Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear at REI

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YouUltralight backpacking gear is a worthwhile investment for hikers who want to make the most of every day on the trail without sacrificing their knees to do so. And going ultralight doesn’t have to be complicated. Many popular ultralight items can even be found at your local REI, meaning you can avoid long delivery times, review the gear in person before purchasing, and have the assurance of REI’s robust return policy while you review your setup.

From items from the Big Three to smaller gadgets, here are 15 of the best ultralight backpacking pieces you can buy at REI, chosen by our editors.

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Altra Lone Peak 9 Men | Women’s
MSRP: $145 | Weight: 1lb 6.4oz (M), 1lb 3oz (W)

Have you ever heard it said that a pound on your feet is worth five on your back? Trail running shoes like the Altra Lone Peak have become overwhelmingly popular in long-distance hiking communities, largely due to the influence of the ultralight movement.

While they don’t count toward your base weight since you’ll be wearing them all day while hiking, these minimalist shoes still weigh much less than traditional hiking boots and will also breathe better and dry faster.

Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 Tent
Suggested retail price: $549.95 | Weight: 1 pound 7.1 ounces

This relatively new tent is Big Agnes’ first foray into the world of ultralight trekking pole tents. It’s roomy for one person and could also accommodate a furry hiking companion. Equipped with two trekking poles instead of dedicated tent poles, the String Ridge is 9 ounces lighter and substantially more spacious than the Fly Creek One, the brand’s lightest freestanding tent.

REI Flash Men’s Shorts | Women’s
Suggested retail price: $69.95 | Weight: 5.6oz (M), 5.3oz (W)

Lightweight shorts + sun hoodie is the classic Ultralight Hiker uniform of the 2020s. This combination is versatile and comfortable in a wide range of conditions, from muggy Appalachian summers to mid-season hikes in the alpine areas.

REI’s Flash Shorts have a roomy, comfortable fit that doesn’t restrict your range of motion. They’re made from stretchy, quick-drying, UPF 50+ fabric and feature two generous hand pockets, plus a zippered thigh pocket designed specifically to be accessible under a hip belt.

REI Men’s Sahara Shade Sun Hoodie | Women’s
Suggested retail price: $59.95 | Weight: 8.8oz (M), 6.4oz (W)

A perfect pairing with the Flash Shorts above, this classic sun hoodie will provide full upper body coverage. Pop up the hood and pair it with sunglasses and a trucker cap for a simple, ultralight sun protection system that many hikers swear by. The cuffs have thumb loops so you can even lower the fabric to protect the back of your hands.

UPF 50+ fabric is moisture-wicking, soft and breathable. Importantly, UPF 50+ protection is an inherent property of the fabric itself, rather than a chemical treatment that could eventually wear off.

Nemo Tensor Elite Sleeping Pad
MSRP: $249.95 | Weight: 8.5 oz (Reg. Mummy)

The launch of this incredibly lightweight sleeping pad has been one of the most exciting developments in the world of ultralight gear in recent 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 enough for most hikers in mild conditions. (For comparison, the Tensor Elite weighs less and is slightly warmer than the accordion-folding CCF foam pads still preferred by some ultralight hikers.)

Mountain Hardwear Men’s Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket | Women’s
MSRP: $399 | Weight: 8.8oz (M), 6.9oz (W)

Weighing in at around half a pound, give or take, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer has long been one of the most ultralight downs on the market, and it’s almost certainly the lightest available from a major retailer. The Ghost Whisperer has developed a solid reputation over many years and is suitable for most three-season trips, although you may want to pair it with another layer if you get cold.

REI Flash Air Men’s 50 Pack | Women’s
MSRP: $299 | Weight: 1lb 14oz (M), 1lb 13oz (W)

This neat little backpack has flown under the radar in the ultralight communities, but we think it’s worth a look. REI says the design was inspired by hikers, and you can definitely see that in the backpack’s features, which lean much more toward the minimalist, streamlined configurations that ultralight backpackers tend to prefer over traditional heavier, more structured backpacks.

The Flash Air is much lighter than the Osprey Exos, which is so popular with AT hikers, and is reasonably priced. It is made from durable, abrasion-resistant UHMWPE. Even the spacious external pockets are mostly UHMWPE, reducing the risk of mesh snagging. In addition, it has pockets on the belt.

