A Lightweight hiking backpack A multi-day tour changes you more than almost any other part of your equipment. Anyone who has ever traveled for several days on their backs with 20 kilograms on their back knows the consequences: stabbing shoulders, tired knees, burning feet. For expeditions in extreme climatic zones, such a backpack may be the right choice. For most tours in Central Europe, it is not. clearly oversized.
Below you will find the most well-known ultralight backpacks alongside their manufacturer information. Next comes the question of the correct number of liters, material and carrying system, and how a backpack without a frame sits comfortably. We have written the guide as manufacturers: We develop backpacks ourselves in Emmendingen, Our own model is therefore marked with a symbol. included in the table.
What makes a lightweight hiking backpack
An ultralight backpack is essentially comparable to a classic trekking backpack: a large main compartment, several exterior pockets, padded shoulder straps. In that respect, the similarities end there. mostly already on.
The UL backpack relies on a minimalist construction. What is too difficult or rarely needed is thrown away. The biggest savings almost always come from the Omission of massive carrying frames and oversized padding. Also, most often, there are no covers, many interior pockets, or reinforced hip bones. You don’t need them with light trekking gear or the luggage of a mountain tour; and a volume of over 60 liters usually isn’t necessary either. The lighter the equipment, the smaller it is too.
Concrete figures: Ultralight backpacks sometimes weigh as little as 1 kg under 500 grams, while large conventional trekking backpacks can be quickly packed up 3 kilograms to weigh.
What to look for when buying
- Back length: Without a frame, nothing will make up for a wrong size. Miss it before you fall in love with a model; the instructions are below. measure back length.
- Volume: after the longest stretch without the possibility of shopping, not by gut instinct. The table for that follows below.
- Comfort limit: What you realistically carry, including water and provisions. In the case of unmounted models, it usually weighs between 10 and 13 kg.
- Wearing system: Sturdy, with padding or a frame plate, with a lightweight aluminum frame. The heavier your luggage is, the more structure you need.
- Weight: Comparisons are based on models with the same equipment, i.e., with a hip belt and back cushion.
- Material: Laminates such as Ultra 200X X-Pac or nylon with Dyneema a grid or Robic. More about this in the material section.
Sensible features
These features can be found in well-thought-out UL backpacks:
- Side pockets for water bottles that you can reach without having to take them off
- elastic front pocket for wet garments
- padded shoulder straps
- Additional pockets on shoulder straps or hip belt for smartphone, camera, snacks
- lightweight chest and hip straps for improved carrying comfort
- Loops to attach additional equipment to the outside of the backpack
- Elimination of heavy carrying frames and thickly padded, rigid hip pads
Ultra-light backpacks compared
The table shows nine backpacks in the 40 to 60-liter class that appear repeatedly in forums, tests, and on the major long-distance hiking trails. All values are manufacturer-specified, accessed on October 19, 2026, prices in the manufacturer's currency.[4] We did not weigh the models ourselves. That Agilist is our own product.
