2025 Ultralight Backpacking Gear List 10 lb

2025 Ultralight Backpacking Gear List 10 lb

A 3-season capable, durable, efficient, full-featured, and smile enhancing UL gear list.

Trail Tested in the Sierra

Over a decade of refinement, obsession, and testing has gone into the creation of this ultralight backpacking gear list. A 10-pound backpacking base weight, 3-season capable, durable, efficient, full-featured, and smile enhancing UL gear list. Comfortable in temperatures down to 20℉ (-7℃), with generous safety, survival, and first aid essentials.

Photo: The author's typical Worn/Carried setup. Temple Crag, Sierra Nevada.

The author's typical Worn/Carried setup. Temple Crag, Sierra Nevada.

Durable and fast

Ultralight Backpacking Gear List

The following gear list contains the author's personal selections, upgraded and refreshed for the 2025 season.

Male, 5ft 9in, 160lbs (175cm, 72.5kg)
Cost
$3,750
Weight
10.25 lb
Fun Factor
100%
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Pa'lante Packs
544g 19.19oz · $240
43L, 19", Pine GridStop
Desert Pack
By Pa'lante Packs
Zpacks
332g 11.71oz · $599
.55oz canopy, .75oz floor, White DCF
Enlightened Equipment
546g 19.25oz · $410
20℉, 950 down, 10D, Reg-Wide
Enigma Quilt
By Enlightened Equipment
Garmin
62g 2.20oz · $899
MIP Solar, Sapphire, Flashlight, 51mm
Therm-a-Rest
454g 16.00oz · $220
25"W x 3"D, Reg-Wide
Zpacks
127g 4.47oz · $60
Single pole, handle cutoff
Nitecore
38g 1.34oz · $26
360 lumen, USB-C
Platypus
82g 2.90oz · $40
0.2 microns, fast-flow
CNOC
92g 3.25oz · $25
Tougher 'X' version, 2L x 28mm
Victorinox
16g 0.56oz · $28
Good grip, slim, non-plastic
Ombraz
23g 0.81oz · $160
Tortoise frames, polarized brown lens
Squak
173g 6.09oz · $80
Heavenly!, 120gsm, M's M
Arc'teryx
309g 10.90oz · $379
850 down, M's M
Montbell
198g 6.98oz · $290
3L, 20/50k permeable, M's M
Outdoor Research
150g 5.29oz · $64
Excellent breathability, M's M
Echo Sun Hoodie
By Outdoor Research
Janji
133g 4.70oz · $80
Front pockets, M's M
Body Wrappers
90g 3.17oz · $33
Nice elastic cuffs, breathable, M's S
Darn Tough
50g 1.76oz · $22
Light cushion, 1/4 height, M's L
Topo Athletic
284g 10.00oz · $144
Zero Drop, 28mm platform, M's 10
Pursuit Trail Runners
By Topo Athletic
Toaks
80g 2.82oz · $37
Thinwall titanium, less weight
BRS
26g 0.92oz · $16
Simple, durable, minimal
Nitecore
153g 5.40oz · $65
Rubber bumpers, dual port
Mokin
67g 2.36oz · $21
Folding plug, PD, MOPA0303
Joby
85g 3.01oz · $25
Ball head, durable, reliable
BRDRC
24g 0.84oz · $14
Magsafe, multiple positions
Lawson Equipment
30g 1.06oz · $15
Durable sleeve, high-quality
Zpacks
40g 1.41oz · $35
Extra height, lightest
Pillow Strap
50g 1.76oz · $42
Chroma Currents color, size S
Pillow Strap, Case
By Pillow Strap
Six Moon Designs
45g 1.59oz · $7
'Polycryo', 40x96", size S
Polycro Ground Sheet
By Six Moon Designs
Gear Aid
5g 0.18oz · $10
Hex shape, clear, 1.5" is key
Alaska Bear
17g 0.60oz · $16
Super comfy and blocks light
Mack's
5g 0.18oz · $7
Because people snore on trail

HYOH

FAQ

Why 10-Pounds?

With today's technology and gear options that's the weight of a typical "ultralight" kit (reference the Backpacking Base Weight wiki). A focus on lightweight items with a nod to durability. In the classic lightweight backpacking bible Beyond Backpacking, Ray Jardine configured an 8.5 pound base pack that he considered thru hike worthy. However, Ray hiked with a partner and they split up gear and each carried only a partial kit. For example, Jenny might carry the shelter kit, while Ray would carry the sleeping kit. If you were to weigh up Ray's pack fully allocated, it would likely land in the 10-pound range.

What about SUL?

I've gone SUL (super ultralight, 5-pound base pack weight) on countless trips in extreme conditions which was fun and challenging. I've personally found that carrying a 5-pound vs. a 10-pound base pack is not significantly different. However, the difference (net gains) in long term durability, functional range, comfort, less mental stress, and ease of use were massive. A more robust, though heavier gear list, resulted in a much better outdoor experience - for me. YMMV!

How is a Thru Hike Gear List Different?

On a thru hike one needs to account for things like town stops, recharging electronics via 110v/220v power outlets, resupplying consumables regularly, traveling through the full gamut of climate zones, and generally living on trail day-to-day. On a casual weekend trip, you can probably leave your mobile phone wall charger behind, carry enough consumables to last the whole trip, and pack for weather conditions specific to your route. Thru hikers on the other hand tend to adopt a more "life on the trail" approach, and carrying a full jar of peanut butter, large pizza, or brick (if you get pranked) into the backcountry is not uncommon! In short, a thru hike kit is like having a sustainable "house" on your back, that is ready for the challenges a long hike presents.

Plug and Play

Many of the items in this list can be switched out for your preferred type, and not adversely effect the 10-pound threshold, nor the balance of functionality and low-fuss. Think of this list as a template, and as long as you plug-in items with similar function and weight, the end result will be a list customized for your needs that maintains a happy balance between weight and experience, while keeping you safe - so long as you fill up the space between your ears with the right knowledge, skills, and experience.