10 Pieces of Ultralight Gear ALL Backpackers Should Use!

I am not an ultralight backpacker - but I still LOVE these 10 pieces of ultralight gear! This gear is extremely light, doesn’t sacrifice any comfort, and doesn’t break the bank either. By making the switch to the ultralight gear in this video I’ve managed to cut four pounds of weight from my pack, and if I had known about this gear sooner it would have saved me about $300! Regardless of if you are a traditional backpacker or an ultralighter, this is gear I swear by to make your kit lighter and easier to carry without sacrificing any comfort at camp!

Intro: 00:00
Why I love this ultralight gear as a traditional backpacker: 0:13
Ultralight Gear #1: 0:45
Ultralight Gear #2: 2:50
Ultralight Gear #3: 5:00
Ultralight Gear #4: 5:56
Ultralight Gear #5: 7:15
Ultralight Gear #6: 8:14
Ultralight Gear #7: 9:39
Ultralight Gear #8: 10:39
Ultralight Gear #9: 11:27
Ultralight Gear #10: 12:52
Outro: 15:56

Gear in this video -

The above links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to purchase something from these links I may earn a small commission. This money goes straight back into making content, and allows me to keep making videos for all of you!

The Miranda Goes Outside crew:

Director and Producer: Rainer Golden
Sr. Editor and Videographer: Abby Hagan
Videographer and Editor: Chelsea Newton
Videographer and Editor: Kyle Roof
Editor: Katie Van Fleet
Dog: Tucker

This video was filmed by Rainer Golden and edited by Katie Van Fleet!

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#ultralightbackpacking ultralightbackpackinggear #backpacking #hiking #camping #outdoors #travel #adventure #mirandagoesoutside #mirandainthewild

[dpear]

A couple of tips about some of the gear on this list: if you’re using a CCF pad like the Gossamer Gear under an inflatable, draw on one side with a sharpie and always place that side on the ground. Those foam pads can get pine needles or other stickers stuck in them, which can still pose a threat to an inflatable pad if you don’t know what side is the “dirty” side.
Also for pack liners, another alternative are trash compactor bags (not contractor bags). They’re essentially just trash bags that are designed for compacting trash cans, so repeatedly being crushed while filled with stuff. I was a backpacking guide for a summer and used a single compactor bag without issue for 90 days in back country, and a roll of 30 is something like $5 for a literal lifetime supply.

[danielcluley]

I want to add the Sea-to-Summit head net.

You won't always need it, but when you do, you will thank us for this wisdom.

[alejandroleon]

Do I backpack? No. Am I an outdoors type of person? No.
Do I go camping at all? No.
Have I been binge watching your videos for the past two days subscribed and placed so many things into my Amazon wish list? YES! 😅😅 keep up the great work 🎉

[schulzbrianr]

The adage "ounces equal pounds" is so true, if you can find a handful of things to swap out that weigh slightly less, but don't sacrifice any functionality or comfort, you can drop a not insignificant amount of weight from your overall pack.

[thefisherking]

I'm a middle-aged dude trying to get back into backpacking.. did it a little as a teen but never since (tons of day hiking though).
Bingeing content like yours is helping me get oriented and efficiently allocate my limited funds for my initial setup.. I really appreciate it!

[TheWtfnonamez]

It took me over a year of camping in the Scottish Highlands, and maybe a bit of ego reduction, to realise that an umbrella is a top shelf piece of kit.
It keeps 90% of the rain entirely off your body
It stops the sun from baking and burning you
It acts as a wind break when starting campfires
Its a free walking stick.
Everyone laughs at the hikers with umbrellas until it starts to rain.

[amandab]

Hey Miranda and co.! As someone who lives on the east coast, ticks are a huge problem now. I'm often stuck wearing clothes that I overheat in because I'm paranoid and have every inch of me from shoulders to toes completely covered. I'd sure appreciate a video talking about the best ways to stay comfortable but still protected. :)

[boucaa]

Love the video Miranda, lighter packs for everyone!
Different packing options:
- use ziplocs instead of dyneema ditty bags/food bags etc. - super cheap, reusable, I even use one as my wallet
- use trash bags as pack liner - especially construction waste bags are incredibly durable, light and cheap

[karlakramer]

I'd love to hear more about sleeping bags versus quilts for those who are anti mummy bag. I have a nemo forte. Would love to explore a lighter more compact option but i have to be able to be warm and move.

