Ultralight Trekking: Great Adventures with Light Luggage
Do you enjoy being outdoors and prefer hiking with light luggage instead of a heavy backpack through nature? Then ultralight trekking is perfect for you! With less weight on your back, you can better enjoy the beauty of nature on the trail – 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 travel with as little equipment in the backpack as possible, following the motto: Carry less, experience more. Being ultralight on the trail offers the following advantages for you:
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Joint protection
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More energy for long distances
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Quick progress
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More joy in nature
In ultralight hiking, there is a so-called base weight for orientation, which is the weight of your backpack without water, food, and fuel. The base weight in ultralight hiking is considered to be a maximum of 5 kg. If the weight of your backpack is between 5 and 9 kg, it is also referred to as Light trekking and for over 9 kg, regular trekking.
Right equipment for ultralight trekking: What to consider?
5 kg as base weight is not much, but with the right equipment definitely achievable. When packing the backpack, everything revolves around 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 lightweight 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 lightweight frame
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Tarp: A tarp is basically a sturdy, flexibly set-up tarp that weighs even less than a tent.
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Bivy sack: Probably the lightest option is a bivy sack, which protects you as a waterproof cover against 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: Your choice of 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 weather and seasons, but are of course 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 for 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 low packed size are widespread. The right balance between weight and insulation value is crucial – because poor sleep drains your energy while 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 guidance. What you pack from it, of course, depends on your personal preferences and the weather conditions.
To the checklist as a PDF file
Thanks to the packing list, you now know everything that belongs in your backpack for the tour, but wonder how to best pack your outdoor equipment? In our article “How to Pack Your Backpack Correctly” we provide you with concrete tips for an optimal weight distribution of your luggage.
5 Expert 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 doesn’t mean ultra-naive: Safety comes first. Make sure to bring essential equipment, such as a first aid kit, maps, and enough provisions.
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Weigh your gear precisely: When packing your backpack, you should weigh everything you pack carefully to avoid excess weight. A digital kitchen scale is ideal for this.
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Unpack the unnecessary: Even though having a plan B is always advisable, you should ask yourself for each item whether you really need it and maybe leave the second down jacket at home.
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Water filter instead of bottle: With this trick, you save a lot of weight because you only carry 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 realize that you can definitely get by with fewer things on the trail. And those who reduce the weight of their backpack will also quickly notice: it gets lighter in the mind as well, so now you have a clear head for the beauty around you. Now it’s time to pack your backpack, cut out 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.
