The Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2024

Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes a wide range of ultralight equipment, including a dozen backpacks for everything from mountaineering to ice climbing. For backpackers and hikers, several choices meet the ultralight demand.

The HMG Windrider 55 ($379) is a bomber pack made of Dyneema Composite Fabric, a high-end laminate that is 15x stronger than steel. It has removable aluminum stays for added versatility and weighs in at a scant 32 ounces.

The pack is basic. It has one main compartment with a bladder holder, a large mesh area with three separate compartments, two side pouches, and an ice axe loop. The roll-top closure keeps water out and the whole pack compresses down easily with a strap. The overall volume of the pack can be adjusted significantly by rolling or unrolling it to the desired level.

It’s expensive, but dang, is this brand durable! In our testing, despite rolling, and unrolling the top closure hundreds of times, placing sharp objects in the main compartment, sitting on it in rafts, and getting brushed and harassed by thorny wilderness on miles-long treks, there was not a single hole or tear.

For the thru-hiker or weight-conscious weekend warrior looking for top-of-the-line ultralight performance that doesn’t skimp on durability, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 55 may just be the perfect pack.  

The newly updated Mountainsmith Scream 55 is a heck of a deal for ultralight backpacks. At a retail price of just $160 (and a lot less in the off-season), this is by far the least expensive on this list. We used the Scream 55 pack on a few big hikes and were highly impressed.

This pack is a top-loader with roll closures. This isn’t our favorite style, as it tends to minimize the useful space at the top of the pack. Given this pack’s 55 L size, however, it should have plenty of space for any light packer.

A large U-shaped zippered front panel helps access gear easily, and two large external stretch mesh pockets help with organization. With no top lid, this feature gives you a place to put small, frequently needed items. In use, we were impressed with how well the minimal EVA framesheet distributed weight through our back, hips, and shoulders.

The Scream 55 weighs in at 2 pounds 13 ounces. While certainly on the high end of the scale for ultralight backpacks, these backpacks have a durable ROBIC fabric and are good choices for those on a budget or who want a little more comfort than some lighter models offer.

ULA continues to lead the way in thru-hiking and ultralight backpacking with their simple, efficient designs and killer comfort. Weighing in at just over 2 pounds, it’s hard to find a pack that boasts such high load-carrying capabilities at such a minimum weight.

While it’s not the lightest ultralight option on the market, the ULA Circuit’s ($280) extra features add a level of comfort that justifies its extra weight, making this one of our top choices for a comfortable ultralight pack.

Letting the stats speak for themselves, Halfway Anywhere’s annual survey of PCT hikers has rated the 68 L ULA Circuit as one of the most popular packs used by thru-hikers for the past several years.

Despite its low weight, the Circuit does not skimp on features, with plenty of outside storage and lashing capabilities. Two side water bottle pockets, two zippered hip-belt pockets, ice axe/trekking pole retention loops, and a large front shove-it pocket round it out. The pack carries heavier loads comfortably with its contoured shoulder straps and padded back panel.

Its roll-top closure makes the volume of the pack highly adjustable. This is prime for thru-hikers, who will often load up for long stretches between towns and then can roll the top down to about 35 L as they empty the pack.

The pack carries extremely well, featuring a 1.2-ounce carbon fiber and Delrin suspension hoop coupled with a dense foam frame and single aluminum stay. This unique design provides great load control, rigidity, and back support without compromising on weight or impeding the range of movement.

The one complaint with this pack, however, is the side pockets are constructed at a pretty steep angle, making them really only useful for storing water bottles. It’s a small detail but notable compared to some other models.

Though not the lightest of ultralight packs, the ability to carry larger loads while still cutting down on weight makes the ULA Circuit an ideal option for those just breaking into ultralight backpacking.

Now we’re getting into those truly specialized ultralight goodies! With this pack, it’s all in the brand’s name. Starting at 13 ounces (that’s not a typo), LiteAF’s Ultra 30L Curve ($265) seems to float from your hand when you pick it up. People are really thru-hiking with this?

More and more, these snazzy-colored, funky-shaped packs can be seen trotting (swiftly) down the length of the PCT, AT, or pretty much anywhere fast and light adventurers are getting after it.

