In Scouting, we teach Scouts to Be Prepared.  This means having what you need for any type of outing.  We also want to ensure that gear is durable enough to survive use by Scouts, and honestly - a lot of gear won't.  This means that Scouts and their accompanying adults are often carrying more gear than less knowledgeable folks on the trail, who may in some cases also not be prepared for adverse weather or emergencies.

Ultralight gear means different things to different people.  For those who got caught up in the Ultralight craze that really took off in the 1990s, it's about minimalism.  Carry the minimum gear you need to stay alive and then find lighter versions or new ways to further lighten your load.  This can drastically reduce gear loads, reduce injuries and increase the distance you can travel on a given day.  It also reduces or eliminates any safety margin you might have should the weather turn bad, you become injured or one of your pieces of gear becomes damaged. 

For extreme ultralight trekking, you need enough experience to know what you can get away with, when to end a trip and know how to survive when things turn bad.  This is NOT a good approach for novice backpackers which most younger Scouts and newer Adult Leaders are. 

For others, Ultralight has become a way of finding lighter gear made from premium metals and fabrics to reduce weight.  This will often increase the price of gear significantly and necessitate that you are much more careful with your gear.  Lighter gear means that you have a better chance of keeping up with the older Scouts on longer treks and are less likely to get injured. 

If you are considering Ultralight Gear, come talk to our Hiking Team.  We can share information and resources with you. 

Ultralight Backpacking and Scouts

Ultralight techniques and Gear can enable many to travel easier, further and more safely.  This requires a certain amount of maturity, knowledge and experience.  Most younger Scouts lack the maturity, knowledge and experience to make Ultralight Backpacking work.

Consider that younger Scouts are:

• Extremely rough on their gear - less rugged gear may not last a trip or season

• Don't appreciate minor weight savings

• Will grow out of gear quickly

• Extremely rough on their gear - watching a Scout destroy expensive gear isn't fun

Traditional Gear and Scouting:

• There is a reason why most people and Scouts use traditional gear

• Generally more durable - Scouts can focus on the trip and not on protecting their gear

• Gear can be recycled and passed down to other Scouts as they grow out of them

• Allows Scouts to learn the basics of backpacking - allows them to appreciate shaving weight

We don't recommend starting Scouts out with ultralight gear.

Ultralight Gear

There is so much gear out there.  Before you go out and purchase the lightest weight gear available, do your research.  Stated weights are often NOT accurate.  Durability, fit and utility are also very important factors to consider.  What works for one person may not not work for another.

Big 3 - Pack, Sleep System, & Shelter?

An extreme amount of weight can be shaved off your total load by carefully selecting the Big 3.

Big 3 Subpages:

Pack

After learning the basics of Ultralight Backpacking and reducing the weight and bulk of gear you need, consider the smallest and lightest pack you can get away with.  Most important - it MUST fit.

You don't have to get a pack made out of fancy materials such as dyneema, but this helps ... a LOT.  Not only are expensive fabrics strong and light, packs made from them are generally designed and engineered for those looking for an ultralight pack. 

Sleep System

Bags and pads vary greatly in function, fit and weight.

Bag insulation on the bottom side (the side you lie on) of a bag is generally crushed, significantly reducing its insulation potential.  Instead of using a traditional sleeping bag, consider using a quilt and a sleep pad.  The quilt is used to insulate you from the top and sides.  A pad used on the ground will provided far more insulation per weight than a compressed lofty bag.  Note that quilts DON'T work for everyone.  Active sleepers may need a wider quilt or a bag to prevent drafts. 

Down insulation provides far more insulation per oz over synthetic material.  Down is also far more compactable and takes up minimal space in your pack.  Higher quality down will also save weight at a premium price.  That all said, the big downside of down is that is loses all of its insulation value if it gets wet.  It takes a LOT of maturity and care to use this in the Pacific Northwest.  Down is NOT recommended for Scouts and honestly NOT recommended for most Adults.  It should be used with caution for Adults and is NOT recommended for use on the wet side of the Pacific Northwest.

Shelter

Tents are Heavy!  Costco Tents are NOT designed for backpacking.  So choosing a tent designed for backpacking over one designed for car camping is can save you many pounds as well as free up space in your pack.  That said, tents that are designed for traditional backpacking use can easily weight twice as much as one designed for ultralight use. 

If using a tent, do your research and choose a tent that is well known to the backpacking community.

Consider these alternatives:

• Tarp - Ultralight weight version

  • Not having 4 walls, a floor or tent poles will save you a LOT of weight

  • A tarp takes some level of skill to set up and trees or trekking poles to get it off the ground

• Tarp Tent

  • Saves a lot of weight over conventional tent

  • Generally uses hiking poles for support so you don't need tent poles

  • Generally designed for minimalist use

• Ultralight Tent 

  • More traditional tent design but built with thinner materials

• Hammock 

  • Obviously needs trees for setup

  • Needs a tarp or other cover

Example UL Packing List

This list includes a popular option and a premium option.  Cost aside, the premium option isn't always the better choice.

