I’m no ultralight hiker. I’m all for lightweight hiking gear, but cutting off the end of my toothbrush to save half an ounce of weight in my backpack isn’t my idea of a good time. And you’ll never convince me that soaking a ramen pack in room-temperature water is better than just packing a camp stove. If you’re not familiar with the world of ultralight hiking, just know that it gets wild out there. Still, as a nature lover with hundreds of miles under my belt, I understand why hikers go through so much effort to reduce their pack’s base weight. As the expression goes, ounces turn to pounds, and pounds turn to pain, especially if you’re eyeing a multi-day backpacking trip. 

For many hikers, swapping out a few pieces of gear will go a long way toward making your upcoming hikes a breeze. Through a combination of lightweight cookware, clever multipurpose tools, and weight-saving camping gear, these are some of my favorite tricks for taking the load off. Get ready to spend more time soaking up the views in the great outdoors and less time soaking in an Epsom salt bath at home — your back will thank you.

Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot

The fantasy of whipping up a gourmet meal by the campfire after a beautiful day of hiking is pretty compelling. For years, I toted around a full mess kit with this very idea in mind. Halfway through a freeze-dried backpacking meal, though, I realized the truth: After a long day of hiking, any meal tastes gourmet, and the cutting board, plate, and extra bowl in my kit looked practically brand new for a reason.

One of my favorite ways to cut some weight is by switching to a single titanium pot like this one from Toaks. Paired with a long-handled spoon that makes eating out of meal packets mess-free, it’s all the cookware you need for practically any backpacking trip. The ultralight pot holds the perfect amount of water for most dehydrated meals and doubles as a bowl when you’re ready to chow down on some oatmeal, noodles, or other camp delicacies.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System

Even if you have the lightest gear on the planet, it’s impossible to change the weight of water, and at a little over two pounds per liter, it adds up quickly. As much as I love reusable water bottles and hydration bladders, they’re typically on the heavier end, too. If you’re trekking somewhere with reliable access to water like the Appalachian Trail, consider taking a page out of the thru-hiker playbook and grab a Sawyer Squeeze, my favorite lightweight water filter. 

Carrying less water by finding spots to fill up in advance can save full pounds. This step might be tough for some, but if you want to go the extra mile, swap your heavy emotional support water bottle for a practically weightless one-liter disposable bottle. The Sawyer Squeeze threads perfectly onto a standard bottle cap, allowing you to drink clean, filtered water straight from the bottle without any fuss.

Vargo Titanium Dig Tool

An easy way to end up with a heavier pack than you’d like is by taking your existing gear at face value. Tents are marketed with a “packaged weight” that’s around half a pound heavier than their “trail weight” to account for the repair kit, stakes, ground tarp, stuff sack, and other accessories that may come included. These additions may come in handy for some, but it’s worth considering if you need all those extra supplies. In particular, the stakes included in most tents are far heavier than they need to be since manufacturers assume that savvy hikers will switch them out in the long run.

For extra weight savings, I love gear with a dual function — this ultralight piece of equipment from Vargo has serrated edges to cut through the soil easily as a trowel for bathroom breaks, and it’s notched at the top so it doubles as a tent stake. Replace the rest of your stakes with these tiny aluminum ones from MSR that weigh next to nothing, and you’re good to go.

Brs Ultralight Titanium Alloy Stove

While working at an outdoor gear store, I met a customer who wanted to return a 20-pound Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 as it “wasn’t suitable for backpacking.” I’m a huge fan of the brand’s portable fire pits, but I had to admit, they were right — in fact, I’m always finding hikers attempting to lug huge camp stoves out onto the trail.

One of the easiest budget-friendly gear swaps you’ll find is in the BRS-3000T, a tiny canister-powered camp stove that tips the scales at a measly four ounces. Even in the world of premium backpacking gear, this little beauty is incredibly light, and it’s a no-brainer at $17. With the pot support arms folded down, the stove nestles comfortably into a titanium cookpot alongside a gas canister for easy storage, and it’ll boil a liter of water within an entirely respectable three minutes.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .3 Medical Kit

Many of us fall into the “better safe than sorry” mentality while hiking, but this wisdom often translates to a pack busting at the seams with excess supplies. When it comes to first aid, I’ve still been known to make this mistake, especially after earning my Wilderness First Responder certification — what if I end up needing that blood pressure cuff after all? Truthfully, in most backcountry emergencies, getting back to civilization is the best you can do, whether or not you’ve been lugging around your big red medical bag.

