BEST Ultralight Mountaineering Gear for the Cash $$$ in 2023

This author’s spent too many miles rucking massive, heavy, cumbersome stuff by way of the woods of the east coast, and the Rocky Mountains within the Midwest. The navy was definitely no assist, both. I destroyed my again (actually, requiring two reconstructive backbone surgical procedures) because of carrying gear that weight not less than half my very own physique weight. Briefly, I admire ultralight tenting gear. It’s best to, too. If you happen to don’t, nicely – you most likely simply haven’t trekked far nor huge sufficient to understand having a svelte 10 Lb load as an alternative of a 25 Lb rucksack. So, right here’s the most effective ultralight mountain climbing gear and tenting tools to make your subsequent trek slightly (or rather a lot) simpler.

Finest Ultralight Tent: StratoSpire Li Tarptent

Weight: 1.9 Lb (30.35 oz / 861 g)

Certain, there are many tremendous light-weight camp tents – however few are as sturdy and nicely designed because the StratoSpire Li. The StratoSpire’s one of many lightest camp tents ever made. However it might nonetheless deal with tough terrain and it requires no supplemental “stuff” (like a separate floor cowl) to make it livable. Tarptent additionally didn’t skimp on options nor area to get the StratoSpire to such a feathery weight.

Inside peak and width measure 45″ with a size of 86″. The ground’s comprised of ripstop silicone-and-poly nylon, whereas the fly’s comprised of Dyneema composite. The remainder of the tent’s normal from 10D ripstop with 15D “no-see-um” superb mesh to maintain small creepy crawlies and critters at bay. The StratoSpire Li’s totally waterproof and completely appropriate in all climate, with room for 2. If you happen to’re touring in heat, dry climate, you possibly can scale back weight much more and pack solely the inside, which weighs simply 12.4 ounces. After all, this stage of engineering and weight financial savings will value you: The StratoSpire Li presently instructions about $660.

(Honorable Point out: Zpacks Duplex Zip Tent)

Weight: 1.27 Lb (20.4 oz / 577 g)

Technically, the StratoSpire’s not the lightest ever all-season tent. That title goes to the Zpacks Duplex Zip. The catch right here, although, is its building: the Duplex requires separate trekking poles to arrange, that are offered individually. So, technically, the Duplex isn’t an entire tent by itself. For this, its comparatively lighter marketed weight will get an asterisk.

Any trek poles measuring 48″ will work for the Duplex, although Zpacks affords its personal carbon fiber poles to pair with the tent. The poles weight about 7.2 ounces (205 g), which brings the Duplex’s complete, assembled weight to about 1.72 kilos (27.6 oz / 782 g). That is nonetheless lighter than the StratoSpire and the Zpacks doesn’t skimp on options, both: It measures 53″ by 100″ from nook to nook and its Dyneema fly is rated for moist climate. The ground requires no separate floor cowl, and also you get 48″ of head room inside – about 3″ greater than the StratoSpire Li. The Zpacks Duplex Zip might be had for about $700 at publication.

Finest Ultralight Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55

Weight: 1.98 Lb (31.7 oz / 898 g)

This 55L backpack actually is a lumbar and neck saver; this author is aware of it from private expertise. The Southwest 55 isn’t simply extremely gentle – it’s extremely comfy, with the most effective cummerbunds and shoulders straps I’ve ever donned. Coupled with loads of tiedowns and compression straps to maintain heart of gravity as near your bottom as attainable, the Hyperlite Southwest is in a league of its personal in relation to ultralight backpacks.

Regardless of its building, the Southwest can maintain as much as 40 kilos. That’s a criminally hefty quantity of weight for any ultralight hiker, so that you’ve bought loads of buffer for lengthy treks and additional gear. There’s room for a water bladder inside, and three exterior pockets present an extra 9 liters of capability. 4 exterior buckles make lashing your sleeping bag or extra storage a easy matter.

Although not technically a full inflexible framed pack, the Southwest contains detachable contoured aluminum stays for some additional assist. The again additionally incorporates a few quarter inch of froth padding for extra consolation, too. Though not totally waterproof, the Southwest’s Dyneema cloth gives good water resistance in gentle rain and humid environs. The Hyperlite Southwest 55 prices about $380 at publication.

Finest Ultralight Sleeping Bag: Zpacks Traditional

Minimal Weight: 0.76 Lb (12.2 oz / 347 g)

The Zpacks Traditional is technically a line of ultralight sleeping baggage, so weight will fluctuate primarily based in your peak and the temperature ranking you go for. Obtainable at 30F (-1C), 20F (-7C), and 10F (-12C), the Zpacks Traditional stays the lightest (and possibly essentially the most compact) sleeping bag available on the market. The Traditional manages this by counting on good ole’, traditional goose down, which stays unequalled in its insulation and skill to remain dry in moist climate.

