Backpacking Kit
The Ultralighter
Go further with less.
Born on long-distance trails like the Pacific Crest and Appalachian, ultralight backpacking is rooted in necessity—when you’re hiking 20 to 30 miles a day for months, every ounce matters. This kit doesn’t go to the extremes of tarp shelters and frameless packs but strikes a thoughtful middle ground: streamlined enough to keep your load light, yet practical enough to keep you safe, comfortable, and well fed when it counts. At its core, the ultralight ethos is simple—carry less, move farther, and enjoy more of the journey.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2 ($775)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 ($399)
Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 ($320)
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT ($210)
Altra Lone Peak 9 ($145)
Patagonia Terrebonne Shorts ($85)
Enlightened Equipment Torrid ($200)
Montbell Versalite ($260)
Durston Iceline ($199)
MSR PocketRocket 2 ($60)
Sawyer Squeeze System with Cnoc 1L Bottle ($60)
The Unbound 2 is a thru-hiker-approved trekking-pole shelter. It boasts a more straightforward setup than other tents in its class, and its Dyneema construction results in plenty of space and waterproofing at a very low weight. It’s a bit bulky when packed and definitely isn’t cheap.
Interior Space
Weight & Packed Size
Weather Protection
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Load capacity, durability, and waterproofing make the Southwest a thru-hiker favorite. Drawbacks include a lack of adjustability and below-average padding, but in most other aspects, this is a top-tier ultralight backpack.
Comfort
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
The Enigma is a classic case of cottage industry done right: This sleeping quilt is well-built, highly customizable, and affordable. It’ll save you ounces compared to a sleeping bag and, when used right, offers comparable warmth and comfort.
A thru-hiker’s dream, this top-shelf pad boasts fantastic warmth for just 13 ounces. The NeoAir XLite NXT is versatile, easy to inflate, and less noisy than its predecessor. Comfort is the only area where it doesn’t excel.
Comfort
Warmth / Weight
Packed Size
Durability
Ease of Use
Sustainability
A lightweight build, wide toe box, and flat, slipper-like feel make the Lone Peak popular amongst high-mileage hikers. Just remember, footwear is very personal, so take our recommendation with a grain of salt.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
Built with a silky-smooth fabric that’s easy to move in and dries quickly, the Patagonia Terrebonne shorts offer the feel of a running short alongside the more casual look and feature set of a hiking short. Pockets (including one zippered pocket) are great for storing essentials.
Ultralight, weather-resilient, and astonishingly warm for its 8.9-ounce weight, the Enlightened Equipment Torrid has become a cult favorite among long-distance hikers for good reason. Just be ready to embrace the minimalist feature set and unrefined look.
Warmth
Comfort & Mobility
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Weather Resistance
Sustainability
From Japan-based Montbell comes an impressive ultralight rain jacket that packs a ton of features into a crazy-light 6.4-ounce build. The airy shell and pit zips make it more breathable than the competition. But like all ultralight rain jackets, it wets out in heavy or sustained precipitation, and you’ll want to be careful with the thin fabric.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
A masterclass in engineering, the Durston Iceline offers impressive durability and adjustability at a competitively low weight. It’s your thru-hiking multi-tool, adept for both hiking and pitching ultralight shelters.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Despite its miniature design that can literally fit into your pocket, the PocketRocket 2 packs some serious heat and decent temperature control. Pair it with a lightweight titanium pot, and you’ve got everything you need to reliably boil water or cook camp meals over the flame.
Goodbye plastic Smartwater bottle and flimsy Sawyer water pouches: Sawyer’s colab with Cnoc pairs the brand’s reliable, long-lasting bottle filter with a durable soft flask. You can bump up to a 2L version for more capacity.
How We Built the Ultralight Backpacking Kit
We’ll be the first to admit it: this kit isn’t for everyone. But if you’re among the backpackers who believe that a lighter load leads to more joy on the trail, you’re in the right place. That’s the ultralight ethos—carry less, move farther, and enjoy more of the journey.
The Ultralight Backpacking Kit’s roots are on a long hike like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail, where 20- to 30-mile days are the norm (and often a necessity). When you’re hiking that far every day for months, a heavy pack simply isn’t an option. Ultralight hikers count ounces for function, not for sport—not to say it isn’t fun to find creative ways to cut weight!
