ultralight

The Vaucluse ventilation frame is an inexpensive add-on for airflow.

They’re multi-use—and lighter than even the latest high-tech seats.

After testing 23 bags and quilts, these seven rose to the top of the ranks.

We put the latest, lightest pad pumps to the test.

Lighten your load with these minimalist-minded overnight packs.

Our all-time favorite UL tents can handle a border-to-border thru-hike and weigh less than most sleeping bags.

The NB Air is our new top pick for overnighters and other short trips.

Yes, I know it's a controversial opinion. But even on my lightest and fastest trips, I've found that ditching bottles for a bladder is a better, smoother way to hike.

These tried-and-true picks can survive a thru-hike without breaking the bank.

We put the Chinese brand’s $164 Zpacks lookalike to the test.

At less than 7 ounces per pair, they hardly register in your pack.

Its unique design creates a rare combination of stiffness and light weight.

From Alpha to Octa, we compare four of the best featherweight fleeces.

It’s featherweight, but is it durable? We tested all summer to find out.

Gore-Tex is going PFAS-free. Does its waterproof tech still perform?

From Dyneema doggy bowls to fuel-saving gadgets, these are the ideal presents for friends and family with baseweight in mind.

Wind screens and a slow burn are your best friends.

Atypical design, material-choice, and geometry make this tent appealing to ultralighters and weekend warriors alike.

We tried out the ridiculously lightweight Deploy Down Hoody to see how it holds up in the real world.

Two of the most popular ultralight brands make very similar packs—at least on paper. Our side-by-side test reveals the winner.

A stuff sack full of clothes is often the last obstacle holding back new ultralighters.

Using lightweight materials and modern construction, these rucksacks are meant for seriously heavy loads.

The cottage industry is brimming with new products using the latest tech fleece.

Over the past 15 years, ultralight gear has gone mainstream—and gotten a bit heavier, too.

With artist prints and thoughtful design, Wild Brush gear stands out for all the right reasons.

A cheap, thin pad is the ultimate multi-use accessory.

At less than an ounce, the BRS 3000T is definitely ultralight. But does it work?

Glen Van Peski’s new memoir dishes out life advice and takes readers behind the scenes at Gossamer Gear.

Mystery Ranch’s Radix carries serious cargo without a weight penalty.

Trendy, high-tech pack fabrics aren’t the upgrade you think they are.

This one-pound Dyneema trekking pole shelter can hack it just about anywhere

These ounce-saving sleeping bag alternatives come in more shapes and sizes than ever. This is what you need to know before buying.

Our columnist takes on a DIY rite of passage.

We put the Traverse's water-shedding tech to the test.

As gear has gotten lighter, the traditional ten-pound baseweight limit for ultralighters has become a thing of the past. It's time to take a more expansive view of what it means to go light.

Graflyte looks to compete with current ultralight pack material favorite, Ultra.

LearnMYOG is leading the way for the niche community’s DIY makers and crafters.

Challenge Outdoor's textile lineup is growing. Here's how to know what you’re buying.

The iconoclast has become a staple in the ultralight community by refusing to follow trends.

In a category that’s innovation-averse, Cumulus Outdoor Equipment has the competitive edge.

The Whisper splits the difference between tarp and tent.

The budget ultralight brand's shelters beat their competitors on price—but what about performance? We tested the Lanshan 2 Pro to see how it stacks up.

A lighter pack is a worthy goal—just don’t take it too far.

We tested gear made with the hottest new ultralight fabrics, Ultraweave and UltraTNT

Matteo Volpi hopes his packs will bring thru-hiking culture south of the border.

Changing environmental standards have upended the industry.

UltraTNT can help manufacturers create lightweight tents that don't deform under tension. The downside? It’s still heavier than Dyneema.

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.