Ultralight backpacking permits the adventurous spirit to see the world on their very own toes with out carrying the discomfort of a heavy load. Whether or not you’re headed out on a thru-hike otherwise you wish to create a system that may maintain you snug in your native backpacking trails, ultralight gear helps you hike farther and extra comfortably.
Studying the way to drop just a few kilos out of your system is an effective way to cut back the pressure in your physique, however determining the place to begin and what to search for in your ultralight gear selections may be actually intimidating.
On this weblog put up, we cowl all the pieces you must find out about ultralight backpacking. We’ve additionally created a easy ultralight backpacking gear record for “the massive three” objects (tent, sleeping bag, and backpacking pack) that embody a number of the greatest merchandise available on the market that can assist you slim down your pack weight.
What’s Ultralight Backpacking?
Ultralight backpacking is a type of foot journey that includes carrying an especially mild load. Whereas it isn’t unusual for some backpackers to hold 30 (and even 40) pound masses, light-weight backpackers carry a base weight (all the pieces of their backpack aside from meals and water) of 20 kilos or much less, and ultralight backpackers intention to cut back their base weight to beneath 10 kilos. Superlight backpackers carry a base weight that quantities to fewer than 5 kilos.
Backpackers’ causes for switching to an ultralight setup range, however many select to take action as a result of a lighter load places much less stress in your joints. This implies which you can usually journey quicker and extra comfortably than you’ll with a 30 or 40-pound pack.
A lighter load may additionally enable you to to remain harm free, simplify the packing course of, and create house for just a few luxurious objects.
Components To Take into account When Selecting Ultralight Gear
Plenty of backpacking gear comes with an “ultralight” label. However there are not any business laws that categorize simply what meaning. A couple of components that it’s best to contemplate whilst you’re selecting ultralight gear embody:
Is it reasonably priced?
Is it dependable?
Is it protected?
Ultralight Gear Affordability
Ultralight backpacking gear usually comes with a hefty price ticket. However, relying on the product that you just’re selecting, it may also offer you 1000’s of miles or a number of years of continuous use. When you’re working inside a strict price range, this is likely one of the components that can be most necessary to you.
Luckily, it’s attainable to search out light-weight and even ultralight merchandise on a price range.
One other manner to economize on ultralight gear is to purchase used or wait on the market intervals like Black Friday, Labor Day, and Memorial Day.
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The place To Discover Price range Gear
Ultralight Gear Reliability
There’s a typical false impression that ultralight gear is flimsier or much less dependable than commonplace backpacking gear.
Whereas lots of the supplies which are used to assemble ultralight gear are thinner, they’re not essentially extra susceptible to abrasions or punctures.
Nonetheless, ensure that to try a chunk of substances’s reliability rankings prior to creating your buy.
Ultralight Gear Security
Some ultralight backpackers select to go with out well-liked backpacking objects like a range to shave just a few ounces. In some conditions, doing so could also be an acceptable choice. However remember that consolation objects like a range are additionally security objects since they might help you fend off hypothermia and boil water.
It’s by no means price sacrificing security gear (like a satellite tv for pc communication gadget or first assist equipment) within the title of ultralight backpacking.
When you determine to go ultralight, an important items of substances that it’s best to deal with are your “large three”: your tent, backpack, and your sleeping bag, which is what we’ll speak about under.
These things are usually the heaviest objects in a pack, and protecting their complete weight under 6 or 7 kilos will set you as much as hit that ultralight mark.
Greatest Ultralight Backpacking Tents
Ultralight tents are available in plenty of completely different sizes and shapes. Backpackers can usually be present in freestanding tents, semi-freestanding tents, trekking pole tents, tarps, hammocks, and bivvies.
Every of those types caters to a selected kind of mountaineering.
A bivy, for instance, is what a hiker may use for a fast and lightweight journey into the backcountry the place you want much less safety from the weather, whereas a freestanding tent provides an answer for backpackers who need to have the ability to arrange their residence wherever.
The next picks are a number of the most time-tested, light-weight choices available on the market:
ZPacks Duplex Tent
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: solo or partnered utilization, thru-hikes, anybody who desires to take a seat up of their tent.