To maintain the down evenly disbursed, the Traditional bag’s sewn with vertical compartments that stop the insulation from falling and clumping up within the sides. The bag additionally comes overstuffed by roughly 30% to account for future compression and put on. A 3-quarter size zipper makes entry and exist straightforward, whereas the squared foot field is roomy. As we wrote in our information to cold-weather sleeping baggage, you’ll need not less than 800 fill for 10-degree (F) temperatures, and 1,000 fill for a real 0-degree bag. The Zpacks Traditional rests neatly between these figures with 900 fill. The Zpacks Traditional is priced by its measurement and temperature ranking: The smallest 30-degree bag runs about $390, whereas the biggest 10-degree bag instructions simply over $500.

Finest Ultralight Boots: Salomon X Extremely 4 Mid GTX

Weight (pair): 1.86 Lb (30 oz / 850 g)

Selecting the “greatest” footwear in any class is sort of solely subjective. In spite of everything, our toes fluctuate wildly in relation to form, measurement, gait, and weight. However this author spent years sporting a pair of Salomon Forces in a uniform and while mountain climbing loads of powerful trails, and I’ve discovered these boots – that are considerably much like these X Extremely 4’s – to be one of the crucial comfy boots, possibly ever. Certain, there are lighter choices for day hikes and brief treks. However for all-trail boots able to dealing with scrambles and temperate alpine hikes, the X Extremely 4 Mid’s are about as gentle as you’ll discover whereas nonetheless having fun with correct waterproofing and ankle assist.

The X Extremely 4’s higher is comprised of PU leather-based, with Salomon’s typical waterproofing therapy utilized. In my expertise, their manufacturing facility therapy will final a number of weeks – however, with exhausting use, you’ll wish to spend money on your individual waterproofing wax or spray. The GORE-TEX liner inside does nicely sufficient at maintaining water at bay, but it surely isn’t ever 100% efficient. The all-rubber outsole and textile liners are what hold issues light-weight and versatile. Lengthy-term sturdiness is invariably sacrificed, right here. I turned quick associates with a bottle of shoe glue after my Salomons started popping corners close to the toe field. At publication, the X Extremely 4 Mid’s value about $175.

Finest Ultralight Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite

Weight: 0.81 Lb (13 oz / 369 g)

An excellent sleeping pad is without doubt one of the most missed items of equipment. However all it takes is one dangerous tenting journey to appreciate you need to’ve spent slightly bit of money (and gave up some weight and area) for a cushty pad. Certain, there are lighter foam pads. However take it from me: A 1/8″ piece of rolled foam shouldn’t be going to cease your bottom from maintaining you awake all evening. Inflatable sleeping pads are inarguably the most effective. They supply the most effective consolation and padding, and so they insulate the most effective. The Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite checks all of the containers: A strong 3″ of padding and an insulation R-value of 4.5, which is excessive sufficient to successfully insulate in winter. For context, three-season pad wants an R-value of not less than 2, whereas summer time pads solely have an R-value of 1 to 2.

Therm-a-Relaxation claims some engineering gobbledygook – they name it ThermaCapture know-how and a “Triangular Core Matrix” innard – helps flow into physique warmth whereas decreasing warmth loss. Regardless of the case, person critiques comment the NeoAir works fairly nicely in chilly climate, with straightforward inflation and deflation with the included pump sack. Deflated and rolled up, the NeoAir measures about 12″ by 4″, or roughly the scale of a 1-liter bottle. To maintain weight down, you possibly can go for a smaller XLite. This pad is available in 4 dimensions: Giant, Common Huge, Common, and Brief, which heights various from 77″ to 66″, and weights starting from 1 lb to 0.75 lbs. The NeoAir XLITE (common) is presently accessible for $210 at publication.

Finest Ultralight Camp Range: Stash Cooking System

Weight: 0.44 Lb ( 7.1 oz / 201 g)

At lower than half a pound, the JetBoil Stash nonetheless affords good warmth output and capability with a typical JetPower gasoline canister. Boil time averages 2.5 minutes for a half liter of water, with the included ceramic 0.8-liter pot offering stick-free cooking and good insulation. The burner contains toes for the gasoline canister and stows neatly contained in the cooking pot for straightforward carrying, whereas additionally affording lodging for a 100-gram canister. Customers have reported the JetBoil Stash is extra inclined to wind than different, comparable jet stoves. It’ll pay to make use of some form of windshield once you’re lighting and cooking with this light-weight range. The Stash Cooking System might be had for about $150 at publication.

