Top 5 Lightweight Backpacks For Thru-Hiking And Multi-Day Hikes
Here are five lightweight backpacks that are ideal for long-distance backpacking and thru-hiking. They have been around for years and received many positive reviews and industry awards. I’ve used most of these packs myself and see a ton of them on the trails.
Lightweight backpacks are designed for base-weights of 10-15 lbs and can carry up to 35 pounds, which is ideal for 5-7 day stretches between resupply stops. If one of these lightweight backpacks can’t carry all your gear, then you’re packing too much stuff! 
Ultralight Adventure Equipment Circuit
Weight: 2 lbs, 4 oz
Capacity: 4,200 c.i.
Price: $225 Buy from Amazon.com
The Ultralight Adventure Equipment Circuit (along with it’s siblings the Catalyst and CDT) is one of the most popular lightweight backpacks for thru-hikers and long-distance backpackers. If you hike any of the major long trails in the U.S. you are bound to see the tell-tale green checkered pattern of ULA packs everywhere.
And for good reason. ULA packs provide everything a long distance backpacker needs (capacity, comfort, lots of exterior storage pockets and materials that are both light weight and durable. ULA offers several models for different weight classes and styles of hiking. But, I think the Circuit is the best middle-of-the-road choice.
Granite Gear Crown V.C. 60
Weight: 2 lbs, 2 oz
Capacity: 3,660 c.i.
Price: $199.95 Buy from Campsaver.com
The Granite Gear Crown V.C. 60 is the successor to the Granite Gear Vapor Trail, winner of Backpacker Magazine’s Editors Choice and a perrenial favorite among thru-hikers. I carried a Vapor Trail on my 2,650 mile thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2007.
The new Crown V.C. 60 is a few ounces lighter and includes a stretch front pocket, which was notably missing from the Vapor Trail. As with their other models, a specially designed “Ki” version is available for female hikers. Granite Gear makes some of the most comfortable lightweight backpacks on the market. The only thing still absent is hip-belt pockets.
Golite Jam
Weight: 1 lbs, 14 oz
Capacity: 3,050 c.i.
Price: $150 Buy from Amazon.com
The Golite Jam is a classic lightweight backpack that has gone through several incarnations over the years. It started as a simple rucksack and got heavier with each new version, but it’s still respectable at under 2 pounds.
Some unique features of this pack are it’s zippered front pocket and it’s low price. This is one of the most affordable lightweight backpacks on the market. The Jam is a bit smaller than it’s contemporaries so it works best with compact lightweight gear. Golite is supposed to be coming out with a new version of the Jam in 2012. Hopefully they won’t increase the weight again.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus
Weight: 1 lbs, 6 oz
Capacity: 3,600 c.i.
Price: $170 Buy from GossamerGear.com
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus features a traditional lightweight pack design. A large nylon pack body with roomy extension collar and generous exterior mesh storage pockets.
This pack has some unique features, including a removable foam back-pad/sit-pad, removable hip and shoulder belt padding (can be replaced with spare socks to save a few ounces) and aluminum suspension stay.
This is the lightest pack on the list. The urethane-coated ripstop may not be as tough as Dyneema Gridstop, but it’s still plenty durable as long as you don’t abuse it.
Osprey Atmos 50
Weight: 3 lbs, 2 oz
Capacity: 3,100 c.i.
Price: $199 Buy from Campsaver.com
The Osprey Atmos 50 is a popular choice for backpackers who are transitioning to lightweight gear, but haven’t completely taken he plunge yet. It’s heavy duty materials and comfortable suspension system make it a good crossover pack.
Though it is capable of carrying loads in the 35-50 pound range the Atmos is not a particularly large pack, so you may find that bulky gear items (such as sleeping pads and tents) need to be strapped to the outside.
The Osprey is also one of the few lightweight packs available in many “brick and mortar” gear shops.
There are many other lightweight backpacks, but you can’t go wrong with one of these five.
Have a question about lightweight backpacks or a recommendation based on your own experiences? Please post your comments below…
Hard to quibble with your pack choices, although I would have chosen the Osprey EXOS 46 over the Atmos 50. It holds about the same amount of gear, but is itself over a pound lighter. I love the lightweight mesh that gives a bit of air space between the pack and your back.
@David Fanning: I remember seeing the Exos last year and thinking it was a cool pack. But I don’t see it in the lineup on the Osprey website anymore. I wonder if they have discontinued it for 2012?
Ah! Turns out I was looking in the wrong area on the Osprey website. Looks like the Exos is still available. At 2 lbs, 5 ounces for the 46L and 2 lbs, 8 oz for the 58L the Exos is a good lightweight alternative to the Atmos. Thanks for the heads up. Here’s the link to the Exos series
Erik,
I’ve been using Joe Valesko’s ZPacks for years and have been made a believer. I used the cuban Blast for 4 years before it wore out and now I’m trying then ne exo-pack this season. It looks very well made and comes in at under 13 oz. for 50L.
@ruffwork: Thanks for the suggestion. I met Joe and his wife on the PCT and have been wanting to try out his packs and tents for a while now, but haven’t had the chance yet. One thing I wondered about was the durability of the cuben fiber fabric. Glad to hear it held up for you.
Here is the link to his website:
Zpacks.com
Mountain Laurel Designs has several ultralight back packs, used a lot on the AT- mine worked well.
The lightest packs- less than 1 lb are Zpacks made from Cuben. I just bought a hybrid silnylon/cuben that seems very durable and still less than 1 lb.
For loads over 25 lb Six Moon Designs is best by test and experience.
Erik,
Thanks so much for your site! I’m a big fan with plans to complete a long trail in the near future. While gearing up for AT I came across Hyperlite Mountain Gear and the Windrider pack. HMG is a fairly new company but they’ve got years of experience behind them and it shows in the Windrider. Here are some specs:
weight: 1.6 lbs.
volume: 2,400 cu. in. body + 250 cu. in. exterior pocket
materials: H2O-proof cuben fiber/ripstop hybrid
best of all though is that these award winning packs are made in Maine. HMG even offered to customize the pack for me because of an old back injury I have (which lead me to going ultralight!). I’d highly suggest checking it out.
happy trails,
dave
Interesting choices. There are many and each tend to be personal. I am currently looking at the Mariposa, the ULA OHM 2.0, and the SMD Starlite. I am leaning towards the Mariposa with added hip pockets – cheaper, bigger with better outside pockets.
Three of the packs on this list are also available in female-specific versions:
Granite Gear V.C. 60 Ki
Golite Jam Women’s
Osprey Aura 50
These are designed to fit a woman’s torso better, with shorter back pads, narrower shoulder straps, wider hip-belts with more padding, etc.
Hey Erik,
One other thing I might mention about the ULA packs. I have kind of narrow shoulders from side to side. I was having a hard time getting the ULA packs to fit because the inside of my arms rubbed against the shoulder straps. When I tried to use the sternum straps to pull the shoulder straps in, the shoulder straps twisted. ULA has now come out with S shaped shoulder straps in addition to their regular straps. These were originally made for women but I got a Circuit with these S straps and it has solved my problem beautifully. I am now a happy camper.
Regards,
Bill
Six Moons Starlite – its only 4200 ci but check the main body size. its way bigger than all the others that claim its size and weighs in a little less. I’d rather have stuff in the pack than clipped to the outside. but, as always, hyoh.
hi eric. yeah im looking at the six moon designs starlite too. only weighs 1.5 lbs. im tiny so need to be super conscious about weight. Thoughts, comments, opinions?
Great list of packs. There are so many choices!
I’ve been using the Osprey Exos 46 since it came out. I really like the combination of features you get (39 oz for size L), especially the trampoline suspension which allows airflow across your back.
I’ll be trying the Osprey Hornet 46 at (25 oz for size M/L) when it comes out in a dedicated large size this year. The previous M/L combined size was too small for most.
BTW, I have several pieces of ZPack’s gear including the Hexamid Solo tent (8.8 oz) which is just fantastic!
No disagreements here. However, I do wonder why you chose the GoLite Jam over the GoLite Pinnacle. The weight of the Pinnacle is noticeably greater (by about 6 oz), but its volume is too (by about 1200 ci). What say you?
@Hannah: I’ve never used Six Moon Designs Packs before but they do have a good reputation. If it fits you and your gear I think it would be a good choice.
@RodentWhisperer: If the Jam isn’t big enough Pinnacle is a good alternative. But my philosophy is that moving to a larger pack to accommodate more gear is a step in the wrong direction. I would rather eliminate gear and replace it with smaller, lighter alternatives that fit in the smaller pack.
Ah, that makes sense. I’ve heard other say that the number one task when you are looking to go UL is to size down your pack– it makes it impossible to carry too much, eh?
My current pack is the Mariposa Plus, gotta love all those mesh pockets! My previous two packs had them too. An original G4, and my $19 14oz homemade pack.
Did I mention I love mesh pockets?
+ 1 on the Circuit! I got mine while they were still doing colors (http://joannareichertphotography.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/new-backpack/ if you don’t mind links) before Christmas, and I think I found my pack soul mate. No joke, I tried on nearly 2 dozen packs, bought one that fit okay, and then finally bit the bullet and got the Circuit . . . . wow I love this thing.
Hey Erik!
Thanks for all of the great info on your site! Wondering if i might get an opinion.
I’m fairly new to backpacking. The longest trip i’ve done is 26 miles over 5 days. I will be doing the 100 mile wilderness (10 miles/day over 10 days) at the end of june, & want to get my pack weight down.
I am 5’0″ and 103 lbs. I’m pretty sure my pack was close to 35lbs for the 5 day trip. I’m looking into lighter weight packs and other gear to get my base weight down. I’ve been looking at the catalyst and others you’ve mentioned. One concern i had about the catalyst was that there is only 1 side compression strap. Any words of wisdom or suggestions?
Thanks!
Trish
@Trish: I would recommend trying to get your base pack weight (all gear minus food and water) down below 15 pounds (preferably closer to 12). If you pack 1.5 pounds of food per day on your trip and carry an average of 1 liter of water that means you will start out carrying around 35 pounds and end up carrying around 15 pounds at the end of 10 days.
