What Is Ultralight Backpacking?
Ultralight backpacking is typically defined as achieving a base weight under 10 lbs (4.5 kg). Base weight = everything in your pack minus food, water, and fuel. Sub-ultralight is under 5 lbs. The average traditional backpacker carries 20–35 lbs base weight.
The benefits are concrete, not just theoretical. Research shows that each 1 lb reduction in pack weight reduces caloric expenditure by roughly 5%. A lighter pack means more miles per day, less joint stress, faster recovery, and — frankly — more enjoyment. The trade-off is cost and, at extremes, some comfort or margin.
This guide connects to our specific gear guides: Backpacking Tent Guide, Sleeping Pad Guide, and Backpacking Stove Guide for deeper analysis on each item.
The Big 3: Where 50–60% of Your Base Weight Lives
The "Big 3" are your three heaviest gear categories: shelter, sleep system (bag + pad), and pack. In a traditional backpacking kit, these three categories represent 50–65% of base weight. To go ultralight, you must address all three — optimizing just one isn't enough.
| Category | Traditional Weight | Ultralight Weight | Sub-Ultralight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter | 4–6 lbs | 1–2 lbs | 8–16 oz |
| Sleep System (bag + pad) | 4–6 lbs | 1.5–2.5 lbs | 12–20 oz |
| Pack | 3–5 lbs | 1–2 lbs | 4–12 oz |
| Big 3 Total | 11–17 lbs | 3.5–6.5 lbs | 2–4 lbs |
Ultralight Shelter Strategy
The biggest weight wins in shelter come from switching to trekking pole designs (eliminating dedicated poles = 8–16 oz savings) and to lighter fabrics (silnylon or Dyneema/DCF instead of heavier nylon).
Tiered Options
- Budget UL (<$300): Zpacks Hexamid Solo (10.5 oz, $350) or Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo (26.4 oz, $180). Trekking pole required.
- Mid-tier ($300–600): Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 (2 lbs 2 oz, $450), MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack (1 lb 15 oz, $500)
- Premium UL ($600+): Zpacks Duplex (11.5 oz, $700), Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 (21 oz, $650)
Ultralight Sleep System
Two changes make the biggest difference: switching from a mummy bag to a quilt, and from a heavy self-inflating pad to a lightweight inflatable pad.
Down Quilts vs Sleeping Bags
A backpacking quilt eliminates the insulated back panel of a sleeping bag (which compresses under you and provides no insulation anyway). Savings: typically 4–8 oz with the same warmth. Quilts from Enlightened Equipment, Katabatic Gear, and Zpacks offer 20°F ratings at 12–16 oz.
Ultralight Packs
Traditional packs are overbuilt for most backpackers — load-transfer hipbelts and internal frames make sense for 50+ lb loads, but at 15–25 lbs (typical ultralight total weight), they're unnecessary overhead.
Pack Categories
- Frameless/ultralight (<20 oz): Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra (13.8 oz, ~$325), Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 (15.6 oz, $300). Best for UL builds under 18 lbs total.
- Lightweight with frame (1–2 lbs): Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest (21 oz, $360), Osprey Levity 45 (1 lb 14 oz, $280).
- Budget UL: Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40 (1 lb 5 oz, $250) — best value frameless pack.
Where to Splurge vs Save
Sample Ultralight Kit Builds
Budget UL Kit (~$700, ~12 lb base weight)
| Item | Weight | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent | 26 oz | $180 |
| Western Mountaineering Ultralight 20°F bag | 19 oz | $400 |
| Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL pad | 14 oz | $55 |
| Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40 pack | 21 oz | $250 |
| BRS-3000T stove + Toaks 700ml pot | 5 oz | $60 |
| Sawyer Squeeze filter | 3 oz | $35 |
| Misc (headlamp, first aid, navigation) | 8 oz | $80 |
| Total | ~6.5 lbs | ~$1,060 |
Premium UL Kit (~$2,500, ~7 lb base weight)
| Item | Weight | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Zpacks Duplex tent | 11.5 oz | $700 |
| Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20°F quilt | 16 oz | $290 |
| Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT pad | 9.9 oz | $210 |
| Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 pack | 15.6 oz | $300 |
| MSR PocketRocket 2 + Toaks 550ml pot | 6 oz | $90 |
| Sawyer Squeeze filter | 3 oz | $35 |
| Misc (headlamp, first aid, navigation) | 8 oz | $200 |
| Total | ~4.3 lbs | ~$1,825 |
Sources & Further Reading
- Ray Jardine. "Beyond Backpacking: Ray Jardine's Guide to Lightweight Hiking." rayjardine.com
- Andrew Skurka. "The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide." andrewskurka.com
- Section Hiker. "Ultralight Backpacking 101." sectionhiker.com
- Outdoor Gear Lab. "Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear 2025." outdoorgearlab.com
- Backpacking Light. "Base Weight Calculator and Resources." backpackinglight.com
