Go Ultralight: Gear to Get You There
Cut pack weight in half with nine proven winners.
A. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite S
The 2.5-inch thick, tapered XLite cushions and insulates against cold, rough rock—and weighs less than a sandwich.
$130; 8 oz.; thermarest.com
B. Sea to Summit Escapist
No more wet, cold, midnight adjustments: Tweak this tarp’s guyouts from inside. It sleeps up to three.
$199; 12 oz.; seatosummit.com
C. MontBell EX Light Doesewn Anorak
Ridiculously light and packable (to grapefruit size), this hooded pullover packs maximum warmth for weight.
$219; 6.2 oz.; montbell.us
D. Snow Peak Titanium Short Spork
It’ll last forever if you don’t lose it.
E. Evernew Ti Pasta Pot 700ml
The tall, coffee-can shape means this titanium pot sits firmly on tiny burners. The spout and strainer holes are gravy.
$60; 3.4 oz.; evernewamerica.com
F. MSR Pocket Rocket
This tiny canister stove is a proven winner, with sub-four minute boil times.
$40; 3 oz.; cascadedesigns.com/msr
G. Marmot Essence Jacket
It’s breathable, protective, affordable, and light thanks to a NanoPro 2.5-layer membrane and a minimalist design that trims off everything nonessential.
$200; 5.8 oz.; marmot.com
H. Marmot Plasma 15Â
Deceptively warm for its crazy-low weight, the Plasma uses premium 875+-fill goose down stuffed into vertical baffles and a surprisingly durable 10-denier Pertex Quantum fabric.
$539; 2 lbs.; marmot.com
I. ZPacks Arc Blast 52
The curved, carbon-fiber frame supports 35-pound loads and provides airflow against the back, while keeping weight low.
$279; 1 lb. 1 oz.; zpacks.com