Ultralight Pack Guide

Picking the right piece of ultralight kit can be a daunting task. Below, we've created a table comparing some of our sub 1.3kg backpacks based on the key components that may influence your decision.

There are some other key factors to consider when deciding if the ultralight gear path is right for you. These include (but are not limited to) things such as durability, carry capacity, comfort, fit, conditions & pack materials, features, gear care & maintenance. While this may provide a useful guide, it's important to remember that everyone is different - the pack that may suit one person well may not be the best fit for you. If you're able to, we recommend coming into store to be fitted by one of our team members. You're also always welcome to contact us via phone or email for more tailored advice on which backpack may be best suited to your needs.

It’s always useful to do your own research and find out about different peoples experiences with packs (either through word of mouth, hiking blogs, YouTube or similar). Another handy resource is to read up on the blog post by one of our staff members about our top tips for choosing the perfect ultralight pack.

Understanding the Guide

Materials: Many ultralight packs are designed with low grams in mind. Often, this means that the materials that are used will not have the same strength and durability as traditional, heavier packs. As a result, you need to be more conscious of the conditions you use your pack (i.e. an ultralight pack will not fair as well in dense shrub or rocky areas where branches are unavoidable compared to a more traditional pack). When using the guide below, consider the durability you require from a pack and the most common conditions it will be contending with.

Weight/Load Rating: As lighter materials and frame designs are favored in many ultralight packs in order to keep the gram count down, this impacts the number of kilograms that the pack can carry. Ultralight packs are generally designed with the ultralight hiker in mind, while more traditional heavier packs are designed with higher load-bearing capacities. In this table, the load rating generally refers to the maximum recommended weight you can carry in the pack - this may impact on the comfort of the pack.

Volume: The internal volume of the packs may not match the advertised total capacity (i.e. the Gossamer Gear Mariposa has a total volume of 60L, but an internal volume of 36L). This is because often brands will calculate the total volume as inclusive of all external pockets, with the roll tops at full extension, etc. This is important to keep in mind when assessing the volume of the gear you wish to have inside vs outside your pack.

Size Guides: Finding the right fit for a pack is also vital to make sure you get the pack best suited to you. The brand size guides are accessible here, however we always recommend trying a pack before committing (we offer in-store fitting services, or video fitting services for customers who purchase packs online). 

*This is the maximum amount of weight that should be put into the pack, most packs will not be comfortable at this weight.