This is a sponsored post brought to you by REI.com.
UUltralight backpacking gear is the perfect investment for hikers who want to get the most out of their day on the trail without sacrificing their knees to do it. And going ultralight doesn’t have to be complicated. Many popular ultralight items can also be found at your local REI, meaning you can avoid long lead times, inspect gear in person before purchasing, and have the protection of REI’s strong return policy as you customize your setup.
From the Big Three to small gadgets, here are 15 of the best ultralight backpacking pieces to buy at REI, selected by our editors.
Shop for Ultralight Backpacking Gear at REI
Altra Lone Peak 9 For Men | Women’s
MSRP: $145 | Weight: 1 lb 6.4 oz (M), 1 lb 3 oz (W)
Have you ever heard that a pound on your feet is worth 5 on your back? Running shoes such as the Altra Lone Peak have become very popular in the long-distance running community, mainly due to the influence of ultralight movement.
Although they don’t count toward the base weight since you’ll be wearing them all day while hiking, these little shoes still weigh a lot less than traditional hiking boots, and they’ll breathe better and dry much faster.
Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 Tent
MSRP: $549.95 | Weight: 1 lb 7.1 oz
This relatively new tent is Big Agnes’ entry into the world of trekking pole tents. It has room for one person and can fit a furry companion. Set up with two walking poles instead of dedicated tent poles, the String Ridge is 9 ounces lighter and significantly larger than the Fly Creek One, the brand’s lightest stand-alone tent.
REI Flash Shorts for Men | Women’s
MSRP: $69.95 | Weight: 5.6 oz (M), 5.3 oz (W)
Lightweight shorts + sun hoodie is the classic Ultralight Hiker uniform for the 2020s. This combo is versatile and comfortable in all sorts of conditions, from a balmy Appalachian summer to high-alpine shoulder season hikes.
REI’s Flash Shorts have a roomy, comfortable fit that won’t restrict your range of motion. Made with stretchy, quick-dry fabric, and UPF 50+ and featuring two generous hand pockets – and a zippered thigh pocket designed for access under the hip belt.
REI Sahara Shade Sun Hoodie Men’s | Women’s
MSRP: $59.95 | Weight: 8.8 oz (M), 6.4 oz (W)
A great pairing with the Flash shorts above, this classic sun hoodie will provide full coverage for your upper body. Pull the hood up and pair it with shades and a trucker hat for a simple, light sun protection system that many hikers swear by. The cuffs have thumb loops so you can pull the fabric down to protect the backs of your hands.
UPF 50+ fabric is moisture wicking, soft, and breathable. Importantly, the UPF 50+ protection is a natural property of the fabric itself, rather than a chemical treatment that can eventually wear it out.
Nemo Tensor Elite Sleeping Pad
MSRP: $249.95 | Weight: 8.5 oz (Reg. Mummy)
The introduction of this incredibly lightweight sleeping pad has been one of the most exciting developments in the world of ultralight gear over the past few years.
Its generous three-inch thickness is more than enough to keep you sleeping comfortably, even on uneven terrain, and the pad’s 2.4 R value is sufficient for most travelers in mild conditions. (In comparison, the Tensor Elite weighs less and is less warm than the CCF collapsible foam pads that some climbers still prefer.)
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket For Men | Women’s
MSRP: $399 | Weight: 8.8 oz (M), 6.9 oz (W)
At about half a pound, give or take, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer has long been one of the lightest inflatables on the market, and it’s probably the lightest available at the average supermarket. The Ghost Whisperer has established a solid reputation over the years and is suitable for most three-season trips, although you may want to pair it with another layer if you’re cold.
REI Flash Air 50 Pack for Men | Women’s
MSRP: $299 | Weight: 1 lb 14 oz (M), 1 lb 13 oz (W)
This neat little pack has gone under the radar in the lighting community, but we think it’s definitely worth a look. REI says the design is inspired by hikers, and you can definitely see that in the pack’s features, which rely heavily on the targeted configuration, the ultralight backpackers prefer over the heavier, more structured packs.
The Flash Air is much lighter — much — than the Osprey Exos that are so popular among AT hikers and comes in at a reasonable price. It is made of UHMWPE which is strong and resistant to all scratches. Even the open outer packs are all usually UHMWPE, which reduces the risk of a sticky mesh. Also, it has hipbelt pockets.