Much of the debate centers on a pack’s base weight—the total weight of your gear minus food and water. The most devoted ultralighters might aim for a 6-pound base weight, while others are happy with twice that. Our Ultralight Backpacking Kit strikes a practical middle ground. We’ll leave the tarp shelters, frameless packs, alcohol stoves, and crotch pots (yes, it’s a real thing) to the diehards. For most long-distance hikers, the true goal is finding balance: shedding weight without sacrificing safety, comfort, or a good meal at the end of the day.
Given its minimalism, an ultralight kit leaves a slimmer margin for error than a heavier, comfort-focused backpacking setup. The layers are lighter (and often not as warm or protective), the sleep system is pared down, and many tents are semi-freestanding or set up with trekking poles. While that’s plenty sufficient for summer conditions below treeline, it can start to feel underpowered in more exposed environments. We’ve taken an ultralight kit into the alpine and felt the limits firsthand: pitching a tent on rocky ground proved difficult, our sleeping pad lacked insulation, and our stove struggled in high winds. All this to say—know your terrain and conditions. Ultralight gear has its advantages, but it also has its limitations.
This might be the lightest of our backpacking kits, but it’s also one of the most expensive. It’s one of the great paradoxes of outdoor gear: as weight and features drop, price tends to climb. The reason comes down to materials and construction. Traditional backpacking gear can rely on standard polyester or nylon fabrics, heavier insulation, and bulkier builds. Ultralight gear, on the other hand, is highly specialized—think Dyneema, carbon fiber, titanium, and premium, high-fill-power down. Every detail is engineered to shave grams, and that precision comes at a cost.
Ultralight Tents: Semi-Freestanding vs. Trekking-Pole
Ultralight tents range from pared-down backpacking models by big-name brands like Nemo and Big Agnes to minimalist, floorless tarp shelters. Weight-wise, they range from about 3 pounds (for a design like the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2) to under a pound for the most stripped-down designs. Most ultralight hikers land somewhere in the middle, choosing between a semi-freestanding tent or a trekking-pole shelter.
The difference between the two designs is substantial. Semi-freestanding tents stick close to the traditional backpacking template—a double-wall build, arcing pole structure, and nylon floor and fly—but cut weight through a tapered floor plan and a body that requires staking (usually at the foot end). Semi-freestanding backpacking tents generally check in around 2.5 pounds (the Nemo Hornet 2P is 2 lb. 4 oz.), with some versions using painstakingly thin fabrics and carbon-fiber poles to slide in under 2 pounds (e.g. the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV2 Carbon is just 1 lb. 7 oz.). They can feel a bit cramped and delicate, yet most preserve the creature comforts most backpackers appreciate, such as solid ventilation, simple setup, and interior pockets for organization.
Trekking-pole shelters, on the other hand, use your trekking poles for structure instead of tent poles. They’re typically single-walled, with rectangular floor plans and A-frame shapes that peak in the center and slope sharply to the ends. Most high-end models use Dyneema, a remarkably strong, waterproof, and stretch-resistant fabric that’s ultralight—and notoriously expensive. The vast majority clock in under 1.5 pounds, including the Hyperlite Unbound 2P (1 lb. 6 oz.) and the Zpacks Duplex Zip (1 lb. 3.6 oz.). Trekking-pole shelters tend to be roomier and tougher than semi-freestanding tents but the downside is they can be finicky to pitch, especially on rocky slabs, sand, or snow.
After sleeping in a range of semi-freestanding and trekking-pole tents, our preference generally leans toward the latter—with a few caveats. Trekking-pole shelters are lighter, more durable, and significantly roomier for two; unlike most tapered semi-freestanding tents, you can actually sleep head-to-toe with your partner. They’re also surprisingly capable in wind and rain. Their main drawback is that they demand a bit more care and attention: setup can be trickier when anchors are scarce, and managing ventilation takes some finesse, especially on wet nights. But for us, their strengths outweigh their weaknesses.
If we had to pick one trekking-pole shelter that rises above the rest, it would be the Hyperlite Unbound 2P. A story illustrates its prowess: one of our editors met a pair of PCT hikers resupplying near her hometown of Leavenworth, Washington. With a week of rain in the forecast, they were nervous that their Gossamer Gear The Two couldn’t handle the wet weather. She loaned them her Unbound 2P, and ten days later, they returned raving—the tent kept them completely dry, fit one hiker’s 6’3” frame with ease, and outperformed every shelter they’d used. Our own testing backs that up: if you’re going the trekking-pole shelter route, the Unbound 2P is as premium as it gets. The Zpacks Duplex remains a popular option but feels noticeably more DIY by comparison, while the Durston X-Mid Pro 2 is another standout Dyneema design with smart geometry and excellent storm protection.
