Experienced distance hiker, Explorer Kate breaks down what it actually means to hike ultralight, the pros and cons of carrying less, and tips to cut weight without resorting to a sawn-off toothbrush.

 

Ultralight has become a bit of a buzzword lately. Brands are throwing it around like trail mix, often without really understanding what it means. Suddenly, everything from hiking boots to camp chairs are being slapped with the ‘ultralight’ label — even when they’re anything but. I’m here to cut through the nonsense. This is your guide to ultralight hiking, so you don’t end up lugging an ‘ultralight’ kitchen sink on your next adventure.

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What is Ultralight Hiking?

There are general classifications to categorise different approaches to hiking based solely on how much gear you carry. These are based on your base weight – your loaded pack weight with all the gear, excluding food, water, and fuel. Commonly speaking, the base weight is:

  • Traditional hiking: Base weight over 9kg (20 lbs)
  • Lightweight hiking: Base weight between 5-9kg (20 lbs)
  • Ultralight (UL) hiking: Base weight under 4.5kg (10 lbs)
  • Super Ultralight (SUL) hiking: Base weight under 2.3kg (5lbs)

While these labels simply define a weight category for your backpack, ultralight has evolved beyond the numbers. It’s no longer just about what’s in your pack; it’s become a philosophy, an identity, even a bit of a clique. Ultralight hiking has developed its own culture, where every gram saved earns you a little more credibility among the weight-conscious elite.

 

Everything I took on the Heysen Trail

Ultralight Hiking at a Glance

 

Pros Cons
Hike Faster – Less weight means less strain on your body, making long climbs and big days easier. Expensive – Ultralight gear is often made with high-tech materials that come at a high price.
Lower Injury Risk – A lighter load reduces strain on your body, lowering the risk of overuse injuries. Durability – Lighter gear is often (but not always) more fragile and wears quicker.
More Freedom of Movement – Scrambling up steep sections, hopping over logs, or climbing through overgrown terrain is much smoother with a lighter pack. Less Comfort – Minimal padding and insulation mean ultralight gear isn’t always as cushy as heavier alternatives.
Simpler Living – Stripping back to the essentials helps you appreciate what really matters. Less Margin for Error – If you cut too much, you might end up cold, hungry, or unprepared for the conditions.

Can a Piece of Gear be Ultralight?

If ultralight hiking is defined by a total base weight under 4.5kg, technically, you could carry one 4.5kg piece of gear and still call yourself ultralight. In reality, ultralight hikers aim for balance, distributing weight efficiently across their whole kit. As a general rule of thumb, a well-balanced ultralight setup follows these rough weight guidelines:

  • Tent – Less than 1kg
  • Backpack – Less than 1kg
  • Sleeping bag or quilt – Less than 1kg
  • Sleeping pad – Less than 500g

This ensures that the ‘Big Four’ – the tent, pack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad – don’t weigh more than 3.5kg combined, leaving room for other essentials like camp kitchen items, extra layers, and first aid.

That said, these weights are based on three-season hiking. If you’re heading into snow, ultralight kind of goes out the window. It’s nearly impossible to stay under 5kg while carrying proper winter gear. On the flip side, in warmer months, you can cut even more weight – opting for a lower R-value mat, a warmer temperature sleeping bag, and ditching the tent for a tarp or bivvy.

Read more: Best 2P Bikepacking & Hiking Tents in Australia

 

Sea To Summit Ember Ultralight Down Quilt - Review, Mattie Gould - Hiking, Sleeping Quilt, Sea To Summit, camping

How small does your sleeping bag go? | @mattiejgould

Ultralight Around the World

Thanks to the popularity of long-distance trails like the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail, ultralight hiking has become mainstream in America, as well as Europe. While Australia has its own thru-hikes – the Heysen Trail, Australian Alps Walking Track, and Bibbulmun Track – they’re not as long and less widely known. 

That said, ultralight is gaining traction here, partly thanks to Aussies heading overseas for these iconic hikes and bringing back new gear and ideas, as well as outdoor retailers like Ultralight Hiker and WildEarth making the most current weight-saving gear available here in Aus. But it’s still not as deeply embedded in our hiking culture (yet).

