ultralight backpacking

i wanted to see if i could make an ultralight gear kit for someone that is just getting into hiking and interested in going ultralight. my goals were to make it significantly less than 10 lbs, include gear that i have personal experience with or felt was quality from well established ultralight manufacturers, and have it all be less than $1500. i think all goals were achieved.

total weight came in at 8.2 pounds. total price was $1491.50. i have experience with a lot of the gear on the list and just about all of it is from well known manufacturers that make high rated gear.

backpack: gossamer gear kumo 36 | 567 g / 20.0 oz https://www.gossamergear.com/products... liner: litesmith nylofume | 26 g / 0.9 oz
https://www.litesmith.com/nylofume-pa... tent: durston x-mid 1 | 810 g / 28.6 oz https://durstongear.com/products/x-mi... sleeping bag: enlightened equipment 30* enigma quilt reg/reg 850fp 7d/7d | 524 g / 18.5 oz https://enlightenedequipment.com/enig... sleeping pad: therm-a-rest neoair xlite nxt reg | 369 g / 13.0 oz https://cascadedesigns.com/products/n... poles: leki journey lite | 510 g / 18.0 oz
https://lekiusa.com/products/journey-... jacket: frogg toggs ultralight | 249 g / 8.8 oz fleece hoody: leve outdoor alpha 90 | 114 g / 4.0 oz
https://leveoutdoorco.com/products/al... beanie: leve outdoor alpha 90 | 23 g / 0.8 oz
https://leveoutdoorco.com/products/le... bug head net: litesmith bug head net | 29 g / 1.0 oz
https://www.litesmith.com/bug-head-net/ cookware: toaks light titanium 650ml pot w/lid, pouch | 91 g / 3.2 oz https://www.litesmith.com/toaks-650ml... cookware: toaks titanium polished bowl spoon | 18 g / 0.6 oz
https://www.litesmith.com/toaks-long-... stove: firemaple fms-300t | 45 g / 1.6 oz
https://firemaplegear.com/collections... water filter: hydroblu versa-flow | 57 g / 2.0 oz https://www.litesmith.com/hydroblu-ve... water bag: evernew 2 liter | 42 g / 1.5 oz
https://www.litesmith.com/evernew-wat... powerbank: iniu carry p50-e1 45w 10000mAh | 160 g / 5.6 oz https://iniushop.com/collections/port... charger: iniu a12-e1 dual port 30w | 65 g / 2.3 oz
https://iniushop.com/products/iniu-po... headlamp: nitecore nu20 classic | 38 g / 1.3 oz https://www.litesmith.com/nitecore-nu... trowel: boglerco ultralight trowel | 14 g / 0.5 oz https://www.litesmith.com/boglerco-ul... towel: packtowl face | 20 g / 0.7 oz
https://cascadedesigns.com/products/p... soap: dr bronner bottle | 40 g / 1.4 oz https://www.litesmith.com/dr-bronners... bamboo toothbrush | 7 g / 0.2 oz https://www.litesmith.com/squirt-bamb... lip balm | 13 g / 0.5 oz https://boodaorganics.com/collections...

Join me as I break down my 8.6 lb ultralight gear list for the John Muir Trail. I cover every item I’m carrying — including my 6.5 lb pack, 2.1 lb bear can, and why I’m keeping it simple.

🧥 What I’m wearing & why 🍫 My food strategy (focused on nutrition, not just calories) 🎒 Ultralight shelter, sleep, electronics & more

If you’re planning a thru-hike or just want to carry less and feel better on trail, this video’s may give you some ideas.

#UltralightBackpacking #JMTGearList #MinimalistHiker #JohnMuirTrail #ThruHike

Here is my Lighterpack link with all items names and weights!

Happy trails!!

lighterpack.com/r/v5gh0b

CDT 2025 ultralight gear setup. 7 lb base weight.

here's another simple recipe to help add some variety to your hiking meals. i go stoveless, but this could very easily be made with boiled water for a hot meal.

50 g couscous 15 g buttermilk powder 1/2 tsp dill 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp garlic powder (a packet of ranch seasoning could be substituted for those last 4) pinch salt 15 g bacon bits 20 g dried cranberries 30 ml olive oil 74 g chicken 30 g corn chips

870 calories 44 g fat | 396 cal 77 g carb | 308 cal 33 g prot | 132 cal

After hiking the entire desert section of the Pacific Crest Trail, I’m breaking down what actually works for sun protection when you’re ultralight backpacking.

This video covers the gear, techniques, and mindset that kept me protected without adding unnecessary weight. Whether you’re crossing the Mojave or planning a summer hike, these are trail-tested solutions that balance weight, comfort, and effectiveness.

Filmed directly after completing the SoCal desert on the PCT. Subscribe for more real-world ultralight tips and thru-hike gear insights.

In this video, we will revisit an easy poncho shelter setup in the rain. We will go step by step with this shelter while we are still wearing our poncho. Please join me to see if we can stay dry while we pitch this poncho tarp shelter in a plow point setup.