With 30 liters of internal capacity (and an extra 15 liters of external storage), your kit needs to be pretty dialed to make a long-distance backpacking trip work in this. The Ultra 30L Curve is for those with base weights under 10 pounds who are looking to lighten their setup even more.

Despite such a low weight, this pack is still featured enough to make long-distance travel comfortable and efficient, and they offer several add-ons (such as a stretch mesh bottom pocket and various shock cords) to increase storage capabilities. While the pack doesn’t ship with hip belts, you can separately order a 1-inch webbing hip belt or a simple padded hip belt if you feel the need.

For the lightest, fastest adventures you could dream of, Lite AF’s Ultra 30L Curve is about as ultralight and streamlined as they come. Take care of it, pack it wisely, and it could be the ticket to that next FKT you’ve been eyeing.

The Stone Glacier Terminus 7000 ($649) is one of the more unique “haul everything” packs we’ve tested. Designed for the hyper-specific niche of big mountain goat and sheep hunting, the pack is capable of that and a whole lot more.

In essence, the pack is a single large tube of high molecular weight polyethylene attached to a world-class frame, shoulder straps, and harness. Designed to carry massive loads north of 150 pounds, this pack is a dream to carry. And thanks to smart carbon composite design, it weighs in at just 3 pounds, 15 ounces. Super impressive, given its volume of over 115 L!

Our team tested the pack hauling loads in preparation for elk hunting, mountaineering, and general backpacking. It carries remarkably well, even with a lot of weight. While the pack is bare-bones in terms of storage solutions, it does have two internal pockets, a large external pocket, and a lid pocket, all of which can help keep items organized.

But its strength comes in hauling heavy loads. Unlike some hunting packs though, it doesn’t have a meat shelf, meaning that the load needs to be loaded internally. So strangely shaped objects (like firewood or chainsaws) will be awkward to load. For those who need to haul heavy loads though, this one is a unique, excellent choice that carries weight amazingly well.

Read Review: Ultralight, Ultra-Strong Backpack: Stone Glacier Terminus 7000 Review

We heard whispers of such a pack for months, but wouldn’t believe it until we saw it. A fully featured iteration of Osprey’s lightweight standard bearer, with the luxe suspension system we’ve grown to expect, fine-tune adjustability, and ample storage — while shaving nearly a pound off an already featherlight package? Folks, the wait is over. We present the newly minted Exos Pro 55 ($290), a lighter, sleeker sibling to the original treasured Exos.

Hefty tradeoffs used to be obligatory in ultralight backpacking. Narrowing in on that elusive sub-10-pound base weight? Better ditch your traditional pack for a frameless tube of Dyneema. But each year these sacrifices get less costly, and we’re beginning to see full-frame models with top-shelf breathability and structure flirt with the ultralight realm.

At just over 2 pounds, the Pro can’t hold a candle weight-wise to packs like LiteAF’s Ultra 30L Curve, but it has a 55-58 L capacity, and the ability to haul much heavier loads. Plus, removing the brain sheds an additional 2.6 ounces, which is how we usually like to roll — making it even more competitive.

Nano-fly UHMWPE ripstop nylon, thin straps, and tiny buckles are key ingredients in the secret sauce. They strike a nearly perfect balance between bougie comfort and lightweight minimalism. With a suspended mesh back panel, full frame load transfer, torso adjustability, and ventilated mesh yoke, it carries and performs like Osprey’s chunkier models weighing over twice as much. For premium ultralight comfort and next-level breathability, the Exos Pro is next to none. So what’s the rub?

The obvious tradeoff is durability. One hundred-denier fabric will hold its own during light bush-bashing but is designed for the well-trodden path. For burly off-trail objectives, look to Osprey’s beefy Aether or Rook. That said, we found ourselves scrambling over some pretty gnarly terrain with the Pro over our testing period, and it weathered the storm with barely any signs of wear and tear. While we haven’t been able to test its durability over months-long excursions, we’ve heard praise for the Pro from several thru-hikers who have already trekked from border to border with this pack in tow. Based on our tamer, shorter trips, we’d have to agree — this is a phenomenal, comfortable pack for ultralight travel.

Other slight cons include relatively thin hip belts (with only one pocket being zippered), and somewhat awkward Z-style compression straps that connect to the hip belt pockets, which just isn’t our favorite design.

