Gossamer Gear Mariposa vs. Matador Freefly16
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa
| Capacity | 36 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×28×14 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $315 |
Feature by feature
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa | Feature | Matador Freefly16 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100D & 210D Recycled Robic Nylon | 70D Robic nylon with UHMWPE ripstop, PFAS free |
Matador Freefly16
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×25×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $80 |
Key differences between the Gossamer Gear Mariposa and Matador Freefly16
- Hip belt: Removable on the Gossamer Gear Mariposa; No on the Matador Freefly16.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Gossamer Gear Mariposa; 2 on the Matador Freefly16.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, sternum strap, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 89 accept both. 0 accept only the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, and 87 accept only the Matador Freefly16.
Only the Matador Freefly16 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa vs. Matador Freefly16: which should you pack?
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa carries 20L more than the Matador Freefly16 (36L vs. 16L), while the Matador Freefly16 is the lighter pack at 0.2kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Matador Freefly16 fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Gossamer Gear Mariposa; if you want to travel lighter, the Matador Freefly16 is the better call.