Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 vs ULA Circuit (2026)
Two official framed ultralight thru-hiking packs. Official volumes are not the same (60 L vs 68 L), and official ounces do not replace a torso measurement.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec and pricing pages and the findings of the reviewers we name and link. We haven’t field-tested these products ourselves, and we don’t give scores. How we pick.
Quick answer
Choose Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 ($315.00) if you want official Medium 34.2 oz and official 60 L, and will measure a torso against the official 18–20 in Medium range. Choose ULA Circuit ($299.99) if you want official 68 L and official $299.99, and will use ULA’s official torso, hipbelt, and strap charts or official listed 38.5 oz is acceptable.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Check Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 price (opens in a new tab)Check ULA Circuit price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 | ULA Circuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Official price (fetched Nov 10, 2026) | $315.00; sold out on the official page that day. CleverHiker and Switchback also listed $315 | $299.99. CleverHiker and Switchback listed $300 |
| Official volume / load | Official total 60 L, with official Medium breakdown 36 L in the main body to the extension-collar seam and 24 L across seven exterior pockets. Official max carry 35 lb; official comfort carry 30 lb. Official copy says volume specs are specific to a medium and will vary slightly between sizes | Official total 4,200 cu in / 68 L, with official breakdown including 2,400 cu in / 39.3 L main body, 400 cu in / 6.6 L front mesh, 400 cu in / 6.6 L in each side pocket, 500 cu in / 8.19 L extension collar, and 91.5 cu in / 1.5 L in each hipbelt pocket. Official recommended max load 35 lb / 16 kg |
| Official weight / torso fit | Official Medium with the default Medium Straight belt: 34.2 oz / 968 g. Official Medium torso range 18–20 in. Official Small with the default S/M Curved belt is a different listed 33.4 oz / 946 g configuration and is not this Medium column. Official ounces do not replace a torso measurement. CleverHiker and Switchback both listed 2 lb 2.2 oz for a medium configuration, matching official 34.2 oz | Official listed weight 38.5 oz / 1,092 g, without a size printed next to that at-a-glance figure. Official Medium torso range 18–21 in, with official Small 15–18 in, Large 21–24 in, and XL 24 in and up. Official hipbelt and J-strap / S-strap options are selected at order. Switchback listed 2 lb 6.5 oz, which matches official 38.5 oz. CleverHiker’s October 8, 2026 guide listed a measured 2 lb 7.5 oz |
| Official materials / extras | Official updated 100D and 210D recycled Robic nylon, PFAS-free; official removable PVT frame and belt; official sit-pad backpanel; official fold-over / clip closure. Small packs officially ship with an S/M Curved belt; Medium and Large officially ship with a Medium Straight belt | Official 400 Robic body and bottom, official UltraStretch mesh front pocket, official roll-top closure, official carbon-fiber and Delrin suspension hoop with a dense foam frame and a single aluminum stay. Official pack is made in the U.S.A. |
We compared these packs using Gossamer Gear’s official Mariposa 60 page and ULA’s official Circuit page, both fetched November 10, 2026, plus CleverHiker’s Best Ultralight Backpacks guide last updated July 10, 2026, CleverHiker’s Circuit review last updated October 7, 2026, CleverHiker’s Best Backpacking Backpacks guide last updated October 8, 2026, and Switchback’s Best Ultralight Backpacks guide last updated May 12, 2026. Official prices were $315.00 and $299.99. Official volumes are 60 L and 68 L, so this is not a same-capacity match. Official ounces do not replace a torso measurement. We have not carried either pack. We do not republish numeric scores.