Heading into the Sierra on the Pacific Crest Trail means snow, creek crossings, and unpredictable weather. Here’s my 2025 super ultralight Sierra gear list — everything I carried through the most intense section of the PCT. Sub-base weight, dialed insulation, and smart choices for the snow and cold.

Whether you’re early season or peak snow, this gear list will help you go lighter without sacrificing safety.

Gear covered in this video: • Sleep system • Shelter setup • Bear can strategy • Layering for cold/snow • What I ditched from the desert

Ma quindi....Cos'è nello zaino di Nico? In questo video scopriamo l’intero setup ultralight di Nico, un ragazzo svizzero che sta attraversando l'Europa dalla Scozia a Santiago De Compostela, 4000km con uno zaino essenziale, leggero e super funzionale di SOLI 4kg!

Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/xubfch

Fatemi sapere cosa ne pensate nei commenti!

ig: instagram.com/gioiaincammino

How much water should you actually carry when you’re ultralight backpacking? Most hikers carry too much. In this video, I break down my real approach to water carries on the Pacific Crest Trail—and why I often carry less than a liter.

I’ve hiked the CDT, AT, and now the PCT with a super ultralight base weight. If you want to hike further with less weight, you need to rethink hydration. This isn’t reckless—it’s calculated.

Learn how to: • Plan smart water carries using maps and timing • Understand water needs vs. water fear • Trust your body and terrain, not just groupthink • Carry less and move faster

Filmed while hiking 30+ mile days with a base weight under 5 lbs.

Join me for 20 hot and exposed miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking from mile 600 to 620. I talk gear, trail food, and how ultralight backpacking changes everything on days like this. If you’re into super ultralight setups, real trail footage, and honest talk from the PCT, this one’s for you.

This is part of my full PCT thru-hike series. I’m carrying one of the lightest complete packs on trail—including a sub-5 oz shelter and a 6.5 oz backpack with a 4.5 baseweight

Temps were high, terrain was dry, and the ultralight gear made a big difference in getting through it.

Filmed on trail and edited entirely on my phone while thru-hiking.

In this adventure, I show you my 6.5 lb ultralight backpacking gear list.

backpack: ultimate direction 20l fastpack

shelter: sling fin splitwing poly ground sheet 2 msr groundhogs 6 shepard hooks ruta locura carbon fiber poles

sleep system: ph designs sleeping bag gosserman gear 1/8th sleeping pad

cook system: 500ml toaks titanium pot titanium esbit stove

water treatment: platypus quick draw

clothing: darn tough socks alpha direct hoodie high tail designs pantagonia houdini wind breaker enlightened equipment copperfield wind pants

light: nitecore nu25

misc: hyperlight pod hyperlight umbrella apex giant poop shovel zippo knife adotek bear bag

Looking for an affordable ultralight backpacking gear list that’s actually comfortable? In this video, I take you on-trail to break down my full backpacking loadout — with a base weight under 7 lbs and a total cost under $500. From a fully enclosed tent to a thick sleeping pad and full cook kit, this setup proves you can go light without giving up comfort. Whether you're a beginner or just trying to lighten your pack on a budget, this gear list shows you don't have to spend big to get outside.

This video covers my ultralight hiking gear & knowledge from 20,000 miles on the trail.

The following gear setup is full comfort, weighs 10 pounds, and covers down to 20 degrees for all weather scenarios, including:

Best Tents & Tarps for Backpacking

Sleep System - Sleeping Bag / Quilt, Pad & Pillow

Best Backpacking Backpack

Stuff Sacks & Equipment Organization

Clothes & Layering Systems

Small Essential Equipment

First Aid Kit for Hiking

Toilet Kit

Cooking System & Stoves

Water Purification & Storage

Simple 4 Day Resupply from Aldi

I did some research on a simple resupply plan using products available at Aldi. There are 4 ingredients:

Oatmeal, Protein powder, Almonds, Cranberries

4 Day Resupply:

1 - 42 oz oatmeal (regular)

1 - 32 oz protein powder

2 - 14 oz almonds

4 - 6 oz dried cranberries

Total weight: 7.9 pounds

Daily:

2 - 1.5 cups cold soaked oatmeal (about 2/3 peanut butter jar)

2 to 5 servings of protein powder

1/2 14 oz bag of almonds

1 6 oz bag of dried cranberries

The package of protein powder will provide up to 5 scoops of protein powder per day. Drink as many as you wish.

Daily nutrition (with 5 servings of protein powder per day):

Calories 3775

Fat 189% USDA recommended

Carbohydrate 152% USDA recommended

Protein 450% USDA recommended (5 servings protein powder)

Cost: about $46 at Aldi

I LOVE Cold soaking meals on the trail. Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner all from a peanut butter jar. MORE RECIPES: irontazz.com/stoveless-backpacking

This is the comfy summer SUL Kit I used in 2019.

A sub 5lb kit isn't as crazy as it may seem. I can still shave some weight If I wanted to but i'll save that for my XUL gear video ;)

LighterPack: lighterpack.com/r/cd5sg