Ultralight Backpacks
Unlike ultralight tents, most ultralight backpacks follow a similar formula. Typically ranging from 50 to 60 liters in capacity, they combine a cavernous main compartment with generous exterior storage—large front and side pockets plus two hipbelt pockets are standard. The harness systems are pared down to the essentials: a lightly padded backpanel, shoulder straps, and hipbelt, but no suspended mesh or overbuilt padding. Where these packs diverge most is in materials, and this is where cottage brands love to geek out. You’ll see everything from simple nylon to high-tech fabrics like Dyneema, Robic nylon, and UltraEPX. Most weigh around 2.5 pounds or less, while traditional backpacking packs can easily top 5 pounds.
We’re big fans of ultralight backpacks—as long as the rest of your kit matches. If you’re still transitioning from heavier, traditional gear, make your backpack the last item you replace. Nothing kills comfort faster than an overloaded pack carrying more than it’s designed for. But once your total load dips below about 30 pounds, the payoff is huge: ultralight packs offer a freedom of movement you simply don’t get from heavier designs.
Most thru-hikers we see on long trails carry framed packs like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 or ULA Circuit, both of which use metal stays or perimeter hoops for structure and load distribution. The more hardcore ounce-counters may ditch the frame altogether in favor of frameless packs, which hug the body and cut even more weight. However, frameless packs are a fairly niche item intended for serious users, and not recommended for loads above about 20 pounds. On the flip side, big-name brands like Osprey and Gregory make ultralight-adjacent packs that cater to those who want to travel lighter without losing familiar features like a removable lid or trampoline-style backpanel. (You can find more of these options in our Ultralight Curious Backpacking Kit.)
Ultralight Sleep Systems
For many backpackers, a sleep system includes a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow, and maybe even a liner. Ultralight hikers, however, pare things down to the essentials—a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag or quilt.
Sleeping Pad
Let’s start with the sleeping pad, since it’s often the simplest decision. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (13 oz., R-value: 4.5) is the most popular choice on the trail, favored by both traditional and ultralight backpackers. It’s not the absolute lightest, but it strikes an exceptional balance between comfort, warmth, and durability. With a 30-denier fabric, 3 inches of cushioning, and reliable three-season warmth, it’s well-suited for long thru-hikes that extend into early fall.
Two other pads are worth considering: the Nemo Tensor All-Season (14.1 oz., R-value: 5.4) and Tensor Elite (8.5 oz., R-value: 2.4). The All-Season is slightly heavier but warmer and arguably more comfortable than the XLite, while the Elite is among the lightest air pads money can buy. That said, the Elite’s minimalist build and thinner materials make it less ideal for extended thru-hikes—it’s better reserved for short overnights, bikepacking trips, or warm-weather alpine objectives where every ounce matters.
Sleeping Quilt
We won’t hide our allegiance: we’re big proponents of sleeping quilts for ultralight backpacking. If you’ve ever spent a night in an ultralight sleeping bag, you know how compromised they can feel—short zippers limit ventilation, slim silhouettes make it hard to move, and the fabrics can feel paper-thin. As much as we love warmer versions of the Sea to Summit Spark (like the 15°F model we’ve reviewed), the 30°F (1 lb. 1.4 oz.) and 45°F (12.8 oz.) versions illustrate these tradeoffs perfectly.
Sleeping quilts, on the other hand, are far more versatile. With an open back that attaches to your sleeping pad for a mostly draft-free seal, quilts allow for freedom of movement and can easily be used as a blanket on warmer nights. They also concentrate insulation where it actually counts—over and around you—rather than wasting fill beneath your body, where it gets compressed and provides little warmth. At just 1 pound 1.9 ounces for the 30°F Enlightened Equipment Enigma (or 14.7 oz. for the 40°F version), quilts rival sleeping bags in weight while offering dramatically more comfort and flexibility. For us, it’s an easy choice.
When it comes to ultralight apparel, consider not only weight but also how your layers perform in motion. Ultralight backpackers spend most of their day on the move and rarely stop for weather, which means their clothing has to handle sun, wind, rain, and everything in between. While traditional backpackers often prioritize warmth and protection for time spent at camp, ultralighters should focus on comfort and functionality while hiking.
