Ultralight backpacking is an advanced style of backpacking. It
emphasizes carrying the least amount of the lightest weight
gear needed to survive. Often these backpackers carry no more
than 10 pounds of gear, not including food. The simple lesson
this sport teaches is how to survive on just a few essentials
which in an emergency might also be a very useful set of
skills. It’s worth mentioning that ultralight backpacking
should not be attempted by inexperienced hikers. Learning
these skills takes time and progressing toward a lighter and
lighter pack is a very personal and careful process.
For those building bug-out bags and preparing for hard times or
disasters, ultralight backpackers can be used as an extreme
example of how little one needs to survive with the right skills
and planning. Disaster preparedness requires additional items
and considerations but the progress made in ultralight equipment
and ultralight backpacking techniques combined with normal
disaster preparations would make a powerful combination.
The three essential items that make up most of the weight are
the backpack, sleeping system, and rain shelter. There are many
ultralight backpacks on the market and the size you choose is
dependent on the amount of stuff you carry. Sleeping systems can
be ultralight sleeping bags or even sleeping quilts which cover
the camper and rely on the insulated pad for bottom protection.
Rain shelters are often simple tarps or bivy sacks instead of
tents. Here are a few examples:
Ultralight Backpack (REI Quick UL 45 Pack – 2lbs. 9oz.)
Ultralight Sleeping Bag (REI Sub Kilo +20 Sleeping Bag – 2
lbs.)
Ultralight backpacking is an advanced style of backpacking. It emphasizes carrying the least amount of the lightest weight gear needed to survive. Often these backpackers carry no more than 10 pounds of gear, not including food. The simple lesson this sport teaches is how to survive on just a few essentials which in an emergency might also be a very useful set of skills. It’s worth mentioning that ultralight backpacking should not be attempted by inexperienced hikers. Learning these skills takes time and progressing toward a lighter and lighter pack is a very personal and careful process.
For those building bug-out bags and preparing for hard times or disasters, ultralight backpackers can be used as an extreme example of how little one needs to survive with the right skills and planning. Disaster preparedness requires additional items and considerations but the progress made in ultralight equipment and ultralight backpacking techniques combined with normal disaster preparations would make a powerful combination.
The three essential items that make up most of the weight are the backpack, sleeping system, and rain shelter. There are many ultralight backpacks on the market and the size you choose is dependent on the amount of stuff you carry. Sleeping systems can be ultralight sleeping bags or even sleeping quilts which cover the camper and rely on the insulated pad for bottom protection. Rain shelters are often simple tarps or bivy sacks instead of tents. Here are a few examples:
The remaining equipment usually includes:
Here is more information on ultralight backpacking: