Ultralight Backpacks

Choose capacity around the packed volume of your complete kit, including food and water. Trip length affects what you carry, but does not determine the litres on its own.

How to check before buying

1. Gather your shelter, sleep system, clothing, cook kit and everything else you will carry.
2. Add the food and water needed for your longest stretch between resupply points.
3. Test-pack a borrowed backpack or a container of known volume. Leave enough room to close it properly and access your gear without forcing it.

As a starting point, compare 20–35 L for small kits, 35–50 L for bulkier setups, and over 50 L when you need extra room for gear or supplies. These are not fixed rules linking capacity to trip length.

Check whether the stated capacity includes external pockets: two packs with the same litre rating can offer different main-compartment space.

It depends on the model, its structure and how it fits your body. Compare the manufacturer’s recommended load with your total starting weight: backpack, gear, food and water.

• Calculate your heaviest carry: this will usually be just after resupplying food and water.
• Separate maximum load from comfortable load: a published limit does not guarantee comfort when walking for hours.
• Test with your actual load: check shoulder and hip pressure, stability and hipbelt fit.

There is no single kilogram limit that applies to every frameless pack or every framed pack. If your usual load is close to a model’s limit, compare options offering more support.

Choose according to your total load, packed volume and support needs. An ultralight backpack can have a frame: reducing weight does not require giving up structure.

• Frameless: suits light, compact kits within the model’s recommended load range. How you pack the contents has a particularly strong effect on its shape and fit against your back.
• Framed: helps support the load and, with a suitable hipbelt, transfer weight to your hips. It can be worthwhile when carrying more supplies or wanting additional support.

Trip length alone does not decide the choice. Compare packs with the weight you will actually carry and check each manufacturer’s recommendations.

It depends on how each model is built. Waterproof fabric does not automatically make the whole backpack waterproof: seams, joins and the closure system matter too.

• Check the manufacturer’s protection claims for the complete backpack, as well as its fabric.
• Read the guidance on seam sealing and closing the main compartment.
• Protect your sleeping bag or quilt, dry clothing and other items that must stay dry separately.

Do not assume a backpack is watertight or suitable for immersion simply because it uses DCF, Ultra or another waterproof fabric.

To protect gear that must stay dry, a waterproof pack liner separates the contents from a wet pack exterior. A rain cover reduces direct rain on the backpack but does not seal every possible water entry point.

• Liner: put sensitive gear inside and close it as instructed. Check it for punctures.
• Dry bags: protect and separate individual items, such as your sleep system or dry clothing.
• Rain cover: can add exterior protection; check its fit and fastening in wind.

You do not need to double-bag everything by default. Choose a combination suited to your pack, expected conditions and the items you need to protect; keep wet gear separate from dry gear.

Consider terrain alongside load and fit. A backpack should remain stable while walking on both easy trails and uneven ground.

• Rough ground or descents: check that the load does not bounce or shift as you move and that the straps hold it securely.
• Contact with rock or vegetation: consider fabric choice and exposed external pockets for your intended use.
• Easy trails: simpler designs may suit you, provided they fit properly and stay within their load range.

Elevation change alone does not determine whether you need a frame. Compare models with your usual gear and route requirements.

When you find a model that saves weight while meeting your volume, load and fit needs. Ultralight packs come with and without frames; the choice depends on your gear and routes.

• Review what you carry first: this helps establish the capacity and support you need before buying.
• Compare the complete setup: a lighter backpack is worthwhile only if it carries your usual load comfortably.
• Consider your current pack: if it already fits your gear and feels comfortable, reducing weight or bulk elsewhere may make more sense.

You do not need to reach a particular base weight before considering a change. You do need to know your actual load and choose within the model’s recommendations.

Check your torso length and hipbelt range against the model’s sizing guide. Height alone is not enough to choose a size, and a medium is not necessarily equivalent across brands.

1. Measure your torso following the manufacturer’s instructions and check both pack and hipbelt sizing.
2. Try the pack with a load similar to your hiking kit. Position the hipbelt as shown in the guide, then adjust the shoulder straps.
3. Walk around and check for pressure points, slipping or excessive load movement.

Fixed size or adjustable torso? Both require the right torso and hipbelt range. An adjustable back system allows length changes within its range; a fixed-size pack must match your measurements from the outset.

If you are between sizes or unsure about fit, contact us with the model and your measurements.