Expert Advice

30 Ultralight Backpacking Tips: Expert Advice to Lighten Your Load

Ultralight backpacking is about hiking smarter, not harder. With the right strategies, you can reduce pack weight without sacrificing comfort or safety. From choosing multi-purpose gear to packing calorie-dense foods, these 30 tips will help you streamline your setup for your next adventure.

Ultralight backpacking is more than just a fad; it's a great way to see more sights, be more comfortable and save your body from aches and pains!

Ultralight backpacking has revolutionized the way outdoor enthusiasts explore the backcountry. It’s about ditching the unnecessary and carrying only what truly enhances your adventure. But going ultralight doesn’t mean compromising on safety or comfort—it’s about making smarter choices.

This guide provides 30 expert tips, covering everything from essential gear swaps to efficient packing strategies. Whether you're new to ultralight hiking or looking to refine your setup, these tips will help you travel lighter, hike farther, and enjoy the journey more.

The 30 Tips for Ultralight Backpacking

Ultralight Planning & Mindset

An ultralight backpacker carries just the essentials so they can explore the southwest extensively — An ultralight mindset involves planning for your adventures and considering all the details of what you may need beforehand, including testing out gear and doing some calorie counting!

Adopt a Minimalist Mindset
Ask yourself, Do I truly need this? Carrying less is as much a mindset as it is a strategy. Only pack items that serve a purpose or bring significant comfort.
Make a Gear Checklist
Write down everything you plan to bring and cut unnecessary items before packing. Having a visual list helps you stay disciplined. A lot of ultralight backpackers love to use spreadsheets for this.
Choose Multi-Functional Gear
Prioritize items that serve more than one purpose, like a lightweight hardshell that doubles as a windbreaker or trekking poles that also support your shelter.
Test Your Setup Beforehand
Take a trial hike with your gear. This allows you to adjust your setup and identify unnecessary items.
Plan Meals Carefully
Overpacking food is a common mistake. Plan calorie-dense meals and snacks to avoid carrying excess weight. Do a little math to see how many calories your body needs!

Lightweight Gear Choices

an ultralight backpacker in the southwest soaking up the glow of early morning in canyon country — A frameless backpack is great for short adventures with minimal gear. They are a very comfortable option for long mileage days!

Switch to a Frameless Backpack
Frameless backpacks weigh significantly less and are ideal for lighter loads. Make sure your total pack weight stays under 20 pounds for this option.
Use a Tarp or Ultralight Tent
Tarps are the lightest option, but if you prefer enclosed shelters, look for single-wall tents made from Dyneema or silnylon.
Opt for a Sleeping Quilt
Quilts eliminate unnecessary material under your body, saving weight while still keeping you warm. Of course some folks simply love the coziness of a sleeping bag! Don't worry, as those are available in ultralight options too!
Invest in Lightweight Insulation
Down jackets and sleeping bags offer the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Synthetic options are slightly heavier but perform better in wet conditions. Some companies, like Outdoor Vitals, make great down/synthetic mix options for insulation.
Go Minimal with Cookware
A single titanium pot or mug is sufficient for most meals. Pair it with a lightweight alcohol stove or solid fuel system.

Ultralight Clothing

ultralight backpacker wears trail runners instead of boots to reduce overall weight — Trail runners have become the go-to footwear for most backpackers these days, especially ultralight backpackers who are only slowed down by heavy footwear.

Stick to the Layering System
Pack a base layer, mid-layer, and shell for versatility. Leave heavy extras like big hoodies at home.
Choose Trail Runners Over Hiking Boots
Trail runners are lighter, more breathable, and dry faster than traditional boots. They have come a very long way in quality over the years and are generally a smart choice!
Limit Clothing to Essentials
Bring one set of hiking clothes and one set of camp clothes. Add only a down jacket and rain gear as needed. Clothing is often over-packed for backpacking trips. In general, no one wears much variety on adventures.
Pack Multi-Purpose Accessories
A Buff can function as a hat, neck gaiter, sunshade, or washcloth—an ultralight backpacker's dream.

Lightweight Food & Water

an ultralight backpacker uses a water filter to hydrate while hiking — When backpacking in water-rich areas, ditch the heavy hydration bladder for a lightweight water filter for sips on the move!

Dehydrate Meals at Home
Homemade dehydrated meals are lighter, cheaper, and customizable. Dehydrators can be found at reasonable prices and are very easy to use.
Pack Calorie-Dense Foods
Foods like nuts, peanut butter, cheese, and dark chocolate pack a lot of energy per ounce.
Use a Lightweight Water Filter
Options like the Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn BeFree weigh only a few ounces and eliminate the need for heavy water storage.
Carry Collapsible Water Bottles
Ditch bulky Nalgene bottles for soft, foldable water reservoirs. CNOC Outdoors makes excellent options for this.

Ultralight Packing Strategies

an ultralight backpacker repackages dehydrated meals into ziploc bags in order to cut down on overall pack weight — Repackaging dehydrated meals into lightweight Ziploc bags can help to cut down pack weight quite a bit!

Weigh Every Item
Use a kitchen scale to weigh your gear and prioritize lighter alternatives.
Balance Your Pack
Place heavier items close to your back and near the bottom for better stability.
Use Ultralight Packing Materials
Replace stuff sacks with Ziploc bags or Dyneema pouches to save weight.

Hiking Efficiency

an ultralight backpacking toiletries kit — Using a WAG bag is the gold standard for Leave No Trace these days, even for ultralight backpackers. In some wild places, WAG bags are mandatory, so be sure to plan ahead!

Learn Efficient Shelter Setup
Practice setting up your tent or tarp quickly for storm protection. You can do this inside your home or outside in your yard or a park! This is also a great way to learn different pitching strategies, for example using rocks instead of stakes.
Stick to Leave No Trace Principles
Use lightweight tools like titanium trowels for digging catholes and pack out all trash. WAG bags have become the gold standard in Leave No Trace and are a better alternative to digging catholes. In some areas, WAG bags are required.
Bring Trekking Poles
Trekking poles reduce strain on your knees and double as support for your shelter.

Miscellaneous Ultralight Backpacking Tips

an array of trail and map apps on a phone for ultralight backpacking ensures you can find your way without a paper map — There is a huge array of really nice mapping and trail apps these days, which allows you to forgo a heavy paper map for the more lightweight option of the phone you're already bringing along on your adventure!

Share Gear When Possible
If hiking with a partner, split shared items like cooking gear and shelters.
Go Digital for Maps
Use a smartphone with offline GPS apps instead of heavy printed maps.
Carry Minimal Toiletries
A travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste dots, and a small biodegradable soap bar suffice.
Repair, Don’t Replace
Carry duct tape or repair patches for quick fixes to gear in the field.
Reassess Your Kit Regularly
After each trip, review what you didn’t use and consider leaving it behind next time.
Start Small
Transitioning to ultralight backpacking takes time. Begin with small changes and build confidence with your new gear setup.

A Final Note on Ultralight Backpacking

Ultralight backpacking isn’t just a way to reduce pack weight—it’s a mindset that encourages simplicity, efficiency, and freedom on the trail. By adopting even a few of these tips, you’ll find yourself hiking farther, faster, and more comfortably.

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