Don’t let our quibbles dissuade you though. This lightweight feat of engineering represents a landmark for weekend warriors and thru-hikers alike, hinting at a new category of high-capacity, fully-framed ultralight backpacks. So — if you aren’t ready to make the leap to a glorified trash bag with straps, and wish to carry a full-length toothbrush — give the Exos Pro a shot.

We asked — they delivered. Black Diamond’s answer to the ultralight wave sweeping the outdoor industry is impressive, to say the least, yet expensive to say the worst. Let’s get down to brass tacks on the novel Betalight 45: if $400 for a sack with straps turns you away, it may be best to read on. Get into the nitty gritty though, and put this thing under the ultralight cult’s ever-skeptical microscope — and it just might be worth it.

Perhaps the most important factor here, partially contributing to the high price tag, is Challenge Sailcloth’s Ultra 200 body fabric — a new-age ultralight fabric similar to Dyneema Composite Fabric, but besting it in a few metrics. BD whittled the Betalight’s weight down to a respectable 31.4 ounces by employing this extremely durable fabric and offers up a comfortable ride to boot. No small feat for an ultralight pack. They claim the Betalight has to be “one of the lightest yet most durable packs on the trail” — so we put it through an unconventionally brutal durability test to gauge this claim.

Senior Editor Chris Carter recently helped map out a new trail system in Kenya, East Africa, and four days and over 60 miles later, the pack was hauled through hell, and came out literally without a scratch (well — without a tear). To say we were impressed would be an understatement. Not only did it fend off endless thorns, sharp bamboo, and miles of shoving through impenetrable bush, but the waterproof fabric (coupled with a bag liner), kept everything dry through torrential downpours. 

The running-vest-inspired shoulder harness is unusually wide, distributing weight well — but is sparsely padded. The hip belts are also quite thin, meaning you’ll want to keep your load to a modest ultralight weight when using this pack. We packed it down a bit more than is recommended and paid the price. Overall, though, it carries very comfortably when compared to other ultralight models. 

We love the massive front shove-it pocket but wish you didn’t have to unclip the top strap to fully access it. The large water bottle side pockets hold contents securely, but it’s quite difficult to remove bottles while on the go. The hip belt pockets easily accommodate larger iPhones and plenty of snacks, but the zipper sits a bit low on the pouch, meaning contents (like phones) spill out easier than other designs we’ve seen when you open it up. We found this out the hard way.

These gripes aside, the level of durability you get at such a light weight with the Black Diamond Betalight 45 pack is honestly shocking. After what we drug it through, we feel confident recommending this pack for some of the more brutal, off-trail missions in your future. BD still has a bit of refining to do, in our opinion, but this has the potential to be one of the more legendary hardworking ultralight packs out there.

Gossamer Gear makes superlight backpacks that all hit a similar weight and price point. The Mariposa 60 ($285), for example, weighs 2 pounds and has a removable internal frame and load lifters. This pack has been around for a while, with a lot of fans in the ultralight backpacking world.

The Gossamer excels with ROBIC high-tensile nylon, which is remarkably durable for its weight. It also hits a modest price point compared to packs made with more expensive Dyneema Composite fabrics.

A standout feature of the Gossamer line is their knack for organization. In addition to seven extra pockets outside the main storage compartment, this pack has a mesh pocket for wet items and three large side pockets.

The biggest negative that we noticed had to do with its ventilation. Compared to some other models in its weight and price category, the foam sheet on the back is somewhat breathable, but left us wishing for some greater airflow.

With its broad range of external storage options, durable design, and lightweight construction, the Mariposa is a go-to backpack for the thru-hiker looking for a featured, reliable option that will last throughout a season of heavy use.

The Granite Gear Crown3 ($240) weighs just 2 pounds, 4 ounces, and has a 60L carrying capacity. Even at such a low weight, it can transform from a weekend heavy-hauler to a lightweight bag for a long thru-hike. Much like this pack’s predecessor, the Crown2 60, the Crown3 60 is versatile, light, and relatively durable for an ultralight backpack.

