Any backpack that weighs under 2 pounds and carries at least 35 liters to me is considered an ultralight backpack, so the list below will be all the best ultralight thru-hiking backpack options available that all fall under this mark.
For thru-hikers, you are nearly never focused on having the most liters as this leads to fear of packing and carrying far more gear (and weight) than you need.
There is an incredible range of options for the best ul backpack, which can lead to issues when making a selection you can be happy with and that will serve your needs well, especially for longer-distance thru-hikes like the triple crown.
I will continue to update and provide the best options in this area when your main focus is on weight as there are framed, frameless, and then differences in the packs themselves like pockets, brain, roll-top, and many other things to consider.
My Choice of Best Ultralight Backpacks for Thru-Hiking
| Gear | Backpack Weight | Max Liters | Max Carry Weight (Lb) | Purchase Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waymark Gear Co EVLV | 14 oz | 35 | 18-20 | Check Price |
| HMG Windrider 2400 | White: 29.9 oz Black: 32.3 oz | 40+10 | 40 | Check Price |
| Zpacks Arc Blast | 19.9 oz | 42+13 | 35 | Check Price |
| ULA Equipment CDT | 26 oz | 54 | 18 | Check Price |
| Zpacks Arc Air | 19.6 oz | 37+13 | 35 | Check Price |
| ULA Ohm 2.0 | 33.1 oz | 63 | 30 | Check Price |
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 | Up to 33.3oz | 36+24 | 35 | Check Price |
| Atom Packs Atom+ | 23.8 oz | 45+5 | 30 | Check Price |
| HMG Southwest 2400 | White: 30 oz Black: 32.3 oz | 40+10 | 40 | Check Price |
| Pa’lante V2 | 16.8 oz | 31+6 | unlisted | Check Price |
| LiteAF ULTRA 40L Curve Full Suspension | 17 to 28 oz | 40+15 | 25 | Check Price |
| MLD Prophet DCF 48 | 17 oz | 48 | 25 | Check Price |
| Nashville Packs Ultra Cutaway | 9.3 oz | 40 | 25 | Check Price |
| Chicken Tramper CTUG-45 | 30 oz | 45 | 35 | Check Price |
Best Ultralight Backpacks for Thru-Hiking
These are what I feel are the top options for an ultralight backpack based on space, weight, materials, and craftsmanship.
As always, gear is a blend of the things you need on a long and challenging hike where a catastrophic failure can’t happen.
Waymark Gear Co EVLV
- The EVLV is their lightest full-size pack designed for efficiency, functionality, and movement.
- Utilizing and adapting the original design of the THRU, the EVLV is designed to keep the pack from sagging on your back and shoulders with the use of load shifters.
- One torso size - there is no Small, Medium, or Large
- Need a very dialed-in lightweight and small kit to be able to use this without cutting out gear.
The Waymark Gear EVLV was built with heavy influence from Outdoor Evolution and Darwin, and the pack is a super minimalist way to hike where your gear is dialed in and requires very little space to fit.
The EVLV is built from EPX70 Ecopack fabric and paired with an EPX200 bottom panel to improve the overall durability as it will rest on the ground and have contact with many rougher surfaces.
The EVLV sports some accent panels, with some color choices available, to give you a more personal look and feel. These are just below the front pocket and above the shoulder strap area and mid-back.
This is the perfect backpack for someone with a very dialed-in gear kit, as you will be very light on your feet by using this backpack! If you need more space, check out our EVLV vs THRU here.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 2400
- Their original backpacking pack with external mesh pockets provides ample room for gear without having to open your pack and dig around.
- Pair with their unique pods or stuff sacks for a buttoned-up, nearly waterproof kit.
- Three external mesh pockets -- Makes it easy to see what's in your pockets and allows gear to dry faster.
- Recently moved manufacturing from the US to Mexico and there has been a notable drop in overall quality, hoping issues are resolved in short time.
These packs are one of the favorites overall for any long-distance hiker the high-quality Dyneema build and massive single compartment make packing for a thru-hike easy and straightforward.
I prefer a stacking-based approach internally so this build for a pack is perfect when you are looking to layer gear on top of gear from the lowest need, quilt, pad, etc low to the immediate needs on top like rain gear or shelter for quick setup.
