I've spent years compiling my ideal lightweight backpacking gear setup, & I've made a list to share with you. Read on & take a peek inside my 12-pound pack.
Discover the world of ultralight adventures with our field stories, packing tips, how-tos, and expedition chronicles. Start your journey today!
Trimming your gear to the ultralight necessities takes some ingenuity. Make it easy with this ultralight backpacking gear checklist.
Ultralight hikers hit the trail with a base pack weight of less than 10 lbs. Here's what you need to get there.
An ultralight trail running gear and packing list with an explanation for multi-day running tours using mountain huts in the Alps
We are hikers. We make and use our own gear.
Whether you're an experienced outdoor enthusiast or just embarking on your first wilderness adventure, a good quality backpacking sleeping bag is an essential part of your gear. Chosen wisely, a backpacking sleeping bag can serve
click on image for a HI-rez view tip number 93 The traditional camper doesn’t need to worry about finding a nice flat spot to sleep. They just hike to a heavily impacted designated site that’s already pounded flat. Then (after they set up their tent) they just unroll their porky full length inflatable pad, fill a stuff sack with all the clothes they take off and use this as their pillow. Then they climb into their beefy sleeping bag. If there is something lumpy under them, no worries, they can pad it with extra gear in their tent, like their bulky pile vest. The UL camper needs to think before sleeping. I am 6 feet tall, and about 18 inches wide, so I need a flat spot that matches those specifications, and NOTHING more. That’s pretty easy to find even in the lumpiest parts of our planet. This means you are essentially able to sleep pretty much ANYWHERE. You are no longer burdened by the traditional needs of a porky tent. Please be aware, there are regulations in place in most popular camping areas, know these rules before you set out. Also, it is considered a courtesy to camp well away from trails, away from lakes and streams and out of other camper’s majestic views. There is an uncomplicated methodology that can be employed to test flatness of any potential sleeping zone. Simply lie down in the desired spot, you’ll know right away if it’s lumpy or tilted. This is a foolproof technique and I advocate it emphatically. Alas, this overtly simple trick is unknown to most campers. If you are with partner, both of you should lie down side by side. If you want a little extra comfort, find a spot with a very slight dip at your hips, so your tired butt can get cradled by the loving embrace of mother Earth. And if you are using just a really thin pad, add a simple little doughnut made from closed-cell sleeping pad foam. This can be positioned under your hip bone if you are a side sleeper. Okay, you’ve picked your spot, tested it for flatness by lying down. While you are still on the ground, fastidiously mark out the four corners of your rectangle with some sticks or rocks. This way you can still visualize it when you stand up, and you can erect your tarp to precisely cover that zone.
Are you interested in learning how to get into ultralight backpacking? This article will help you to adhere to the 10 pound base weight limit by outlining gear options.
[ a nifty companion to the book ]
Thank you for entering the 2019 Ultralight Giveaway! First off... a HUGE cheer of appreciation to all of you who entered the Ultralight Giveaway!! These giveaways...
I found this image on Pinterest but could not find who to recognise/praise for it (my apologies to the clever inventor). I have been going to make one of these (see: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/tarp-bathtub-groundsheet/) out of Tyvek (will be soon for my new tent). I think it will be a simple matter to add some ‘pockets’ as
Two interesting new releases for backpackers and bikepackers are in the pipeline for this June from Vango
Insight from the founder & maker on his ultralight Polartec Alpha fleece hoodies, crafted in Portland, OR for camping, hiking, backpacking, and more
Mitch was looking for ways to get his backpack weight down and stumbled upon a Reddit post of a guy who made his own pack.
One-Tree Hammock System, Ultralight: Anyone that loves swinging in a Hammock has been there. That moment when you find the perfect spot by the lake or overlooking an incredible mountain vista, and there is only one tree to use as an anchor. I found myself facing this very predicament o…
Looking to reduce space in my pack, I opted to make my own Sleeping Bag to take on the trail.
An ultralight backpacking gear list and FAQs for the gram counters. 5 pound full comfort base weight and a 9.5 pound consumables for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail. Regular backpacking, lightweight backpacking, ultralight backpacking, hyperlight backpacking compared.
Recently, on a particularly long and difficult backpacking trip, I found myself listing (in my mind) some of the things I’ve learned as a relatively new backpacker…specifically as a wom…
Waterproof Pouches, Almost Free!: Super Simple DIY Waterproof Pouches that cost next to nothing to make! Welcome to our first Instructable. We are ‘long time listeners, first time callers’ and it’s about time we put something back in the mix. OK, before we begin they are pretty darn…
The bug-out bag (BOB) serves as a portable survival kit designed to sustain you for a critical period during an emergency evacuation or bug-out scenario. It's essential to comprehend the primary purpose of this bag: providing for your fundamental needs while on the move. You want to stay as light as possible while still providing for your needs.
I liked the ‘Grip Socks, the 'mylar survival poncho' and the new 'Vasque shoes', for example: http://gossamergear.com/wp/buzz-blog/outdoor-retailer-delivers-again-loads-of-new-updated-lighter-better-and-outrageous-gear-and-some-items-you-didnt-know-you-needed-or-not
If you enjoy camping and hiking, take it to the next level with backpacking. Here's a primer on how to get ready for your first trip.
The easiest way to lighten your pack isn’t to buy new gear, but to leave a few things you already have behind.
Staying warm while camping or sleeping in winter weather can be easy. Learn how to choose the right sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and clothing, along with some quick tricks to keep warm.
