That is an Ultralight Backpacking Gear Checklist that can allow anybody to chop their base weight right down to a really light-weight 10lb / 4.5kg or much less.
I’ve hiked virtually 8000 miles / 13000km and really feel very snug with ultralight backpacking gear. I full most of my mountaineering and backpacking journeys with a base weight of round 13 lb / 6kg, however in very chilly climate that weight can enhance to round 20lb / 9 kg, particularly if I’m carrying snowshoes and winter clothes.Â
There’s a sure pleasure that comes from carrying a light-weight backpacking setup. The flexibility to hike quicker, have much less stress on the physique and have a lowered likelihood of accidents. In case you are studying this possibly you need some concepts on what gear you may want to cut back your base weight and transfer into ultralight mountaineering. Hold studying to learn to scale back your base weight properly beneath 10lb / 4.5kg.
Ultralight Mountaineering Gear Checklist
Shelter, Trekking Poles, Backpack & Sleep System
With a complete weight of 5 lb / 2.28 kg, the backpack, trekking poles, and sleep system are the heaviest gadgets. However nonetheless very ultralight. And may be lighter if you happen to solely use one trekking pole to help the one-person tent.
Tents are getting lighter. There isn’t any must take a tent weighing 2lb / 1kg as there may be a lot good high quality light-weight backpacking gear in the marketplace. As for sleeping pads, they’re getting very mild and compact however because the grams drop, so will the sturdiness and insulation. If going to locations beneath freezing don’t get the lightest possibility as insulation is extra essential. The extent of insulation may be discovered within the r-value, the upper the r-value the higher the insulation,
The identical with backpacks. Whether or not you select a sleeping bag or backpacking quilt, guarantee they’re additionally mild in weight. Most individuals discover a quilt works nice at temperatures above freezing however beneath that, a sleeping bag is best.
Trekking poles are non-obligatory for many backpackers. In case you want them for a trekking pole tent then they are often good to help with mountaineering by taking a little bit of weight off your ft when mountaineering. Carbon fiber is lighter than aluminum however will shatter when it breaks, whereas aluminum could possibly be bent again into place and reused. At the least till you get to the following city.
How does it evaluate to your ultralight backpacking gear checklist evaluate?
Tent
Zpacks Plex Solo
Weight: 13.9 oz / 395 g
The lightest ultralight tent in the marketplace in 2022 and ought to be part of your ultralight backpacking gear checklist. It’s sufficiently big for solo backpackers and sturdy sufficient to final a few thru-hikes whereas withstanding unhealthy climate very properly. It wants one trekking pole to arrange. I at present use the Zpacks Triplex.
Different Choices:
2P: Zpacks Duolight
3P: Zpacks Triplex
Learn extra: Ultralight Backpacking Tents
Cooking Gear
Some ultralight hikers prefer to chilly soak meals and take away the necessity for stoves and pots. Solely needing a spork and one thing to rehydrate their meals. I’ve tried this technique and shortly realized it isn’t for me. Having mentioned that, I’d encourage everybody to strive going ‘stoveless’ at the very least as soon as to see how properly it really works for you.
The load of the cooking setup beneath is available in at 6.1 oz / 171 grams or 10.6 oz / 299 grams if you happen to add the non-obligatory mags and knife that I listed beneath.
You might contemplate a bear canister, or bear bag when mountaineering in bear nation to make sure your meals storage just isn’t solely authorized however secure. In any other case, a stuff sack ought to be sufficient. Light-weight stuff sacks may be made from Sil-nylon or Dyneema and each are adequate to retailer meals.
Cup – Non-obligatory
Sea to Summit X-Mug
Weight: 2.5 oz / 72 grams
Most ultralight hikers and light-weight backpackers don’t use a cup or mug. For the gram counter, the cooking pot will double as a cup, or possibly even the water bottle. I’ve used a mug for years as I appear to want a scorching espresso within the morning. I at present use the Sea to Summit X-Mug.
Different Choices:
Snow Peak Titanium Double Wall Cup 450
Assessment coming quickly: Finest Backpacking Cups and Mugs
Knife – Non-obligatory
Gerber Mini Paraframe
Weight: 2 oz / 56 grams
Ultralight hikers might not use a knife, and plenty of appear to discover a pair of scissors extra helpful! I like a small mild knife. I’ve used Multitools, Swiss Military Knives, and plenty of different varieties through the years. Presently, I just like the Gerber Mini Paraframe. I used to make use of the very small Gerber knife but it surely doesn’t appear to be out there anymore and I misplaced it!