Zpacks Arc Blast
- Designed to hike along mountain trails, scale steep ascents, and weather those Appalachian rain storms.
- Comfortably transfer your pack’s weight to your hips with their patented ‘Arc Frame’ system.
- Featuring a wide array of add-ons from adjustable shoulder straps, interchangeable belts, and a variety of optional modular add-ons.
- Don't get black as it doesn't let light in so you end up needing to empty it to find what you are looking for where other colors let light in.
- Not comfortable over 30 pounds and unusable at 35 pounds
For many thru-hiking, the best pack is a perfect blend of weight and fabric construction.
The Arc Blast is incredibly lightweight and is even possibly a perfect slackpack since it can be so light when empty.
The build is assembled so that as long as you keep the overall weight to around or under 25 pounds, it will be distributed perfectly across your body, removing all issues from over-wear like rashes.
Zpacks offers a wide range of options on this pack and as add-ons to this pack which allow for near-endless customization and adaptation, along with offering solid customer service that helps at home and while on the trail itself.
ULA Equipment CDT
- The CDT is their absolute lightest, most basic backpack.
- The CDT is large and spacious, with just over 50 liters of available space.
- A tradition of being a reliable, lightweight, and durable backcountry companion.
- The backpacks no longer include hydration sleeves, internal stash pockets, hand loops, or water bungie bottle holders.
The CDT is a fantastic performing backpack with the new option for XPAC, and it is even more viable. The only issue is the low maximum weight, so you must have your gear dialed in to make full benefit out of the lightweight construction.
For someone with a very weight-managed gear set, though, this makes a perfect match for more extended trail hiking providing the space you need for things like a longer food carry.
Zpacks Arc Air
- For those grueling east coast ascents to long water carries across the desert.
- Featuring custom Curved Carbon Fiber Air Stays, the Arc Air creates a gap between your back and the pack without the need for a mesh back panel.
- A large stretchy Lycra mesh center pocket is great for quick-access items.
- Curve is fixed set so airflow can be impeded with too many layers of clothing pushing the gap.
The Zpacks Arc Air is an ultralight pack with a curved carbon fiber frame made with your choice of ROBIC or DCF material. The backpack is a roll-top pack with a front mesh pocket, side water bottle pockets, and sleeping pad straps.
The Arc Air has an adjustable torso length so you can get a good fit, and it comes in five different sizes for the hip belt.
The hip belt does not have pockets, but you can buy pockets that attach to the pack. You can also buy a lot of other accessories.
ULA Ohm 2.0
- The Ohm 2.0 is the pack for the fast folks, the ones who travel light, but still, take a prudent amount of gear to be safe and comfortable.
- The Ohm 2.0 is a full-featured, full suspension (active) ultralight pack that offers exceptional load control, on-trail functionality, and full-body compression.
- As of Fall 2021, all Ohm 2.0's come standard with a roll-top closure.
- The backpacks no longer include hydration sleeves, internal stash pockets, hand loops, or water bungie bottle holders.
The ULA Ohm 2.0 backpack is a high-quality backpack that is lightweight and perfect for backpacking.
It is one of the most durable backpacks available, providing many thru-hikers with many years of comfortable backpacking.
Ultralight Adventure Equipment produces several backpacks popular with hikers on the Appalachian Trail.
One of their lower-volume packs, the Ohm, is perfect for experienced backpackers who want to carry less weight.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
- With a removable internal frame, load lifters, and 7 built-in pockets, this is a gear-hauling workhorse that weighs in at just 2 pounds.
- This award-winning pack’s roomy main pocket holds your shelter, clothing, sleeping pad, and food.
- There are seven extra pockets - one mesh for wet stuff, two easy-to-reach for water and high-energy snacks, and the rest for whatever else.
- People have reported that the pack can carry up to 30 pounds if well fit, but above this level, it begins to be more challenging.
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 backpack is great. It has a lot of space, 60 liters, and is very strong. It also has a lot of pockets for organizing everything, and it’s very light at only 2 pounds.
This backpack is so lightweight and comfortable that it is hard to compete with as it can also carry a lot of weight, all of which make it perfect for thru-hiking.
The Mariposa backpack is comfortable to carry, whether it is full or empty.
It also has many pockets, allowing it to hold much more gear, from clothing to a full resupply, without issue.
