We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Whether you\u2019re in the middle of your first thru-hike or planning out next season\u2019s adventures, upgrading to ultralight backpacking gear is a smart investment. The more grams you shed, the farther you\u2019ll be able to travel day-to-day and the better experience you\u2019ll have. To help you choose the best ultralight backpacking gear for your kit, we\u2019ve rounded up our top picks from side-by-side tests conducted in the field.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Outdoor Life team has conducted numerous side-by-side tests of the top-ranked backpacking gear, from the best backpacking water filters<\/a> to the best trail runners<\/a> to the best backpacking quilts<\/a>. The gear on this list were the top performing lightweight or ultralight picks from those tests. If we\u2019re recommending it, we\u2019re confident that it will work well across any terrain that backpackers travel in.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re considering switching to a quilt for weight savings, then you should look seriously at the Therm-a-Rest Vesper. At 15 ounces for a 72-inch quilt rated for 32-degree temps, it is the lightest quilt that I looked at by several ounces. And, impressively, it\u2019s not achieving that by scrimping on width (58 inches at the shoulders). I came to appreciate just how wide the Vesper is after an unfortunate night when my three-year-old decided that her sleeping bag was garbage and she was going to share this quilt with me instead. I didn\u2019t sleep well that night, but the quilt had no trouble covering both of us.<\/p>\n The Therm-a-Rest Vesper has a somewhat unusual strategy for preventing drafts. Whereas the others used adjustable straps\u2014so that you can cinch down the edges of your quilt to the edge of your sleeping pad, the Vesper has loose-fitting, non-adjustable straps with a bit of bungee in them that\u2014and this is an important detail\u2014attach a few inches above the side seam on either side. This creates a buffer for restless sleepers: the loose straps and wide profile let you toss and turn, the bungee pulls the quilt back into place, and the extra material below the strap prevents a draft from getting in. This doesn\u2019t look or feel like it should be able to keep out drafts, but it does. (See above about sharing this quilt with a toddler.)<\/p>\n My only real gripe about this quilt is the footbox, which is exceedingly narrow. It feels odd to have all this room to toss and turn in, getting into as comfortable a position as you can while backpacking, and then have this super narrow footbox to slide your foot into. This goes double if your preference is to tuck the footbox of this quilt into your Therm-a-Rest NeoAir, which renders it almost unusable.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This backpacking sleeping pad is so light, and so tiny, you\u2019ll barely notice it\u2019s in your pack during the day. But at night, it\u2019s just as comfortable as the standard Therm-a-Rest XLite, my pick for the best backpacking sleeping pad<\/a> overall. There are two catches here\u2014the first is that this has about half the R rating of the XLite, similar to top-performing closed-cell foam pads. It\u2019s suitable for summer camping (and early fall if you run hot), but you\u2019ll be compromising the performance of the rest of your sleep system if you take it into colder conditions than that. (For shoulder season, we recommend the Therm-a-Rest XLite<\/a> and for winter, the Therm-a-Rest Xtherm<\/a>.)<\/p>\n The second is that this sleeping pad is fundamentally more fragile than other backpacking sleeping pads. Instead of a 30-denier ripstop nylon, it only uses 15-denier nylon for the shell. If you\u2019re used to getting away with only a cursory kick of the largest rocks before throwing your sleeping on the ground, you\u2019re going to need to take more care (some kind of groundsheet beneath it is a must).<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The mini-me version of the Sawyer Squeeze is the perfect filter for UL enthusiasts\u2014small enough that it won\u2019t take up much real estate in your backpacking backpack and light enough (even after the final weigh-in) that you can scrub an ounce or more off your spreadsheet. Even better, it\u2019s so affordable that it wouldn\u2019t hurt your budget much to just replace it each season. Where it wobbles, unsurprisingly, is in water flow taking about twice as long as the standard Sawyer Squeeze to filter a liter of water. Of course, if you plan to attach the filter directly to a SmartWater bottle and suck the water out from there, that might not matter much to you.<\/p>\n I used the provided dirty bag during testing and was impressed with its durability. Even after squeezing the bag as hard as I could to push the water out over ten rounds of filling and filtering to reach the desired five liters, the bag still looked like new. I only wish that it was larger\u2014the bag that comes with the mini is 16 ounces rather than the standard liter. Something else I noticed during testing was that the filter itself did not appear to screw onto the bag correctly. Each time I tried to fix it, the angle would still be lopsided. Fortunately, there were no leaks during testing so this appears to be mainly an aesthetic concern.