Assessment coming quickly: Finest Backpacking Knives
Water Remedy
No must overthink water bottles, water filters, and find out how to carry your water. Hold it easy with these two gadgets. Perhaps reuse a plastic water bottle too. Round 3.8 oz / 108 grams will probably be sufficient for most individuals. Perhaps a little bit additional weight for backup water remedy like chemical tablets.
Water Filter
Sawyer Squeeze
Weight: 2.5 oz / 71 grams
The ever-popular Sawyer Squeeze. I used this filter for 1000s of miles of mountaineering and backpacking. It has stream price, filters the water fairly properly, and is light-weight. It doesn’t matter what mountaineering path you’re on, you’re certain to search out somebody carrying one in every of these. I at present use the Lifestraw Flex Squeeze however desire the up to date Lifestraw Peak and Sawyer Squeeze.
Different Choices:
Lifestraw Peak
Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets
Learn extra: Finest Backpacking Water Filters
Water Storage / Water Bottle
Platypus Platy 2L Water Bladder
Weight: 1.3 oz / 37 grams
When you have to carry water, a water bladder is way lighter and extra environment friendly than virtually any model of water bottle. And the most effective of those is the Platypus bladder. And the Sawyer Squeeze will screw solely the bottle. I at present use the 2L Platypus Bladder.
Assessment coming quickly: Finest Backpacking Water Bottles and Water Storage
Clothes
Most of this stuff on the checklist will probably be worn whereas mountaineering and backpacking so they don’t seem to be usually added to the general base weight. There’s packed clothes and worn clothes. Packed clothes would often include rain gear and insulation equivalent to a down jacket. And in addition extras like spare socks and underwear.
Base Layer Backside
Smartwool Traditional Thermal Merino Bottoms
100% Merino base layer with flatlock seams to make sure chafing is lowered. You may hike in these all day if you’d like. In actual fact, when it’s chilly you may use a pair of shorts excessive and never take any mountaineering pants with you. As a result of delicate nature of the material, that is solely a good suggestion on marked trails with no sharp branches to tear the material.
Different Choices:
Patagonia Capilene Midweight Base Layer Bottoms
Assessment coming quickly: Finest Backpacking Base Layer Bottoms
Mountaineering Pants
Prana Stretch Zion II
Light-weight, snug, and with sufficient stretch to make strolling simple. I’ve used these mountaineering pants a number of instances and like them for mountaineering and backpacking. They’re nice in cooler climate and in addition are possibility for these wanting safety from the solar and parts. I at present use the Kuhl Silencr and Kuhl Deceptr pants.
Different Choices:
Kuhl Silencr Pants
Kuhl Deceptr Pants
Learn extra: Finest Mountaineering Pants
Sun shades
Oakley Flak 2.0
Do they appear good and never break the bank and defend your eyes from all of the dangerous rays? If the reply is sure then they are going to be adequate. In case you are tight with cash an affordable pair will get you by, particularly in case you are the kind of one that loses every thing inside hours of shopping for them.
Different Choices:
Julbo Explorer 2.0
Smith Lowdown 2
Learn extra: Finest Mountaineering Sun shades
Rain Jacket
Enlightened Gear Visp Jacket Assessment
Weight: 5oz / 142 grams (with out Pit Zips)
When making the leap to ultralight backpacking you’ll not want a giant heavy three-layer rain jacket. An ultralight rain jacket with the choice of pit zips to vent warmth just like the Enlightened Gear Visp is ideal. Being so mild and skinny it additionally works properly as a windbreaker on these chilly mornings and may also be worn to mattress to help with insulation (sure, it really works).
Different Choices:
ZPacks Vertice Rain Jacket
Out of doors Analysis Helium
Learn extra: Finest Rain Jackets
Rain Pants
Out of doors Analysis Helium
Weight: 6.7oz / 190g
In lots of circumstances, a pair of rain pants will probably be overkill and never wanted however for many these circumstances are uncommon. Take rain pants. They work as pair of wind pants too. They don’t seem to be too heavy and generally is a lifesaver in chilly moist climate. The OR Helium is ideal despite the fact that there are a lot lighter choices for individuals who actually wish to depend the grams. I exploit the OR Helium and have for a few years.
Different Choices:
Zpacks Vertice
Arc’teryx Beta AR
Learn extra: Finest Rain Pants
If you wish to save weight and hike with rather less stress in your ft then contemplate path runners. Ultralight hikers love them and as you aren’t carrying very heavy hundreds there may be much less stress in your ft, ankles, and knees. As your ft really feel higher there may be much less want for camp footwear, simply loosen the shoe laces when at camp.