Atom Packs Atom+
- The Atom+ is the answer – an ultralight pack that can adapt with you to meet the conditions.
- The Atom+ gives you the same easy access to everything you need to keep hiking all day long using the five accessible pockets when worn.
- They increased the torso length a little to accommodate a removable hip belt, the back panel has a removable carbon hooped frame and foam sleeve inserted from the inside.
- If you think you’re going to frequently be putting more than the suggested recommended load of 30 pounds, then the Atom Mo will be much more comfortable.
Atom Packs is a company in the UK that makes cottage gear for hikers. The company was founded by Tom Gale, who is a triple crowner with loads of experience.
This company has a great reputation for making custom gear. Over the last few years, they have shipped over 1000 packs to customers who are hiking on trails all over the world.
Atom Packs are tailor-made to fit your needs. There are some standard packs that you can order on the website, but the real magic happens when you customize your pack.
You can choose the colors, materials, and features of your backpack. You’ll get a personal service and feel like you’re designing the pack with help.
HMG Southwest 2400
- Three easily accessible external pockets to store and protect your gear.
- Pair with their unique pods or stuff sacks for a buttoned-up, nearly waterproof kit.
- External Hardline with Dyneema® side pockets keeps your gear protected and free from any unwanted snags or abrasion.
- Recently moved manufacturing from the US to Mexico and there has been a notable drop in overall quality, hoping issues are resolved in short time.
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest Backpack is a 40L backpack that is good for trips when you need to carry many things.
The extra 9.8L of storage can be used for water or gear you need quick access to on the go.
The backpack is made with Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s ultralight Dyneema composite fabric. The external pockets are made of a strong material resistant to tearing and abrasion, making it perfect for use in terrains like deserts or deep forests.
Pa’lante V2
- Very well-known company building truly minimalist backpacks where a smaller, lightweight approach is always preferred.
- The shape of the bag is very useful in the scrub as you catch on less.
- You either will love or hate the bottom pocket on the V2.
- I wish they offered more sizes, basically, one size fits all approach without the ability to customize to a larger size need versus cottage competitors.
The Pa’lante V2 Backpack is a lightweight backpack that is perfect for carrying light to moderate-weight loads and equipment. It doesn’t have a frame, making it more compact and easier to carry around.
This backpack is minimalist, but it has some unique features that make it better than other backpacks in this category.
These features include pockets that can be accessed while hiking, durable fabrics, comfortable shoulder straps, and a clean design.
LiteAF ULTRA 40L Curve Full Suspension
- 40L body plus an additional 15+ liters of external pockets totaling 55L of pack space
- Designed to comfortably carry around 25 LBS (with optional full padded hip belt)
- Optional Fully padded 4″ wide hip belt constructed of spacer mesh and close cell foam
- 3″ wide S-shaped shoulder straps constructed of spacer mesh and close cell foam
- TBD
LiteAF is a family business. Husband and wife Chris and Lorraine Millard own it. Growth has been steady, and the business moved out of the garage one year ago to a nearby warehouse.
There are many different custom options that you can use to make your hiking pack unique.
You can choose from all the standard options (like a hip belt and load lifters), as well as some more unusual options (like a bottom stash pocket or shoulder strap pockets).
Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet DCF 48
- The pack is sized for modern ultralight and super ultralight backpacking.
- 2022 Design Change: Stronger and more abrasion-resistant. The rear main pocket is now solid matching fabric with lower corner drain mesh like the side pockets.
- Some have issues reaching the side pockets while wearing the pack and instead opt for the water bottle holder on the strap.
The Prophet DCF is an ultralight pack that is perfect for carrying a lot of weight. The EVA padding on the shoulder straps and hip belt makes it comfortable to wear, even when it is filled to the brim.
The wide hip belt wings help to distribute the weight evenly across your hips.
Nashville Packs Ultra Cutaway
- Newer cottage company always looking to make the best and more lightweight and exciting gear.
- No lead time through GGG as they are ready to ship as long as you don't require customization.
- Small capacity and limited "extras" as this pack is meant for those with a very dialed-in kit.
Nashville Packs is a newer cottage company that makes hiking backpacks. Their backpack, the Cutaway Backpack, is different because it features a vest-style chest strap. It also has a really good shoulder strap system that makes it really comfortable to wear.
The Cutaway is a narrow backpack that can be adjusted to fit different torso lengths.
