Gossamer Gear Mariposa vs. KS Ultralight Tao
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 | KS Ultralight Tao |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| 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 | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100D & 210D Recycled Robic Nylon | X-pac VX 07YKK "waterproof zip" |
KS Ultralight Tao
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 0.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 71×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 1% |
| Price | $150 |
Key differences between the Gossamer Gear Mariposa and KS Ultralight Tao
- Compression straps: 2 on the Gossamer Gear Mariposa; No on the KS Ultralight Tao.
- Passport pocket: No on the Gossamer Gear Mariposa; Top on the KS Ultralight Tao.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Gossamer Gear Mariposa; 2 on the KS Ultralight Tao.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Gossamer Gear Mariposa; No on the KS Ultralight Tao.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 2 accept both. 87 accept only the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, and 0 accept only the KS Ultralight Tao.
Only the Gossamer Gear Mariposa fits
Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Macau, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Atlas Global, Avianca , Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, EVA Air, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa vs. KS Ultralight Tao: which should you pack?
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa carries 1L more than the KS Ultralight Tao (36L vs. 35L), while the KS Ultralight Tao is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa fits 47% 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 KS Ultralight Tao is the better call.