DeputySean's Ultracheap Introduction to Ultralight
- Category Price Weight
-
🎒 Backpack Options
$28.00
1.23 lb
-
🛏️ Sleep
$109.19
1.62 lb
-
🏕️ Shelter
$0.00
0 lb
-
🏕️ Alternative Shelter
$76.25
1.07 lb
-
🧦 Packed Clothing
$34.01
1.05 lb
-
🌊 Food/Water
$5.39
0.14 lb
-
🔧 Gear/Tools
$23.01
1.12 lb
-
⚡ Electronic
$3.00
0.38 lb
-
💩 Misc
$19.57
0.38 lb
-
🍳 Cooking
$0.00
0 lb
-
🥾 Worn Clothing
$0.00
0 lb
-
🥨 Consumable
$0.00
0 lb
Welcome to the idea of UltraLight Backpacking!
I made this gear list to help beginners buy an inexpensive and user-friendly ultralight setup. Everything that is on this list is safe, efficient, and made strong enough for multi-week trips. It mostly came from items already in My Gear Closet. If an item is not on this list, it is because you don't need it!
If you need help, or would like me to help you decide which options are best for you, contact me on Reddit at reddit.com/user/DeputySean
It is very important that you first read My Comprehensive Guide to an Ultralight Baseweight !
Some of the items below are marked with a quantity of zero. These are optional or alternative items. Some trips or areas require different things like bear canisters, wind jackets, or warmer gear. This guide is only a starting point, more research is going to be required!
I like to say that the lightest items are the ones that you leave at home, but also keep in mind that there is nothing cheaper than the gear you already own. While it's important to always be conscience of the weight you are carrying, perhaps that old fleece jacket or JanSport school backpack you have laying around could be the best place to start.
Here are a few key ultralight items and concepts that could use some extra explanation:
- How to use a sleeping Quilt
- How I seam-sealed my tarp/bivy
- How to load a frameless backpack
- How to pitch the Xunshang Tent
- $10 Sleeping Pad
- Resources for women
- Review of most of my gear
- Litesmith and All the Little Things
- My Comprehensive Guide to an Ultralight Baseweight
- DeputySean's Lake Tahoe High Route
I am a 6'2" 175 pound male and I use this setup for solo Northern Sierra backpacking with overnight lows above freezing. My wife is 5'5" 120 pounds and happily uses the same gear that I use. She does run a bit colder than I do, though.
-
-
🎒 Backpack Options
Price Weight qty -
Obviously you only need one backpack, but I've listed a few options here.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Outdoor Products Arrowhead
47L backpack from Walmart.
$38.87
971
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Crown 2 60L
Granite Gear backpack. This is a great choice if you a transitioning from a traditional baseweight down to ultralight. This backpack can handle a lot more weight and bulk than the other backpacks here. The brain and frame sheet can be removed, bringing it from 2lbs 8oz down to 1lbs 11oz.
$100.00
765
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Naturehike 30L XPAC
One of many cheap backpacks sold on Aliexpress. This one appears to have sold out, but you can likely find many like it on AliExpress.
$60.00
600
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Modase 40L
Cheap as it gets! For ultralight setups only!
$25.00
530
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Dandee Pack
I recommend this backpack the most, but keep it mind it is the most expensive on this list. Dandee Packs are very well made and definitely fit the ultralight ethos.
$190.00
453
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Multi-Day 20L
LiteAF
$135.00
340
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Monte Equipment Fastpack
Monte Equipment sells a bunch of different backpacks for mighty cheap. I recommend you look into one of their 'fastpacks' (because they tend to weigh less), but I'm sure that most of their backpacks are good. Some weigh less than others.
$76.00
400
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
QuickStep Xpac
ZimmerBuilt. You might want to add a few options, like sternum strap, padding, and maybe hipbelt, but these options are not 100% necessary.
$135.00
297
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pack Liner
Litesmith Nylofume
$3.00
27.9
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🛏️ Sleep
Price Weight qty -
You only need one quilt and one pad. There are several listed here just to give you options. I recommend the folding Forclaz Trek 100.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
HG Econ 30 Wide
I highly recommend this quilt over the AegisMax. Sewn footbox is preferred. It goes on sale often. 20F or 30F rating is recommended. Use code "Macon" for 10% off.
$180.00
626
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
AegisMax Wind Hard better
This is a bigger/better version of the Wind Hard quilt. This one has real baffles and *appears* to be a solid choice for trips down to about freezing.
$164.34
584
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
AegisMax Wind Hard
Size large. Probably only good down to about 40F, but some people have taken it down to 30F just fine. I very much recommend the Hammock Gear Quilt instead, but this is a viable option for warmer areas. This is definitely a lower quality item than the Hammock Gear.
$92.95
584
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
ProLite
r2.4. One inch self-inflating pad.