It has 40L of storage, including external pockets. It is available in different fabrics and with different options, such as J-straps.
Chicken Tramper CTUG-45
- The craftsmanship on the pack is beyond amazing and spectacular in quality.
- Attention to detail is clearly paramount.
- All of the elastic pocket pulls are easily accessible and feel solid.
- Lead times can be long and many times sold out and unable to be ordered.
The Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 45 Liter Backpack (CTUG-45) is a backpack that is light and waterproof. It is made with XPAC, a lightweight fabric and more resistant to wear and tear than some other fabrics.
The pack has a few unique features like a removable frame that you can take out if you don’t need it. It also has a pocket on the outside for your sit pad, and straps on the shoulders and hips to make it more comfortable to carry.
The pack can also easily carry up to 30 pounds without feeling too heavy.
Thru-Hiking Backpacking Requirements
When considering extreme ultralight backpacking, there are a few key features to look for:
Lightweight materials
An ultralight backpack should be made from lightweight materials such as nylon or Dyneema in order to minimize its weight.
Minimalist Design
Ultralight backpacks are designed with simplicity and functionality in mind. They typically have fewer pockets and compartments than traditional backpacks and may forego features such as a frame in favor of a lighter weight.
Weight
They will tend to be less than 2 pounds when empty and can often be compressed down to a small size when not in use. Some are even in the vicinity of 1 pound or less!
Capacity
For most, you will need around a 40-liter capacity but some go as low as 30-35 liters. This is typically sufficient for carrying everything you need for the 3-7 day town to town visits you get on a thru-hike.
Materials
Most backpacks were made from DCF fabric but newer materials are coming that are lighter and more durable like ULTRA which is taking the thru-hiking world by storm.
Opening
Most ultralight packs will have a roll-top enclosure that is lighter and more versatile in fitting a wider range of gear inside.
Shoulder Straps
Padded shoulder straps are critical for comfort on those long days on the trail. Many ultralight packs will have thinner straps to save weight, but some companies are now making lighter-weight padding that still provides good comfort.
Additional Considerations When Choosing a Backpack for Your Thru-Hike
When thinking about grabbing an ultralight thru-hiking backpack you want to make sure that it will fit all of your gear, and that it is going to be comfortable for numerous continual days.
Then you will have many pieces that may be specific to your thru-hike or part of personal preferences.
Comfort
For most, including myself, comfort is key when choosing a backpack. If it is not comfortable, you will likely be miserable within the first few days.
I prefer shoulder straps that are well-padded and have load lifters to adjust them so that I can tweak the fit.
Sizing
There are many sizes within packs from short to tall and many in between. It is important that you get a pack that fits your torso length well.
If the pack is too long or short, it will not fit correctly and be uncomfortable.
Water Resistance
How well the fabric defends against water and how well were seams managed will also play a role in deciding which backpack is best for you.
If you are hiking in an area with a lot of rain or just want extra peace of mind, you may want to consider getting a pack with good waterproofing or a solid liner.
Durability
How well the fabric will last will matter when you rough it for 5-6 months. If you are constantly having to stop and fix up holes or replace gear, then it will cut into your hiking time and enjoyment.
I prefer packs that use high-quality materials like Dyneema and Ultra because they are performance-based and durable.
Design Considerations
Do you care for pockets, lots of straps, hip belts, or other parts? If so you will want to take a look at the different designs and find something that meets your needs.
For some, a simple roll-top backpack will suffice but others may want or need more organization.
If you have gear you need to access frequently or are worried about losing small items, you may want to consider a pack with more compartments and pockets.
Weight-to-Volume
You are trying to find the pack with internal liters at the lowest weight. This is the number you really want to focus on when choosing a pack because it will help you understand what kind of gear you can bring along.
Gear Fit in Your Backpack
How does your gear fit, some people like to lay everything horizontally, while others toss it in.
I tend to organize my gear horizontally, which means I need something deep and wide enough to ensure everything fits lying flat. I don’t want horizontal tents or similar items.
I turned 40 and realized I needed to change my life from being a desk-bound IT worker slowly dying in a cubicle. I have been working on ways to build my knowledge and skills, along with gear. I have plans to do a thru-hike on the Lone Star Hiking Trail, Ouachita Trail, and Pinhoti Trail in the next year.