Historically, Australian bushwalking has been influenced by military-style gear – canvas packs, heavy boots, even swags instead of tents. There’s a strong ‘better safe than sorry’ mentality, and I wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing. Some argue that our hotter, drier, and more remote terrain makes ultralight gear less viable. 

 

Gear Editor Jess swears her (definitely not ultralight!) canvas Southern Cross Camping Tent will outlive her | @jessfromoutside

 

Extra water capacity is often essential, and resupply points are few and far between (though that’s not exclusive to Australia – just look at the Arizona Trail in the USA). We also lack the same network of trail angels that voluntarily help hikers along the way.

I often hear that ultralight hiking doesn’t work in Australia because of overgrown trails and thick off-track scrub. I beg to differ. Sure, lighter gear can wear out faster, but with the right choices, it absolutely works in our bush – you just need to make sure your pack is durable enough to protect the ultralight gear inside.

Read more: Explorer Taylor reckons the OnePlanet Extrovert is more than up to the task of withstanding the full brunt of the Aussie bush.

 

Overgrown bush on the K2K

Ultralight Superiority Complex

In the hiking community, it’s also become a bit of a polarising topic. Some people swear by it, cutting their toothbrush in half just to shave a couple of extra grams. Others roll their eyes at the obsession, arguing that the difference of a few hundred grams isn’t worth the sacrifice in comfort or durability.

There’s an unfortunate sense of superiority that sometimes creeps into ultralight culture. Back in the day, hikers used to brag about how much weight they could carry – now, it’s about how much they can do without. Some hikers act like having a lighter pack makes them more experienced, more knowledgeable, or somehow they’re suffering more nobly. 

But here’s the truth: ultralight hiking isn’t about proving anything to anyone. It’s just one approach to backpacking, and like anything else in the outdoors, it should be about making your experience more enjoyable, not more stressful.

 

We chat with Explorer Alastair Humphreys About how adventure and purpose collide, @al_humphreys, hiking, jump, joy, river, valley

Look, I’m weightless! | @al_humphreys

Why I’m Working Towards Ultralight

I’m on a journey to becoming an ultralight hiker, and my reason is simple: hiking is easier with a lighter pack. It’s not about skipping safety or sacrificing comfort to the point of misery, but I’ve noticed that the lighter my pack, the less chance I have of old injuries flaring up.

I’ve dealt with shin splints in the past, and every extra kilo makes climbs harder and long days more exhausting. The less weight I carry, the more energy I have to actually enjoy the trail.

Read more: How to Avoid Injuries and Keep Running Strong

 

My current lightweight set-up

Expense vs Durability vs Comfort

Ultralight hiking is all about moving efficiently, reducing strain on the body, and making long climbs or tricky terrain easier to navigate, but it comes with trade-offs. The biggest drawback is cost – ultralight gear is made from advanced materials, like Dyneema, that keep weight down but come with a hefty price tag. 

While you can get lightweight gear for less, you often get what you pay for, usually sacrificing durability. I made that mistake with the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL tent and won’t be doing it again.

Comfort can also take a hit, with minimal padding or insulation compared to heavier alternatives. There’s nothing quite like sinking into a plush hiking pillow or having a bombproof tent in a storm, but carrying that extra weight up a mountain? Not so fun. 

Read more: 14 Luxury Gear Items to Make Your Next Hike Less of a Drag

Finding the sweet spot between cost, durability, and comfort is a never-ending challenge – one that changes with every hike, every trip, and every budget.