Insulated Jacket
A good insulated jacket for an ultralight backpacking kit is first and foremost lightweight—we’re talkin’ under 10 ounces or so. From there, you’re weighing factors like warmth for the weight (down jackets like the Montain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer generally beat out synthetic offerings), breathability (synthetic and fleece best down, especially active insulators like the Arc’teryx Proton LT, Patagonia Nano-Air Ultraight, or Senchi Designs A90), and weather protection (synthetic insulation is a clear winner). The Enlightened Equipment Torrid is a standout for thru-hikers thanks to its excellent warmth, impressive packability, and approachable $200 price tag. Spending up for the Ghost Whisperer ($380) gets you a lighter, warmer layer, but it’s less breathable on the trail and loses its insulating power when wet.
Rain Shell
For ultralight backpackers, a rain shell should be both lightweight and breathable, since you’ll likely be logging plenty of miles in it. The Montbell Versalite is one of the best in the category. Featuring large pit zips and a water-resistant (rather than fully waterproof) shell, it vents better than almost any other rain jacket—and at just 6.4 ounces, it’s about half the weight of most competitors. We’ve found it plenty protective in passing storms or light rain, though it can get overwhelmed in sustained downpours. If your trips regularly involve extended wet weather, consider a burlier but still light option like the Arc’teryx Beta SL or Patagonia Granite Crest, both of which offer full waterproof protection at a modest weight penalty.
We’re preaching to the choir here, but if you’re still hiking in heavy, clunky boots or hiking shoes, it’s time to get the memo. Trail running shoes have taken over the ultralight world for good reason. They’re lighter, faster, and more comfortable over long miles, with excellent traction, plush cushioning, and minimal break-in time. And thanks to advances in design, many are now nearly as durable as traditional hiking shoes.
We included the Altra Lone Peak 9 in our kit because, frankly, it’s hard to argue with its legacy on long trails. It feels more like a slipper than a shoe, and when you’re walking all day for weeks on end, that roomy, laid-back fit can feel like a godsend. For hikers who prefer something with a bit more snap underfoot, there’s a growing class of trail runners made with hiking in mind, including the Brooks Cascadia 19, NNormal Tomir 02, and Saucony Peregrine 15. And although it wasn’t designed specifically for hiking, we can’t get enough of the La Sportiva Prodigio Max—as one of our co-founders puts it, “a longer-lasting, more comfortable Speedgoat.”
We’d be remiss not to mention ankle gaiters here, too. Dirty Girl Gaiters have become practically synonymous with thru-hiking—not just for their bright, eccentric patterns, but for their practicality. Their main job is to keep dirt, sand, and pebbles out of your low-top shoes, which can make a huge difference on long, dusty trails where you don’t want to stop every hour to dump debris. If your shoes don’t come with a built-in gaiter attachment (like the Altra Lone Peak’s handy rear Velcro tab), you can easily DIY it by gluing a small strip of Velcro to the heel. It’s a small mod that pays big dividends over hundreds of miles.
Trekking poles are a staple of most ultralight backpacking kits. They take strain off your knees during long days on the trail and serve as the structural backbone for trekking-pole shelters—the tent style of choice for many ultralight hikers. With that in mind, there are a few key factors to consider when choosing a pair.
Adjustability is the big one. Many ultralight poles, like our staff-favorite Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z, are fixed-length to save weight and complexity. While that’s great for trail running or fast-and-light day hiking, it’s less ideal for backpacking since most shelters require fine-tuning pole height for a perfect pitch. Repairability is another important consideration. Poles like the Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ include built-in tools for field fixes, while the Durston Iceline—featured in this kit—has just one adjustment point that’s purpose-built not to slip, and has yet to let us down.
Finally, weight matters—this is an ultralight kit, after all. The Durston Iceline hits a standout balance at just 10.2 ounces per pair, offering full adjustability and excellent durability for its weight. The Black Diamond Distance FLZ remains a solid and popular choice, though it comes in slightly heavier at 11.8 ounces. Ultralight poles like the Gossamer Gear LT5 (9.8 oz.) and Zpacks Carbon Fiber (15.3 oz.) are also worth considering, but neither can match the Iceline in performance for the weight.