- What we like: Extraordinarily light-weight, very spacious, makes use of trekking poles for arrange
- What we don’t like: Studying curve for arrange, can have condensation build-up
The Zpacks Duplex Tent is likely one of the hottest ultralight tents available on the market. It’s a two-person tent, nevertheless it’s light-weight sufficient that a lot of individuals use it as a spacious one-person tent.
With a sturdy construct, backpackers can count on it to face as much as most environments with confidence though it’s necessary to notice that you just do want two trekking poles to set it up. Alternatively, you’ll be able to go for the Freestanding Flex Improve.
Backpacking with a tent just like the Zpacks Duplex permits you to shave off a big quantity of weight out of your setup due to the Dyneema(R) cloth, which can be extremely waterproof.
A well-treated Duplex will final any backpacker 1000’s of miles. You’re unlikely to satisfy a Zpacks Duplex proprietor who hates their tent – and that’s saying one thing! BFT Founder Kristen makes use of the Zpacks Triplex (3P) tent which is nice for backpacking with a associate and a pet.
The principle disadvantage with this tent is that it traps each warmth and moisture, which signifies that you can find yourself with a bit of little bit of condensation in your tent. However protecting it ventilated will scale back moisture in your tent.
MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Individual Tent
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: Tenting on rock outcroppings and locations with exhausting floor the place freestanding tents are simpler to arrange
- What we like: Spacious, sturdy, freestanding tent, nice in inclement climate
- What we don’t like: Not essentially the most ultralight tent choice available on the market
The primary time I took the Hubba Hubba 2-Individual Backpacking Tent out for a spin, I used to be instantly impressed with its inner house. My pal and I camped collectively on this tent with out combating for room and each of us have been in a position to stretch our our bodies out with out hitting the partitions.
The Hubba Hubba is a superb tent for individuals who prefer to camp in spots with exhausting or questionable surfaces since you can set it up and camp inside it even in case you’re unable to correctly stake it out.
This tent additionally comes with two doorways, which signifies that you don’t should crawl over your associate to get out in the course of the evening.
The principle problem I had with this tent was packing it all the way down to a compact measurement. With the assistance of a compression sack, you’ll be able to reduce the house it takes up. However in the usual sack that it is available in, it may be actually exhausting to make it small.
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MLD Cricket Pyramid Tarp
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: Desert campers, dry environments
- What we like: Lighter than simply about another tent, very packable
- What we don’t like: Might be uncomfortable in moist and stormy environments, no safety from bugs
It takes a sure type of particular person to turn out to be actually snug with a pocket tarp. However the MLD Cricket Pyramid Tarp makes it simple to make the transition and it’s virtually half of the burden of different well-liked ultralight tents.
This tarp has a pyramid fashion, which signifies that it offers you a bit of bit further safety than a easy sq. or rectangular-shaped tarp.
Customers can customise their tarp, selecting the fabric and colour of the man traces that they want. Relying on what selections you go for, chances are you’ll add or reduce just a few ounces.
This tarp requires two trekking poles to set it up however the course of is comparatively easy and the guylines make it simple to create the correct pitch and stage of rigidity that’s acceptable in your campsite.
Those that are new to utilizing tarps as their foremost shelter ought to keep on with arid environments whereas they’re getting used to the MLD Cricket Pyramid Tarp.
However as soon as they get the dangle of it, it’ll seemingly turn out to be their go-to shelter due to its weight financial savings and flexibility.
Greatest Ultralight Sleeping Luggage
One good approach to help your ultralight gear targets is by upgrading your sleep system. Take into account swapping your sleeping bag out for a quilt.
Quilts operate like a sleeping bag, however as a substitute of tucking it down beneath your physique, you strap it round your sleeping pad for insulation.
And, since quilts make the most of much less cloth and down than most sleeping luggage, they’re usually a lot lighter than a standard mummy bag.
Enlightened Gear Revelation Quilt
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: Those that want a personalized quilt, hotter sleepers
- What we like: Cozy, versatile, easy design, lighter than most sleeping luggage
- What we don’t like: Studying curve with strap system to forestall drafts and chilly spots whilst you’re sleeping
Enlightened Gear’s best-selling quilt is the Revelation Quilt. This time-tested traditional is available in quite a lot of completely different temperature choices and is totally customizable.