| Model | Weight | Volume | Price | Construction and upholstery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agilist (WeitLäufer, our model) | 570g | 54 l (40 l main compartment) | 299 € | Unlined, back cushions fixed in place, padded hip belt included Ultra 200X. Stitched seams, up to 13 kg. Shipping from Germany. |
| Hyberg Attila | 658 g | 48 l (38 l main compartment) | 249,95 € | Unpadded with foam back padding X-Pac, up to 15 kg. Weight Size M without chest strap and seat pad (about 710 g). Shipping from Germany. |
| Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 | 619 g | 60 l (47 l main compartment) | 399 $ | Carbon frame, Ultra 100X, comfortable up to 14 to 16 kg. Weight in the lightest configuration (short back, hip belt S). Manufactured in the USA. |
| Durston Kakwa 55 | 895 g | 55 l main compartment (70 l total) | 279 $ | Removable aluminum frame (90 g Ultra 200X), up to 20 kg. Weight Size M complete. Manufacturer from Canada. |
| Hyperlite Southwest 55 | 874 g | 55 l plus 13.4 l on the outside | 420 $ | Two removable aluminum bars, Dyneema woven composite, up to 18 kg. Weight Size M. Made in the USA, manufactured in Mexico. |
| Atom Packs Prospector EP50 | 910 g | 45 l main compartment plus external pockets | 290 £ | Removable plastic plate with aluminum rod (150 g), up to 19 kg. Weight of back and hip belt M. Manufactured in the UK, currently sold out. |
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 | 946 g | 60 l (36 l main compartment) | 315 $ | Aluminium frame, Robic nylon, comfortable up to 13.6 kg. Weight Size S with hip belt. Made in the USA, currently sold out. |
| Exped Lightning 40 | 1.115 g | 40 l | 239 € (RRP) | Aluminium rod, HMPE ripstop, up to 22 kg. Successor to the Lightning 45, made by a manufacturer from Switzerland. |
| Osprey Exos 48 | 1,290 g | 48 l | 234.95 € (RRP) | LightWire wire frame with mesh back, nylon ripstop, 11 to 14 kg. Weight Size S/M according to the user manual, women's version Eja 48. Available in retail stores. |
Unboxed and under 700 grams
Here are the two models from German brands. The Hyberg Attila It has a foam padding, X-Pac and Hyberg says it weighs up to 15 kg. As for Attila Lite from Aluula, DCF, or Ultra 100X, according to the manufacturer, it weighs 540 to 620 g. Agilist Our model is: 570 g with padded hip belt and fixed back pad, 40 liters main compartment plus 14 liters in the outer pockets, designed for up to 13 kg.
With a lightweight frame
Five models from smaller manufacturers include a lightweight frame and therefore carry more weight. Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra With a carbon frame, the Carbon is unusually light; its Ultra 100X is thinner than that Ultra 200X of Agilist the Kakwa. Durston Kakwa 55, Hyperlite Southwest 55 and Atom Packs Prospector They weigh about 900 g, and their frame can be removed when the luggage becomes lighter. Gossamer Gear Mariposa 24 of the 60 liters are stored in outer pockets; the largest share in this round: plenty of space for everything you need to have at hand while traveling.
From the big brands
Osprey Exos and Exped Lightning weighing over a kilo, you can find them in many outdoor stores for you to try on. The Exos has a mesh back that is spaced from the back; the Lightning can carry up to 22 kg according to Exped. For those who are switching from a classic trekking backpack for the first time, you get a familiar wearing comfort here with around half the weight.
Which ultralight backpack is the best for you?
Which backpack is best depends on three things: your tour, your luggage, and your back. These four cases cover most hikers.
Hut tour and long day trip
If you only go from hut to hut and rarely carry more than 6 kg, a 50-liter backpack is larger than necessary. 20 to 35 liters are sufficient, Models in this class often weigh less than 500 g. An overview is provided in the guide. Small hiking backpack. A Rolltop like this Agilist can be rolled up to hold about 30 liters and works just as well here, but it’s more of a backpack than you need.
Multi-day tour with tent and hiking trails
The big middle: a week or more, tent or tarp, shopping every few days, 8 to 12 kg total weight. Here, an unpadded backpack with 40 to 55 liters of capacity comes into its own. For exactly these tours, we have designed Agilist the Ultra-light hiking backpack The idea was developed in 2017 over 1,900 kilometers from Vienna to Nice.
Long periods without supplies, winter
As soon as you regularly over 13 kg If you are planning to travel for ten days or more with supplies for that period or winter equipment, a backpack is worth considering. The models from Zpacks, Durston, Hyperlite, Atom Packs and Gossamer Gear are designed for this purpose. Check beforehand whether you have the right size and what the cost of an exchange abroad or in Great Britain would be.
Switching from the classic trekking backpack
Anyone accustomed to the comfort of a net back and who wants to become lighter rather than ultra-light at first will find models from Osprey and Exped weighing between 1.1 and 1.3 kg. You’ll take the second step later with the rest of the equipment: A lightweight backpack is of little use if the tent and sleeping bag remain heavy.