Rab Mythic 20 sleeping bag
Suggested retail price: $625 | Weight: 1 pound 8.7 ounces

It’s no secret that quilts are very popular among the ultralight backpacking community, but sometimes you just need a proper mummy bag to feel really cozy. The good news is that some of the best and warmest mummy bags out there don’t weigh much more than a typical quilt. At less than 25 ounces total, the Mythic 20 fits those requirements.

If you want the security of a mummy bag in the weight range of a quilt, check this one out.

Petzl Swift LT Headlamp
Suggested retail price: $54.95 | Weight: 1.5 ounces

This lamp’s ultralight shockcord headband will make you look like a cool, ultralight kid. And while it looks like a basic headlamp, the Swift LT is anything but.

It still boasts a maximum light output of 380 lumens (more than enough for overnight campers and hikers) and includes a red light and a lockout feature. It is rechargeable and the battery lasts from 2 to 60 hours, depending on the brightness setting. Despite all that, the total weight, including battery, power cord, and all, is only 1.5 ounces.

HMG Southwest 40 Backpack
Suggested retail price: $395 | Weight: 1 pound 13.6 ounces

Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s distinctive white backpacks have been a staple of the ultralight world for years. The Southwest is made with highly durable Dyneema composite fabric, and these packs have been known to survive multiple consecutive hikes, becoming progressively more earthy in color 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 pounds 8 ounces

Yes, you can have a freestanding tent and still be ultralight. Freestanding tents like the Nemo Hornet Osmo are generally quicker and easier to set up than trekking pole shelters, which is ideal when you arrive at camp in Empty and need to get to bed as soon as possible.

Nemo’s patented high-performance Osmo fabric excels at water repellency and won’t sag when wet like a typical nylon tent would. It is also made with 100% recycled threads, which we love.

The Hornet Osmo tent has good durability and provides a comfortable and sturdy living space. While it’s designed for two people, it’s still light enough that a solo hiker can carry it guilt-free.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z trekking poles
MSRP: $219.95 | Weight: 9.9 ounces (120 cm)

At less than 10 ounces per pair, these Z-folding carbon fiber poles are some of the lightest on the market, period. They are not adjustable, so if you are a trekking pole tent user, we recommend that you check your tent’s setup guidelines to ensure you get a set of Distance Carbon Z that suits both your hiking and tenting needs.

In addition to the dramatic weight savings, fixed-length poles have some advantages: they are easier to deploy and more reliable and durable (the complicated locking mechanisms on telescoping poles are a common failure point).

They are also simply a well-made product. Black Diamond is one of the biggest names in trekking poles for good reason.

REI Magma 30 Duvet
MSRP: $329 | Weight: 1 pound 4.3 ounces

Remember how we said earlier that quilts are very popular with ultralight hikers? This is because they eliminate extra superfluous material, streamlining your sleep system in a way that produces big weight savings without compromising your warmth or comfort.

At just 20 ounces, the Magma 30 is much lighter than most traditional sleeping bags, and its affordable price proves that going ultralight doesn’t have to be much more expensive than a standard backpacking kit.

Outdoor Research Helium UL Men’s Waterproof Jacket | Women’s
Suggested retail price: $225 | Weight: 5.7oz (M), 5.6oz (W)

Outdoor Research’s Helium Rain Jacket has been one of our top recommendations for ultralight rainwear for many years. There simply aren’t many rain jackets that lightweight, especially if you want to buy them from a major brand which you can find at REI.

The Helium Waterproof Jacket has protected many hikers over the years and although its design is minimalist, it still has some useful features like zip pockets and an adjustable drawstring hood.

Toaks Titanium Backpacking Stove
MSRP: $29.95 | Weight: 1.6 ounces

Toaks released this handy little UL backpacking stove in 2025, and it happens to be one of the lightest stoves on the market. There’s nothing fancy about this contraption – the design is simple and minimalist, but most hikers only use their stoves to boil water once or twice a day anyway, so do you really need more than this?

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Cover image: Graphic design by Zack Goldman.