Its iconic zippered foot field retains your toes heat even when the temps dip low. And, in order for you, you’ll be able to unzip all the pieces and use this quilt like a blanket.
I owned a 0-degree Revelation for numerous years. There have been quite a few instances once I woke as much as frost on the bottom and frozen water bottles, however I didn’t discover the intense temperature drop as a result of I used to be so cozy inside my Revelation.
BFT Founder Kristen makes use of the Enlightened Gear Confederate which is the 2P model of this quilt. It’s nonetheless extra light-weight than another 1P sleeping luggage.
These quilts are dependable, long-lasting, and light-weight, which makes them an awesome choice for ultralight backpackers.
Katabatic Flex Quilt
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: Chilly sleepers, quilt sleepers who hate a draft
- What we like: Lengthy-lasting, hotter than aggressive quilts, simple to make use of
- What we don’t like: costly funding
The Katabatic Flex Quilt is my go-to ‘bag’ for all 3-season backpacking attributable to its light-weight design and adjustable fashion. My common 22-degree, 900-fill energy quilt prices $410 and weighs 22.8 ounces. However it packs a critical punch!
In truth, the temperature vary on this product is extra beneficiant than many aggressive merchandise, protecting you heat all the way down to 10 or 15 levels with out problem.
This makes it a terrific decide for chilly sleepers and a staple merchandise for a lot of ultralight backpackers.
Whereas this bag is likely one of the dearer choices available on the market, it seldom disappoints its consumer.
Outside Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: Ultralight backpackers preferring a standard sleeping bag fashion
- What we like: Middle zipper, heat, sturdiness
- What we don’t like: Not the lightest choice available on the market
Outside Vitals is understood for uplifting innovation by fastidiously crafting new methods to expertise the outside. The Summit Down Sleeping Bag is the right instance.
This sleeping bag contains a middle YKK zipper, permitting you to zip or unzip your bag with both arm, after which you’ll be able to splay it open from the center.
The sewn foot field retains your toes further heat throughout use and the shell is made out of 10 denier ripstop nylon that’s DWR handled to be able to scale back saturation throughout use. This bag is greatest for ultralight backpackers who aren’t fairly prepared to surrender the protection of a traditional sleeping bag however nonetheless desire a light-weight choice.
Greatest Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight backpacks can help you carry all the pieces you’re utilizing in your again with out considerably including to the load. Fantastic-tuning your pack’s weight is a superb technique you need to use to shave just a few ounces.
Crucial components to think about embody the quantity of help that you just want, the torso and hip belt size, the pack’s capability, weight restrictions, and climate resistance.
The next packs present dependable, time-tested options for ultralight backpackers.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: Desert backpackers, every-weather backpacking
- What we like: Spacious, nice weight-to-capacity ratio
- What we don’t like: Skinny materials
When you’ve ever seen a dialed-in ultralight backpacker earlier than, they have been most likely carrying the Hyperlite Mountain Gear: 2400 Southwest Backpack.
This pack is a traditional choice for individuals who desire a robust, sturdy backpack with out the burden.
Accessible in 40L/55L/70L capacities, this pack comes additionally in two completely different colour choices. The DCF cloth creates a waterproof barrier between the weather and your belongings. And it’s designed to help long-term use.
The Hyperlite 2400 Southwest Backpack is a nice decide for each ultralight backpackers and hikers that wish to make the transition to an ultralight system. It is because it’s a light-weight product however its weight capability can be increased than commonplace ultralight backpacks.
Superior Wilderness Designs Lengthy Haul
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: Versatile backpackers, thru-hikes, backpacking in numerous climates
- What we like: Customization, colour choices, water-resistance, may be made with extra sturdy supplies
- What we don’t like: Shoulder mesh could trigger chafing
The Lengthy Haul is one among Superior Wilderness Designs’ most rugged and dependable backpacks. It’s a customizable pack that comes with 50 liters of inner storage and 10 liters of exterior storage.
Its giant capability makes it nice for multi-day and week-long journeys and all the pieces in between. Do you want to have the ability to carry a bear canister? No downside. This pack has your again.
