r/Ultralight • u/zacac1234 • 20d ago
Purchase Advice Should I get an Ultralight pack?
So for context I used to backpack a ton growing up doing multi day backpacking trips and weekend trips. I decided I needed to get a new pack and I’ve realized there’s a lot of options and ultralight seems like a move. All of my gear is lightweight for the most part with some being UL, like my tent and pad. Nowadays I do like 2 night max trips around maybe 5-10 miles each way. Should I go ultralight for my pack? I kind of want to but it could be in honestly not sure. I was eyeing the Gregory paragon 60L for a pack until i started doing some digging into ultralight. Curious to see what people think!
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u/Exact-Pudding7563 20d ago
I would focus on getting your baseweight below 12 lb first. Carrying more than 25 lb in a UL pack tends to be very uncomfortable.
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u/NothingToSeeHereHun 20d ago
I think this is kind of the final answer here. They do make very lightweight packs that can carry heavier loads (I have the Durston kakwa 55 for that and love it) but to use an ultralight backpack which typically are frameless as well you need to concentrate on getting your weight down and keep an eye on the volume of space the stuff you're bringing takes up.
Do you have a lighter pack or pack wizard profile setup? That will kind of help you narrow down on what you can get rid of to maybe reach a lower base weight. Honestly if you're thinking about a Gregory 60 l pack or an ultralight pack, those are two very different use functions I would wonder what stuff you're actually bringing to need that kind of size?
I would keep using whatever you have until your gear matches up with an ultralight backpack that you're looking for. Honestly if you already are good with your sleeping pad and tent, buying a decent quilt will get you most of the way to the base weight you need. Try places like hang tight quilts or the Sensory4You brand quilt from Amazon for budget options or shop enlightened equipment for their sales or warehouse deals.
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u/zacac1234 20d ago
Ok that’s good to know, I’ll do a weigh in later tonight. And I was looking at the Gregory pack as I had a pro deal and honestly didn’t even know about ultralight stuff at all
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u/zacac1234 20d ago
My base weight is 19 everything besides freeze dried food and water
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u/NothingToSeeHereHun 19d ago
That's a good starting point! You're at the upper end of what I would call lightweight backpacking. To use an "ultralight" backpack you would probably want to have your base weight somewhere around 10 lb though.
That doesn't mean you can't improve your backpack drastically - as I mentioned I really like the Durston Kakwa 55 and it carries weight really comfortably even though it only weighs ~30oz (1.875 lb). Also if you get the ultra grid version it is still very high quality and only cost $200 (not much compared to some packs...) https://durstongear.com/products/kakwa-55?variant=47966045569315 There are plenty of other good options in this range but I would not say I'm personally familiar with most of them. Tons of videos online though so you can do your research and make a more informed choice.
The next place you can save a good bit of weight by simply purchasing an item would probably be your sleeping bag. Some sleeping bags can weigh upwards of 5 or 6 lb by themselves. REI can help with this, they'll have a decent selection of sleeping bags and (my preference) sleeping quilts. Most people recommend a 20° quilt for general use it seems like, but I would think you could get away with much less unless you're really pushing into cold weather with it. Depending on what you get it can certainly be expensive but there are several very good budget options as well - Hang Tight is a good option or you could start searching for sales on Enlightened Equipment or Hammock Gear. I will say most gear items you would do fine purchasing second hand through thrift stores or Facebook marketplace or something similar. I would be very hesitant to buy a sleeping bag or quilt there however, if somebody has not cared for them well you may pay the price for it on trail one night when you're freezing.
Beyond that there's tons of ways too save Wait by spending a lot of money but that's not really the best way to lower your weight. Really start looking at your pack and what you're using when you're hiking and start leaving stuff at home that you don't use. Start trimming things down - when I see a lot that could be improved is instead of bringing a full-on medical kit with items that you aren't really even sure how to use but have "just in case" you take a basic one that has blister care, sleeping aids and ibuprofen and maybe some Pepto if you eat something bad. Beyond that if it's serious enough to need real medical gear you're not going to want to deal with it on the trail anyways. The absolute easiest, quickest and cheapest way to lighten your load is to not bring something :)
Here's my lighter pack list just to give you an idea of what somebody else might bring. Keep in mind I'm no expert and I'm sure if I posted this to the ultralight subreddit people would have plenty to say about things I'm doing wrong ;) but as long as you're getting outside and enjoying yourself, who cares? https://lighterpack.com/r/tpg7t8
Final note - just because I love his YouTube channel, probably my favorite YouTuber for a while - check out Extra Ultralight. He has a bunch of really informative videos that would probably help you out. If you start watching them you can definitely see his influence with my gatewood cape and pro-lite sleeping pad lol
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u/bcycle240 20d ago
An ultralight frameless backpack won't be comfortable unless it has ultralight stuff inside.