Choose the official Mariposa 60 if you want the lighter official medium configuration and a 60 L pack with a removable sit-pad backpanel. Official figures fetched November 10, 2026, were $315.00 (sold out on the official page that day), official total volume 60 L, official max carry 35 lb and comfort carry 30 lb, and official Medium weight 34.2 oz / 968 g with the default Medium Straight belt. Official Medium torso range is 18–20 in. Official Small is a different listed weight (33.4 oz / 946 g with the default S/M Curved belt) and is not this Medium comparison. Choose the official Circuit if you want the larger official 68 L pack and ULA’s made-to-order torso, hipbelt, and strap options. Official Circuit figures were $299.99, official listed weight 38.5 oz / 1,092 g, official total volume 4,200 cu in / 68 L, and official recommended max load 35 lb / 16 kg. Official Circuit Medium torso range is 18–21 in, which is not identical to the official Mariposa Medium 18–20 in range. Official ounces do not replace a torso measurement. Official volumes are not the same. CleverHiker’s ultralight-pack guide, last updated July 10, 2026, listed the Mariposa at $315 and 2 lb 2.2 oz for a medium with an S–M Straight belt, which matches official Medium plus Medium Straight 34.2 oz, and listed the Circuit around $300. Switchback, last updated May 12, 2026, listed Mariposa $315 / 2 lb 2.2 oz (medium pack and hipbelt) and Circuit $300 / 2 lb 6.5 oz, which matches official 38.5 oz. CleverHiker’s backpacking-pack guide, last updated October 8, 2026, listed a measured Circuit weight of 2 lb 7.5 oz, which disagrees with official 38.5 oz. We have not carried either pack, and we don’t give scores.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 vs ULA Circuit: side-by-side
| Mariposa 60 | ULA Circuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Official price (fetched Nov 10, 2026) | $315.00; sold out on the official page that day. CleverHiker and Switchback also listed $315 | $299.99. CleverHiker and Switchback listed $300 |
| Official volume / load | Official total 60 L, with official Medium breakdown 36 L in the main body to the extension-collar seam and 24 L across seven exterior pockets. Official max carry 35 lb; official comfort carry 30 lb. Official copy says volume specs are specific to a medium and will vary slightly between sizes | Official total 4,200 cu in / 68 L, with official breakdown including 2,400 cu in / 39.3 L main body, 400 cu in / 6.6 L front mesh, 400 cu in / 6.6 L in each side pocket, 500 cu in / 8.19 L extension collar, and 91.5 cu in / 1.5 L in each hipbelt pocket. Official recommended max load 35 lb / 16 kg |
| Official weight / torso fit | Official Medium with the default Medium Straight belt: 34.2 oz / 968 g. Official Medium torso range 18–20 in. Official Small with the default S/M Curved belt is a different listed 33.4 oz / 946 g configuration and is not this Medium column. Official ounces do not replace a torso measurement. CleverHiker and Switchback both listed 2 lb 2.2 oz for a medium configuration, matching official 34.2 oz | Official listed weight 38.5 oz / 1,092 g, without a size printed next to that at-a-glance figure. Official Medium torso range 18–21 in, with official Small 15–18 in, Large 21–24 in, and XL 24 in and up. Official hipbelt and J-strap / S-strap options are selected at order. Switchback listed 2 lb 6.5 oz, which matches official 38.5 oz. CleverHiker’s October 8, 2026 guide listed a measured 2 lb 7.5 oz |
| Official materials / extras | Official updated 100D and 210D recycled Robic nylon, PFAS-free; official removable PVT frame and belt; official sit-pad backpanel; official fold-over / clip closure. Small packs officially ship with an S/M Curved belt; Medium and Large officially ship with a Medium Straight belt | Official 400 Robic body and bottom, official UltraStretch mesh front pocket, official roll-top closure, official carbon-fiber and Delrin suspension hoop with a dense foam frame and a single aluminum stay. Official pack is made in the U.S.A. |
What are the pros and cons?
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60: pros
- Lighter official Medium configuration (34.2 oz with the default Medium Straight belt) at official $315.00
- Official exterior-pocket layout, a removable sit-pad backpanel, and official 60 L total volume
- CleverHiker, last updated July 10, 2026, and Switchback, last updated May 12, 2026, both listed 2 lb 2.2 oz for a medium, matching official Medium 34.2 oz
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60: cons
- Eight official liters less than the Circuit, and a higher official price ($315.00 vs $299.99)
- Official Medium torso range (18–20 in) is not the same as official Circuit Medium (18–21 in)
- The official page was sold out on November 10, 2026
ULA Circuit: pros
- Lower official price ($299.99) and a larger official 68 L volume, with made-to-order official torso, hipbelt, and strap choices
- Official 400 Robic fabric and an official 35 lb recommended max load
- Switchback, last updated May 12, 2026, listed 2 lb 6.5 oz, matching official 38.5 oz, and treated the Circuit as its customized-fit UL pick
ULA Circuit: cons
- Heavier official listed weight (38.5 oz) than official Medium Mariposa 34.2 oz
- CleverHiker’s October 8, 2026 measured 2 lb 7.5 oz disagrees with official 38.5 oz
- Official 68 L is not the same capacity as official Mariposa 60 L
Which should you choose: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 or ULA Circuit?