Stove & Pot
If you’re on the trail for months on end, chances are you don’t want to eat a dehydrated meal every night—not to mention the $15-a-pop price tag adds up fast. Most ultralight backpackers will want a stove with enough temperature control to actually cook over the flame while still keeping things lightweight. The MSR PocketRocket 2 (2.6 oz.) is a trail staple: it’s compact, reliably performs in most conditions, and remains one of the lightest options around. There are faster boilers and more wind-resistant designs, but none that pack this small or weigh so little. Pair it with a titanium pot like the TOAKS Titanium 750ml (3.6 oz.), and you’ve got a complete backcountry kitchen for well under half a pound.
Water Filter
Most thru-hikers pair the Sawyer Squeeze with a plastic Smartwater bottle (purchased at a gas station or grocery store), but now you can do better, with the Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc bottle. The Cnoc bottle has a wide base that allows it to stand up on its own, yet compresses when empty. We don’t blame you if you want to stick with your beloved Smartwater bottle, but for those building their kit from scratch, the Sawyer Squeeze with 1-liter Cnoc is an intriguing option.
Another bottle filter we love is the HydraPak Filter Cap, which can be paired with any of HydraPak’s soft flasks (all of which have 42mm openings). Like the Sawyer Sqyeeze, this filter is lightweight, has a fast flow rate, and is very easy to clean. The benefit is that it sits within the water bottle, not on the outside, which is much easier to handle and, in our opinion, makes drinking much more of a breeze.
The entire Ultralight Backpacking Kit checked in at 9 pounds 3.5 ounces, including “wearables” like shoes, shorts, a rain shell, and an insulated jacket—plus trekking poles. As such, it’s not a true base weight; that figure would land closer to 6.5 pounds, though it excludes essentials like a titanium pot and spork, inReach, power bank, and other small items.
That number might not mean much until you see it in context. Our Comfort Backpacking Kit came in at 22 pounds 2.7 ounces, and the Mid-Ranger Kit isn’t far behind at 20 pounds 6.4 ounces. In other words, the Ultralight Kit cuts more than half the weight of both, which helps explain why ultralight backpacking has grown so popular as the gear has become more accessible and refined. Why carry more when you can achieve similar comfort with less? Sitting neatly between these extremes is the Ultralight Curious Backpacking Kit, at 14 pounds 9.8 ounces—a compelling middle ground for those intrigued by ultralight principles but not ready to go all-in.
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P: 1 lb. 6 oz.
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55: 1 lb. 15.7 oz.
- Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20: 1 lb. 5.2 oz.
- Therm-a-Rest XLite: 13 oz.
- Altra Lone Peak 9: 1 lb. 6.3 oz.
- Patagonia Terrebonne Shorts: 4.4 oz.
- Enlightened Equipment Torrid: 8.9 oz.
- Montbell Versalite: 6.4 oz.
- Durston Iceline: 10.2 oz.
- MSR PocketRocket 2: 2.6 oz.
- Sawyer Squeeze w/ Cnoc 1L Bottle: 4.8 oz.
Building our kits is always a fun process—but there’s usually some lively debate over what makes the final cut. In the spirit of transparency, here’s a look at some of the other gear we considered for our Ultralight Backpacking Kit:
- Backpacking Tent: Durston X-Mid Pro 2, Zpacks Duplex
- Backpacking Pack: ULA Circuit
- Backpacking Sleeping Bag: Katabatic Flex 30F
- Backpacking Sleeping Pad: Nemo Tensor All-Season
- Footwear: Topo Athletic Traverse, Brooks Cascadia 19, La Sportiva Prodigio Max
- Insulated Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody
- Rain Jacket: Outdoor Research Helium, Rab Downpour Light
- Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Distance FLZ
Is the Ultralight Backpacking Kit for You?
This kit is for backpackers who want to travel light and far without the burden of excess gear. If your idea of a good day on trail involves big mileage, efficiency, and simplicity, this setup will feel like freedom. You’ll sacrifice some comfort and convenience along the way—ultralight gear can be less forgiving, and it often costs more—but what you gain is the ability to move with ease and cover more ground with less effort.
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a full ounce-counting lifestyle, check out our Ultralight Curious Backpacking Kit, which finds a more forgiving balance between weight savings and comfort. On the other hand, if your goal is maximizing rest, relaxation, and campsite luxury, our Comfort Backpacking Kit might be the better fit.
