The 5 Best Ultralight Backpacks for Serious Ultralight Backpackers, Tested!

The 5 Best Ultralight Backpacks

Symbiosis Gear Aspen 38L: Designed for Women’s Bodies

Weight: 25 oz / 708 g

Price: $299

Most backpacks, especially from small brands, are designed by and for men. That doesn’t always work out well for those of us with boobs, shorter torsos or wider hips. But we have good news: The Aspen from Symbiosis Gear is designed specifically by and for people with boobs (though all body types will find it comfortable) and it’s one of the best ultralight backpacks for women’s and femme bodies. The main compartment is 38L, but the large pockets on the outside add an extra 10L or so, meaning it’s more than spacious enough for weekend ultralight summer backpacking trips or longer.

It’s made of ultra durable Extreema® material that we’re not the least bit worried is going to snag, tear or scuff, even on the longest trips (the founder designed it after completing the PCT and packs have weathered multiple thru-hikes) and has all the features we want in an ultralight backpack: no zippers to break, a roll-top closure, large water bottle pockets, a stretchy stash pocket on front, lashing bungees, pole attachment points, a trash/accessory pocket on the bottom, and no frame. But the best part may be the straps, which are curved to better fit women’s bodies. Plus, they have a pocket and plenty of adjustable attachment points for dialing in the perfect fit and adding on accessories.

The back panel material is breathable and quick-drying, which we loved and found more than comfy enough for long days on the trail. The hip belt is just webbing, so there are no pockets and it doesn’t function to help transfer weight off your shoulders, but this is an ultralight backpacking pack, after all, so that shouldn’t be necessary. It’s only available in one color–black–but we’re OK with that, especially since this is so well fitted to women’s bodies specifically.

There’s even a “try before you buy program.” You pay a small deposit, then Symbiosis sends you a backpack to try for 2 weeks. If you decide to keep it, your card gets charged after that trial period. If not, just send it back. You’ll only pay for return shipping.

Read or watch our full review of the Symbiosis Gear Aspen HERE.

Pros

• Specifically designed for femme bodies
• Ultra durable materials
• Compression straps
• Comfortable
• Sweat-wicking back panel
• Offers freedom of movement
• Large water bottle pockets
• Large mesh stash pocket

Cons

• Smaller capacity
• Only available in one color

LiteAF Curve 40L: The Most Customizable

Weight: 28.5 oz (without hip belt) / 808 g

Price: Starts at $315 up to $453+

Even though I am a small human and the LiteAF Curve doesn’t seem like it’s designed for me (it is available in sizes depending on your torso length), I’m always surprised by how comfortable I find this pack when I put it on. The fabric can be a little crunchy if it’s not completely stuffed full, but frankly, the straps are comfy and the fabric is so ultra-durable I can live with that. Plus, there are soooo many colors and patterns to choose from. Basically, if you want your pack to represent your personality, this is the one for you. Which is awesome, because we’re all for more fun and less seriousness in the outdoors.

This is a 40L pack, but has an additional 15L in pocket space, so is plenty big enough for a long weekend, week-long trip, or even a thru-hike.

It fits well thanks to a range of sizes available and straps that come in multiple lengths (I got the shorter ones), is comfortable even on narrow shoulders, looks rad in photos, and is super customizable–you can choose your straps, hip belt, number of pockets, and so much more. Bonus: LiteAF is a small cottage brands and uses more sustainable and durable materials.

It’s not the cheapest pack on this list, though. Our specific configuration with a total of five exterior pockets is $453. But this pack is gonna be with you for a loooong time, so think of it as an investment. The most basic version of the pack starts at $315. Either way, it’s a thru-hiker favorite and The Trek Best Gear award-winner and offers plenty of ways to further customize your carry with plenty of add-ons.

Read or watch our full review of the LiteAF Curve HERE.

Pros

• Ultra durable
• Available in a range of sizes
• Tons of colors and patterns available
• Fully customizable
• Tons of pockets
• Comfortable straps
• Slightly padded back panel

Cons

• Expensive with added customization
• No women’s-specific straps available (just small and large)

ZPacks Super Nero Ultra 50L: The Ultralight Champ

Weight: 11.6 oz / 330 g

Price: $269

We bet you can’t spend 15 minutes on a long-distance hiking trail without spotting a thru-hiker carrying a Zpacks. And for good reason: The Super Nero Ultra is made of ultra durable MVUPE that’s waterproof plus can stand some serious use and abuse, it doesn’t have a frame so is insanely lightweight, has interchangeable straps (including running-vest style and women’s-specific straps) and hip belts so you can dial in the perfect fit for you, and even comes in a handful of colors. We love the blue.

The Super Nero Ultra 50 (37L main body, 15+L in pockets) specifically has two large water bottle pockets that easily fit a large Nalgene or two Smart Water bottles (which are all easy to pull in and out), there’s a huge mesh pocket on the front that’s a great place to store quick-grab items or clothing that needs to dry, and attachment points and compression straps for everything from trekking poles to folding foam pads to bear canisters.

The top rolls to close and can be buckled down on the sides and/or secured over the top via the single buckle strap (which isn’t quite as effective at lashing a bear canister as a Y-strap). The hip belt, which is removable and can be ordered in the size you need, doesn’t have built-in pockets (neither do the shoulder straps), but Zpacks does offer plenty of accessories so you can customize your carry.

We found it comfy on long days on the trail, but the underside of the shoulder straps are scratchy on bare skin, so keep that in mind if you like to hike shirtless or in a tank top. The main downside: it’s not breathable. The back panel/frame system is essentially a folding foam seat pad secured via bungees, and after a few minutes in warm weather our backs were covered in sweat and stayed that way until we took the pack off. But if cutting grams is your highest priority, that’s a small price to pay for the extreme light weight of this pack.

Pros

• Extra large water bottle pockets
• Ultra durable
• Removable seat pad on back panel doubles as frame system
• Can replace seat pad with traditional folding foam sleep pad
• Removable hip belt
• Options for women’s or vest-style shoulder straps
• Compression straps down the sides
• Available in several colors
• Cords on bottom for attaching a pad, bag, etc.

Cons

• Back is not breathable
• Scratchy shoulder straps

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55L: For Occasionally Heavy Loads

Weight: 30.2 oz / 856 g

Price: $399

Designed for thru-hikers and folks who want something lightweight but that can also go the distance with slightly heavier loads, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound is just the ticket. Also available in 40L, it’s sleek, it’s pretty, it’s durable, and it has just about all the features you could ever want in a pack.

Water bottle pockets are big and easily accessible, there are bungees on the sides to help secure tall items like tent poles, umbrellas or tripods, and you can buckle the roll-top via side webbing and/or an over-the-top Y-strap. And in addition to a large, durable stretchy pocket on the front, there’s a pocket on the bottom, which was a great place to stash a spare layer or beanie, and thanks to a tiny opening in the corner, snack wrappers.

On the downside, straps aren’t interchangeable and no option exists for women’s specific straps on this pack, though we both still found them pretty comfortable. But they are soft, flexible, lightly padded, and gentler on bare skin than some other options. While the hip belt does have pockets, the shoulder straps don’t. That said, you can customize your carry with plenty of add-ons from Hyperlite. The hip pockets were located quite far back, however, so larger hikers may find them difficult to use.

The back panel was more breathable than most other options thanks to the single curved frame stay that kept the back panel off our spines, which was a welcome feature during testing in warm spring temps in Utah. Plus, the body is made with a durable Dyneema fiber, which is not only waterproof (bag seams are also taped), but super strong, meaning this pack will last for many seasons to come.

Read or watch our full review of the Hyperlite Unbound HERE.

Pros

• Extra large water bottle pockets
• Ultra durable
• Simple single stay provides frame stability and option to carry heavier loads
• More breathable than some other options
• Soft, flexible straps
• Removable hip belt
• Tons of daisy chain attachment points
• Available in a tall size

Cons

• Only available in one color
• No women-specific straps available
• Heavier than some

Gossamer Gear Skala 38L: Compact and Durable

Weight: 20.4 oz / 578 g

Price: $225

If you’re looking for a super sleek, compact ultralight backpack loaded with ultralight functional details that’s designed for type-two fun, this might be it. The Skala pack is 38L (including exterior pockets), which makes it the perfect size for an ultralight weekend trip or fast-packing adventure. It easily held everything we required for a few nights in the mountains of Utah.

It has plenty of pockets, including a large stash pocket on the front, two bottle pockets, a zippered accessory pocket, and two hip belt pockets. The hip belt is easily removable, by the way, if you don’t prefer that feature. There are compression cords down the sides and removable side straps to fasten down the roll-top closure (you can also take them off and instead roll the top and clip it in a loop). A removable foam seat pad doubles as the back panel and a sort of loose frame.

Naturally there’s also a single top strap that keeps the roll top compressed and functions to lash items like sleep pads. That said, it’s on the short side, so a bear canister won’t likely fit, especially if you have the bag full to the brim. So it’s best suited for minimalist adventures.

The water bottle pockets are deep and not easily accessible while wearing the pack. They’re also almost too small for a 32oz Nalgene. Only one Smart Water bottle will fit in each. So we recommend a hydration solution like the One Bottle Hydration System since there’s no easy way to hang a hydration reservoir, either (though there is an exit port).

The Skala is most suitable for average sized hikers. The sternum strap doesn’t slide far enough upward for smaller folks, so anyone under about 5’6″ or with a torso shorter than 18″ or longer than 21″ if you’re tall won’t find this pack fits well, if at all. But for purpose-built pursuits like fast packing or extra long day hikes and those who have a compatible kit dialed in, it’s a comfortable and durable pack.

Note: We also love the Gossamer Gear Gorilla. The Gorilla might not be as durable and robust, but it is more comfortable and adjustable for a wider range of hikers. Find our full review of the Gorilla HERE.

Read or watch our full review of the Gossamer Gear Skala HERE.

Pros

• Two shoulder strap pockets
• Easily removable hip belt with pockets
• Durable materials
• Removable seat pad on back panel doubles as frame system
• Sleek and stylish
• Plenty of pockets

Cons

• Fits a very small range of body sizes
• Water bottle pockets too small and inaccessible