Gaiters – Non-obligatory
Soiled Woman Gaiters
Gaiters are thought-about by many, together with myself, to be luxurious gadgets. I discover them to be very helpful in snow and dust however not for normal light-weight mountaineering and backpacking. However many love them for protecting sand and rocks out of their socks and footwear. The Soiled Woman Gaiters are among the many hottest.
Different Choices:
Altra Path Gaiters
Learn extra: Finest Gaiters for Backpacking
The electronics that you simply stick with it the path will fluctuate quite a bit from individual to individual. In case you are huge on social media or have a Youtube Channel you can be carrying extra in the best way of cameras and backup batteries than some who simply take pictures with their smartphone.
For many, a smartphone and backup battery financial institution are the naked minimal and crucial for pictures, navigation, GPS, and speak to with the surface world. The load of a cellphone and backup battery financial institution will probably be round 1 lb. 2.2 oz / 524 grams however you’ll be able to go a lot lighter is you select.
Headlamps – Non-obligatory
Petzl E+Lite
Weight: 0.9 oz / 26 grams
The Petzl E+Lite just isn’t my favourite headlamp but it surely is without doubt one of the lightest. And on the earth of ultralight thru-hiking and backpacking, it’s a good possibility. My desire is a headlamp with rechargeable batteries and a bit higher quantity of sunshine. However for the minimalist, the Petzl E+Lite is greatest. When mountaineering in summer time with lengthy hours of daylight I discover the sunshine on a smartphone is sufficient, and so do many different ultralight backpackers.
Different Choices:
PETZL Actik Core 450
Nitecore NU25
Learn extra: Finest Headlamps
Watch – Non-obligatory
Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic
Weight: 1.87 oz / 53 grams
The Garmin Intuition Photo voltaic 2 is the form of mountaineering watch that may do virtually something. With maps, GPS, climate, and extra, it will possibly additionally inform the time. With the photo voltaic, it will possibly final fairly some time between prices. However it’s costly. In case you are a knowledge nerd then you’ll love this watch or one of many others talked about beneath.
Different Choices:
Coros Vertix 2
Suunto 9 Baro
Learn extra: Finest GPS Mountaineering Watches
Satellite tv for pc Messenger – Non-obligatory
Garmin InReach Mini 2
Weight: 3.5 oz / 100 grams
The Garmin InReach 2 is a really mild two-way Satellite tv for pc Messenger gadget. Use satellites if you end up out of cellphone vary to speak with dwelling, get climate, or alert emergency companies of your location. In case you are injured or incapacitated simply press a button and assist will probably be on the best way. It has good battery life however as with electronics make sure to take a backup battery financial institution.
Different Choices:
Zoleo Satellite tv for pc Communicator
Somewear Labs World Hotspot
Learn extra: Finest Satellite tv for pc Messenger
Winter Mountaineering Gear
When the white fluffy stuff begins to fall from the sky it’s possible you’ll must ‘gear up’ and get some specialist winter gear. An Ice Axe is often used on early-season journeys within the mountains and is a part of most light-weight backpacking gear lists. So is a few type of traction gadget within the type of microspikes and for some, possibly even snowshoes, particularly in case you are thru-hiking the Continental Divide Path.
First Support Equipment and Misc
The primary help equipment may be as fundamental as you need. Simply guarantee you have got what you will want within the type of sufficient private remedy to your deliberate journey. As for the remaining here’s what I often take. It would enhance the pack weight a bit however I exploit a lot of the first help provides beneath regularly. The most typical issues you will want are gadgets to deal with blisters or splinters with solar safety additionally being essential. You might pack them in a stuff sack or use a zipper lock bag.
- Plastic zip lock baggage
- Cash / ID / Credit score Playing cards
- Blister pads
- Strapping Tape
- Giardia anti-biotic
- Foot an infection anti-biotic
- Ibuprofen
- tweezers
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Security Pin
- Needle
- Deet insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Bathroom tissue
- Hand sanitizer
- Bathroom paper
Complete 13oz / 375 grams
Continuously Requested Questions
Ultralight backpacking is the flexibility to chop extra weight from the quantity of substances you carry when going backpacking. Most ultralight backpackers will carry lower than 10 kilos as their base weight.
Lower than 10 kilos is an effective base weight for ultralight backpacking. It would require light-weight gear and the flexibility to not take gadgets which might be pointless.
Base weight is all of the gadgets in your backpack that you’ll carry with you on a regular basis, equivalent to a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cook dinner gear, and extra clothes not being worn. Consumables are the gadgets equivalent to water, meals, and gas.