10 Ultralight Essentials Vetted for you.

Posted July, 1 2023

Here’s our Vetted list of our top 10 must haves when hitting the open trails without weighting you down!

1. Ultralight Tent

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2: 35oz.

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is great solo backpacking tent that is easy to setup, lightweight and if properly cared for, very durable. This tent weighs in at 2lb 3oz. trail weight with a packed size of 5.5”x18”. This tent is a two-person tent (albeit a bit tight) but excels as a single-person tent with more than enough room for you and your safety to gear to sleep the night away.

Full review available HERE

2. Ultralight Backpack

ULA X-PAC CIRCUIT: 39-47oz

No need to sacrifice function, quality or style when looking for an Ultralight backpack, the cottage brand ULA is our favorite secret weapon. Their backpacks and accessories are not only ultra lightweight and functional but are customizable too.

Read our full review HERE

3. Sleeping Quilt

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt: 18-21.6oz

When I first heard about backpacking quilts I was dubious to say the least. I quickly came around when I learned that half of my mummy bag was doing absolutely nothing! When the insulation is under compression it DOES NOT INSULATE! I was carrying all the extra weight and using up valuable space in my backpack for NOTHING! Ok, I was ready to make the switch!

Read our full review of our personal favorite one, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt HERE

4. Ultralight Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleep Pad: 11.5oz-17oz

Whether going on a simple overnight campout or long section or thru hike, staying comfort while you sleep is critical to your enjoyment of your overall adventure. A sleeping pad is essential to a proper night’s rest out on the trail any season of the year but especially in winter where the right sleeping pad will help insulate and keep you comfortably warm from the ground while you sleep.

Read our full review of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping pad HERE

5. Premium Pillow

Sea to Summit Premium Ultralight Camping Pillow: 2.1-2.5oz

Bringing the comforts of home to the great outdoors. Having the right sleeping system, which includes a comfortable pillow like the Sea to Summit Premium Camping Pillow, will help make your outdoor adventures even more relaxing and fulfilling.

6. Kitchen System

Complete Kitchen System Total Weight: 8.1-8.7oz

Whether you consider yourself a thru hiker or a car “glamper”, we’ve found the best cooking systems and products to help make cooking in the wilderness as effortless and in some cases, as lightweight as possible.

Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot:  Pot only: 3.0 oz / Pot with lid: 3.6 oz

TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spork with Polished Bowl: 0.65oz

BRS 3000T Stove Ultralight Titanium Backpacking Stove: .06oz

Jetboil JetPower Fuel, 100 Grams: 3.5oz

Jetboil Fuel Can Stabilizer: .9oz

7. Water Filtration

When deep on the trail, making sure you have proper access to clean water is critical. Our favorite duo is the Sawyer Squeeze (which can filter almost 2 liters of water per minute) paired with the Cnoc Outdoors 28mm Vecto Water Container. Together they make the perfect water filtration system at only 5.4oz combined.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: 3oz

Cnoc Outdoors VECTO 2L Water Container, 28mm: 2.4oz

8. 3 Layer Clothing Rule

Recommended Max Weight:

This 3-layer principle is a smart dressing method that can effectively keep you either warm or cool, dry, and comfortable in the varying weather conditions while on your various outdoor adventures.

Layer 1 - Base Layer: Layer closest to your body, typically consists of long underwear, underwear or sock.

Layer 2 - Mid Layer: Insulating middle layer of clothing and jacket for colder weather.

Layer 2 - Shell Layer: Final layer for protection against wind, rain and snow.

9. Food & Drink

No need to sacrifice delicious and nutritious meals for the sake of saving weight in your pack. There are so many good options these days for instant everything, we’ve got you covered with our favorites from dawn to dusk!

10. Bear Bag

Having used the Zpacks Bear Bagging Kit for several years now, it’s become a trusty companion on my outdoor journeys. It is impressively lightweight and the fully taped seams have consistently proven their worth, effectively keeping water out and ensuring my food stays dry even during rainy conditions.

I made the decision to replace the original 50 feet of 2mm Z-Line Slick cord with the Ultraglide Bear Line (50’ Hank) by lawson Equipment. The inclusion of a reflective tracer on the ultraglide Bear Line improves visibility in low-light conditions and making it easier to locate the bag when needed.

All things considered, the Zpacks Bear Bagging Kit remains a reliable and lightweight choice for ensuring the security of my food during outdoor expeditions. With the minor adjustment of replacing the cord, it has consistently delivered a dependable solution to protect my food.