What volume do you need? 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 liters
The volume depends primarily on the tour and on the, How much food you have to carry at the same time. When can you replenish your supplies? Only decide on the number of liters when your remaining equipment is ready. Reduced UL equipment takes up significantly less space than classic trekking gear.
| Tour | Volume | What goes in |
|---|---|---|
| Long day trip, quick trip to the mountain in the summer | 20 to 30 l | Rain jacket, insulating layer, water and food for the day, sleeping bag for one night. |
| Multi-day hiking tour, Way of Saint James | 30 to 40 l | Cabin or hostel sleeping bag, a set of change of clothes, provisions for one to two days. No tent, no sleeping mat. |
| Hiking with tent, shopping every 3 to 5 days | 35 to 45 l | Tent or tarp, sleeping bag, mattress, cooking equipment. With ultra-light equipment, there is room for supplies until the next location. |
| Hiking with tent, shopping every 5 to 8 days | 45 to 55 l | As above, plus provisions for a week. The class in which most hikers are traveling. |
| Self-sufficiency for 10 to 14 days, winter | 60 l and more | Lots of supplies or bulky winter gear. From here, a backpack with a lightweight frame is worth considering. |
Upon the E5 the huts will provide you with food Every evening with half board, In the Munich-Venice dream route, shopping often lies between 3 and 5 days apart. On the GTA, it is sometimes 6 to 8 days, and on remote routes like Vienna-Nice, even 10 days in the most isolated sections. How you actually fill the kilometers for a Alpine tour is shown in the Packing list for crossing the Alps.
For 20 to 30 liters, different rules apply than for the larger models in the table above: hip belt pads and back panel are optional, the weight decreases less than 500 g. What is available in this class is listed in the guide. Small hiking backpack.
How much weight does an ultralight backpack carry?
It is wise to choose an UL backpack only when the rest of the equipment is known and reduced to a lightweight size. Ideally, this is Basis weight (all without provisions, water and fuel) with only 5 to 6 kg. How to get there is shown in the Lightweight packing list, the entry into the topic of Ultralight Trekking Guide.
Including food, water and fuel, the total weight should be Limit of 10 to 12 kilograms At best, they should not exceed this limit. Most UL backpacks are structurally more capable, but depending on the model, this affects comfort when carrying them. This limit is very subjective: some people can carry 15 kilograms with an UL backpack, while others see their comfort limit reached at 8 kilograms. Those who carry it regularly opt for a model with a frame.
Material: Dyneema, X-Pac and Ultra 200X
Ultralight rucksacks frequently use lightweight nylon fabrics with interwoven tear-resistant reinforcement threads. The most prominent example is Dyneema Gridstop. Also multi-layered, very lightweight yet abrasion-resistant laminates such as X-Pac They are very useful. Their advantage: Rain does not penetrate through the fabric itself. The final backpack’s weather resistance is determined by the seams, zippers, and opening.
The latest high-tech generation is laminate, which is made partly from UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). UHMWPE fibers are currently the best combination of tear resistance, abrasion resistance and material weight, which is available on the market. A well-known example, alongside Dyneema, is the Ultra 200-Laminate from Challenge Sailcloth. The outside consists of 67 per cent extremely tear-resistant 200-denier UHMWPE fibres and 33 per cent recycled polyester.[1] The weight per unit area of 119 g/m² It is hardly to be resisted.[2]
The choice of the main material affects the backpack's weight later on, but to a much lesser extent than the reduction of unnecessary features. The absence of a heavy carrying frame saves significantly more as the thinnest high-tech fabric.
Because many lightweight backpacks use thinner materials than their heavier counterparts, a careful handling recommended. Sharp-edged and pointed objects should not be placed loosely inside, nor should there be a gratuitous overload.
Carrier system: stretcher, padding or frame
Without a carrying frame, the contents provide the backpack with the necessary stability. Therefore, the most important tip is: packing ultralight backpacks compactly and fully. They do not reach their optimal wearing comfort until they are half full.
