Ultralight Trekking: Great Adventures with Light Gear
Do you enjoy being outdoors and prefer hiking with light gear instead of a heavy backpack through nature? Then ultralight trekking is perfect for you! With less weight on your back, you can enjoy the beauty of nature on the trail even more – we explain everything important about so-called ultralight hiking and give you practical tips and tricks so that you are prepared for your first ultralight hiking tour. Let's get started!
What is meant by ultralight trekking
Ultralight trekking or ultralight hiking aims to be on the move with as little equipment as possible in the backpack following the motto: Carry less, experience more. Being ultralight on the move offers the following advantages for you:
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Protection of the joints
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More energy for long distances
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Fast progress
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More joy in nature
In ultralight hiking, there is a so-called base weight for orientation, meaning the weight of your backpack without water, food, and fuel. In ultralight hiking, the base weight is considered to be a maximum of 5 kg. If the weight of your backpack is between 5 and 9 kg, it is also called Light trekking and over 9 kg for normal trekking.
Right equipment for ultralight trekking: What to consider?
5 kg as base weight is not much, but with the right equipment definitely doable. When packing the backpack, it’s all about the “Big Four”, meaning the following four big items: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad.
1. Backpack
Your backpack for an ultralight hike should above all be light and functional. A rough guideline is: backpacks with a volume between 30 and 60 liters you can plan for your ultralight hike. Additionally, you should avoid unnecessary extras, such as thick padding or frame construction, to keep the weight of the backpack low.
2. Tent
As a sleeping shelter, the classic tent is just one of many options for ultralight trekking:
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Tent: Modern ultralight tents offer the familiar comfort of classic tents – with significantly less weight thanks to lightweight materials and a light frame
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Tarp: A tarp is basically a sturdy, flexibly erectable tarp that weighs even less compared to a tent.
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Bivy sack: Probably the lightest option is a bivy sack, which protects you as a waterproof cover from wind and moisture and can be used alone or as a supplement to a tarp.
Whether tarp, tent, the combination of tent and tarp (tarptent) or a bivy sack: The choice of your sleeping accommodation should always depend on your preference, your personal need for security and the weather conditions . Because especially tarps and bivy sacks depend on the weather or season, but of course are particularly suitable during the warm months to save weight.
3. Sleeping bag
In ultralight trekking, down sleeping bags the first choice. Because they offer an unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio and can be compressed extremely small. However, they are sensitive to moisture. Alternatively, there are synthetic fiber sleeping bags, which are more robust and easier to care for, but usually heavier and bulkier. Also popular in ultralight hiking are so-called quilts – sleeping bags in blanket form that are lighter than classic sleeping bags but offer the same warmth performance.
To protect your down sleeping bag from moisture, ultralight, waterproof stuff sacks are recommended: See the stuff sacks
4. Sleeping pad
Sleeping pads are essential in ultralight trekking because they insulate against ground cold and ensure restful sleep in your sleeping bag or quilt. An important aspect here is the so-called R-value , which indicates how well the sleeping pad insulates heat. Especially popular are inflatable models with a high R-value, but also foldable plastic mats with foam structure and small packed size are widespread. The key is the right compromise between weight and insulation value – because poor sleep robs you of strength when hiking.
Packing list for ultralight trekking
So that you have everything important with you on your first ultralight hike, we have created a packing list for your orientation. What you pack from it, of course, depends on your personal preferences as well as the weather conditions .
To the checklist as a PDF file
Thanks to the packing list, you now know what belongs in your backpack for the tour, but you wonder how to best pack your outdoor equipment? In our article “How to pack a backpack properly” we provide you with concrete tips for an optimal weight distribution of your luggage.
5 professional tips for ultralight hiking
Before you embark on your first ultralight adventure, we give you some practical tips and tricks to take with you:
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Think multifunctionally: Less is more, because your buff can serve as a scarf, hat, pot holder, and eye mask all at once.
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Ultralight does not mean ultra-naive: Safety comes first. Make sure to bring important equipment, such as a first aid kit, maps, and sufficient provisions.
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Weigh equipment precisely: When packing your backpack, you should weigh everything you pack carefully to avoid excess weight. A digital kitchen scale is suitable for this purpose.
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Unpack unnecessary items: Even though a plan B is always advisable, you should ask yourself for each item whether you really need it and possibly refrain from packing the second down jacket.
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Water filter instead of bottle: With this trick, you save a lot of weight because you only take as much water as you need.
Conclusion: Ultralight trekking is more than just a hiking style. It is rather a conscious step towards simplicity and closeness to nature while hiking. Because you will quickly notice that you can certainly get by with fewer things on the trail. And whoever reduces the backpack weight will also quickly notice: It also becomes lighter in the mind, so that you now have a clear head for the beauty around you. Now it’s time to: pack your backpack, eliminate unnecessary items, lace up your trail runners – and hit the trail.
Discover our ultralight trekking backpacks now!
Less weight, more freedom: Find the perfect companion for your next adventure and start lighter into nature.