• Backpack: 

  • ULA Circuit (2.29 lbs | 1.038 kg | $280)

  • LiteAF Gear Curve Full Suspension (28.5 oz | 808 g | $345)

• Shelter:  

  • Zpacks Duplex (1.19 lbs | 539 g | $699)

  • Tarptent Double Rainbow (39.7 oz / 1.125 kg | $319)

• Sleeping Bag/Quilt: 

  • Enlightened Equipment Enigma (21.2 oz / 601 g | $345)

  • Katabatic Gear Alsek (22.2 oz / 630 g | $430)

• Sleeping Pad: 

  • Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (12.5 oz / 354 g | $200)

  • Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm (17 oz / 482 g | $230)

• Insulated Jacket: 

  • Enlightened Equipment Torrid – Men’s/Women’s (8.4 oz / 238 g | $185)

  • Feathered Friends Eos – Men’s/Women’s (10.8 oz / 306 g | $409)

• Shell: 

  • Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite 2 (8.8 oz / 250 g | $25)

  • Zpacks Vertice – Men’s/Women’s (7 oz / 198 g | $299)

• Fleece: 

  • Melanzana Microgrid Hoodie (12.2 oz / 346 g | $78)

  • Senchi Designs Lark (5 oz / 142 g | $95)

• Shoes: 

  • Altra Lone Peak – Men’s/Women’s (22 oz / 624 g | $150)

  • Brooks Cascadia – Men’s/Women’s (19.1 oz / 542 g | $130)

• Socks: 

  • Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight – Men’s/Women’s (2 oz / 57 g | $20)

  • Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Crew ($24)

• Stove: 

  • MSR PocketRocket 2 (2.4 oz / 68 g | $50)

  • MSR WindBurner (15.3 oz / 434 g | $170)

• Pot: 

  • TOAKS 550

  • TOAKS 750

• Water Treatment: 

  • Sawyer Squeeze (3 oz / 85 g / $39)

  • Aquamira (3 oz / 85 g | $15)

• Bear Canister: 

  • BearVault BV500 (41 oz / 1.162 kg | $93)

  • Bearikade Expedition (36 oz / 1.201 kg | $424)

• Trekking Poles: 

  • Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork (17.1 oz / 485 g / $200)

  • Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock (20.81 oz / 590 g / $160)

• Personal Beacon Locator: 

  • Garmin inReach Mini (3.5 oz / 100 g | $350)

  • Garmin inReach Mini 2 (3.5 oz / 100 g | $400)

• Traction Device: 

  • Kahtoola MICROspikes (11 oz / 312 g | $75)

  • Hillsound Trail Crampons (15.7 oz / 445 g | $75)

Mr. M UL Packing List

Mr. M has years of backpacking with Scouts and has assembled a gear set that works well for him.

• Key 3

  • Gregory Optic 58 Backpack

  • Hammock Gear Burrow 20* quilt with 950 fill and 1oz overfill

  • Big Agnes Q-Core inflatable sleeping pad - works great for side sleepers

  • Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 ultralight tent - cozy but works well for smaller people

• Cooking Gear

  • Pocket Rocket with Olicamp XTS 1 liter pot

  • MSR canister stand

  • Stainless steel long handle spork

  • Optimus Sparky piezo lighter

  • Zpacks Dyneema bear bag kit

  • 12x20 scent proof storage bag

• Water

  • Sawyer squeeze with two 1 liter water bags and spare gasket

  • 1 liter SmartWater water bottle with pop-up top

• Footwear

  • Saucony Xodus Trail Running shoes

  • Superfeet Blue insoles

  • Colorado Sock merino wool toe socks crew length

• Clothing

  • First Ascent merino wool base layer shirt

  • Lightweight compression leggings base layer

  • Columbia Steens Mountain fleece

  • LL Bean synthetic down packaway jacket

  • Outdoor Research Foray Gore-Tex shell

  • Cabelas XPG primaloft lightweight gloves

  • First Ascent convertible guide pro pants

  • Mountain Hardwear Ultralight packable wind shell

  • Buff UV headwear

• Other

  • Cascade Mountain Tech carbon fiber cork handle trekking poles

  • Black Diamond Cosmo headlamp

  • Buck Bantam 285 pocket knife

  • O'Reilly's 16x12 microfiber hand towel

Mr. B UL Packing List

Mr. B has done years of outdoors travel in remote areas.  He can get away with less.  This is what he often packs for a Scout Outing.

