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Conventional wisdom goes like this: The lighter gear gets, the more expensive it gets. While that’s broadly true, you can still cut your pack weight without bankrupting yourself. You just need to know where to look.
One good way to cut costs is to check out cottage gear companies. These brands, though lesser-known, often make top-notch gear for a fraction of the price of large manufacturers. Because they’re small shops, they usually have longer lead times, and may run out of inventory. But as long as you’re prepared to wait for a few months before receiving your gear, you can get a great kit for less than you’d pay from a retailer.
Below, we’ve sketched out an affordable ultralight kit you can buy right now for less than $700; we’ve also added some options in case you need better weather protection or more warmth. Add a few more ounces for your extra layers, toiletries, and essentials like a light first-aid kit, and you’ve got yourself the makings of a great adventure.
Cost: $697
Weight: 3 lbs, 12 ounces
Weight Capacity: 15 lbs
[Editor’s Note: Since our last update, rising prices have pushed the cost of this kit up, but design tweaks and a headlamp swap shaved the weight down. From 2023 to 2024, this kit’s cost rose by $52, largely due to Hammock Gear combining the Economy Burrow with the more expensive Burrow, while its weight dropped by 2.1 ounces, due in part to swapping out an old version of the Petzl Tikka for the Priceton Tec Refuel]
Backpack
A lot of new backpackers want to be ultralighters, so they’ll invest in a light, frameless pack. But if the rest of your gear doesn’t follow the same philosophy, it might not be long before the seams of your pack—and your shoulders—are splitting. (It’s extremely important to check the weight limit on your backpack before you stuff it full of gear.) Don’t forget about food and water, either: A common rule of thumb is to give yourself a 10-pound grace window.
The Gossamer Gear $2 for a store-brand jar, which weighs about 1.2 ounces empty.) Add your meal with water, and let it rehydrate while you hike. Can’t stand the thought of missing a hot meal? A direct-from-manufacturer canister stove from Amazon will run you about $14 and weighs 3.9 ounces—comparable to brand-name options, though it’s missing nice touches like a regulator and wide pot supports.
Originally published 2021; last updated January 2024 for pricing, specs, and availability
From 2023