When Michael and Melanie Tilton go into the wilderness, they each carry a backpack with a base weight of around seven pounds. That single-digit figure includes all of their gear — from sleeping ...

If you spend enough time backpacking, you may consider switching to an ultralight setup, as it opens the door to longer, faster adventures and allows you to travel more freely. A lightweight tent, pad ...

Backpacking backpacks are undergoing a sea change. Huge 70-liter, heavily padded, fully-featured models are on their way out, and the minimalist packs pioneered by thru-hikers are in. Today’s ...

If you’re a seasoned trekker, I’m sure you’ve had your share of aches, pains, and “holy crap I’m dying” moments while hauling your jumbo hiking backpack into the woods. Today, we’ll look at how you ...

For backpackers, going ultralight is easier (and less expensive) than you might expect. We stepped back to give tips on reducing pack weight for weekend backpacking trips and thru-hikes alike. Every ...

Ultralight backpacking is exploding in popularity — and rightfully so: Going light means going farther, faster, and more ...

For plenty of outdoorsmen and women, ultralight backpacking conjures up a particularly kooky image. Sawed-off toothbrushes. Dingy plastic water bottles with water filters screwed on top. Backpacks — ...

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Choosing an ultralight pack is one of the trickiest gear decisions—you aren’t just considering the weight ...

Ultralight backpacks aren’t known for their bells and whistles. Using lightweight fabrics like Dyneema and Xpac, designers often make these bags as spartan as possible, without any extraneous straps, ...