 

No matter how ultralight I go, I’ll never give up my pillow

Tips to Reduce Your Pack Weight

At its core, ultralight hiking is about carrying less weight to move more efficiently and comfortably on the trail. Ultralight doesn’t mean cutting out essentials like first aid, warm gear, or anything else that keeps you safe in the backcountry. It also doesn’t mean you have to go out and drop thousands of dollars on top-tier gear overnight. There are plenty of ways to shed grams without breaking the bank:

  • Wear only one outfit: No need for multiple changes of clothes; just air them out at night
  • Multi-use layering system: Opt for clothing that can be used across different conditions, like a wind jacket that doubles as a rain shell
  • Cold soak meals: Ditch the stove and try soaking food in a lightweight container overnight. It’s not gourmet, but it works to cut down weight
  • Ditch unnecessary packaging: Repackage food, trim excess straps off your pack, or get rid of those extra stuff sacks

 

Reduce stuff sacks by using a pack liner

Ultralight Purchases

If you do want to break the bank in the name of weight savings, here are my top picks:

Hyperlite Unbound 2P Tent: I’ve had an excellent experience with this single-wall Dyneema tent. While some people worry about condensation, I’d suggest reading my full review before making up your mind.

Sea to Summit Ember -1C Quilt: Quilts are lighter than traditional sleeping bags because they ditch the hood, usually sans zippers, and have less fabric. But keep in mind, they work best when paired with a good sleeping mat. Here’s a helpful review of the Ember Quilt that’s worth a read.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm: My go-to mat. With an R-value of 7.3 and a weight of just 440g, it currently holds the lightest weight-to-warmth ratio of any sleeping mat. As a cold sleeper, I use it year-round – even on snow – and it pairs well with my quilt for three-season trips. Plus, it’s way quieter to sleep on than any other inflatable mat I’ve used. 

Osprey Eja/Exos Pro 50L/55L Backpack: Not the lightest pack on the market, but hands down the most comfortable and durable I’ve found in that weight range (read my review of the Eja for more info). I just wish it came in a 45-50L option. I’ve never fully packed it out, even with big food and water carriers.

 

My Osprey Eja Pro

What about footwear?

Most people don’t think about the weight on their feet, but every extra gram down there makes hiking a whole lot harder. That’s why more and more hikers are switching to trail runners, with brands like Altra and Hoka dominating the market (at least from what I’ve seen on trail). Not only are they significantly lighter than traditional hiking boots, but they also dry faster – an absolute game-changer when you’re crossing creeks or slogging through wet conditions.

That said, a lot of Australian hikers still opt for more durable footwear, thanks to our rough, rocky terrain. Some say it’s for ankle support, but in my experience, I’ve rolled my dodgy ankle just as much in hiking boots as I have in trail runners. So if you haven’t tried hiking in trail runners yet, I recommend giving it a go!

Read more: Hiking Boots vs Trail Runners

 

My go-to thru hiking footwear

Finding Your Own Balance

Hiking isn’t about following a strict set of rules. It’s about what works best for you. The key is finding the right balance. Going light enough to make hiking more enjoyable, but not so light that you’re cold, miserable, or unsafe.

At the end of the day, hiking is about getting outside and enjoying the adventure. If going ultralight makes that better for you, great! If you’d rather carry a few extra luxuries to make camp life more comfortable, that’s fine too. 

Hike your own hike, and don’t let the weight of your pack – or someone else’s opinion – define your experience.

 

For some, the hammock makes the hike. For others, they’re leaving it behind

Ultralight Hiking FAQs

Do I need a tent to hike ultralight?

Not necessarily! Many ultralight hikers opt for tarps or bivvies to save weight, though a lightweight tent can still be a great option for comfort and protection. Your choice depends on the conditions and your personal preference.

Are trail runners better than hiking boots?

Trail runners are a popular choice for ultralight hikers because they’re significantly lighter and dry faster than traditional boots. However, if you’re hiking in rough terrain or carrying a heavier load, boots may offer better durability and support. Frankly, it’s a debate that’s been raging for years, here are some more aspects to consider.

Is ultralight hiking more expensive than carrying heavier gear?

Yes, ultralight gear is often made from more advanced materials like Dyneema, which are lighter but cost more. However, you can still go lighter without breaking the bank by simplifying your kit and choosing multi-use items.

What’s the difference between ultralight and lightweight hiking?

Lightweight hiking generally means carrying a base weight between 5-9kg, while ultralight hiking keeps it under 4.5kg. The key difference is how aggressively weight is minimised. Ultralight hikers cut every unnecessary gram, often sacrificing durability and comfort.

Learn More About Ultralight Hiking Gear

 

Table of contents image @tim_ashelford

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