Rab Mythic 20 Sleeping Bag
MSRP: $625 | Weight: 1 lb 8.7 oz
It’s no secret that quilts are really popular in the ultralight backpacking community, but sometimes you just need the right mommy bag to feel really warm. The good news is that some of the best, warmest mommy bags don’t weigh more than a regular quilt. At less than 25 ounces total, the Mythic 20 fits that bill.
If you want the safety of a mommy bag in the weight range of a quilt, check this one out.
Petzl Swift LT Headlamp
MSRP: $54.95 | Weight: 1.5 oz
The ultralight shock-cord headband on this lamp will make you look like the coolest kid. And while it looks like a bare bulb, the Swift LT is anything but.
It still boasts a high light output of 380 lumens (more than enough for campers and night hikers) and includes a red light and lock function. It is rechargeable, and the battery lasts from 2 to 60 hours, depending on the light setting. Despite all that, the total weight including battery, shock cord, and everything is only 1.5 ounces.
HMG Southwest 40 Backpack
MSRP: $395 | Weight: 1 lb 13.6 oz
Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s distinctive white backpacks have been a staple of the light world for years. The Southwest is made of durable Dyneema Composite fabric, and these packs are known to survive many consecutive thru-hikes, getting progressively dirtier with each passing season. The 40 liter capacity should be more than enough for hikers with ultralight gear.
Nemo Hornet Osmo 2 Tent
MSRP: $479.95 | Weight: 2 lb 8 oz
Yes, you can have a private tent and stay very bright. Freestanding tents like the Nemo Hornet Osmo are usually faster and more straightforward to set up than hiking pole shelters, which is great if you’re rolling into camp on Empty and need to lie down as quickly as possible.
Nemo’s proprietary, high-performance Osmo fabric is water-repellent and won’t squish when wet like a regular nylon tent would. And it’s made from 100% recycled yarn, which we love.
The Hornet Osmo tent is durable and provides a comfortable, durable living space. Although it is designed for two people, it is still light enough that a solo rider can carry it without guilt.
Black Diamond Range Carbon Z Trekking Poles
MSRP: $219.95 | Weight: 9.9 oz (120 cm)
At less than 10 ounces per pair, these carbon fiber folding poles are some of the lightest on the market, full stop. They are not adjustable, so if you are a trekking pole tent user, we recommend checking your tent setup guides to make sure you get a set of Distance Carbon Zs that suit both your hiking and camping needs.
Besides the impressive weight savings, there are several advantages of fixed height poles: they are easy to use and reliable/long lasting (complicated locking mechanisms on telescopic poles are a common failure point).
And they are just a well-made product. Black Diamond is one of the biggest names in hiking poles for good reason.
REI Magma 30 Quilt
MSRP: $329 | Weight: 1 lb 4.3 oz
Remember how we mentioned earlier that quilts are very popular among ultralight climbers? That’s because they eliminate unnecessary extras, simplifying your sleeping system in a way that delivers significant weight savings without compromising your warmth or comfort.
At just 20 ounces, the Magma 30 is much lighter than most conventional sleeping bags — and its affordable price proves that ultra-light doesn’t have to cost more than standard backpacking kit.
Outdoor research Helium UL Rain Jacket Men | Women’s
MSRP: $225 | Weight: 5.7 oz (M), 5.6 oz (W)
Outdoor Research’s Helium rain jacket has been one of our recommendations for light rain gear for many years now. There just aren’t many rain jackets in this light, especially if you want to buy from the great brand you can find at REI.
The Helium rain jacket has protected many hikers over the years, and even though its design is a bit dated, it still has some useful features such as detachable pockets and an adjustable hood.
Toaks Titanium Backpacking Stove
MSRP: $29.95 | Weight: 1.6 oz
Toaks has come out with this small functional UL 2025 stove, and it just happens to be one of the lightest stoves on the market. There is nothing fancy about this combination: the design is straightforward and minimalist, but most travelers use their stoves to boil water once or twice a day anyway, so do you really need more than this?
Shop for Ultralight Backpacking Gear at REI
Featured image: Graphic design by Zack Goldmann.