Why You Should Invest In Ultralight Backpacking Gear

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One of the main challenges of entering the world of backpacking is the amount of gear needed just to get started. From sleeping pads to tents, to stoves and cook wear, accumulating all the necessities can be daunting and expensive. When I decided to plan my first backpacking trip I looked at my front country gear, assessed what I could use and made a list of the things I would need to buy. I headed off to my local MEC (the Canadian equivalent of REI), and walked over to the backpacking section. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I saw the prices for the most popular gear; $400 for a backpack, $700 for a tent, $200 for a sleeping pad, etc. After my initial shock I decided to build my kit with cheaper or more moderately priced equipment. I was so excited to take all my new stuff out into the backcountry. Well, the problem with using cheaper equipment is that it is significantly heavier than the most expensive pieces, and my pack was about 35 pounds. At the end of a 10-hour hiking day you are feeling every one of those 35 pounds and that’s why I suggest investing in some ultralight camping gear.

What is ultralight backpacking gear?

Ultralight backpacking gear is designed with the principle of minimalism in mind, focusing on reducing weight without compromising functionality or safety. By utilizing innovative materials and thoughtful engineering, ultralight gear significantly lightens the load backpackers have to carry, this allows for better endurance on the trail. From lightweight tents and sleeping bags to compact stoves and minimalist cookware, every piece of ultralight gear is optimized to maximize performance while minimizing bulk and weight. Ultralight gear emphasizes shedding unnecessary weight from traditional backpacking equipment while still providing essential features. This includes utilizing cutting-edge materials such as Dyneema, Cuben Fiber, and titanium, which offer superior strength-to-weight ratios. These ultralight principles are applied to many different types of equipment from tents to sleeping pads and sleeping bags. Ultralight camping gear is specifically designed to minimize weight while maintaining functionality and durability.

What is the benefit of ultralight gear?

Ultralight gear offers a multitude of benefits for backpackers, starting with enhanced mobility and agility. By significantly reducing the weight of your pack, you can move more freely and navigate challenging terrain easier. The reduction in physical strain and fatigue associated with carrying lighter loads allows you to maintain peak performance on the trail, leading to a more enjoyable and sustainable experience. This increased efficiency means you have the ability to cover greater distances in a single day, allowing you to explore more of the wilderness and tackle ambitious trails. Importantly, the use of ultralight gear aligns with Leave No Trace principles by minimizing environmental impact through reduced resource consumption and waste production. By choosing lightweight and eco-friendly gear, you can tread lightly on the land and preserve its natural beauty.

What ultralight items should I buy?

As mentioned above, backpacking gear is expensive, and ultralight equipment even more so. You don’t need to throw out your entire backpacking kit, or buy everything ultralight, but if you make a few swaps, you can drastically reduce your pack weight. Below I have chosen some items that I believe give you the best bang for your buck.

1) Tent

Your tent will most likely be the heaviest item that you carry in your pack, an average, mid-priced 2-person tent chosen off of MECs website, the Eureka Midori 2-person tent ($250 CAD) weighs in at 5 pounds, with a floor area of 2.8sqm. You might be thinking “what’s 5 pounds, that’s not that heavy”, and you’re right it isn’t, but let’s do some calculations. It is generally recommended that your backpack weigh no more than 20% of your total body weight. For a 150-pound person, their pack should weigh no more than 30 pounds. So, at 5 pounds, that’s already 17% of the total recommended weight of your pack, things add up really quickly. So let’s take a look at some of the ultralight tents out there. The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL Solution ($540 CAD) weighs in at 2 pounds with 2.6sqm floor area, so 7% of the recommended pack weight. The Nemo Hornet OSMO 2-person tent ($580) is 1.4 pounds with 2.6sqm floor area, and the infamous Gossamer Gear “The Two” weighing in at 1.5 pounds with 2.6sqm floor area takes up just 5% of your total pack weight! By investing in upgrading the heaviest piece of equipment, you can drastically decrease the weight of your pack and make trudging up those mountains much easier.

2) Sleeping Bag

For my first pack I chose an average MEC sleeping bag, rated to -5C, it was around $150 CAD and it weighs approximately 3.5 pounds. Again, I chose this bag as it was middle of the road and pretty warm, I didn’t even consider the weight. This bag is not bad, but now I know there are much lighter sleeping bags out there, such as The Therm-a-rest Corus -6C quilt ($430 CAD) weighing 1.6 pounds, the Revelation Quilt 850FP ($630 CAD) from Enlightened Equipment weighing 1.3 pounds, or the MEC Aphelion UL -7C Down Sleeping Bag ($560 CAD) weighing 1.5 pounds. So, we have brought down our total bag weight from ~12% to around 5%. Sweet!

3) Sleeping Pad

For my sleeping pad I wanted maximum comfort, so I bought an extra-long, and extra wide pad weighing in at 4 pounds! As you can tell I really wasn’t thinking about weight at all. Here are some lighter options that aren’t a foam pad because there is no way that those are comfortable. The Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite NXT sleeping pad in wide ($300 CAD) is 1 pound, Nemo Flyer wide sleeping pad ($200 CAD) is 1.7 pounds, Nemo Tensor Trail sleeping pad ($350 CAD) weighs 0.8 pounds. Bringing the weight down from 4 pounds to less than 1 pound makes a huge difference.

4) Other ultralight options

How far you want to take ultralight camping is totally up to you, there is cook wear, clothing, backpacks, and so much more! Another way to decrease bag weight is to bring dehydrated meals, and light snacks like dried fruit and nuts. You can bring a bear bag instead of bear canister, toothpaste tablets instead of a tube, and cut down on any luxury items like a chair (I would never I love my backpacking chair). You can also share accommodations with another camper share the load of the tent. Another great way to shed weight is to look at lighter backpacks. These big bags with multiple compartments, zippers, frames, and buckles can actually be quite heavy. You may find that a simpler, ultralight bag suits you just fine!

Yes, Ultralight Gear is Expensive

The biggest sticking point is yes, a lot of this gear is expensive, sometimes double or triple the cheapest options. These are definitely investment pieces, but even though ultralight equipment is built to be extremely light, it is also made to be durable. A lot of these companies such as Nemo and Therm-a-rest offer lifetime guarantees on their products (subject to the terms and conditions) and most brands can try repair equipment that is damaged to improve sustainability. Invest in pieces over time, you don’t need to buy everything all at once! If you have a friend that you often hike with you can split the costs or take turns buying these items. Also keep an eye out for sales or buy used gear.