For most excursions, this watertight pack from Adventure Medical Kits contains the essentials you’ll actually use like bandages, blister care supplies, and insect bite wipes. If you’re planning a longer trip or heading out with a larger group, the brand makes a more stocked version of the kit that only adds an extra ounce of weight.

Granite Gear Crown 3 60L Backpack

At the risk of seeming too obvious, one of the most dramatic ways to reduce the weight of your pack is by literally reducing the weight of your pack. New backpackers often shop for the comfiest or cheapest backpacks and end up with gear that’s overbuilt, bulky, and most importantly, heavy. While I can’t argue with the comfort of a pack with big, squishy padding, most of these bags tip the scales at around six pounds, making them one of the heaviest pieces of gear you’ll own.

Compared to an ultralight pack, it’s night and day — this bag from Granite Gear is only two and a half pounds and can be cut down a further half-pound by removing the internal frame. It’s worth noting that ultralight packs like this have a weight maximum due to their no-frills construction, but since this pack is currently 35 percent off, you’ll save some extra cash that you can use to pick up even lighter gear.

Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Yes, technically, trekking poles aren’t going to make your bag any lighter, but by taking weight off your legs, it’ll feel like they do. Many new hikers forego this important piece of equipment, and for a long time, I was one of them. The critters you’ll encounter in the great outdoors have the right idea — four legs are better than two, and your pack will feel much lighter with an extra set of limbs to distribute weight and take stress off your joints.

I’m a fan of Cascade Mountain Tech’s trekking poles, and these carbon fiber options are a standout choice for hikers looking to go light. Weighing just half a pound, this set of poles feels light in the hands and weighs practically nothing if you choose to stash them in your pack. A quick-lock system allows for easy adjustments on the fly, and since their carbon fiber construction is particularly good at shock absorption, your hands and joints will thank you. 

Baleaf Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hoodie

One of the fastest ways to lighten your load is to simply pack less in the first place. Without fail, when I’ve done pack shakedowns for new backpackers, I’m bound to find a stack of spare clothes for every day of the hike. It’s nice to have a change of clothes in the morning, but these items add up quickly — a fresh shirt will feel less fresh in a heartbeat when you’re huffing and puffing under a heavy bag.

I recommend shopping for clothing items that are lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying like this sun hoodie from Baleaf. Stretchy synthetic material wicks sweat away from your body to keep you dry and cool, and the seams and fabric are designed to prevent uncomfortable chafing, an important factor for all-day wear. Thanks to UPF 50+ sun protection and a hood to keep rays off your neck, this top also keeps dreaded sunburns at bay, all while weighing just seven ounces.

Therm-a-rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad

I often tell new hikers to use the gear they already have — hitting the trail is the best way to see if this incredible activity is for you. After borrowing from friends and scrounging through their closets, many folks have enough to put together a passable backpacking setup, but I’ve noticed that sleeping pads are often an area where people come up short. Or large, rather. Some pieces of gear haven’t changed much in the past few decades, but sleeping pad technology has come a long way, and lugging around your dad’s ancient blow-up pad is a guaranteed bad time.

If you’re staring down the choice between a heavy pack or an uncomfortable night of sleep, check out the Therm-a-rest Z Lite Sol, one of my favorite sleeping pads for beginners and experienced hikers alike. At less than a pound, it’s one of the lightest sleeping pads I’ve had, and its closed cell foam makes setup as easy as tossing it where you want to sleep. Even better, it doubles as a sit pad, so you won’t need to bring a chair.

Lanshan Ultralight 3-season Backpacking Tent

The heaviest items you’ll take with you on a hike are called “the big three,” your tent, backpack, and sleeping bag, and these are all places where you can cut some serious pounds. Beginner hiking gear is often designed to be affordable and durable, which is great for getting into the hobby, but thick, bulky fabric and heavy steel hardware will slow you down. Among thru-hikers, ultralight “trekking pole tents” that use a trekking pole as the poles of the tent are popular as a way to cut weight back to the bare minimum, and this tent from Lanshan is a standout pick.

Under three pounds is extremely impressive for a two-person backpacking tent, and this setup manages to offer incredible weight reduction at a budget price. Setting up trekking pole tents takes a little practice to master, but Lanshan’s convenient hook system makes the process easy. If you’re heading out solo, check out the one-person version for an even lighter load. 

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