[hyklyfmatto]

Mirand my favorite thing about you is that you can demonstrate simultaneously the most effective and least realistic ways to use any piece of gear.

[mcdonnec]

Great video Miranda. I use the 3L CNOC and found it to be super useful to have a little bigger dirty water bag. When it’s empty it doesn’t weigh much more than the 2L. After refilling my clean reservoir, I’ll schlep 3 liters of dirty water back to camp and have fresh squeezed for cooking, coffee, friends, bidet, or what have you.

[mandellapcarona]

To be fair, those sit pads would look fantastic in a basket for "sit upons" for a Girl Scout troop. 😊

[emmamckee]

I wanted to add…the Sawyer Clean Coupler will fit BeFree filters with the sport top fitting as well. Gators treated with permethrin are clutch in tick season! Happy hiking!

[mtadams]

I wish you would do a video showing that going UL does not mean you are uncomfortable. I have a base weight if about eight pounds. I am just as comfortable as I was when my base weight was closer to 14 pounds. I recently was hiking on the Long Trail in Vermont and I ran into three women hiking. They were all much younger then I but they could not believe how fast and effortlessly I could hike. They were all carrying packs weighing well over thirty to forty pounds. Me less then 16 pounds . Some pack to camp and some pack to hike I get it but it really does make a difference. The quilt was the last major gear change I made and all my other gear is mostly made of DCF. Waterproof and light as can be. Take care

[jameshiggins-thomas]

The gravity filter with the adapter works with the more rigid bottles also .. just loosen the adapter just enough to let air in. Although i now have the cnoc collapsible, i actually still prefer my smart bottle as it doesn't crush in my grip. But i use the collapsible for expanded storage. Love my cnoc gear! (i also use a handmade adapter for a hose so i can drink wo removing the bottle - you can buy them now, but ...)

[RainerGolden]

Using that gossamer gear pad as protection for my sleeping pad is a game changer!! I have been bringing my closed cell foam
pad on every trip literally just because I got some punctures at inopportune times and want to protect my inflatable. Using the gossamer gear pad instead of the usual closed cell foam options out there saves almost a pound, and it’s way easier to pack. Plus it has so many other uses too! If I need additional insulation it’s not the way to go, but for 3-season protection for my pad - must have!! Plus it’s just $20.

[maxinemead]

I am a huge fan of Enlightened Equipment. I always disliked my mummy bags, so I made the leap into quilts with the EE Revelation. I loved the light weight and the freedom to move around, but I would have gladly paid a bit of a weight penalty to have less tiny, less fiddly buckle clamps on the pad straps. And in general, fussing with getting the straps set on the pad and quilt every night got a bit old.

Eventually, I bought an EE Convert, which is sort of a "halfway" compromise between a traditional sleeping bag and an ultralight, minimalist quilt. It's roomy and with no hood, like a quilt, but it uses just one simple, full-length zipper and closes up completely, like a bag. (I went the custom route, and added a draft collar.) Yes, the extra fabric beneath your body is "wasted weight, " I get that, but the Convert is still pretty dang light, and I don't have to fuss with it AT ALL when I'm tired and just want to crawl in and get right to sleep. (To save weight, the zipper is VERY tiny, so I do have to be a bit more slow and patient when zipping/unzipping.)

[TheOlsonOutfit]

That female to female connector for the sawyer is a must. Love the CNOC bags too.

[whmmswrrld]

GGG is also really fast! Even when you live in Spain! Customer service is extremely nice as well. Very personal touch. My absolute favorite place at the moment

[russelljackman]

Another GREAT video! Thank you, one and all!!! Muchos kudos to your editors, Miranda! They, and Rainer (and of course, YOU, most of all) are invaluable to us!