$56.00
510
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
RidgeRest Short
r2.1 / 'Blemished' Foam Pad / Warm down to roughly 28F - 40F, depending on your tolerance. Cut it down to torso length.
$18.89
263.8
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Forclaz Trek 100
Decathlon's Zlite ripoff. Warm down to roughly 28f - 40f, depending on tolerance. Cut down to torso length (6 - 10 panels should be enough).
$25.00
170
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Decathlon Pad
r1.2 / 0.3" foam cut to torso length / Warm down to 35F -50F depending on your tolerance. This is a cheaper/lighter alternative to the RidgeRest. Not the comfiest pad.
$13.99
135.1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pillow
I recommend that you use your food as a pillow, unless you are in bear territory.
$2.25
16
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🏕️ Shelter
Price Weight qty -
Xunshang Tent
Includes the cost/weight of seam-sealing it and the included stakes. This tent requires trekking poles.
$102.85
880
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🏕️ Alternative Shelter
Price Weight qty -
Aricxi "Patrol" Tarp
Paria 1.5mm guyline. Seam-sealed.
$32.00
293.7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Borah Bug Bivy
Custom/oversize
$84.00
236.4
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bug Canopy
Yama
$35.25
86.1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Polycro Ground Sheet
0.7 mil window insulation
$3.00
58.4
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Mini Hog Ripoffs
3F UL Stakes
$1.00
7
g6
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Stakes Sack
Silnylon
$0.00
4
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Alt. Shelter
Requires trekking poles. The Borah Bug Bivy provides better protection from rain/water because it has a bathtub floor. If you're not worried about pooled water, then the Yama Bug Canopy should be enough (with the polycro groundsheet underneath it). The new version of the Aricxi tarp does not require you to seam seal it, but the old version is made better.
$0.00
0
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🧦 Packed Clothing
Price Weight qty -
I recommend you bring one puffer jacket, one fleece jacket (you might not even need one, though), one rain jacket, maybe one wind shell, one pair of gloves, one spare pair of socks, and one bandana.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Down Hoodie
Eddie Bauer Costco 2019. Sold Seasonally at Costco.
$40.00
304
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Down Hoodie
Ali Uniqlo Ripoff
$21.01
295
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fleece Hoodless
Decathlon MH500 L microgrid. Honestly, I don't think that a fleece is necessary unless the overnight low is freezing, but some say they need it below 45F.
$20.00
209.1
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Frogg Togg UL2
Alternative Option: I usually only the Walmart $1 emergency poncho.
$15.00
159.7
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wind Pants
Dancer's Pants. Usually unnecessary.
$18.00
109.3
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Dooy Wind Shell
Cheap wind shell from Amazon. Size large.
$18.00
76.4
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Socks
Use what works well for you. There's a good chance you already own socks that are good enough. Many people hike in dress socks.
$2.50
76
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Down Balaclava
Warm by itself down to the mid 30's F
$19.00
68.1
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fleece Balaclava
Decathlon
$7.00
44.9
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Poncho
Walmart Emergency Poncho
$1.50
34.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bandana
Decathlon
$5.00
30
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fleece Gloves
Decathlon
$2.00
24.6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
A balaclava or warm hood is required when using a sleeping quilt. The fleece balaclava + down hood listed here is probably good enough. You can also wrap the entire down hoodie around your head/neck. If those options don't work for you, then I recommend you also buy the down balaclava.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🌊 Food/Water
Price Weight qty -
If you need a bear can, I recommend the BV450 or BV500, unless a small one is fine then get the Bear Boxer. If you want solid bear protection, but don't need a canister, get and Ursack Major.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
UDAP No-Fed-Bear
8" diameter, 10" tall canister. 503 cubic inches.
$65.00
1108.7
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
BV450 Bear Can
440 cubic inches.
$77.00
935
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bear Boxer 101
7.4" diameter, 8" tall canister. 344 cubic inches. Modified lock - thanks u/tylercreeves.
$60.00
715.4
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Ursack Major
Bear bag.
$71.00
203
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sawyer Squeeze
With a bottle cap.
$20.00
98.8
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Platypus QuickDraw
Water filter.
$30.00
59.5
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Dasani 1L
Ring and label removed.
$1.00
25
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Turkey Bag
Odor-proof food bag.
$0.50
8.4
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Coffee Filter
Cut down
$0.01
0.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Aquatabs
Water purifying tablets.
$0.12
0.2
g24
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
I recommend that you use your food as a pillow if you are outside of bear territory (and comfortable with the small possibility of animal intrusion). When bears are nearby, you should buy a bear canister or an Ursack. Some places, like Yosemite, require a bear canister.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
You should decide between buying a Sawyer Squeeze or using water purifying tablets. I recommend the normal-size Sawyer Squeeze (not the mini nor micro). The QuickDraw is also a very good choice.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Make sure that your backpack can fit a bear canister before buying either!