Finest Ultralight Water System: Sawyer Squeeze

Weight: 0.36 Lb (5.7 oz / 162 g)

There’s no getting round carrying the load of water, until you merely resolve to gather potable water at some supply in your hike or tenting journey. The Sawyer Squeeze gives exactly this weight saving alternative to remain hydrated on the path. Sawyer says their Squeeze adapter filters practically 100% of all micro organism and protozoa, utilizing a 0.1-micron filter that additionally removes microplastics. In addition they say the Squeeze is nice for filtering as much as 100,000 gallons of water – although you’ll definitely wish to often clear the filter.

The Squeeze contains two 32-ounce, reusable water baggage that roll up empty for storage. The filter and adapter will, nonetheless, match any typical water bottle with commonplace 28mm threads. If you happen to choose to ditch the baggage and produce simply the filter, you will get your carry weight for potable water filtration down to only 2 ounces. At publication, the Sawyer Squeeze prices about $30.

Finest Ultralight Headlamp: Petzl E+LITE

Weight: 0.05 Lb (0.9 oz / 26 g)

Due to low-voltage LEDs, the Petzle E+ELITE weighs simply 26 grams. But it affords about 11 hours’ price of white gentle illumination, 15 hours of crimson gentle illumination, with a usable beam distance of about 10 to fifteen toes. It’s additionally sealed with an IPX7 waterproof ranking, so it’ll work simply superb within the rain. The skinny, elastic headband isn’t precisely essentially the most soft, however this headlamp’s so minuscule that you just needn’t fear about it sagging or digging into your cranium. The band adjusts with a easy stretch-and-lock clamp on the rear, whereas a entrance knob, adjoining to the diodes, gives brightness and crimson or white gentle changes. At publication, the Petzle E+LITE prices $30.

Finest Ultralight Camp Utensil: UCO 3-in-1 Titanium Spork

Weight: 0.03 Lb (0.64 oz / 18 g)

Titanium stuff might be gimmicky, besides once you’re attempting to shave off ounces or grams. The UCO Titanium 3-in-1 “spork” does simply that, weighing in at nicely underneath an oz and offering all of the issues that you must eat like a civilized mountaineer. That’s it, actually. It’s a spork. Doesn’t get a lot less complicated than that. Certain, there are some lighter glass nylon choices available on the market – however you possibly can’t depend on these to stir that soup you simply heated up in your JetBoil with out it melting. Titanium melts at about 3,000 levels (F), so you ought to be superb. The UCO 3-in-1 Spork prices about $9 at publication.

Finest Ultralight Dry Bag: Earth Pak Torrent

Weight: 0.69 Lb / 11 oz / 311 g (5L) to 1 Lb / 16 oz / 453 g (20L)

Murphy’s Legislation says that each time you resolve to hike or camp with out a dry bag, it’ll rain or snow. It’s best to at all times retailer your meals away out of your tent, anyway – once more necessitating a scent-mitigating dry bag of some kind. Earth Pak’s Torrent will get the job carried out with out including a lot weight to your ultralight equipment. Comprised of 500D PVC, they’re fully waterproof and don’t require any spray or therapy to keep up.

The 11 Oz, 5L bag’s appropriate for electronics and small snacks, whereas the 1 Lb, 20L bag gives sufficient capability for typical “just-add-water” meal packs and MREs. All Torrent baggage include a small exterior zipper pocket for private gadgets like keys and telephones. A high buckle with adjustable strap permit for over-the-shoulder carry for those who choose to not stuff it in your ruck. The strap additionally doubles as a handy technique to dangle your foodstuffs to maintain critters away.

“You didn’t cowl fireplace starters!”

That’s as a result of the most effective ultralight firestarter is boring, predictable, and easy: It’s [drum roll] a BIC Mini Lighter. Sure, actually. At simply 0.3 ounces (9 grams) and able to offering an estimated 2,000 lights, the BIC Mini is unbeatable for any ultralight tenting or mountain climbing setup. All different firestarters weigh greater than this little plastic lighter. After all, that doesn’t imply the BIC Mini is the general best choice for dependable lighting, particularly in chilly and moist climate. Learn our information to the most effective tenting firestarters for extra.

Travis Olander

Travis is a retired Joint Fires NCO, firearm collector, and long-range shooter with a penchant for previous militaria. He critiques weapons, knives, tactical equipment, and tenting and mountain climbing gear.