Carrying too much gear is one of the biggest mistakes hikers make. A heavy backpack slows you down, causes fatigue, and can even cut a trip short. That’s why more and more hikers are going ultralight—keeping their base weight under 5 kg (11 lbs) while still staying safe and comfortable. This guide gives you the ultimate checklist of what to carry (and what to leave behind), plus real gear recommendations trusted by ultralight hikers worldwide.
What Is Base Weight?
Base weight is the total weight of your pack excluding consumables (food, water, fuel). Traditional backpacks often start at 15–18 kg loaded, but with ultralight gear you can cut that in half—or more. Less weight means more miles, less strain, and more enjoyment.
The Essential Ultralight Backpacking Checklist
1. Shelter
Your tent or tarp is often the heaviest item in your pack. Ultralight shelters use trekking poles instead of tent poles and advanced fabrics like Dyneema to save weight. Popular choices include:
- Zpacks Duplex (~680 g)
- Durston X-Mid 1P (~890 g)
- Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 2P (~935 g)
2. Sleep System
An ultralight sleep system usually combines a quilt with a lightweight inflatable pad.
- Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt (~640 g)
- Therm-a-Rest UberLite pad (~250 g)
3. Backpack
Your pack should be simple, frameless or with a minimal frame, and sized for ultralight gear.
- Durston Kakwa 40 (~890 g)
- Gossamer Gear Gorilla (~900 g)
4. Cooking System
Some hikers skip cooking altogether, but if you want a hot meal, an ultralight stove and titanium pot is all you need.
- BRS-3000T stove (~25 g)
- Toaks 550 ml titanium pot (~95 g)
5. Clothing
Focus on layers: a light base, an insulated jacket, and a reliable rain shell.
- Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket (~130 g)
- Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket (~180 g)
6. Essentials & Safety
Don’t skimp on safety gear, but keep it minimal and efficient.
- Nitecore NU25 headlamp (~28 g)
- Small repair kit and first aid essentials
| Gear Category | Example Gear | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter | Durston X-Mid 1P | 890 g |
| Sleeping Quilt | Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20°F | 640 g |
| Sleeping Pad | Therm-a-Rest UberLite | 250 g |
| Backpack | Durston Kakwa 40 | 890 g |
| Stove + Pot | BRS-3000T + Toaks 550ml | 120 g |
| Clothing (packed) | Montbell Plasma 1000 + OR Helium | 1200 g |
| Essentials | Nitecore NU25 + repair kit | 300 g |
| Total Base Weight | ~4.9 kg |
Conclusion
Going ultralight doesn’t mean going unsafe—it means making smarter choices. With this checklist and gear examples, you can keep your base weight under 5 kg while still having everything you need for a safe, comfortable hike. The lighter your pack, the further your feet can take you.
Read more about ultralight hiking philosophy in my guide here.