\u00a0<\/p>\n While the flow rate for the Sawyer Mini was not especially impressive (about four times as long as the Katadyn BeFree), I did appreciate that it came with a lightweight syringe to backflush the filter when it starts to clog too much.\u00a0<\/p>\n While this filter was middle of the pack at the end of the testing of the best backpacking water filters<\/a>, it was both the lightest and the least expensive.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n You know who you are, you backpackers (likely thru-hikers) that have been singing the praises of the disposable spoon scrounged from that last roadside gas station after you lost your titanium one somewhere in the Sierras. And I get it\u2014I\u2019ve done it too\u2014but here\u2019s the thing: That\u2019s supposed to be a stop gap when you lose your spoon, not your new UL hiker trash gear plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is the spoon you want. It\u2019s dirt cheap, surprisingly durable, and springs right back into place no matter how far I try to bend it. It\u2019s even pretty long\u2014definitely longer than that piece of white plastic. Even better, it\u2019s BPA, BPS, and BPF free, so there won\u2019t be as many chemicals leaching into your body with each bite.\u00a0<\/p>\n My minimalist pick for the best camping utensils<\/a> is also affordable and durable, long enough to reach into the far corners of your favorite freeze-dried meal bags.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Tyler Freel took a look at the Garmin inReach Mini 2<\/a> and came back impressed with how the unit had improved over the original model. He noted that the inReach MINI 2 works best when paired with your smartphone via the Garmin Explore app, especially for more complete GPS functions and mapping, including the ability to download a variety of map layers including Topo North America, USGS Quad Sheets, and even aerial imagery for some areas. (He did find that the MINI 2 was easier to use without a mobile device than the MINI.) What the MINI 2 lacks is the option to have a basic topographic map on the unit, even with the small screen: you won\u2019t have access to the full power and function of the MINI 2 without using it with a smartphone.<\/p>\n But here\u2019s what you really care about, the weight: At only 3.5 ounces, you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon that\u2019s as lightweight as this one, let alone pack in this many features. Don\u2019t chance things, ultralighters, be sure to pack this one for your next big hike.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n TheTentLab The Deuce #2 is a favorite among my thru-hiker testers. The minimal weight of 0.6 ounces makes this a no-brainer carry for those who want to travel light. Made of tough 7075-T6 aluminum, the handle end is meant to pry up rocks and cut into the ground to create a hole. Then flip it and use the larger rounded shovel end to lift up the dirt in the hole. If you encounter tough ground, the Deuce has two etched teeth on either side. These are made to last a lifetime, but if you don\u2019t want it anymore, it is 100 percent recyclable. Designed and made in Colorado. \u2014Justin La Vigne<\/em><\/p>\n TheTentLab The Deuce #2 was the lightest pick in our roundup of the best camping shovels<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Cons<\/p>\n Let\u2019s get the tough part out of the way first: If you are headed into conditions that could be described as \u201ctorrential,\u201d you should probably leave this one in your closet. But if you\u2019re looking at more typical rain conditions\u2014the light rain of the Pacific Northwest or short-but-intense squalls of the East Coast\u2014then the Montbell Versalite is an excellent choice. It was completely dry underneath after an hour in the shower, and the underside of the fabric was only ever so slightly damp after twenty-four hours of having a pool of water sit on top of it\u2014an impressive degree of water resistance.<\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t quite the lightest rain jacket in my test (those would be the Frogg Toggs UltraLite), but the extra features it incorporated (accounting for that extra ounce of weight) upped its performance for big adventures. The biggest of these is the zipped pit vents, essential for letting you cool off and air out when the sweat starts to pick up. It also has (albeit more minimal than the Arc\u2019teryx Beta LT) velcro cuffs and cinches at the hem, the back of the hood, and the neck, which will help keep out cold gusts when the wind kicks up.<\/p>\n The Montbell Versalite had the best balance of functionality and weight in our test of the best backpacking rain jackets<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n At 7.1 ounces, the Montbell Light Down Pants are the perfect fit for early-season backpackers and alpine adventurers. I\u2019ve carried earlier versions of the Montbell Light Down Pants everywhere, from the High Sierras to the North Cascades, and never once regretted the extra weight in my pack. The three ounces of 800 fill power down is enough to keep you warm in 30-degree temps in the evening (or 20-degree temps if you\u2019re on the go), while still compressing down to about the size of a pair of socks in your bag when not in use.