New for 2022, we tested the Crown3 60 on a 32-mile 4-Pass Loop hike in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. We found the pack carried really well, even with a heavier-than-average load, thanks to the optional ($12, sold separately) aluminum stay. This beefs up the otherwise good VC Mark 3 Frame Sheet, giving the pack a weight capacity of up to about 45 pounds.

Our tester found the pack very comfortable and versatile, especially for its light weight and low cost. He also loved the huge side pockets, large stretch-mesh back panel, and removable, just-right-size top lid pocket.

The Crown3 uses the same material as the Crown2’s 210-denier, high-tenacity nylon, which we put through more than 2,000 miles of testing. So we expect it to hold up at least as well as the old version.

If you’re in the market for an ultralight backpack that can flex into heavier lifting when needed, don’t hesitate. This is a proven backpack that just got a little bit better.

Read Review: Granite Gear Crown3 60 Review: Ultralight Pack, Heavy Potential

Zpacks offers one of the lightest backpacks in its size range, and they’ve also managed to make this pack tough as nails. Constructed with ultradurable, lightweight Dyneema Composite Fabric, the combination of these features makes the Zpacks Arc Blast ($375) one of the best ultralight backpacks for strenuous objectives.

The Arc Blast weighs just 21 ounces but is built to carry up to 35 pounds. With a comfortable, suspended frame for ventilation, the only real downside to this pack is its $375 price tag.

This pack is a favorite of hikers who put down massive miles. For example, Dan “Knotts” Binde, who has crossed the United States seven times in the last 3 years, swears by this pack.

“I haven’t switched up my packs a lot, but once I got used to it, it was solid, really durable — which I was worried about,” he said.

Though it comes at a cost, the Arc Blast is about as streamlined as it gets, ideal for the dedicated thru-hiker looking for an ultralight option that can still haul relatively heavy loads.

“Hey guys, it’s Darwin!” If you recognize that classic intro, you know the sheer amount of knowledge Evolved Supply Co.’s owner has about backpacking gear. Nic “Darwin” Rakestraw is a prominent voice in the thru-hiking community, a seasoned gear designer, and a passionate advocate for the protection of public lands.

His fingerprints are all over the ultralight gear you see on trail, so when he came out with his own gear company, the community listened. We got a chance to test his debut ultralight backpack, The Ranger ($250-330), which has been a huge success since its release in December 2022. Color us impressed.

The unique skeleton of the pack is what first struck us. Without getting too much into the weeds of its thoughtful design, the pack is structured with one-piece U-shaped vertical bindings for rigidity, with minimal horizontal seams that are seam taped to boost water resistance.

Why is that important? Well, the tough U-shaped binds boost durability and make the pack easier to rummage through on the go. The horizontal seams, which have a greater risk of water permeability, are reinforced with sturdy Ultra TNT seam tape to fend off moisture. A powerful, functional combo that screams attention to detail. The shoulder straps are secured to the pack with bombproof ribbon binds that are reinforced and waterproof. This thing is ready for the torture of a summer-long thru-hike.

A 32-inch expandable roll-top collar allows you to fill the pack to 40 L, or it can be rolled down to a 35L capacity. The pack comes with a single top compression leash, or you can add the optional removable Y strap (which comes in the complete kit) to easily attach a bear canister or that gigantic bag of salt and vinegar chips you’re hauling out of town. Thoughtful touches, like a bottom shove-it pouch with a trash hole and a dedicated webbing loop for attaching a camera clip, add to the pack’s usability.

The removable ½-inch-thick hip belts are super cozy, though we did notice the lightweight clips to be somewhat difficult to close under tension. This pack is also swiftly becoming a popular model, so lead times can often be quite long if the pack is not in stock.

These slight gripes aside, we feel that The Ranger is one of the best ultralight packs on the market. We have already shouldered it on a number of demanding ultralight trips, and the level of ingenuity in the design is obvious. For ultralight weekend forays in the mountains or months-long treks across the country, this pack would be a great companion.

The very first thing you notice when sliding a new Granite Gear Virga3 ($200) from the box is the wild-looking shoulder harness, with even more adjustability than you’d find on the beefy Osprey Aether. Not one, but two rows of daisy chains decorate the top of this pack, and afford the shoulder straps lateral and longitudinal adjustment with simple gatekeeper buckles. How is this still an ultralight pack?