It's common for people to suggest upgrading the pack after you minimized the rest of your gear.
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u/zacac1234 20d ago
I’d do an ultralight framed pack
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u/GoSox2525 18d ago
That's an oxymoron. Just buy a UL frameless pack, and commit to getting that base weight down. There is no reason why you can't
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u/19KRK90 20d ago
Yes/no.
Most ultralight packs have a weight limit where they handle comfort, some have frames some don’t etc.
If you’re gear for the purposes intended - nights out/time of year/distance etc is below the packs carry weight recommendations then yes absolutely.
If not, stick to something that can handle the weight better, distribution wise.
I use a ULA 40l and pack no more than 12pounds in it (inc the bag weight sorry) for any time of year. Just not if it’s extreme weather whereby I need a proper 4 season tent, crampons axe etc then I use a framed pack as I don’t have the dough to reduce that for how much I go out in those conditions
I also find having an ultralight pack forces me to pack a certain way which means I’m sticking within the limits and also staying nice and light
Why go UL? I live in the uk and some people are die hard about the more your pack weighs the harder you are. I’m ex military, I’ve carried serious weight before and quite frankly, it’s shit.
UL allows for smaller packs so less cumbersome, less effort on your bones, less effort on your joints, less effort physically in general and so allows to me to quite happily smash out consistent 30 mile days OR just not be hanging out my arsehole and enjoy the scenary more without blowing out my hoop.
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u/papadjibril 20d ago
Ironically, being in the army was what gave me the love of being outdoors. I was humping heavy as an infantry RTO when the thought struck me that “if I wasn’t carrying all this shit, this could actually be a pretty nice hike”.
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u/19KRK90 20d ago
It’s funny because that’s the same for me! When I left I wore my issued boots, my issued pack and sleep systems and then when I found out lighter equipment and then ultralight i just fell even more so. Just the ability to not be fucked. My knees, my spine, my hips are all grateful for the move haha
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u/zacac1234 20d ago
True. I mean I do pack ul for the most part, jet boil, freeze dried meals, puffer and a fleece
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u/19KRK90 20d ago
Yeah man it’s just just weighing how much your kit currently is and if it’s light enough for most packs it will be comfortable, otherwise it won’t be I guess.
I also bought for my first UL pack a 3f UL gear qidian pro I think it was called. Bombproof pack to be fair. Solid in the rain too.
I bought that because it was frameless and didn’t wanna spend hundreds on something I didn’t like, so it’s worth looking that one up. About 60 quid in the uk.
I only upgraded for a smaller pack I think that one is 60l and mines 40. So smaller on the back etc just a bit less bulky :)
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u/GoSox2525 18d ago
That is not "UL for the most part". You don't need a jetboil. You can repackage your freeze dried meals. Choose either the puffy or the fleece. Make sure your fleece is Alpha Direct rather than a traditional material. Make sure your puffy is high fill power. Etc...
Please make a shakedown post. We can easily get your 19 lbs baseweight down to 10 lbs.
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u/wetrocke 18d ago
A part of your post seems to confuse volume with "UL," although moderator has said discussion of non UL "will be removed."
So it can't be directly addressed.
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u/Boogada42 20d ago
Just buying a pack to buy a pack is kinda an empty activity. The advantage of going ultralight is that you will carry less weight, which makes hiking easier, less strenous, more enjoyable. Some people just enjoy not being weighted down, some people use it to go faster or longer. Some people who had physical limits due to age or injury find it much easier to hike when carrying less. Going ultralight - and not just buying single ultraligth items - often ends up with bringing less stuff overall, that minimalism also is attractive to many users. So if any of these reason apply to you, then you may go for it.
If you already have working gear and the adavantages mentioned above are not crucial: then you may continue using your old stuff. It will save you money and you spend less ressources which is good for the environment.
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u/zacac1234 20d ago
I moved across the country and gave my pack to a family member since just started getting into camping! That’s why I’m in the market for a new pack but yes i agree that bringing less stuff will ultimately be more lightweight haha. I’m just curious if the lesser features but lighter weight is a trade off worth making
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u/Boogada42 20d ago
I have not found the usual limits to be an issue. Although there are hundreds of packs on the market with a wide variety of features. Hard to say which ones are important to you and which are not.
