slimmer profile keeps packloads more streamlined and easy to carry. I put 500 miles on this pack over the last 6 weeks and can't wait to put 500 more on it!" Read Full Review
- Lawton "Disco" Grinter | Long Distance Hiker

The 2009 Miniposa™ continues the revolutionary ways of its well established parents with the same incredible array of important features plus a reduced volume for all of you true minimalists out there who still want most of the features of the Mariposa™ line. We love the way this pack carries, its slimmer profile makes for a very controlled load that doesn't move around on your back but still allows 5 days worth of food and gear to be carried comfortably. It does admirable double duty as a summit or day pack when away from base camp. For 2009, we've made changes to the Miniposa™ to make it even lighter. We've removed the carbon fiber stays and channels, since you won't really need them for the weight you'll be carrying, we switched the outer pocket mesh to the same lighter weight mesh that we use on the Murmur™, we're using a lighter weight elastic on the tops of the outer pockets, we're using a lighter weight 3D mesh on the shoulder straps and hip belt, and we replaced some heavy webbing and elastic to lighter grosgrain ribbon. You won't miss anything, however, as these changes make the pack lighter while still providing all the functionality you need all for under a pound. We've also added the same removable hip belt that we use on the Mariposa Plus™. For those who don't use a hip belt, it can be removed and makes the Mini a 10-11 oz. pack. The ample pockets make this a deceptively big "small" pack and the rear pocket is large enough for a Squall Classic™ or one of our GG tarps, leaving that much more room inside for your more weather sensitive items.

The Miniposa™ builds on the popular features of the stalwart G4™ backpack, effectively incorporating the "dual use" technique of ultralight backpacking. Your sleeping pad (NightLight™, Z-Lite™/Z-Rest™, Thermarest® 3/4 length, or other 20"-wide pad) becomes part of the pack frame by inserting into the back of the pack. This way it can be extracted during rest stops to sit/lay on without unpacking your pack. The shoulder straps and hip belt are designed to accept unused articles of clothing as padding and the hip belt is now removable. Foam inserts are included if you are disinclined to use sleeping socks, gloves, etc. as your padding.

The new Miniposa™ keeps the same Mariposa™ family features in a new trimmer silhouette, unique symmetric side pocket design (both side pockets are accessible while wearing the pack), dual function removable adjustable sternum strap/emergency whistle, and hydration bladder pocket with ports on each side. Cushy wicking fabric on the shoulder straps and hip belt prevent slipping, and the 3-dimensional weave aids in quicker drying. Multiple pockets help you organize your load. Tons of strategically placed lashing loops enable you to easily adapt the pockets to carry longer items by lashing them to the sides. The unique "Y" top lash strap allows for a more stable 3-point connection to secure items such as rolled sleeping pads or bear canisters, with still only one buckle to operate. The sturdy shock cord compression lacing allows you to reduce the pack volume so it still carries the load tightly for shorter trips. Many of the features are removable, so you don't need to carry the weight if you don't require that feature for a particular trip. You can configure the basic pack for around 10 ounces.

You'll love the attention to detail such as the angle on the side pockets to make them more accessible, the use of "V" lash loops to spread the loads over a wider area and for ease of use and the lining of the shoulder strap and hip belt with silnylon against the wicking fabric for easier insertion of socks, etc. and to help prevent those socks from getting soggy from sweat.

For more detailed instructions on use, download the User Manual. See Warranty for important information.

Not sure which pack is right for you? Make it easy with our handy comparison chart!

Recommended Uses

General lightweight backpacking with total loads of 20 lbs. (9 kg.) or less

Additional Photos

NightLight™ Torso pad in the back provides structure and easy access for rest stops (Pack shown in picture is a 2007 Miniposa)

Close-up of the 3D wicking mesh on the underside of the shoulder straps

Sleeping sock being inserted as shoulder strap padding

Unique "Y" top lash strap (black) makes it easier to lash on larger items, with still only one buckle to fasten. (note: orange stripe is painted on the bear canister. Pack shown is a Mariposa.)

Grosgrain strap replaces webbing on Y-Strap

Grosgrain hydration tube keeper strap replaces elastic

Removable, adjustable sternum strap with integrated whistle buckle

Side mesh pocket is accessible without taking off pack

New pad holder mesh