The Ultimate Ultralight Backpacking Gear Kit for 2026: 8lb Base Weight!
Here at Terradrift, we’re all in on ultralight backpacking. From UL tents, UL packs and UL gadgets, we’re always looking to shave a few more ounces off our kit so we can go farther, faster, and with less pain. (Also as an ultralight human, it makes sense for me to pack ultralight). When I upgraded my entire backpacking kit to include only the most ultralight gear, it made every backcountry experience that much more enjoyable.
Here’s our favorite gear of the year and your ultimate ultralight backpacking gear kit so you can hike with less weight on your next multi-day trek.
What is Ultralight Backpacking?
First things first: What is ultralight backpacking? It’s maddening is what it is. It’s constantly obsessing over how much gear weighs, what’s out there that weighs less, debating about what you can live without creature comforts in the name of weight savings, and occasionally making rash decisions that bring you to cut your toothbrush in half or leave you sitting at camp regretting your decision not to bring that extra layer.
And while it can absolutely make backpacking more comfortable and enjoyable by lightening the load on your shoulders, back, hips and knees, it’s not for everyone. It’s minimalist, sometimes involves giving up certain comforts, and the gear is often less feature-rich. It’s also typically (though not always, like in the case of this Durston X-Mid 2 Tent) a lot more expensive than traditional backpacking gear where every gram isn’t counted and assessed, then re-assesed, and stripped down to its bare bones of functionality (and then some, in some cases).
There are degrees of ultralight backpacking, of course. Not all of your gear has to be ultralight to make long hikes in the wilderness more pleasurable, but many backpackers go all-in eventually, not just thru-hikers.
What is considered ultralight? Generally, folks agree a base weight of around 10 pounds or less counts. What’s base weight? It’s the weigh of your ultralight backpack and other non-perishable gear like tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags and more. It does NOT include consumables like food, water, and stove fuel.
Ultralight Backpacking Kit: The Gear
Ultralight Tent: Gossamer Gear The One OR Zpacks Duplex
Weight: 17.7 oz (Gossamer Gear) OR 17.9 oz (Zpacks)
We’re listing two tents here: one for solo hikers who like to keep it light and tight and another for duos of folks who want more space.
The One from Gossamer Gear is a solid ultralight one-person tent. Sure, you could go even lighter with a tarp or a bivy, but most folks prefer a tent so they have a safe space to store all their stuff and a reliable shelter from the weather.
I’ve reviewed the Gossamer Gear The One in full and love it. It’s spacious, packs down super small and pitches with trekking poles instead of tent poles. I take this tent on all solo adventures. Find The One here.
For those who need a more spacious setup, The Zpacks Duplex is waterproof, ultralight, has room for two and also pitches with trekking poles. It’s simplistic in its design, but functional and comfortable thanks to plenty of headroom.
It’s on the pricey side since it’s made with Dyneema, but it’s my go-to tent when Josh and I backpack together. Find the Duplex here.
Ultralight Backpack: LiteAF Curve 40L
Weight: 28.5 oz (without hip belt)
If I had to choose one backpack, It would be the LiteAF Curve 40L. It’s comfortable, the straps are functional, the fabric is ultra-durable and there are soooo many colors and patterns to choose from. The 40L hits the sweet spot size-wise for me, but it has an additional 15L in pocket space, so is plenty big enough for a long weekend, week-long trip, travel or even a thru-hike.
There are a range of sizes available and straps that come in multiple lengths (I got the shorter ones) and is super customizable–you can choose your straps, hip belt, number of pockets, and so much more. Bonus: LiteAF is a small cottage brand and uses more sustainable and durable materials.
It’s also a thru-hiker favorite and The Trek Best Gear award-winner. Read or watch our full review of the LiteAF Curve HERE.
Ultralight Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX Quilt
Weight: 18.75 oz
Quilts are lighter than mummy bags, pack down smaller, and are often more versatile. I love this quilt specifically because it is the lightest synthetic quilt or bag on the market. Why not choose a down bag? We’re vegan here at Terradrift, so we don’t use the stuff (read why here). I also prefer synthetics because when down gets wet, it is effectively useless at insulating.
The APEX has a foot box that you can cinch and zip up for extra warmth and kept me cozy almost all the way down to the temperature rating that it claims, in this case, 40ºF. (Read more about how temperature ratings work here.)
The only thing I didn’t love about it was the lack of baffles. No stitching means there aren’t any cold spots in the quilt, but because the fabric is so delightfully thin and light, it’s easy to get tangled in it. Find the Revelation APEX here.
Ultralight Sleeping Pad: Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad
Weight: 3.3 oz
First, a warning: this pad is for extreme ultralighters only (who can sleep literally anywhere) or those looking for a secondary pad to use as a seat pad, yoga mat, insulating sleep layer, etc. (that’s us). Because at 1/8-inch thick, it’s definitely not comfortable for sleeping on by itself.
