The 7 Best Ultralight Backpacking Quilts of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
Say bye to the bag and stay warm without the weight on your next overnight backpacking adventure with these UL quilts
The 9 Best Ultralight Sleeping Pads for Lightweight Backpacking Adventures
Save precious weight without sacrificing some comfort while camping using these airy and easy-to-transport sleeping pads
The Top 16 Ultralight Backpacking Brands to Have on Your Radar
Whether a true ounce counter or just UL curious, these are the names to know in UL tents, backpacks, sleeping setups, and trail ready accessories
10 Best Ultralight Tents of 2026, Trail-Tested and Reviewed
Advanced materials and designs make these shelters the lightest around—for more trail time with fewer lbs on your back
Gossamer Gear's New Tent Achieves UL Innovation With an Old-School Feature
Ultralight shelters have long relied on the use of trekking poles to reach featherweight ounce counts, but the new Free 1P opts for ease instead
Hikerkind's Take on an Ultralight Alpha Fleece Is Designed With Women in Mind
The fuzzy, warm, and breathable fabric has become the hallmark of design-forward ultralight brands, but Hikerkind's take is all its own
Smartwater Swaps: The Best Reusable Bottle Alternatives to This Thru-Hiking Favorite
In the thru-hiking community, Smartwater bottles are prized for their lightweight durability, but they're still single-use—here are some reusable swap
Big Agnes Introduces New VST Tents Line of UL Shelters That Don't Skimp on Features
Four new backpacking tents from the Colorado camping brand make the simultaneous case for no-nonsense ultralight design and new tent trends
Trail Tested: Gossamer Gear Alchemy Mirage, the Lightest 40L Backpack Ever Made
Ultralight Aluula Graflyte fabric makes the Mirage the lightest 40-liter pack on the market, but how does it hold up on a trek through Utah canyons?
Rab's New Mythic Ultra Is an Ultralight Sleeping Bag That Weighs Like a Quilt
The UK-based gear maker's new collection of sleeping bags uses a secret ingredient to achieve ultralight warmth (it's titanium)
How Ultralight Backpacking Pioneer Gossamer Gear Found Its Edge Again
After years of playing it safe, the UL backpacking trailblazer flexed its design muscle and reminded hikers why it mattered in the first place
Samaya Is on a Mission to Reclaim Mountaineering's Soul With Beautiful Gear
The young French label crafts ultralight tents and packs for climbers who believe how you reach the top matters just as much as getting there at all
Is Hyperlite Mountain Gear's New Freestanding Tent Worth the $950 Price Tag? (Yes)
Testing the all-new freestanding design proves it's easy to pitch, breaks down in seconds, and looks damn good, too
Bedrock Sandals x Pa’lante Collab Introduces Hiker Trash Louboutins for the UL Set
The two darlings of ultralight backpacking have teamed up to release a limited-edition side bag and sandal collab for hiking, fishing, and so on
Why Thru-Hikers Are So Obsessed With Smartwater Bottles
Plenty of reusable, lightweight water bottle options exist, yet many hardcore hikers prefer to pack this plastic bottle available at any gas station
New Arc'teryx Alpha SL Pack Is a Shockingly Light Option for Alpine Adventuring
Built of a material with 8x the strength-to-weight ratio of steel, this new alpine pack aims to compete with the cottage brands leading the UL space
London's Cimoro Makes Custom Backpacks & Sought-After Gear for Ultralight Adventure
How the designer behind the cottage label turned a Saville Row education into designing performance packs & custom gear that fit like a bespoke suit
Why Durston Gear's Weatherproof, Affordable Tents are Beloved by Backpackers
Informed by years of thru-hiking, British Columbia's Dan Durston and his namesake outdoor equipment have earned a loyal following among UL backpackers
The New Ultralight Durston X-Dome 1+ Punches Way Above Its Price Point
A hands-on test of the UL gear brand's new freestanding tent reveals an easy-to-pitch, roomy design with one possible dealbreaker for desert campers
Inside the Evolution of Pa’lante, From Ultralight Backpacks to Apparel & Beyond
How the innovative brand defies definition, from outfitting FKT thru-hikes in 2017 to launching apparel inspired by climbing, fly fishing, and skating
Zen Aesthetics & Peak Performance Meet in Mount to Coast's New Ultra Running Shoes
Thoughts from a gear reviewer on the new Hong Kong-based footwear brand after 100 miles of testing the built-to-last S1 model
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Releases New Ultralight Tent for Solo Backpacking
Made entirely of lightweight, waterproof, super strong Dyneema, this 1 pound, 1-person, 3-season tent is built for long trips on the trail
NYC Brands William Ellery & Allmansright Collab on Dyneema Bear Bag for Hikers
As a part of William Ellery's ongoing insect-inspired gear, the Bronx and Brooklyn-based brands unite for an innovative piece of protective equipment
Hyperlite Mountain Gear's New Elevate 22L Pack Is for Ultra Runners and UL Hikers
With minimal features and super durable Dyneema fabric, the Maine-based bagmaker's new pack is made to lighten your load on day hikes and beyond