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Ultralight

What is an ultralight approach?

Ultralight is a backpacking philosophy and gear approach focused on minimizing pack weight to enhance hiking performance and comfort. Practitioners typically aim for a base pack weight (excluding food, water, and fuel) under 10 pounds, often achieving weights as low as 5-7 pounds. This approach involves using lightweight materials, multi-purpose gear, and eliminating non-essential items to reduce fatigue, increase daily mileage capability, and improve the overall hiking experience on long-distance trails and extended backpacking trips.

Related Terms

Super Ultralight

SUL

A Super Ultralight (SUL) is an extreme approach to backpacking that aims to carry a base weight of 5 pounds or less, excluding food, water, and fuel. This philosophy involves using the lightest possible gear and often making compromises on comfort and durability to achieve minimal pack weight. SUL backpackers typically use specialized ultralight equipment, custom modifications, and careful gear selection to enable faster hiking speeds and reduced physical strain on long-distance trails.