Ultralight Backpacking Gear List (9 lbs / 4 kg)

Gear mentioned in this video:

(Some links below earn a small percentage of the total purchase price which I then use to support my backpacking habit.)
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*Note to vendors and companies. Sending product samples for testing DOES NOT guarantee video spotlight or review. I will not lower my credibility for paid sponsorship.*

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[DavidSmith-wwuy]

Appreciate you taking the time to put it in metric as well. I know that's a pain to look up each one twice. Being in the UK I have no idea on ounces 😀

[johnboggity]

Thank you for sharing your ideas and experience - both of which are considerable. I am 51 years of age and I'm doing a 48km walk with my 26 year old son very soon - across two days - lots of mountains and creeks etc. This is the upper limit of my physical ability and so your advice on getting my pack weight down has been super helpful !!!

[JuanMoreFish]

I"m still using a cheap Frogg Togg rain jacket. It is super light. The low # of days I have to wear it during the year makes it way more cost effective for me. It's not that durable but it is reliable and doesn't wet out even in heavy downpour. I can replace them several times and still be under the cost of some of the high end light weight rain jackets. I have two seasons on my FT and there are no issues or holes in it.

[morroschreiber]

He's among the rare youtubers who can actually fill 25 minutes with Real Information and keep my interest. Impressive.

[alexaboll]

spray your rain jacket with a silicone spray to make it more effective

[wozawzky]

Good suggestion with band-aid! As a woman, I always have thin sanitary pads/panty liner with me whenever I go on hikes. That will serve as an emergency band aid, too!

[enyawrebbuj]

Love the lifehack idea of putting your Buff neck gaitor over your inflatable idea!

[honeybower]

Buff pillow slip for Aeros = brilliant! Thanks for the tip. Thanks also for the metric conversions.

[mal]

That's crazy light. I did my first hike (46 km / 28 mi) a few years ago, pack was 30kg (66lb) full of canned food and heavy gear. By the third day I'd blown out one knee and had it strapped together, and the second knee was on the way out. Barely made it to the carpark. I've since learned about how to pack light and give more consideration to weight.

[mtadams]

I enjoyed your video. I have been backpacking for decades and I remember when a forty pound pack was normal. My base weight is now about nine pounds or a little less. What helped me was hiking the Long Trail in Vermont. I had only backpacked two or three days at a time before and never hiked big miles day after day. I am now retired so I have the time and fortunately the money. I am all in on Zpack gear and my pack is now very light. Form watching videos such as yours I looked at every piece of gear and cut weight. I own the same knife you have. I got rid of my big Anker 20, 000 and replaced it with a Nitecore 10, 000 cutting almost seven ounces. I did this with all my gear. My next big upgrade will be getting a new super light Montbell down sweater. Thanks for sharing your gear. Next year hopefully the Colorado Trail. Thanks on the TP, it’s the only place I don’t go UL, I bring surplus TP and I don’t care. You are the first YouTuber I have ever heard admit that. I have heard some insane stories about taking almost no TP, no thanks

[annadaniels]

There are 2 superlight first aid items I like to have with me. Always carry a couple benadryl - never know what you might be allergic to (some new backpacking meal additive?) or if a bee stings your neck and it starts to swell up. Happened to me once... was glad I had benadryl (if it happens fast, you can chew the benadryl to save 5 mins of dissolve time). Also, a small tube of superglue for wound closure or gear repairs. These two items combined are less than an ounce but definitely worth their weight. Thanks for the awesome vid!

[marklyons]

Spray the rain jacket with a DWR, most wetting outs I find are from the DWR wearing off. Water vapor can't escape the fabric if the outer layer is soaked.

[vafrog]

I really love your videos. I have to use CPAP system that is making my pack 8 lbs to heavy. However, ultralight gear has managed to get it down from a whopping 45 lbs to low 30s. with food and water. I have learned a thing or two from your videos. I day hike a lot but I am getting into the backpacking realm for peak bagging. I have 8 more peaks to bag for the SB6K challenge with the Carolina Mountain Club and hence, the reason for going backpacking.

[sandradanen]

I got the nemo tensor insolated last year for Christmas and it is absolutely a great pad!

[bonnevillebagger]

For rain gear. I like the frog Toggs xtreme lite.

[seaotter]

Antigravity gear, lightheart gear, enlightened equipment, all make waterproof rain jackets. Packa makes a combined jacket/pack cover. Never a worry about wetting out from DWR wearing off from these selections. AGG most durable, LHG has additional styles and EE color choices
Added. Enlightened Equipment DOES HAVE DWR so is subject to eventually wetting out and like zpacks is super expensive

[JuanMoreFish]

Switched to a bidet just before a 7 day hike in the Smokey's. Best thing I've ever done. takes a little getting used to but once you get it down.... WAY better than TP.. WAY better. I use the CuloClean bidet.

[timlois]

I decided to drop the "breathable" types of rain jackets and went with the LightHeart Gear sil-poly jacket this year. Truthfully, most of my trips were dry this year, but it performed when needed. It was 100% waterproof. Of course I sweated, but not much more than I do in a "breathable" jacket. And at least it didn't wet out.

[lostandfoundphil]

montbell versalite for rain jacket. has all the hood adjustments youd like. trust

[rs-]

Very light on the water for my region! I typically have to bring about 6L because water is pretty scarce here and oftentimes you can’t find any.