• Note

  • Mr. B gets special Pro Deals and Discounts which have affected his selection of gear

  • If two choices of gear work about the same, but he got a killer deal from one company, he goes with the killer deal

• Backpack

  • Hyperlite 4400 Porter (now known as the Porter 70)

  • Hyperlite Porter Stuff Pocket

    • Used for quick access to gear and drying wet clothing

  • Hyperlite Dyneema Shoulder Pocket

    • Used for map and phone

  • Hyperlite Dyneema Pods

    • Organizing gear in pack

  • Justin's UL Ultralight Smartwater Water Bottle Carrier (shoulder strap)

• Shelter

  • Hyperlite UltraMid 4

    • Oversized for solo use 

    • Used for meeting area or emergency aid-station if needed

    • Also excellent snow shelter

  • Vargo Titanium Shepherds Hook Stake with Fluorescent Orange Head

  • 2x 15" Voile Strap with Nylon Buckle

    • Used to hold poles together when used for shelter

• Sleeping Bag/Quilt

  • Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20° Sleeping Quilt (950 fill) (summer)

  • Military Modular Sleep System (wet season)

    • Multiple configurations for different environments

    • Patrol bag only

    • Black bag only

    • Patrol and Black bag

    • Optional Gore-tex shell - adds 5° of warmth and blocks water and wind

• Sleeping Pad

  • Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad (full length)

• Insulated Jacket

  • OR SuperStrand LT Hoodie

• Shell

  • OR Men's Helium AscentShell Jacket

• Fleece

  • Thin poly layer

  • Under Armour Level 3 for cold weather

  • Under Armour Level 4 for Winter use

• Headgear

  • Smartwool Beanie Cap

• Shoes

  • La Sportiva Bushido II Trail-Running Shoes

• Socks

  • Smartwool Classic Mountaineer

• Stove

  • MSR PocketRocket

  • Bic Mini (fire starter)

  • Old wool sock

    • Wrap stove to prevent rattling and sharp point of stove from cutting anything

    • Use as hot grabber

  • MSR Isopro Fuel

    • 4oz canister for weekend trips 

      • it is possible to extend use to 7 days

    • 8oz canister for weeklong trips 

• Mess

  • Pot:

    • TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot

      • Used when maximizing weight 

    • Lixada Titanium Water Mug 750ml with bail

      • Used when campfires are a thing

      • Both 4oz canister and stove fit in pot

  • Toaks Long Handle Spoon

  • Reflective Backpacking Cozy

• Water and Treatment

  • 2x 1L Smart Water Bottles

    • Custom caps with tether

    • Extra cap with repair kit

  • Sawyer Squeeze 

    • Custom Filter Cap

  • CNOC Vecto Water Container 

    • Holds 2L of water

    • Can be used as cooking water at camp after refilling bottles

    • Can be used as extra 2L when traveling through "dry" areas

• Bear Bag/Canister

  • Hang Bag Option

    • 16"x19" Hilltop Dyneema Bag

      • 1.43 oz Dyneema

      • Flat Bottom

    • Hilltop Dyneema rock bag

    • 50' 2.2mm Notch Brand Throw Rope

    • Micro Carabiners

    • "Dogbone" Bear Bag Toggle

  • Canister Option

    • Used when Bear Canisters are required

    • Bv500 

• Trekking Poles

  • Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles; Ice; 120 Cm - doubles as tent poles

• Light

  • Nitecore NU25 400 UL

• Knife

  • Swiss Army Classic (UL mode)

  • Morakniv Garberg (Survival/Pioneering mode)

• Personal Hygiene

  • Toothbrush

  • Toothpaste Tablets

  • Sea to Summit Paper Soaps

  • Prairie Dog Camp Shovel

  • Biodegradable Wet Wipes

  • TP with core removed - pull from center - in Freezer Bag

    • Used as backup wipe

    • Used for cleaning pot as needed

• Safety

  • Sunglasses

  • First Aid

    • Custom kit in Dyneema Bag

    • Custom contents

  • Repair Kit

    • Mini Repair Kit:

      • Kevlar Thread

      • Needle

      • Repair patches

      • Gorilla Tape

  • Personal Beacon Locator

    • Garmin inReach Mini 

      • Turned on in AM and PM for updates

      • Generally sends ping in middle of day

  • Comms

    • Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio

      • NOT an UL option - but excellent radio

      • Turned off at night

  • Phone

    • Airplane mode, Bluetooth off, and powered off

    • Double Freezer bagged

    • Loaded with updated maps and route

  • Map

    • In Freezer Bag

    • Mini Compass in bag

    • Separate Map Scale laminated with tape

    • Separate printed Magnetic Declination Graphic with conversion rules

    • Fresnel Lens 

  • GPS

    • Route loaded

  • Bear Spray

    • Carried when warranted 

  • Fire Starter

    • Second Bic Mini

      • Child Safety removed

      • Duct Tape wrapped around body - Fire starter

• Other Gear

  • Waterproof Camera

  • Personal towel

  • Wrist Watch

    • $20 Casio Watch with rotating bezel

    • Suunto Clipper L/B NH Compass

  • Food

  • Emergency Contact Packet

  • Merit Badge Notes

  • Paperback Novel and ThinOptics Reading Glasses

  • Car keys tied to pack

  • Wallet

    • Minimized

    • Emergency cash

    • Buried in pack

      • Intentionally separated from phone

    • Freeze bag

UL Resources

Darwin onthetrail

Darwin is a well known hiker, backpacker and bikepacker.  He shares his experiences on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and PinhotiTrail and gear he has used.

Website: darwinonthetrail.com

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/DarwinOnthetrail/videos

Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget

Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! 2017

Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 2 2017

Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 3 2017

Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 4 2020

Gear Lists

Gear Reviews