The best ultralight backpacks worth carrying

It’s impossible to have a top ultralight backpacks list without Hyperlite Mountain Gear represented somewhere on it. Our Best Overall backpack, the Southwest, has been a mainstay of the ultralight movement since the release of the smaller 2400 (40L) version, and the 3400 builds upon this tried-and-true pack.

The Southwest is made of advanced woven-face Dyneema Composite Fabrics, which are lightweight and extremely durable. And with a 55-liter volume and up to 40-pound load capacity, it can easily carry enough gear to last up to a week in the backcountry (plus you can fit one of these great backpacking tents in there). Plus, another feature of Dyneema is a high degree of waterproofing, which, combined with the 3400’s taped seams, makes the main compartment nearly waterproof. It’s the innate durability, lightness, and waterproofing of Dyneema that makes the Southwest cost a bit more than other similar-sized backpacks.

The exterior of the pack is simple in design, with three pockets (one on each side, and one large mesh pocket on the back), plus two hip-belt pockets for small quick access items. One complaint I’ve noticed is that the side pockets are hard to reach while wearing, which makes reaching for a water bottle annoying (although there is a hydro port that provides another option for easy water access).

Ultralight packs are almost by definition exotic and expensive. Most of the backpacks you’ll find, especially the higher-end products, are made of advanced materials like Dyneema and Ultra fabrics, which is why they are often expensive. But the Granite Gear Crown2 60, our best budget ultralight, manages to provide a rugged and less expensive option that has some surprising extra features above and beyond a basic backpack.

First, the generous carry capacity of 60 liters means you can carry enough gear and food to carry you a while in the backcountry (with a caveat, below). The Crown2 is made of 210D high-tenacity nylon, so it is heavier than Dyneema, but still comes out nicely to just over two pounds. However, if you’re looking to lighten the load even more, the molded frame sheet can be taken out and the lid removed, which reduces the overall weight to 1.7 pounds. The proprietary “Re-fit” hip belt is adjustable from 26 to 42 inches, so it can accommodate a wide range of body sizes.

While Granite Gear’s suspension system (called the “Vapor Current Mark 2”) does a good job distributing the load you’re carrying, some indicate that the shoulder strap padding gets stressed considerably after the pack passes 20 to 25 pounds of gear. By the time you reach the 35-pound load capacity, the strain is pretty uncomfortable. So while this is a fantastic choice for a budget-friendly pack, you may want to look at a higher-end product (or a traditional backpack) if you plan on carrying heavy loads.

REI is a “co-op” dedicated to serving its members with quality gear, but also invests significant time and resources into enhancing sustainability processes for its products. Among its initiatives is working with the Swedish group Bluesign Technologies, which monitors the sustainability practices of businesses, awarding the “Bluesign” label to those that demonstrate sufficiently sustainable processes in making products. REI’s Flash series is made using materials that meet Bluesign’s eco-friendly criteria, and so warrant being the best eco-friendly ultralight.

Besides being eco-friendly, the Flash 55 is a well-priced (just under $200) 55-liter backpack that delivers quite a bit of value. The design is well thought-out, with easily accessible side pockets, hip belt pockets, and a mesh “rain shield pocket” on one shoulder strap, where you can store a phone, map, compass, etc. (although some note the pocket is a little too small for larger cell phones).

Although a solid ultralight, the comparatively thin 100D nylon can tear easier than higher denier fabrics. Another issue is the Flash 55’s hip belt will reportedly loosen from time to time, which will inevitably shift your pack load to your shoulders. Neither of these are show-stoppers, especially for the budget-conscious or beginning backpacker, but definitely be aware.

Mountain Laurel Designs was founded in 2002 by Ron Bell, an avid ultralight enthusiast before most had ever heard of the term. Over the years, his company has refined its gear to get the most pack out of the least amount of weight, and the Exodus shows the results of this kind of dedication.

While previous iterations of the Exodus were made of Dyneema, Mountain Laurel decided to upgrade to EcoPak Ultra in its newest version of the Exodus (although Dyneema is still an option). The pack is bare-bones, giving you what you really need for backpacking, and a little more. The main compartment holds 40 liters, and the rest of the 55 to 58 liters (depending on size) is made up of the mesh pocket on the back, the two side pockets, and the extension collar. Although not actually waterproof, the seams of the Ultra version are fully taped, giving it a high degree of water resistance.

Wearers of the Exodus uniformly love it (which is a big reason it is the best frameless ultralight on this list), with no consistent issues with the build except that, when full, water bottles in the side pockets can be hard to access. Another issue I find is that, in a way, Mountain Laurel “cheats” to get to its low weight by omitting “optional” items like the sternum slider (included) and hip belt pockets (sold separately), which are things that many people expect to have. Add in two pockets and the slider, and you’ve only increased weight by 2.75 ounces, so it seems a little extreme to not include these features.

Our best men’s ultralight backpack, Durston Gear’s Kakwa 40L, delivers a lot for such a light backpack: true 40-liter storage capacity in the main compartment (versus a total of 40 liters by including pockets), a lightweight U-shaped aluminum frame which works with shoulder load-lifters to help draw the load closer in for more efficient weight transfer, hip belt pockets, and even a camera pocket on the shoulder strap. Add to this the fact that it’s made of Ultra 200 material, and this is one fantastic ultralight backpack at a mid-range price.

Users almost universally love this pack, but one potential drawback for someone used to more traditional backpacking is the size. A 40-liter pack for a traditional backpacker is pretty small, so if you’re not a practiced ultralight enthusiast, you may find the Kakwa insufficient for an extended time in the backcountry (over three to four days). So if you’re planning to disappear for a while with this pack, you’ll want to lighten your other gear, as well.

The Osprey Lumina is designed to conform more with a woman’s body type and is a little shorter than the Levity 60 (the male frame version). It’s made to be durable, using a mix of 30D Cordura Silnylon Ripstop for the main compartment and Osprey’s NanoFly 210D Nylon/200D ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) material for the bottom and accents. That translates into one rugged backpack.

Our choice for the best women’s ultralight backpack is designed with a large front bellowed pocket for storing large items like rain gear, and two side pockets (which are reportedly quite tight). The fixed top lid has a zippered compartment for additional small-item storage, and there are also lid loops for attaching additional gear, if needed. Combined with Osprey’s well-designed Lightwire suspension system and the generous storage space, you may be tempted to overload this pack. You don’t want to do that.

Although very well-designed, as an ultralight backpack, the Lumina has a load limit of 10 to 25 pounds. However, a number of backpackers have noted that the shoulder straps are on the thin side, and the closer you get to the max load limit, the more uncomfortable the pack gets. With this in mind, the Lumina may be best for true ultralight backpackers who can keep their carry load to under 25 pounds.