ultralight

3F UL’s equipment costs a fraction of its American cottage counterparts. Is it any good?

In an industry dominated by a single body-type, the Virga 3 is making waves.

Comparing two titans of featherweight design

A new crop of brands are creating specialized ultralight gear for hunters—and they’re making inroads with backpackers too.

In defense of the hiking world’s black sheep.

Silnylon has been the affordable waterproof tent fabric of choice for decades, but a new competitor is shaking things up.

Hint: He never stopped hiking.

Going minimalist can heighten anxieties about staying safe in the backcountry. Here’s how to let some of them go.

More people are going ultralight than ever before—and there's more gear out there for them, too. Three ultralight gear pros take the temperature of the rapidly growing category.

From what to buy to what to leave behind, our ultralight columnist offered up essential advice this year.

Which down alternative does the best job of keeping you warm without weighing you down?

Tools like Lighterpack can help you slim down and optimize your pack weight.

Lightweight gear isn’t just for Triple Crowners

Leave the conventions behind with these five shoulder-season gear tips

The next level in lightweight backpacking requires making some tough choices. Here’s how to navigate them.

We combed through vintage magazines and catalogs to find out how low you could go back in the day.

Backcountry tech is more abundant than ever, but it can add up quickly in an ultralight kit.

Lightweight gear has a reputation for fragility, but there are exceptions to the rule.

Yes, Starbucks Via will do the trick. But is it the best way for gram-counters to get caffeinated?

Dan Durston dreamed up his innovative tent design while thru-hiking in Canada.

Strong opinions abound in the ultralight community. That doesn’t mean they’re always right.

Dyneema couture anyone?

These four load-haulers are bringing the retro design into the modern era.

For years, trail runners have been the footwear of choice for gram-counters. New boot designs aim to change that.

Gram-counters can seem obsessive, but these quirks are rooted in practicality.

Cottage gear-makers are flocking to yet another cutting-edge fabric designed for boat sails.

The most hardcore ultralighters spend years perfecting their packs—but you can slash your pack weight today with just a little effort.

Learning to love these two ultralight essentials is one of the best ways to lighten your pack.

You can have a gram-counter’s backpacking setup without dropping a load of cash.

Cottage brands, the backbone of the ultralight community, are more popular than ever.

Staying safe in the backcountry doesn't have to weigh you down.

A few small tweaks to your schedule can make all the difference.

Spending a little extra time in the fall cleaning and repairing your precious gear can help extend its life by years.

Piece of mind in just a few ounces.

These two companies are going green in their quest to shave weight.

Is lighter really always better?