The Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Our top picks across a range of categories to cut the pounds from your baseweight
Whether you’re in the middle of your first thru-hike or planning out next season’s adventures, upgrading to ultralight backpacking gear is a smart investment. The more grams you shed, the farther you’ll be able to travel day-to-day and the better experience you’ll have. To help you choose the best ultralight backpacking gear for your kit, we’ve rounded up our top picks from side-by-side tests conducted in the field.
- Best Quilt: Therm-a-Rest Vesper
- Best Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest Uberlite
- Best Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze Mini
- Best Utensil: GSI Pouch Spoon
- Best Satellite Messenger: Garmin inReach Mini 2
- Best Trowel: TheTentLab The Deuce #2
- Best Rain Jacket: Montbell Versalite
- Best Puffer Pants: Montbell Light Down Pants
- Best Puffer Jacket: Crazy Levity
- Best Trail Runner: Altra Lone Peak
- Best Sock: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock
How We Tested Ultralight Backpacking Gear
The Outdoor Life team has conducted numerous side-by-side tests of the top-ranked backpacking gear, from the best backpacking water filters to the best trail runners to the best backpacking quilts. The gear on this list were the top performing lightweight or ultralight picks from those tests. If we’re recommending it, we’re confident that it will work well across any terrain that backpackers travel in.
January 22, 2025
Laura Lancaster
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Media Mentions
The Sawyer Mini can filter up to 100,000 gallons—yep, you read that right—and fits in the palm of your hand.
Media Mentions
A favorite of ultralight hikers, backpackers, bikers, and travelers, the Sawyer Squeeze filter is the gold standard in water filters for anyone concerned about weight and universal compatibility.
Media Mentions
This popular repellent from Sawyer has 20% Picaridin, which protects against a wide range of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, chiggers and sand flies.
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Campfire conversations with our community, from Squad Members and Ambassadors to Brand Partners and the Sawyer team.