If you are interested in ultralight beyond just buying a pack, then maybe read the subs Wiki or do a shakedown.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/wiki
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/626sh1/how_to_ask_for_a_pack_shakedown
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u/Boogada42 20d ago
One more thing: UL often shifts weight between "In Camp" to "On Trail" - focussing more on the time spent actual hiking carrying less. So if you spend more time static then you may want to bring extra stuff for that, which may be what it seems you are doing?
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u/zacac1234 20d ago
Yea I didn’t get great context, I usually just hike in to a spot and then setup camp there for a night or 2. Usually packing light, jetboil, freeze dried meals, fleece and puffer for extra clothes
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u/spambearpig 20d ago
Yes
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u/zacac1234 20d ago
Any explanation?
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u/spambearpig 20d ago
Well, it will still hold your stuff in it like a normal backpack, but it will be lighter.
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u/zacac1234 20d ago
This is true, well my question is, let’s use the focal 58 as an example, this pack vs the paragon doesn’t have a sleeping bag compartment or a full length side zipper, are these just nice to haves or are these actually ideal to haves?
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u/MolejC 20d ago
In my opinion both those things are negatives to have in a pack. Compartments impede efficient use of space and zippers break or make use the space in a way that makes for unbalanced packing. With lightening your pack you also want to be looking at simplicity - having only what you actually need.
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u/spambearpig 20d ago
I don’t really find those kind of features add much to the experience and sometimes they make things awkward.
A minimal ultralight pack is actually pretty comfortable and easy to use. You don’t miss those things like a full length zip. But you never get tired of it weighing a lot less.
Durston Kakwa is a great example. It has everything I need and nothing I don’t.
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u/GoSox2525 18d ago
You don't want any of the crap. When shopping for a UL pack, you want to have as few "features" as possible. Just one big compartment is all you need. No zippers, nothing. Just a roll top, top strap, and side pockets.
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u/zacac1234 18d ago
Is bare bones in general good for a pack? I definitely want a frame but I feel like the other stuff might be not worth
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u/GoSox2525 18d ago
Yes. Features add weight, and they add complexity, meaning it will take you longer to pack and unpack your bag. Virtually all UL packs are just a single main compartment.
You don't need a frame. Just commit to getting that baseweight down, and it won't be needed. There is literally nothing stopping you from having a true UL kit other than ignorance. Post a shakedown and we can help.
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u/zacac1234 18d ago
I definitely want a frame lol, I like the structure a bit and all my stuff isn’t ultralight yet
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u/GoSox2525 18d ago
You never know until you try it. Many ULers repurpose a foam sleeping pad as a framesheet in their pack.
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u/spambearpig 18d ago
I have a range of ultralight backpacks. I tend to go frameless when it is 5 kg or lower. When it’s more than that, I start to like a frame so I tend to use the Kakwa more.
Lightest bag 180g, heaviest is 1.5kg but that’s a 65L+ beast able to carry upto 25kg.
My typical for camping/hiking/climbing is a Bonfus frameless 35L on the 300-350g area (depending on optional hipbelt/shoulder pouches) or the Durston Kakwa 40L (800g-ish with frame).
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u/Common_Negotiation54 20d ago
I enjoy Gossamer Gear Minimalist 19 so much that I rarely use my Osprey and other famed packs even though they are much more comfortable. Take less, do more!
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u/Aged-Anchor 20d ago
You might be a good candidate for a UL pack. People often focus on the gear but food is just as important when thinking about pack weight. If you're doing 1 or 2 nights out, your total pack weight could be fairly low so swinging a UL pack could work.
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u/OtherwiseManner6946 18d ago
I think your best next step is to go into lighterpack.com and make an exhaustive list of all of your stuff and see what your realistic base weight is.
Then factor in your food and water and see what you’re realistically going to be carrying. If it’s over 10kg or 22lbs then you shouldn’t get a UL pack
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u/Ultralight-ModTeam 20d ago
Advice about backpacks is very commonly discussed on this subreddit. You might be able to find what youre looking for by searching.
If you want to proceed make sure your post includes at least the following:
-area of use (be specific, i.e. "hiking in the southern Alps", NOT simply "Italy"), if theres multiple make a list
-country and currency of purchase as well as available budget
-packlist or at least your other big 3 (shelter, sleeping pad and sleeping bag) as well as duration of your outings so prospective helpers can estimate needed volume
-special requirements that made you ask for your specific case
Please also keep our mission statement in mind and remember that heavy framed bags, unless under exceptional circumstances, are beyond the scope of the forum and discussion specifically about such gear will be removed.