Best ultralight backpack. Here are our favorite ultralight backpacking packs of 2025.
Best ultralight backpack Mar 24, 2025 · The right ultralight backpack provides just enough capacity to stash all your basic backpacking essentials while taking a load off your back so you can hike light and fast. Designed for thru-hiking, but perfect for all multi-day excursions, this comfy, internal frame workhorse is built with best-in-class Challenge Ultra fabric, its namesake upgrade to the original Robic Nylon version. This base weight is pretty stripped down and utilizes ultralight gear, apparel, and techniques. While ultralight backpacks were once the sole province of backpackers who had achieved that elusive 10-pound baseweight, today there are ultralight backpacks capable of carrying upwards of 30 pounds comfortably. Top Picks for the Best Ultralight Backpack Without further ado, let’s dig into the list of the 11 best ultralight packs! These are in no particular order, but they do range in price, weight, security, and style. Best Ultralight Pack Overall: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 ($369) Jump to Review Most Versatile Ultralight Pack: Atom Packs The Pulse EP50 ($274) Jump to Review Best Frameless Pack: Nashville Pack Cutaway ($326) Jump to Review Most Comfortable Ultralight Pack: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 ($315) Jump to Review Best Load… May 5, 2025 · The Ultra Circuit is an absolutely top tier, comfy, indestructible, ultralight-yet-voluminous backpacking backpack. 9 oz Arc Haul Ultra 60 is a seam-taped roll-top backpack with side water bottle pockets and a front mesh pocket for external gear storage. 12 pounds (1. Best Overall Ultralight Backpack: Granite Gear CrownC3 60; Best Ultralight Bag for Women: Osprey Eja 48; Best Lightweight Backpack for Travel: Osprey Farpoint 40; Best Day Hiking Backpack: Osprey Daylite Plus; Best Budget Ultralight Backpack: Gregory Focal 48 Apr 25, 2025 · As I wrote in my “5 Expert Tips For Buying the Right Backpacking Pack,” when backpacking ultralight or lightweight—which describes at least 75 percent of my backpacking trips—I want a backpack with low weight and minimal features like pockets and zippers, because I just don’t need more than that. Best Ultralight Backpack Overall: Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack Most Versatile Ultralight Note: If you want an ultralight backpack that has a frame or frame stays, a fully-featured hip belt, can comfortably carry 25-40+ pounds, but still weighs between 2 – 3 lbs, see our article, The Best Ultralight Backpacks with Frames). Still, I like the convenience of quick May 2, 2025 · The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L is an ultralight ventilated backpack with a suspended mesh back panel to keep you cool in hot weather. 13. Mar 17, 2025 · Find out the top picks for ultralight backpacks from Durston, Gossamer Gear, Hyperlight Mountain Gear, and more. Nov 17, 2023 · Understandably, the backpack is one of the top pieces of gear that backpackers fret about. May 2, 2025 · The Hyperlite Southwest easily snagged our award as the best ultralight backpack for 2025 | Credit: Eric De Paoli Best Budget Ultralight Backpack 2. Compare features, weights, prices, and reviews of the best ultralight packs for any adventure. The Best Lightweight Backpacks for Backpacking in 2025 are: Best Ultralight Backpack Overall – Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra; Best Ultralight Backpack Runner Up – Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40L; Most Comfortable Lightweight Backpack – Osprey Exos Pro Feb 29, 2024 · Then, take a look at our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks for every adventurer, below. May 19, 2025 · That means uber-light gear, once the sole domain of small cottage brands, is easier to find, more reliable, and more affordable than ever before. Pros: Extremely lightweight at only 0. The best ultralight backpacks are: Best Overall Ultralight Backpack: GOSSAMER GEAR MARIPOSA; Best Premium Ultralight Backpack: ZPACKS ARC BLAST; Best Budget Ultralight Backpack Under 50L: MOUNTAINSMITH ZERK 40; Best Budget Ultralight Backpack Over 50L: ULA EQUIPMENT CDT; Lightest Ultralight Backpack: MOUNTAIN LAUREL Apr 28, 2025 · As chosen by Clever Hiker. OL has tested a number of lightweight options during our backpacking tests. Over the past decade, our thru-hiking experts have logged hundreds of trail miles testing more than 50 of the best ultralight backpacks around. This year, we tested 20 bags from 15 top gear makers. The 10 below emerged as the best of the best. The Minaal Carry-On 3. Dec 12, 2024 · Here, Chris Townsend and Francesca Donovan offer their verdicts on a selection of the best ultralight backpacks on the market at the moment. 4 kg), it performs well compared to other 35-liter packs and doesn't compromise on features. Jan 22, 2025 · Best Ultralight Backpacks. Made with waterproof and extremely durable Ultra 200 and 100 fabric, the 20. 5 pounds with ultra-compact folding size for easy storage May 19, 2025 · Best Lightweight Backpacks for Backpacking 2025. It’s the core tool of the hobby! There are more ultralight backpacks than ever on the market — made by more established brands, such as Gossamer Gear, Pa'lante and Hyperlite, as well as one-person Nov 6, 2024 · Best Ultralight Backpack: Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 Hyperlight Backpack; Best Ultralight Shelter: Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL; Best Budget Ultralight Shelter: Paria Outdoor Products Sanctuary SilTarp; Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20/30 Sleeping Bag – 20 Degree. Best For: Minimalist travelers, day hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts who need an ultralight, packable backpack for short trips and activities where weight and storage space are primary concerns. Ultralight backpacks are the best use of space and are so much easier to carry than luggage or a regular backpack. REI Co-op Flash 55 ($199) Weight: 2 lb. These backpacks are in the 55 to 65 litre grouping and are designed for backpacking, as opposed to daytrips, outings where you need to carry a shelter, sleeping bag and mat, a stove, food and spare clothing. Here are our favorite ultralight backpacking packs of 2025. Apr 7, 2025 · Ultralight backpacks (weighing less than three pounds) work best for hikers who have already dialed in their gear to a low base weight of 10-12 pounds (all your gear minus food, water, and fuel). May 20, 2025 · Best splurge. At a Glance Apr 25, 2025 · Quick Answer: The Top Ultralight Backpacks of 2025. 0 oz. Fabric: Nylon (100D & 210D) Capacity: 55L What we like: Great value; highly customizable features and fit. 0 Bag isn't necessarily designed to be lightweight, and it's one of the heavier packs on this list; however, at 3. Aug 7, 2024 · How We Tested the Best Ultralight Backpacks Selection. gajrzbqarwxeiofpjjhwbcjythmtclhwczzroflcowwo