The ULA Catalyst is a great pack and it has a ton of room, so you should not have a problem fitting 10 days of food in there (as long as you pack lightweight, high calorie, low volume foods). Don’t worry about the lack of compression straps, most lightweight packs are like that. The trick is to pack them in a way so that your gear takes up all of the space inside and presses stiffly against the walls. Here are some tips for packing a lightweight backpack.
I have heard the mosquitoes can be bad in Maine, so you’ll want a fully enclosed shelter. My next shelter will probably be a Lightheart Gear Solo. I haven’t had an opportunity to try it out yet, but it looks like a really ingenious design, with lots of mosquito netting and weighs well under 2 lbs. Tarptent and Six Moon Designs also have some nice lightweight shelters.
For a sleeping bag try to keep it around 2 pounds. Marmot, Western Mountaineering, Montbell, REI all have high quality down bags in the 20 degree range that weigh around 2 pounds. I would recommend storing it in a lightweight roll-top dry sack so that it doesn’t get wet under any circumstances.
Keep your sleeping pad under 1 pound. If you want comfort you can get a full-length inflatable like a Neo Air or Synmat UL for a pound. If you want to go lighter you can go with a 3/4 length pad or foam. Gossamer Gear makes some nice ultralight foam pads.
These are the major items. If you can get your Pack, Sleeping Bag + Pad and Shelter under 7 pounds total you don’t have to worry too much about the rest of your gear. It tends to take care of itself.
Good luck and have a great hike!
Wow! Thanks so much for the info Erik! This really gives me a solid direction to work towards. I’ve been eyeballing the tarptents but the lightheart gear looks really good too.
One more question. Do you have any experience with quilts? I’ve been looking at them as an affordable alternative to shaving off some weight. But i definitely don’t want to worry about being cold.
Thanks again Erik.
@Trish: Quilts are good if you are a sound sleeper and can lie flat on your back all night long and not roll around too much. If you thrash and turn while you sleep (like I do) quilts are not so good because you will always be opening up gaps for cold air to sneak in. A mummy bag is better in that case.
Ya…i’m a bit of a thrasher myself.
Sounds like a mummy would be my best bet.
Thanks so much Erik!
Hi, Erik.
Am a customer of your JMT Atlas and a fan of your blog. Appreciate you!
As a longtime magazine and newspaper editor and editorial director, am compelled to point out that you misuse “it’s.” ;>) “It’s” is the contraction for “it is.” “Its,” without the apostrophe, is the possessive. Counterintuitive (many pro writers make the same mistake), but grammatically correct.
I’d be happy to mentor you on grammar, as you’re mentoring me so brilliantly on the state of the art of lightweight backpacking.
Will through-hike the JMT in September and celebrate my 70th birthday on Mt. Whitney on 1 October. Thanks for your guidance. The Atlas is brilliant.
Steve
@Steve: Thanks for the grammar tip. Believe it or not I have a copy of Strunk and White in the bookshelf right by my desk. The problem is I never look at it. I was embarrassed to find the rule you mentioned is on the very first page! Ouch
Thanks for buying a JMT Atlas and best of luck on your thru-hike this fall.
Erik:
I really like what you are doing here, it’s a good service and informational webpage for those interested in lightweight/ultralight. I’ve been hiking/backpacking since my scouting days – 50 + years…the lightweight/ultralight experience is par excellence compared to ‘back in the day’ and I appreciate you being an evangelist of the method.
I would like to suggest the ULD CDT model. It is $135 and weighs in at approx. 20 oz. with a capacity of 3200 cu. in. As long as you keep the full load weight to 24 lbs. it carries “like it’s not even there.” A great pack with a lot of versatility..and of course can be modified to lighten its 20 oz weight also! Happy trails, see you out there.
@Jack: Amen to that! The ULA CDT is the pack I carry myself (actually mine is a several year old ULA Conduit, which was the predecessor to the CDT) But, as soon as my Conduit finally gives up the ghost, I will be replacing it with a CDT. The reason I did not include it on this list is I feel that although it is an excellent pack for ultralight backpackers like you and me, it’s still a bit on the small side for lightweight backpackers whose base weight is still up around 12 pounds or more. But once you break the 10 pound barrier the CDT is perfect. Thanks for bringing it up.
Hey Erik,
How do you think the Jam, Crown and Circuit compare for folks carrying 25-30 lbs of bulkier gear ? (Synth bag, small tent, fleece insulation, 70 denier PU coated raingear).
Also, do any of them fit slim teenagers better than the others ?
Thanks,
John
@JohnG10: I’ve never used a Golite Jam before (and they are getting hard to find anymore) but I have used the ULA Circuit and Granite Gear Vapor Trail (predecessor to the Crown) extensively and both do well with loads up to 35 pounds. The two packs are very similar in size and functionality. You really can’t go wrong with either. The only big difference now that Granite Gear has added a front pocket is the lack of hipbelt pockets on the Crown.