Light, Lighter, Lightest
An Ultralight Backpacking Gear List

You'll find some of the lightest ultralight backpacking gear out there in the list below. But don't forget that another option for any given item is to not bring it. There are also things that you can make yourself or buy in any grocery store.

Note: Some of the specific models mentioned here may not be available by the time you read this. For the most recent information, check the page Ultralight Backpacking Equipment. It has the latest on the "big three" (backpack, shelter, sleeping bag).

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BACKPACKING SHELTERS:
GoLite Den Shelter; 2 pounds, 13 ounces
Black Diamond Winter Bivy Sack; 9 ounces
Integral Designs Sil Tarp 5x8; 7 ounces
Garbage bag/duct tape bivy.

BACKPACKS:
GoLite Lite-Speed Pack (3000 cubic inches); 2 pounds 7 ounces
Granite Gear Vapor Trail Backpack (3600 cubic inches); 2 pounds
GoLite Jam 2 Pack (3000 cubic inches); 1 pound 5 ounces

SLEEPING BAGS:
Marmot Lithium 0 degree down; 2 pounds, 11 ounces
The North Face Propel 40 degree polarguard; 16 ounces
Sea to Summit Silk Mummy Liner; 5 ounces (Nobody but me uses this as a sleeping bag.)

SLEEPING PADS:
Big Agnes Air Core Pad (48"x20"x2 1/2"); 16 ounces
REI Standard Blue Foam Pad; 4 ounces (cut)

STOVES:
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove; 3 ounces
Bottom inch of a pop can (burn alcohol in it); 1/2 ounce

RAINWEAR:
GoLite Revelation Rain Jacket; 12 ounces
Garbage bag with hole cut in it; 2 ounces

LIGHT:
Gerber Headlamp; 1.7 ounces
Black Diamond Ion; 1.1 ounces

JACKETS:
GoLite Ether Wind Shirt; 3 ounces
GoLite Wisp Wind Shirt; 2.5 ounces

PACK COVERS:
Granite Gear Cloud; 3 ounces
Garbage bag; 2 ounces

GLOVES:
Black Diamond Windstopper; 3 ounces
Ex-Officio Buzz Off; 4 ounces

DOWN JACKETS:
Mountain Hardwear Phantom; 16 ounces GPS:
Suunto X9 GPS Watch-Altimeter-Compass-Barometer; 2.6 ounces

WATER FILTERS:
Katadyn Mini Filter; 8 ounces
Any cheap water purification tablets; 1 ounce

FIRST AID KITS:
Adventure Medical Ultralight .5 Medical Kit; 3.5 ounces

HIKING SHOES:
Any good running shoes; 20 to 30 ounces/pr

WATER CONTAINERS:
Any plastic pop container is virtually unbreakable, and lighter than anything you can buy (1 ounce).
The bags from boxed wine will hold 6 quarts of water and are tough. They weigh about 2 ounces.

There is also a page on adventure racing gear.

The Ultralight Backpacking Site | An Ultralight Backpcking Gear List