a gear list deployed to the backcountry for a hike

Gear Lists

Our ultralight gear lists have been refined and optimized over decades and are designed to help you carry less weight on your back. By doing so, you will hike faster, more efficiently, and with greater joy. We hope these gear lists help you on your next outing. Happy trails!

testing the best backpacking gear next to a lake

Staff Picks For Best Backpacking Gear Of The Year

If you’re looking for the best backpacking gear of 2023, then you’ve come to the right place. On this list, you’ll find the lightest, smartest, and most innovative hiking products on the market. This is what we take to Alaska, Patagonia, Utah, Appalachia, the Sierra, and everywhere in between.

9lb gear list

9 Lb Ultralight Backpacking Gear List

Nine pounds of equipment is all a backpacker needs to be safe, warm, and comfortable in the backcountry. This ultralight backpacking gear list has been evolving and improving for over a decade, and we’ve tested it from Alaska to Patagonia, and everywhere in between.

adventure alan using his super ultralight fastpacking gear list

5 Lb Super Ultralight Fastpacking Gear List

For challenging, high-mileage adventures, we recommend the following 5 pound super ultralight fastpacking gear list. This kit is grounded in decades of super ultralight experience, and has been optimized for practicality and functionality, while still adhering to the principles of minimalism.

using adventure alan 3 lb day hiking gear list in the desert

3 Lb Ultralight Day Hiking Gear List

This complete, three pound, ultralight day hiking gear list is designed ensure that you have everything you need without overpacking. Our recommended gear list is effectively the same as our ultralight backpacking gear list, minus the backcountry camping equipment.

testing backpacking equipment from rei co-op

Best of REI Backpacking Gear List

This backpacking equipment list is your shortcut to navigating the overwhelming amount of hiking gear available at REI Co-op. Within each category, we highlight a selection of trail-tested, lightweight picks that will improve your experience in the backcountry.

using cheap backpacking gear to its fullest in the mountains

Affordable Backpacking Gear List

The best cheap backpacking gear is lightweight and affordable. You don’t need to break the bank to sleep in the backcountry! This guide to affordable hiking gear prioritizes items that are lightweight and offer a high performance-to-price ratio.

Amazon Prime Gear List

If you need backpacking gear delivered ASAP, then you’ve come to the right place. In this buyer’s guide, we’ve swept the marketplace for the best lightweight backpacking gear on Amazon Prime and ultralight backcountry equipment and apparel available with fast and free Prime shipping.

couples ultralight backpacking gear for couples

Couples Backpacking Gear

Most people hike in pairs which is why created this couples ultralight backpacking gear overview. Even if you start out on a long-distance hike on your own, chances are you’ll wind up hiking with someone else. Whether it’s a backpacking partner or a romantic partner, most people head out backpacking with someone else.