But I do bring it along for use as a seat pad during snack breaks, a clean surface for sitting on at dinnertime and on which to spread ingredients, a solid stretching surface at the end of a long day of hiking, and a base pad for an extra 0.5 R-value under my inflatable pad. All for far less weight than a traditional folding closed cell foam pad. Find the Thinlight HERE.
Ultralight Sleeping Pad: Nemo Tensor Elite
Weight: 8.5 oz +
This is my go-to warm weather ultralight inflatable sleeping pad. It is one of the lightest on the market. It’s tolerably quiet, the 3″ pad is comfortable, and it has an R-value of 2.3 (so on cooler nights, we’ll probably opt for something warmer). It comes with a pad pump and repair kit for emergency punctures.
It narrow, so won’t suit larger backpackers as well as other options and there isn’t a rectangular version (just a long version). We recommend using sleeping pad straps or sleeping with the pad inside the bag instead of outside to help keep you centered if you move around a lot like we do.
Ultralight Outer Layer: Outdoor Research Helium Ultralight Rain Jacket
Weight: 5.6 oz
The only rain jacket I reach for when backpacking is the newly updated Outdoor Research Helium, now with hand pockets (in the women’s version only)! There’s also a cinch bungee in the hood and hem and it stuffs into its own pocket for easy packability.
While it isn’t designed for multi-day downpours, it absolutely gets a thumbs up for any ultralight adventures where you may or may not be expecting some rain. Even if there’s no precipitation, you won’t regret having it in your bag because it weighs so little and acts as a super windbreaker on chilly evenings. Find the Helium rain jacket here.
Ultralight Stove and Cook Set: Toaks
Weight: Stove, 20g; pot, 2.8 oz; cup: 2.2 oz
If you don’t need a high-tech camp stove, the Toaks titanium Siphon alcohol stove and cup and pot make a great ultralight cook set.
The Siphon is one of the lightest alcohol stoves on the market, but packs some serious punch in the functionality department. I was impressed how fast it heated up and then made quick work of boiling water for dinner and drinks, which I boiled in my 650ml pot and drank out of my 375ml mug.
Alcohol stoves, and the fuel they require, are the lightest cooking option for shorter trips where you’re only rehydrating meals. Though if you’re doing more than that or cooking for more than two people, it gets a bit inefficient. Find the alcohol stove here, the pot here, and the cup here.
Ultralight Camp Shoes: Xero Z-Trail Sandals
Weight: 8.6 oz/pair
I bring camp shoes when I go backpacking so I can remove my boots when I get to camp, let my feet breathe, and wander around in comfort. My favorite pair are the Xero Shoes Z-Trail sandals, which are light but still ultra functional.
I can do some light hiking, tackle creek crossings, and wander around camp and to the bathroom in comfort and without adding a ton of extra weight to my pack. Find the Xero Shoes Z-Trail sandals here.
Ultralight Water Bottle: CNOC
Weight: 3.2 oz (varies)
There are two CNOC Bottles that I love for ultralight backpacking: The CNOC Vesica collapsible bottle that stays attached to my Sawyer Filter for water filtration and the ThruBottle, a hard-sided vessel that’s easier to drink from but still lightweight. On hot trips, I’ll even attach a One Bottle Hydration Hose or Use a CNOC QuickConnect Cap and QuickHose to make staying hydrated hands-free easy while still maintaining the functionality of a water bottle instead of a bladder. (Read about choosing your hydration system here.) These beat using disposable Smart Water bottles and consuming the related microplastics for sure.
Ultralight Toothpaste: Canary Toothpaste Tabs
Weight: About .8 g per two tablets
Toothpaste tabs are my favorite ultralight upgrade, especially for short trips when you only need a few tabs. Instead of bringing a travel tube of toothpaste, drop a few toothpaste tabs, just in enough for the length of your trip, in a tiny zip top or other ultralight container. These even come in compostable packaging so they’re zero waste! And yes, they taste great and foam up beautifully. Find Canary toothpaste tabs here.
Ultralight Stuff Sacks: Hartford Gear Co. Stuff Sacks
Weight: Varies
I having a few water resistant and ultralight stuff sacks and pouches like these from Hartford Gear Co. They cut grams, not ounces compared to non UL varieties, so they’re not the most important thing to update in your gear kit, but they are handy for keeping things like toiletries, first aid kits, bathroom supplies, etc. organized. Find Hartford Gear Co. stuff sacks here.
Bottom Line: Ultralight Backpacking Gear Kit
If you’re looking to upgrade your ultralight backpacking kit or transition to ultralight for the first time, this gear is a good place to start. We’ve tested it all and it gets the Terradrift seal of approval. Want more ultralight backpacking tips? Check out this post!
Do you have other ultralight gear that you’re absolutely obsessed with? Or a brand you think we should test out next time? Or do you think ultralight backpacking is the most ridiculous thing to be invented since crocs? Either way, let us know in the comments below.
Then pack light and get out there and wander on.
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