\u00a0<\/p>\n While I looked at a pair of the newest model of the Montbell Light Down Pants for this story, I have a pair in my gear closet that I\u2019ve had for close to a decade\u2014it\u2019s picked up exactly one tiny rip in that time, attesting to these puffers\u2019 overall durability.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Too often, the lightest weight puffer jackets aren\u2019t warm enough for truly cold conditions: the so-called midlayer puffer jacket. Some even dispense with the hood in an effort to showcase their UL bonafides. To get the warmth they need, most shoulder season, alpine, and winter adventurers have to settle for something significantly heavier.<\/p>\n The Crazy Levity jacket aims to change that. At 6.1 ounces, the men\u2019s version is over two ounces lighter than the popular Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 and, in my experience, packs in notably more warmth. It got there by pulling out all the stops: the highest grade fill power down, only one zipped pocket, no cinch cords\u2014even the baffling is noticeably minimalist, as the Crazy Levity uses glue instead of sewing its (very minimal) cells. And they get away with it in part because there is just so much fill in this coat that it doesn\u2019t have much chance to shift around.\u00a0<\/p>\n You\u2019re probably wondering if there\u2019s a catch, and it\u2019s this: this is an extremely expensive piece of gear, costing almost twice what the Ghost Whisperer costs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read our full Crazy Levity review<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Key Features<\/p>\n The Altra Lone Peaks combine the best features of responsive trail running shoes with the serious bona fides of a true hiking shoe. This shoe is a great choice for everything from long distances to day hikes to trail runs. It starts with a zero drop in the stack height (meaning there\u2019s no height difference between the front of the shoe and the back of the shoe), which promotes striking on the midfoot. Yet, they still provide enough cushion for committed heel strikers. The Lone Peak 6s also have an unusually wide toe box that allows your toes to splay as you hike, improving ground feel and promoting stability.\u00a0<\/p>\n To protect the foot from sharp rocks and other trail hazards, the midsole is equipped with comfortable cushioning and a solid rock plate. One OL staff member was impressed by the substantial lugs on the Lone Peak 6, which performed well on a steep pass covered with wet leaves, \u201cI felt in control even in the moments I slowed down out of caution,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n Read our full Altra Lone Peak Review<\/a> to learn more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Published Mar 20, 2023 6:00 PM
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow We Tested Ultralight Backpacking Gear<\/h2>\n
Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear: Reviews and Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Best Quilt: Therm-a-Rest Vesper<\/a><\/h3>\n
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![\"Despite](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/11\/09\/Therm-a-Rest-Vesper-strap-comparison.jpg\")
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest Uberlite<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/30\/Therm-a-Rest-NeoAir-UberLite.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze Mini<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20\/Sawyer-Squeeze-Mini.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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![\"Sawyer](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/06\/29\/Sawyer-Test.jpg\")
Best Utensil: GSI Pouch Spoon<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20\/GSI-long-spoon.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Satellite Messenger: Garmin inReach Mini 2<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20\/Garmin-inReach-Mini-2.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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![\"Garmin](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/02\/01\/Image-from-iOS-1024x768.jpg\")
Best Trowel: TheTentLab The Deuce #2<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20\/TheTentLab-The-Deuce-2.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Rain Jacket: Montbell Versalite<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/01\/03\/montbell-versalite.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Puffer Pants: Montbell Light Down Pants<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/16\/Montbell-Light-Down-Pants.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Puffer Jacket: Crazy Levity<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20\/Crazy-Levity.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Best Trail Runner: Altra Lone Peak<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20\/Altra-Lone-Peak-7.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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Pros\u00a0<\/h4>\n
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Best Sock: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Darn](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/07\/06\/Darn-Tough-Hiker-Micro-Crew-Midweight-Hiking-Sock-best-socks.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/03\/08\/DarnTough_1-1024x641.jpg\")