Many models have a reinforcement in the form of foam padding or a lightweight plastic plate, removable depending on the manufacturer or fixed in place. It also gives the backpack structure when empty, cushions the back against the contents and distributes the weight better on the hip belt. This keeps the comfort of wearing high when you need to carry more water or supplies again. In the Agilist 2026, the back pad is firmly attached to the back.
From about 13 to 15 kg total weight A cushion alone is no longer enough. Then a lightweight frame made of aluminum or carbon takes on the load and transfers it to the hips. A removable frame weighs 90 to 150 g with Durston and Atom Packs and is worth it if you really have to carry the weight.
The lightest backpack in the world?
Anyone looking for the lightest backpack will quickly end up with models weighing 300 grams or less. The Zpacks Nero Classic According to the manufacturer, the 30-liter version weighs 281 g without the hip belt, frame, or back cushion. Zpacks recommends it for a total weight of up to 9 kg.[4]
This works well for fastpacking and short trips with a very low base weight. On a week trip with tent and provisions, everything then rests on your shoulders. From our experience, most hikers manage with 500 to 700 g and a padded hip belt Relaxed towards the finish as with the last 250 g of savings.
Your trail. Your Pack.
Set up your tour and we will recommend the right pack. With live weight analysis, load check and size recommendation.
- 1 Pick a scenario as a quick start, or adjust the six sliders to your tour: base weight, days, water, extras, height and preference.
- 2 See live how your total weight breaks down and which pack still has reserve.
- 3 You get a reasoned recommendation with comparable trails and the matching back length.
Trailist
from 289 g · 27 L · max. 8 kg · trail/fastpacking
Currently unavailable
Agilist 2026
570 g · 54 L · max. 13 kg · Ultra 200X
Endurist
from 747 g · 65 L · max. 18 kg · aluminium frame
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How to pack a backpack without a frame
A common prejudice against ultra-lightweight backpacks is the apparent lack of carrying comfort. However, this largely depends on how you pack. With an UL backpack, the packing technique more noticeably when it comes to a trekking backpack with a carrying frame, because the frame there is very forgiving. Without a frame, you carry the load exactly as you have allocated it.
Light things at the bottom
Sleeping bags and down jackets come right down to the bottom. They are voluminous but lightweight and do not need to be accessible while traveling.
Heavy objects close to the back
Water bottles, cookers with fuel, the provisions for the day: anything that weighs anything should be placed as close as possible to the back at shoulder-level height. This lowers the center of gravity and relieves the shoulders.
Medium heavy equipment farther at the top
Tents or tarps, change of clothes, and hygiene products fill the upper area and balance the overall weight.
Consistently avoid whitespace
10 to 20 per cent spare volume is enough. Anyone who packs half-full gives the rucksack no stability, the load shifts when walking and rubs against the shoulders.
Top gear away from your back
Herring bags, stick tips, knives: Everything that’s sharp should be placed outside or in a separate pocket. Otherwise, it will press against the back cushion and the contents after a few hours.
Compress after packing
Fasten the compression straps or the roll-top securely. A well-compressed UL backpack sits much more stable than one that hangs loosely on the back.
With this packing technique, an UL backpack without a frame is carried. also pleasant over long distances. Many current models also have thickly padded shoulder straps that can tolerate a little more weight from time to time.
What an ultralight backpack works particularly well for
Classic ultralight trekking
The clear main use case: multi-day to several-week tours with a tent or tarp, your own sleeping system and self-sufficiency. A base weight of between 4 and 6 kg, plus food and water, results in Total weight between 8 and 12 kg, That is exactly the area where a lightweight backpack without a frame works best.
On the pilgrim's way
Anyone traveling on one of the Jakobsweg trails benefits significantly from the low weight. Without a tent and sleeping mat, the weight drops significantly. The largest items from the packing list. Because most pilgrims take a full-size sleeping bag for the hostels, there is still enough space to avoid empty space in the backpack.
Typical equipment for a multi-week pilgrimage weighs between 5 and 8 kg and thus falls within the load range of an empty lightweight backpack, even with provisions and water. What you really need to bring is listed in the Camino packing list.