Add in a fully adjustable pocketed hip belt, large side and front mesh pockets, side and front compression straps, all with a durable nylon construction, and you’d think this pack wound up in the wrong guide. But the Virga3 hovers miraculously around a pound and a half and can be stripped down further to a minimal trail weight of 1.18 pounds.

This does come with a caveat, however. Granite Gear achieved such an impressively low weight by leaving out a frame sheet or stays. The structure of the pack is meant to come from the load itself, and they have included top and bottom pad pockets inside the main compartment where you can insert a folding foam pad.

This is a unique design, but we found that some accordion pads were too large for the pockets. Additionally, many people prefer to hike with inflatable pads to save space. We also don’t find compression straps to be very effective on frameless packs, so we don’t generally use the ones on the Virga unless we have a pad in the back.

Despite all this, we found the Granite Gear Virga3 to be among the more comfortable ultralight packs we tested. Unless you’re toting seriously heavy loads, it carries quite well even without a frame or inserted foam pad.

We love the sleek design, incredible torso adjustability, and competitively low weight. This is also a very affordable pack, and we believe it would be a great option for those looking to snag a more feature-packed ultralight model for long treks.

Read Review: Most Comfortable Ultralight Pack at a Low Price: Granite Gear Virga3 Undyed Review

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40 ($369) is a relatively new pack for hikers who think HMG bags need more features and customizability. Part of the appeal of an HMG pack is the stripped-down, minimalist feel and clean design aesthetic the brand utilizes across most of its gear.

However, we suspect there are folks out there looking for a Hyperlite pack that combines the brand’s signature combo of weight and durability with some features offered by other (heavier) packs.

It’s hard to deny the usefulness of the Unbound 40’s features. Oversized side pockets provide plenty of water bottle access. The Dyneema Stretch Mesh dual-front pocket includes two entry points (top and bottom), meaning rummaging for gear just got a little more streamlined.

Between that and the hip-belt pockets, the Unbound 40 offers 9L of external storage space — nothing to sneeze at in a pack this small. As another nod toward customization, the side compression straps are removable. And, HMG loaded up the Unbound 40 with a plethora of daisy chains for attaching externally stored gear.

Unfortunately, that gear can’t be too heavy. Critics of carrying comfort on other HMG packs will find their concerns present here as well. A single contoured aluminum stay, minimalist foam back pad, and relatively skimpy straps don’t invite overloading.

And while HMG touts the Unbound 40’s carrying capacity as topping out at 40 pounds, our initial testing indicates that 35 or even 30-pound loads are going to be much more comfortable with this pack.

Though we don’t have thousands of miles on the Unbound 40 yet, standard HMG features like durable, waterproof fabric, taped seams, and sound stitching abound. Chances are this pack will last a good long while — and provide some stout competition for other top ultralight backpacks.

Serious ultralight backpackers heap praise on the Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55L ($245-325) and for good reason. The frameless pack carries a load of 20-25 pounds and weighs in at a scant 18 ounces. The brand calls it the “lightest full-size, full-featured, frameless pack made.”

It’s a popular design for thru-hikers or others doing big, lightweight miles who may be carrying a bear bin to protect their food from bruins. At 12 inches wide, 7 inches thick, and 35 inches high, it will fit a small bin with room to spare for other gear.

This design comes in two fabric choices. The Exodus 55L uses Dyneema X Fabric, which has a ripstop pattern of HMWPE to stop tears. It costs $245.

To go full-blown Dyneema, upgrade to the Exodus DCF 55L (choose Ecopak Ultra in fabric selection) for $325. The extra $80 saves you just an ounce, but the upgrade in materials means it will last forever as well as being largely waterproof (it’s seam-taped).

The Exodus has a very supportive, cushioned hip belt, especially for an 18-ounce pack. The SuperWick Mesh-lined waist belt wings with 1.5-inch webbing, and the buckle adjusts from about 28 to 45 inches.

It’s a simple design that serves the needs of ultralight hikers with no unnecessary features. Customers can add a lid or hip belt pockets and shoulder pockets if they so desire.

For the lightest and fastest hiking missions where weight and efficiency are the biggest concerns, the Exodus has proven to be one of the best ultralight backpacks out there.