Can you still remember your first trekking tour or multi-day hike? This is how my first time went: I borrowed a backpack that was actually way too big for the tour I wanted to do. But since you famously can’t set off with your backpack only half full, I ended up managing to pack in a load of bits and bobs, so in the end the backpack was full to the brim. This was in no way ultra-light; in fact, it was ultra-heavy! This meant that the backpack, despite having a good carry system and many other comfortable features, became not just a burden, but over time it became a real problem.
Anyone who has had a similar experience have probably already sworn to themselves that “next time I’m taking less and lighter equipment in my backpack!” How should you go about this if you don’t just want the contents to be light, but also reduce the weight of the backpack itself? To answer this question, let’s dive down deeper into the world of (ultra-)light backpacks.
What makes a traditional backpack different from an ultra-light backpack?
The ultra-light category is characterized by one thing above all: minimal material usage. For example, it’s possible to make a trekking backpack with a capacity of about 70 litres that weighs less than a kilo by only keeping the essentials. An internal frame along with thick padding are usually not included. Another important way of reducing weight is the materials used.
This is now starting to like a really crappy backpack that can’t do anything. But of course, this isn’t the case. So let’s take a look at where weight can be spared in backpacks, and what the details might look like.
The frame and the carry system
Ultralight backpacks usually have no frame. The reason for this is remarkably simple: the less is in it, the lower the weight. Because of this, sophisticated frame designs and the carrying systems that usually go along with these are not used. To make sure it’s still comfortable to carry, it’s important that the rest of the backpack isn’t loaded too heavily and, for good measure, that it’s packed perfectly. We’ve put together the most important dos and don’ts of packing a backpack in a separate article. But I’ll give a simple trick away right now:
Your sleeping mat (in the ultra-light world, foam mats are usually used) can be used to reinforce the back panel. Not only does this ensure the backpack is stabilised, but also lets you store it neatly. Companies such as Exped also offer conventional backpacks, for example the Mountain Pro 40, that can be slimmed down as required, and can be lightened by nearly a third of their own weight.
Compartments and pockets
It is indisputable that having several compartments in and on a backpack make it more organised. At the same time, though, the compartments themselves also add more weight and often cause the backpack to be packed according to its own organisational system rather than from a functional perspective. This is why the majority of ultra-light backpacks don’t have extra compartments. This means that the backpacks often come with only one large main compartment and 1-2 smaller compartments or pockets. Many ultra-light backpacks also have a roll closure, so there’s no lid compartments or anything similar. Depending on the model, ultra-light backpacks may also have ways of attaching pieces of equipment to them. A holder for trekking poles or ice tools has become standard here. You won’t have to do without compression straps on most larger ultra-light backpacks, either. Especially with volumes of around 45 litres, this is a time-proven construction. Backpacks of this size are usually also enough for multi-day touring.
Materials
It’s also possible to spare some weight when it comes to the materials. Lighter, which often also means thinner fabrics, don’t always have to be worse than their heavier colleagues. Through the use of materials such as Dyneema, a good and, above all, durable result can also be achieved in the lightweight world. It’s important here, though, that the backpack isn’t overfilled, which would render the concept of the ultra-light backpack absurd, anyway. Sharp and pointy objects have no place in your backpack, either, and, unless they’re packed well enough, should be fastened to the outside of the pack.
If you want to see a good example of a large yet light walking backpack that’s made to last, we recommend the Radical from Ferrino. With this large walking backpack, it’s not only that everything that adds extra weight has been discarded, lightweight materials such as Cubic-Tech and Dyneema have also been used, making the backpack robust and hardwearing despite its low weight.
Prejudices and misunderstandings
Sometimes it seems like the world has been divided into two camps: the ultra-light disciples and those who value durability. When exchanging experiences with friends and acquaintances and also when researching this article, I keep coming across countless prejudices, half-truths and open questions. This is why I’ve presented three of the most frequent topics of discussion below. In doing so, I do not wish to take sides with either the “ultra-light”, nor the “ultra-heavy” clubs.
Prejudice 1: ultra-light = ultra-expensive
The short story: this isn’t true. The somewhat longer story: it’s not always true. In the ultra-light sector, there are of course pieces of equipment that, because of the materials, the design, or the innovative technologies, come with a heavier price tag – excuse the pun – than other comparable pieces of equipment. But this also happens in the realm of “standard weight” equipment. Especially with backpacks, though, because the design is usually rather simple (no elaborate carry system etc.), ultra-light backpacks come off well in terms of their price compared to their conventional counterparts.
Prejudice 2: ultra-light = ultra-flimsy
This prejudice must also be contradicted. But the following question also needs to be asked: what do you actually want from the backpack? If you’re looking for a super robust backpack for caving and climbing, then, admittedly, it’s going to be difficult to find something in the ultra-light backpack range. Especially for (multi-)day hikes and trekking tours, though, there are many ultra-light backpack models that can compete with their heavier cousins when it comes to durability.
Prejudice 3: ultra-light = ultra-uncomfortable
Admittedly, adjusting from a backpack with a sophisticated carry system to one with a simple contact back was a bit strange at first for me, too. This was, however, also because I had always imagined that you had to carry a lot of weight. But this is not what ultra-light backpacks are designed for. It wouldn’t make any sense at all to first remove every possible gram of weight from the backpack itself, and then to carry a lot of weight on your shoulders anyway because of the heavy equipment you’re taking with you. You have to make a clear distinction. If you want to set out with lightweight and minimalistic gear, and if the planned tour allows for this, then an ultra-light backpack is definitely a good choice. But if your tour is such that, along with a considerable amount of equipment, you also need to take e.g. food and water (which is crazy heavy since unfortunately they haven’t managed to dehydrate it yet), a backpack designed to carry larger loads is definitely needed. In this case, it’s better to try to keep the weight of the contents to a minimum.
Conclusion
Ultra-light backpacks certainly have their place. Depending on what you’re using them for and what you put inside them, they can make a significant contribution to a carefree and successful tour. If you want to get into the ultra-light game, the backpack is certainly the piece of equipment where you can save the most weight. But it’s also important to make sure that the desired model is suitable for what you’ll be using it for and your own personal needs, too. So what are your experiences with lightweight backpacks? Are there any other misconceptions that you would like to clear up once and for all? Write a comment and let us know!
