There's an undeniable sense of freedom that comes with taking an honest look at the contents of your hiking pack and realizing you don't actually need most of what you've crammed inside to be prepared for every possible situation. Ultralight hiking isn't about doing without; it's about being deliberate in what you carry. That said, there isn't an agreed-upon set of criteria that clearly defines the "ultralight" designation. Instead, this title falls on a spectrum, with a hiker's base weight shaped by variables such as trip length, weather, and hiking style. Base weight is generally defined as the weight of a hiker's pack at the beginning of their journey, excluding the clothes they're wearing that day and any fuel, water, or food. Shaving an ounce here and there adds up in the end, making those uphill treks a little less formidable.
The following gear choices provide a good overview of lighter gear for those looking to lighten the load. While lighter options may exist in the categories covered and items selected, the products chosen fall nicely on the ultralight and light side of the pack-weight spectrum. Before you know it, you'll be bounding down the trails lighter than ever, trimming gear and overall weight without sacrificing creature comforts and essentials.
Mountain House and AlpineAire Freeze-Dried Meals
Aside from water, food can be one of the heaviest parts of a multi-day pack, especially when meals contain a lot of water weight. Freeze-dried meals solve part of that problem by removing moisture, significantly reducing each meal's weight. Mountain House offers a wide selection of backpacking meals you can prepare by adding hot water directly to the pouch. AlpineAire uses the same basic idea, with an E-Z Fill line on many pouches to make measuring water easier. There's also no need to carry a cooler or a collection of cookware just to make dinner. After a full day on the trail, a hot meal or even a sweet dessert that takes only minutes to prepare is a much-appreciated addition that takes up very little room. Katadyngroup.com & mountainhouse.com
ALPS Mountaineering Red Tail 65 Hiking Pack
Weighing around 4 lbs., 14 ozs., the Red Tail 65 is on the lighter side for a pack, but perhaps not one someone would label an ultralight trail companion. Still, its weight doesn't necessarily rule it out. With 65 liters of storage, an adjustable harness, and an internal frame, it's better suited for trips where you need to bring more gear for longer outings or want a little more support while hiking. Remember the spectrum mentioned earlier? This pack is a prime example of how a hike's details can affect what counts as lightweight. The top pocket and waist belt are removable, so you can take them off when you don't need them; it also has compression straps, hydration compatibility, and a built-in rain cover. These features give you some room to adjust the pack depending on the trip and how much gear you're bringing. alpsmountaineering.com
Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System
Water can add a surprising amount of weight to a hiking pack, so being able to refill along the way, as long as a water source is available, is a big advantage. The Sawyer MINI weighs just 2 ounces, making it a no-brainer when deciding what to carry and what to leave at home. Inside, its hollow-fiber filter removes particles down to 0.1 micron, and you can use it with the included squeeze pouch, a compatible bottle, or hydration systems built directly into packs. It's also reusable, with Sawyer rating it for up to 100,000 gallons and recommending a backwash when the flow begins to slow. Instead of starting the day with several heavy bottles of water, a hiker can carry what they need to reach the next reliable water source and filter more along the way.sawyer.com
Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL Sleeping Pad
A sleeping pad can be one of the easiest things to overlook when you're trying to cut weight, but a good one can make a big difference in how well you sleep. The Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL weighs 16 ounces, so it won't add much to your load. It also packs down to roughly 7 by 4.5 inches, making it easy to tuck away in your pack. Its design ensures ample cushioning, while keeping you centered on the pad through the night. Klymit's synthetic insulation adds warmth without bulk, unlike some foam pad alternatives. Sure, you could sleep on the hard ground if you had to, but with such a compact, lightweight footprint, waking up well-rested is certainly worth carrying the additional ounces in our books. nomadicsupply.com
Big Agnes Rabbit Ears 45 Sleeping Bag
When you're trying to keep your pack light, sleeping bags are notorious for being heavier than they need to be, especially on warm-weather outings. The Big Agnes Rabbit Ears 45 uses 600-fill down, which keeps the bag warm without adding much bulk. At the same time, the bag's shape and overall construction help hold onto that warmth when temperatures start to drop. At just 1 lb. 7 oz., it won't take up much room in your pack either, compressing to about 4.73 liters. With a 52-degree comfort rating and a 45-degree lower limit, it's geared toward mild nights rather than cold-weather camping. rei.com
Naturehike Star Trail EXT 1-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent
The tent you sleep in provides one of the biggest opportunities to reduce pack weight. The Naturehike Star Trail EXT is surprisingly lightweight, weighing just 1.92 lbs. and packing down to about 17.7 inches by 5.1 inches. This three-season, one-person tent is waterproof and equipped with a fully covered mesh interior for ample ventilation. Additional features include a spacious interior, a taller mid-section so you can sit up without your head hitting the roof, and a super-quick setup. naturehike.com.
UCO ECO Utility Spork
Oftentimes, it's the smallest of hiking accessories that are the easiest to forget, or at the very least take for granted. The UCO ECO Utility Spork combines a spoon and fork in one utensil, with a serrated edge that can handle simple cutting jobs. A single spork is 10 inches long and only weighs 0.6 ozs. Of course, your eating utensil won't make or break your trip. Still, ultralight hiking often comes down to dozens of small decisions, and carrying one compact utensil instead of a handful of kitchen items is an easy place to start. rei.com
Cascade Mountain Tech Ultralight Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are one of those pieces of gear you might not appreciate until you're several miles into a hike, especially if you've never tried them. These hiking aids give you extra balance when you need it, helping take some of the strain off your legs on steep climbs and descents. They're also handy, especially when you use one of the specialized rubber tips on trails riddled with rocks, roots, and other less-than-ideal terrain. A set of Cascade Mountain Tech's two-section carbon fiber poles weighs 11.2 oz. … once again, ounces worth carrying, in our opinion, if they help stave off a sprained ankle and make hard climbs even the slightest bit more bearable. They adjust with a quick-lock system, collapsing to 30 inches when not in use and extending to 52 inches when the going gets tough. cascademountaintech.com