On official pages fetched November 10, 2026, the Mariposa 60 is the lighter official Medium pack ($315.00, official Medium 34.2 oz with the default Medium Straight belt, official 60 L, official Medium torso 18–20 in; sold out that day). The Circuit is the less expensive, larger official pack ($299.99, official listed 38.5 oz, official 68 L, official Medium torso 18–21 in). Official volumes are not the same, and official ounces do not replace a torso measurement. CleverHiker’s measured Circuit weight of 2 lb 7.5 oz disagrees with official 38.5 oz. We have not carried either pack.
Choose Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 if…
- You want official Medium 34.2 oz and official 60 L, and will measure a torso against the official 18–20 in Medium range
- A removable official sit-pad backpanel matters to you
- You are shopping the Mariposa 60, not the Kumo or Fast Kumo
Choose ULA Circuit if…
- You want official 68 L and official $299.99, and will use ULA’s official torso, hipbelt, and strap charts
- Official listed 38.5 oz is acceptable
- You are shopping the Circuit, not the Ultra Circuit, Catalyst, or Ohm
Official ounces do not replace a torso measurement
Official Mariposa torso ranges, fetched November 10, 2026, are Small 16–18 in, Medium 18–20 in, and Large 20–22 in. Official Circuit torso ranges are Small 15–18 in, Medium 18–21 in, Large 21–24 in, and XL 24 in and up. Those official Medium ranges overlap, but they are not identical. Official Mariposa Medium weight 34.2 oz and official Circuit listed weight 38.5 oz do not tell you whether the pack fits. Official Mariposa volume figures are specified to a medium and officially vary slightly by size. Official Circuit 68 L is not the same as official Mariposa 60 L.
Who should skip both of these packs?
- Shoppers comparing a 50–60 L traditional pack such as the Exos 58 or Eja 58. Those official comparisons already live on other pages.
- Anyone mixing official Mariposa Small 33.4 oz into a Medium table, or treating official Circuit 38.5 oz as a named size. Official Circuit lists 38.5 oz without a size next to that figure.
- People who want us to treat official 60 L and 68 L as the same capacity. They are not.
- Hikers who will not measure a torso length. Official Medium ranges still depend on that measurement.
Frequently asked questions
Which official pack is lighter?
Are they the same volume?
Do they cost the same?
What torso lengths do they fit?
Is this the same as Exos vs Eja or Talon vs Stratos?
Sources
Prices, specs and land-unit rules were checked on the pages below as of Nov 2026. Brands and land units change prices and rules often, so confirm them on the seller’s or official land-unit page before you buy or go.
- Gossamer Gear: Mariposa 60 official product page ($315.00, sold out on fetch day; official Medium with Medium Straight belt 34.2 oz / 968 g; official Small with S/M Curved belt 33.4 oz / 946 g; official 60 L; official max 35 lb / comfort 30 lb; official Medium torso 18–20 in; official 100D and 210D recycled Robic; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (gossamergear.com)
- ULA Equipment: Circuit official product page ($299.99; official listed weight 38.5 oz / 1,092 g; official 4,200 cu in / 68 L; official recommended max load 35 lb / 16 kg; official Medium torso 18–21 in; official 400 Robic; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (ula-equipment.com)
- CleverHiker: Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 (last updated July 10, 2026; Mariposa $315 / 2 lb 2.2 oz medium with S–M Straight belt; Circuit listed among load-hauling UL packs at about $300; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (cleverhiker.com)
- CleverHiker: ULA Circuit Backpack review (last updated October 7, 2026; thru-hike mileage notes and official 68 L / about $300 context; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (cleverhiker.com)
- CleverHiker: Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026 (last updated October 8, 2026; Circuit $300 / measured 2 lb 7.5 oz / 68 L / 35 lb, which disagrees with official listed 38.5 oz; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (cleverhiker.com)
- Switchback Travel: Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 (last updated May 12, 2026; Mariposa $315 / 2 lb 2.2 oz medium pack and hipbelt / 60 L / 35 lb; Circuit $300 / 2 lb 6.5 oz / 68 L / 35 lb; we do not republish numeric scores; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (switchbacktravel.com)
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