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🔧 Gear/Tools
Price Weight qty -
CMT Trekking Poles
Sold seasonally at Costco. Always available at Amazon.com. With wrist straps.
$20.00
476
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fizan Trekking Poles
Drop Compact 3. These are my preferred trekking poles.
$60.00
319.5
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Snow Stake/Trowel
REI. For digging cat holes and for pitching your tarp.
$3.00
27
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Paper Map
In case my phone dies.
$0.01
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
All of the shelter options on this gear list require trekking poles. Trekking poles make you a more efficient hiker, anyways. The wrist straps definitely help. Your hand goes into the straps from the bottom; not through the top of the loop.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
⚡ Electronic
Price Weight qty -
Phone
Without case
$0.00
144
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Headlamp
MonoPrice. Rechargable.
$10.29
62
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Nitecore NU-20
Home made 1.5mm band
$26.00
31.7
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Cheap headlamp
$1 at Walmart. Only good for short trips.
$1.00
27.3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Nitecore Tube
With headband mod. 45 max lumens.
$10.00
12.2
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Nitecore Mod
The Nitecore Tube can be bought from Litesmith.com. Also buy a few feet of shockcord, and a cordlock, for a couple extra bucks, from litesmith.com and use it to build a headband. Put the shockcord through the keychain loop, tie a loop around the flashlight and put the shockcord through that also, then add the cordlock to the shockcord. The flashlight goes on the side of your head (above your ear). The picture is of someone else who modded their light.
$2.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
You only need one flashlight, but I've provided a list of options. Your cellphone is your backup light. The $1 Walmart lamps is only good for short/cheap trips, but should not be relied on. The modded Nitecore tube is what I personally use. The MonoPrice headlamp is a cheap but good option. The NU-20 (or NU-25) are by far the best options and used my most ultralighters.
$0.00
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
💩 Misc
Price Weight qty -
First Aid Kit
Adventure Medical
$9.00
66
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Deet 100% Mini Spray
Spray bottle in a ziplock. Cheap at Walmart. Deet will destroy many fabrics, so be careful to only get it on your skin.
$2.50
26.9
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Keys
House/Truck/Truck Camper. Put into my FAK baggie or hidden near trailhead.
$0.00
26.3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bug Headnet
Cheap at Walmart.
$1.50
9.4
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Toilet Paper
Charmin wrapped in plastic wrap.
$0.02
8.3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
ID/Debit/$40
Put into my FAK bag.
$0.00
10
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Cornstarch
Anti-chafe
$0.05
6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wilderness Permit
Yosemite
$0.00
4
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sunscreen
In the packets
$0.00
3.5
g4
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Ziplock
For my consumables
$0.01
2
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sunscreen Packets
Safetec
$0.20
0.7
g4
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Razor
Derm-a-safe
$3.00
7.6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Micro Scissors
with its sheath. Mostly just to cut luekotape with.
$4.00
4.7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Toothbrush
Cut down.
$1.00
2.8
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Toothpaste
In a ziplock
$0.10
2
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fire Permit
California
$0.00
0.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Paper Towel
3" square of Brawny
$0.02
0.5
g4
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🍳 Cooking
Price Weight qty -
Fuel Canister
JetBoil brand
$5.00
100
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
IMUSA 700ml
Aluminum. Foil lid. Often sells for only $2 on Amazon.
$2.00
74.5
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fuel
Iso-butane blend
$0.00
70.3
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
BRS3000
Titanium Stove
$15.00
25.8
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
MiniBic/Leukotape
With a removed safety
$2.00
12.4
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Chop Sticks
Generic
$0.00
6.1
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sponge
1" square in a ziplock
$0.25
4.3
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
This cooking system weighs 10.5oz / 0.66 pounds and costs $24.25. I rarely cook my food while backpacking.
$0.00
0
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🥾 Worn Clothing
Price Weight qty -
Adidas AX2
Trail Runners from Costco sold seasonally.
$30.00
726
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Trekking Pants
Costco Eddie Bauer
$13.00
336.8
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Long Sleeve Button Up
Costco Eddie Bauer
$10.00
208.2
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Straw Hat
From a farm supply store
$7.00
128
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Shoe Gaiters
Salomon
$15.00
82.8
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Underwear
Adidas Climalite
$4.00
70
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Socks
Darn Tuff quarter length
$13.50
61.6
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bright Orange Hat
So hunters don't shoot me
$3.00
52.5
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Belt
Actually a 40" Gear Strap
$4.00
28.4
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sunglasses
Dark Aviators
$11.00
26
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
The worn weight clothing items here weigh 3.51 pounds total and cost $103.50. The Costco items are seasonal.
$0.00
0
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
🥨 Consumable
Price Weight qty -
Water
Half liter
$0.00
500
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Food
Half a days worth of food
$0.00
285
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-