Ultralight backpacking refers to a style of hiking where the goal is to minimize the weight of the backpack as much as possible. This means heading out into nature with only the most essential gear.
The tradition of ultralight hiking originates from the long-distance trails in the United States, such as the 4,270 km Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. On such long hikes, daily distances are often quite long, and the importance of light gear becomes even more pronounced.
However, you don’t need to head to the PCT to enjoy ultralight hiking; a lightweight backpack can be just as enjoyable on a weekend hike in a nearby forest.
The base weight for an ultralight hiker can be under five kilograms
The general "limit" for ultralight gear is considered to be ten pounds, or 4.5 kilograms. The base weight refers to the weight of the gear only, meaning the weight of the backpack before food, water, clothing, and fuel are added.
Reaching the 4.5-kilogram threshold requires a well-tuned ultralight gear setup. For example, larger users may need bigger clothing and gear, which can easily increase the backpack's weight. In Finnish conditions, even a backpack weighing under 5.5 kilograms is something to be proud of.
In winter, thicker clothing and a heavier sleeping bag may increase the weight slightly, but even then, an ultralight hiker’s backpack usually weighs between five and seven kilograms.
A lightweight backpack is achieved by leaving things at home
In addition to base weight, the total mass of the backpack is affected by the weight of food and water, which depends on the length of the planned hike.
Ultralight hikers often prefer dried or otherwise energy-dense foods, such as nuts or prepackaged hiking meals. A common mistake is to carry far more food than you can actually eat; a can of tuna that remains unopened in your backpack throughout the hike isn’t of much use.
Water is generally only carried in amounts that will get you safely to the next resupply point, such as a stream or lake. With a Katadyn BeFree, Sawyer Mini, or another water filter, water found in nature can easily be made drinkable.
The most important way to achieve a light backpack is to leave unnecessary items at home. A base weight of under ten kilograms is usually achievable simply by reducing the amount of gear. It’s worth considering, for example, whether an axe will get enough use to justify taking it on the hike.
It’s also often easy to reduce the number of spare clothes. If you’re concerned about odor from dirty clothes, it’s a good idea to choose merino wool products, which tend to smell much less.
The backpack, shelter, and sleeping bag are the heaviest individual items
The heaviest individual item in a hiker’s backpack is often the shelter. A “regular” tent can weigh several kilograms, whereas, for example, the two-person Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Platinum or Nemo Hornet OSMO 2P weigh just over one kilogram. You can reduce weight even further by using a tarp instead of a tent.
The weight of a sleeping bag varies greatly depending on the user's height and the weather conditions. For example, the RAB Mythic 400 is a lightweight sleeping bag for three-season use, while the RAB Mythic 200 is ideal for summer conditions. In addition to sleeping bags, ultralight hikers often prefer sleeping quilts, which have no back section.
Alongside a sleeping bag, you can opt for a foam pad such as the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite or an inflatable pad like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT.
The weight of the backpack itself also matters. Lightweight options include packs like the Lundhags Padje Light 45 L or the Exped Lightning 60, both of which weigh just over one kilogram.
You can continue to lighten your load with other gear as well. For example, consider whether you really need all the parts of your Trangia stove, or if you can manage with a smaller setup. A great lightweight option for gas stoves is the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which attaches directly to the gas canister.
The purpose of ultralight hiking is to make hiking more enjoyable
Amidst all the weight-saving efforts, it’s important to remember the core idea of ultralight hiking: only bring the essentials. The goal of lightening your load is to make the hike as enjoyable as possible, as you can go farther and see more with a lighter pack.
However, don’t stress too much about the weight of your pack, and feel free to bring items like a camera or a fishing rod. If a piece of gear makes the hike more enjoyable, it’s perfectly justified to take it along.