The Best Lightweight Backpacking Gear According to a Thru Hiker

It’s hard to forget the first time you arrive at camp at the end of a long day and still feel like yourself. Your legs are tired, sure, but your spirit isn’t crushed. That was the moment I became hooked, not with counting ounces for the sake of it, but with understanding which lightweight backpacking gear actually earns its keep.

After thru-hiking the Triple Crown trails, guiding hikers of varying experience levels, and watching countless clients try to sort out what to bring, I’ve learned that most people don’t need more stuff. They need less stuff which is light, dependable, and tuned to the conditions they’ll actually face.

Here’s what I’d bring if I were starting from scratch, and what I recommend to anyone trying to build a lightweight backpacking gear setup.

Lightweight Backpacks

Let’s start with the cornerstone: your pack. The best lightweight backpacking gear begins here, not because it’s the most important item, but because it limits everything else you can carry. That’s a good thing.

I use a frameless pack for most of my personal trips. Around 40 liters, no bells or whistles, just a solid roll-top sack with side pockets. My current go-to is a Palante Desert Pack, 43L. It’s 19 ounces, rides high and tight, and encourages me to stay thoughtful on what I put in it. On guided trips or on trips where I carry more gear, I’ll opt for a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55L as they have two internal frame stays which support heavier loads and the pack itself weighs only 32 ounces.

What to look for:

• 35–55L capacity
• Weighs under 2 pounds
• Comfortable hip belt
• External front, bottom, and side pockets for quick access

Trade-offs:
These packs aren’t designed to carry 35 pounds comfortably. Keep it under 25 pounds for best results. Also, don’t expect cushy padding or fancy suspension systems. You’ll gain simplicity, but lose support.

Where to find:
Check out other cottage gear companies like Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Gossamer Gear, ULA, LiteAF, and Superior Wilderness Designs. If you’re on a budget, REI’s Flash 45 is surprisingly capable for the price.

Money-saving tip:
Buy used from gear forums or during off-season sales. Lightweight packs are often well-maintained, and thru-hikers upgrade frequently.

Lightweight Backpacking Shelters

A lightweight backpacking tent should protect you from the elements without becoming the heaviest thing in your pack. After years of dialing in my system, I rarely carry a tent over 2 pounds.

My favorite designs are trekking-pole tents, single-wall shelters like the Zpacks Duplex or the Hyperlite Unbound 2. These pitch fast, pack small, and handle wind and rain if you set them up correctly. It is possible to go even lighter with a tarp or bivy set up but these options have many drawbacks. 

What to look for:

• Single-wall design (for weight savings)
• Uses trekking poles to pitch
• Under 2 pounds
• Fully enclosed for bug protection

Trade-offs:
Condensation is real. Learn to manage airflow and pitch on high ground if possible. They also require practice to pitch well, especially in wind or rain.

Budget options:
The Lanshan 1 or 2P by 3F UL Gear are widely loved for good reason. They’re not indestructible, but they’re light, packable, and a tenth the price of Dyneema shelters.

Money-saving tip:
Look for “blemished” or returned items from cottage brands. Many sell factory seconds at a discount.

Lightweight Sleeping Bag or Quilt

After years of sleeping in all kinds of weather, I can confidently say your lightweight sleeping bag or quilt is more about system-thinking than just temperature ratings. A 20°F quilt might be fine for a 25°F night if your pad is warm and your shelter blocks wind.

For most three-season trips, I use a 20°F bag from Western Mountaineering. Yes, it is heavier than a quilt but I have uncomfortably survived temperatures as low as -6°F with it (not recommended). With a bag you’re able to open and use it like a quilt. Also, if you are sharing a tent with someone, and if your sleeping bag zippers are compatible, you are able to zip together and share body heat. 

What to look for:

• 20°F to 30°F rating for three-season use
• 800 to 900+ fill down
• Weighs around 2 pounds
• Pairs well with your pad (consider strap systems or pad attachments)

Trade-offs:
Quilts can be drafty if you’re not careful. Mummy bags offer full coverage but are heavier and more restrictive. Know your sleep style before choosing.

Budget options:
REI’s Magma 15 and the Hammock Gear Economy Quilt line are excellent mid-tier options. 

Money-saving tip:
Down is often cheaper in the off-season. Order in winter, or look for used gear from outfitters that rent or guide.

Lightweight Sleeping Pad

If you’ve ever woken up freezing despite a “warm enough” bag, your lightweight sleeping pad might be to blame. Insulation underneath you is crucial, most heat is lost through the ground, not the air.

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite dominates here for good reason. They’re light, warm (R-Value of 4), and pack down to the size of a water bottle. Despite this, I carry a Nemo Switchback because they are virtually indestructible foam pad which is fantastic for midday breaks or naps and general trail life.

What to look for:

• R-Value which matches the season
• Weight under 16 oz
• Inflatable or foam based on your sleep style
• Comes with a repair kit (or add one) and know how to use it

How to Choose:
Nobody knows how you sleep better than you. If you are often cold, an inflatable pad will serve you better, but if you toss and turn, staying on an inflatable is much harder than a closed cell foam pad. This is a highly personal choice. A large drawback to the closed cell foam pad is where to pack it and inflatables are prone to popping without a groundsheet underneath. 

Budget options:
The closed-cell ZLite SOL pad or Nemo Switchback as they are bombproof, cheap, and lasts forever. 

Money-saving tip:
Check out REI Garage Sales or used gear shops, pads are often returned due to noise or fit, not function.

Footwear

Nothing affects your hike more than your shoes. If I had to pick one piece of lightweight backpacking gear to obsess over, it’d be this. Bad footwear will ruin a trip faster than any other gear failure.

I prefer trail runners. I’ve hiked thousands of miles in the Altras Lone Peaks and Olympus but they may not be right for you. Other popular trail runners are Topos, Salomons, LaSportivas and Hokas. They’re all light, breathable, and dry quickly, key for long days and stream crossings.

What to look for:

• Trail runners with a wide toe box
• Lightweight (under 1.5 lbs per pair
• Minimal drop for natural stride but a stack height which matches your hiking surface
• Quick-drying mesh uppers

Trade-offs:
Less ankle support, shorter lifespan. You’ll probably burn through 4 to 6 pairs on a thru hike of any of the Triple Crown Trails. But your knees and hips will thank you.

Boot folks:
If you’re carrying more than 30 pounds or hiking in alpine spring conditions, boots might still make sense. Just don’t default to them out of habit.

Money-saving tip:
Buy last season’s model online or from outlet sites. There’s almost no difference from the current line.

Final Thoughts

Simplicity is style. Lightweight backpacking isn’t about becoming a minimalist monk. It’s about intention. The best lightweight backpacking gear frees you up to focus on the trail, not the 60 items rattling around in your pack.

Ask yourself: What am I carrying that isn’t earning its keep?

Start with one piece. Replace your shelter. Lighten your sleep system. Choose shoes that actually let you walk. Over time, you’ll find that less is more, especially when every ounce you ditch makes the miles easier and the experience richer.

And don’t forget: lightweight backpacking gear doesn’t have to be expensive. You can build a reliable, comfortable kit with a mix of used, DIY, or budget options. What matters most isn’t the brand, it’s how well it works for you.