On a mountain hut tour
The same applies to multi-day hiking tours. Depending on your comfort level, the weight of light hiking equipment is moderate. between 2 and 8 kilograms. Because you wear less voluminous items on the mountains, sensible space utilization is important. Once most of the items are stowed away, the thick down or Primaloft jacket can be placed on top. It fills the empty space and gives the contents structure.
Depending on the cabin and the season, it is worth it. a slightly thicker sleeping bag Instead of a thin quilt. Not all the cabins have enough wool blankets available, and a cold night in the mass camp makes the next day difficult. You can find the complete list of weights in the Mountain hut tour packing list.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your tour and your back. For multi-day trips with a total weight of 8 to 12 kg, a backpack without a frame with 40 to 55 liters is suitable; for long stretches without a refill or over 13 kg, a model with a lightweight frame is ideal. Comfort comes first with the correct back length, then the volume.
Frame-less models with 40 to 55 liters weigh approximately 550 to 700 g., Models with a lightweight frame of 600 to 950 g. Lightweight backpacks from major brands with mesh backs weigh between 1.1 and 1.3 kg. Under 350 g, there are only models without a hip belt and padding. Always compare with your own size and with a hip belt, because manufacturers weigh differently.
This depends on the longest section without shopping opportunities. For hiking and trekking with shopping, 35 to 45 liters are sufficient with light equipment every 3 to 5 days; for self-sufficiency over 5 to 8 days, 45 to 55 liters are advisable. A rolltop bag fills the gap between these two, because you can roll it up again depending on your supply situation.
More important than the women's label is the back length. Some manufacturers offer their own women's models. Many women need a shorter back length and a differently shaped hip strap; both of these can be adjusted via the size selection. You're missing your back length and choose the size accordingly, not by body size or gender.
Yes, if the material is suitable for the tour. Hiking on marked trails requires little material, while off-trail routes with rocks and brush require a lot more. Those planning to do both should choose a material thickness of around 200 denier. Ultra 200, 210 denier,X-Pac or 500 denier cordura offers a good balance between durability and weight in areas with heavy wear.
No, most of them fall into the category of classic trekking backpacks. The models in our comparison cost between 235 euros and 420 US dollars. Orders from the USA, Canada or Great Britain come with customs fees and an import tax of 19 percent. When comparing them, it’s worth taking a look at the material because Ultra 200X DCF and other brands X-Pac last differently.
Not with a base weight of up to about 7 kg and a total weight of up to 12 kg. Then the contents give the backpack stability, supported by a back pad or a plastic plate. Pack the backpack compactly and fully; a rolled-up mat can additionally stabilize it.
Yes. On hiking trails, typical equipment weighs 5 to 8 kg; on mountain trips, 2 to 8 kg. Both are well within the load-carrying range of a non-frame UL backpack. Pack it compactly, place a down jacket on top to avoid empty space, and adjust the sleeping bag to the season.
Sources
- Extremtextil: Overview of the Challenge ULTRA laminates with fibre composition (67 per cent UHMWPE content in the outer fabric, polyester content, recycled polyester film). extremtextil.de
- Challenge Sailcloth: ULTRA Collection, Material Data Ultra 200 (3.5 oz/yd², 119 g/m²). challengesailcloth.com
- Avient/Dyneema: Manufacturer’s data on the weight-based tensile strength of UHMWPE fibres compared with steel. dyneema.com
- Manufacturer specifications regarding weight, volume, load capacity and price, retrieved on 19.10.2026: hyberg.de, zpacks.com (Arc Haul Ultra), zpacks.com (Nero Classic), durstongear.com, hyperlitemountaingear.com, atompacks.co.uk, gossamergear.com, exped.com, osprey.com (User manual Exos/Eja); UVP Osprey according to bergfreunde.co.uk.
- General Directorate of Customs: Customs and import turnover tax for internet orders from non-EU countries; elimination of the 150-euro customs duty exemption limit. zoll.de