I carried the Lengthy Haul pack for a thru-hike of the Colorado Path, for travels internationally, and in informal environments and it shortly grew to become my most-trusted piece of substances. Even after practically half a decade of use, this backpack continues to carry out reliably in each setting by which I take advantage of it.
It’s additionally made with a detachable body, which I like as a result of you’ll be able to alter it and its weight to accommodate your consolation and backpacking fashion.
It is a nice backpack for anybody who likes a private contact to their gear, together with a bulletproof backpack efficiency.
Granite Gear Virga 2
Key Options
The place to buy
- Nice for: Uber ultralight backpackers, brief journeys, superior backpackers
- What we like: Inexpensive worth, easy-to-use strap system, roomy inner and exterior house
- What we don’t like: Not nice for medium to heavy masses
Ultralight backpackers can usually be discovered reducing weight and giving themselves shakedowns on the weekends. It’s an unlucky side-effect of a seriously-dialed-in system.
However uber ultralights are one other breed, fully. They search for the lightest backpacks after which proceed shaving ounces off of their system. And for this fashion of particular person, the Granite Gear Virga 2 backpack is likely to be the correct decide.
The Granite Gear Virga 2 is a frameless backpack that is available in three completely different torso sizes with a traditional roll-top closure. This pack options the entire fundamental requirements like house and power loops, nevertheless it weighs simply 19 ounces – or about half of the burden of some ultralight backpacks.
However due to its light-weight design, it’s not essentially the most snug pack to make use of for medium to heavy masses. It’s greatest used for brief journeys or longer journeys with an especially mild load.
When paired with its reasonably priced $149 worth, this backpack has sufficient catchy options to show heads all around the nation.
Extra Ultralight Backpacking Gear Concerns
One of the simplest ways to optimize your backpacking setup is by specializing in the “large three” objects. However backpackers additionally have a look at important gear like sleeping pads, tent stakes, pots, stoves, cook dinner techniques, sunscreen, electronics like a GPS gadget and headlamp, and clothes like your base layer, hoodie, rain jacket, and boots to see the place they will swap for extra light-weight gear.
You possibly can and will proceed making changes to your equipment even after you’ve designed your first system to present your self the perfect and most snug ultralight backpacking gear setup attainable.
Studying the way to go ultralight can take some effort and time. However when you’ve dialed in your large three objects, it’s rather a lot simpler to take action.
A couple of extra gear objects that will enable you to to realize your ultralight targets embody:
MSR Pocket Rocket Range
2 ounces
This range is likely one of the lightest choices available on the market. However it nonetheless performs completely at excessive elevations or in inclement climate.
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Knog Bandicoot Headlamp
2 ounces
Knog is usually recognized for making gear for biking however this headlamp is a sport changer due to its adjustability, light-weight design, and rechargeable construction. Plus, it’s waterproof and it comes with a 2-year guarantee.
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Therm-a-rest ZLite Sleeping Pad
10 ounces
The Therm-a-rest ZLite is an effective sleeping pad for hammock sleepers or those that don’t wish to cope with an inflatable sleeping pad.
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Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite
12 ounces
The NeoAir XLite is extraordinarily snug and it has an R-value of 5.4 (ladies’s) for further heat within the shoulder seasons.
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Brooks Caldera 6 Path Sneakers
1lb 2.2 ounces (pair)
These path runners shave some weight with out forfeiting consolation and help. It’s not unusual to search out footwear that weigh 22 ounces or extra. These are available in at half of that.
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Ideas For Shaving Weight From Your Pack
Whereas protecting your “large three” ultralight is the best approach to lighten your load, there are different simple methods you lighten your load whereas backpacking:
I hope this put up helps you in your journey towards ultralight backpacking. Keep in mind that there isn’t a ‘proper’ gear arrange and it might take you just a few journeys and even years to dial in your strategy. Most of all, have enjoyable!
Nonetheless getting your ultralight backpacking gear dialed? Continue learning with these backpacking gear weblog posts:
Are you an ultralight backpacker? What are your go-to ‘high three’? What different ideas are you able to share? What different questions do you’ve got? Depart a remark under!
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