Ultralight Backpacking Gear List (10 lb Base Weight)

Here is an example of an ultralight backpacking gear list that you can use for everything from overnight hikes to thru-hikes. Ultralight backpacking gear works great for hiking trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail and Appalachian Trail between late Spring and early Fall.

Instead of suggesting just one item for each category, I have listed several popular options for the most important gear categories (like the big three and clothing) for you to choose from. If you would like to see the gear I use myself, check out My Lightweight Backpacking Gear List.

The Big Three (Backpack, Shelter, Sleep System)

Weight: 5-6 pounds, Budget: ~$900

These three items (technically four, if you count sleeping bag and pad separately) are the foundation of your lightweight backpacking system. They get used more than anything else, make up the bulk of your gear weight and will take the biggest chunk out of your budget.

Ultralight Backpacks (Under 1.5 pounds)

Ultralight Backpacks

Ultralight Backpacking Shelters (Around 1.5 pounds)

Ultralight Backpacking Shelters

Ultralight Sleeping Bags (Around 1.5 pounds)

Ultralight Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Ultralight Sleeping Pads (Under 0.75 lb)

Ultralight Backpacking Sleeping Pads

Example Big Three

Backpack: ULA Equipment CDT (24 ounces)
Shelter: Gossamer Gear The One (22 ounces)
Sleeping Bag: REI Magma 15 (28 ounces)
Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Reg (12 ounces)

Total Weight: 5.4 lbs, Total Cost: ~$900

Clothing Worn

Weight: 3 pounds, Budget: ~$300

These are clothing items that are typically worn every day on the trail. Hiking clothing should be lightweight, comfortable, breathable, durable and made from synthetic fabrics, wool or silk (no cotton.) Since these items spend more time on your body than in your pack, they are excluded from the “base weight” calculation, but are included in your “skin-out weight.”

Ultralight Hiking Shoes

Ultralight Hiking Shoes

Ultralight Hiking Socks

Ultralight Hiking Socks

Hiking Insoles

Lightweight Hiking Insoles

Hiking Shirts

Lightweight Hiking Shirts

Hiking Pants

Lightweight Hiking Pants

Hiking Underwear

Lightweight Hiking Underwear

Hiking Hats

Lightweight Hiking Hats

Hiking Sunglasses

Lightweight Hiking Sunglasses

Clothing Packed

Weight: 1.5 pounds, Budget: ~$500

These are clothing items which typically spend more time in your pack than on your body. They are used primarily for staying warm and dry in inclement weather, in the evenings in camp and as spares for clothing that needs to air out between uses (like socks and underwear.) Because they are usually stored in your pack, these items are included in the “base weight” calculation.

Ultralight Insulated Vests

Ultralight Backpacking Insulated Jackets

Ultralight Rain Jackets

Ultralight Backpacking Rain Jackets

Ultralight Base Layer Tops

Ultralight Backpacking Base Layer Tops

Ultralight Base Layer Bottoms

Ultralight Backpacking Base Layer Bottoms

Other Clothing Packed

Ultralight Backpacking Clothing Packed

Cooking & Hydration

Weight: 1.3 pounds, Cost: ~$200

These items are used for cooking, eating and cleaning dishes as well as storing and treating drinking water. This example provides carrying capacity for up to 4 liters of water. You may need to adjust this up or down, depending on how much water is available where you hike.

Ultralight Backpacking Cooking & Hydration

Survival & Miscellaneous

Weight: 1.6 pounds, Cost: ~$400

These are items used for navigation, fire starting, first aid, gear repairs, personal hygiene, organization and other various tasks. Though some of these items may not get used very often, it is still wise to carry them, because they can make all the difference in an emergency.

Ultralight Backpacking Survival & Miscellaneous

Items Worn or Carried

Weight: 1.6 pounds, Cost: ~$150 (not including cost of phone)

These are non-clothing items which are typically carried in your hands or on your body. They are excluded from the “base pack weight” calculation, but are included in “skin-out weight.”

Lightweight Backpacking Items Worn or Carried

Consumables

Weight: ~20 pounds

These are items which get used up as you go along, so they have to be replenished regularly. Since the weight of consumables is always fluctuating, they are excluded from the “base pack weight” calculation, but are included in your “full pack weight” and “skin-out weight.”

Backpacking Consumables

Ultralight Backpacking Gear List Summary

Base Pack Weight: 9.9 pounds, Cost: ~$2,400

There are several methods for calculating pack weight. “Base weight” includes all packed gear, but does not include consumables, clothing worn and other items worn or carried. “Full pack weight” includes packed gear, food, water, fuel and other consumables. “Skin-out weight” includes everything packed, worn and carried. Here is how our example gear list stacks up:

Example Ultralight Backpacking Gear List

Ultralight Backpacking Gear List
The Big Three: 5.4 lbs, $900
Clothing Packed: 1.6 lbs, $450
Cooking & Hydration: 1.3 lbs, $200
Survival & Miscellaneous: 1.6 lbs, $400
Base Pack Weight: 9.9 lbs
+ Consumables: 20 lbs
Full Pack Weight: 29.9 lbs
+ Clothing Worn: 3.1 lbs, $300
+ Items Worn or Carried: 1.6 lbs, $150
Skin-Out Weight: 34.6 lbs
Total Cost: ~$2,400