The Ultimate Guide to Ultralight Backpacking
Ultralight backpacking is about carrying less and experiencing more. This guide walks you through the fundamentals:
- Choosing the right shelter, sleep system, and pack
- Dialing in your base weight with a systems approach
- Safety considerations so you don’t compromise in the wrong places
Getting Started
Begin with a gear audit. Record actual weights, then iterate on the big three: shelter, sleep, and pack. Small wins add up quickly.
Visualizing Base Weight
Track every item and categorize it:
- Big three: shelter, sleep, pack
- Clothing (worn vs. carried)
- Kitchen and water treatment
- Electronics and safety
Tip: Weigh consumables (food, fuel) separately from base weight.
Target Weights (Example)
| Category | Ounces | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter | 28 | Tarp + stakes |
| Sleep | 38 | Quilt + pad |
| Pack | 24 | 45–55L frameless |
| Kitchen | 9 | Canister stove setup |
| Clothing | 20 | Extra layers carried |
Packing Checklist Script
#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail
items=("shelter" "sleep" "pack" "kitchen" "water" "insulation" "rain")
for i in "${items[@]}"; do
echo "✓ $i packed"
done
Continue reading: Top 10 Backpacks for Thru-Hiking in 2025 and our 7-Day Wilderness Packing guide.