What is ultralight and its basics

...or how to shed pounds from your backpack without losing your mind (or your sleeping bag)

“Do I really have everything?” most of us ask ourselves before setting off on a hike. And after the first three kilometers, the second question comes: “Why am I dragging all this?”

Less stuff, more experiences

The ultralight approach isn't just about lightening your backpack. It's a whole philosophy that teaches you minimalism, thoughtfulness, and efficiency - whether you're heading to the Jeseníky Mountains for a weekend or planning to cross the Alps.

Let's break this philosophy down to the last gram.

What does "ultralight" mean?

Ultralight (abbreviated as UL) is a style of outdoor equipment and approach to expeditions that aims to minimize weight and volume without fundamentally compromising safety and comfort.
An ultralight backpack is usually considered to be one with a base weight (without food and water) of under 5 kg .

It's not about suffering - it's about moving further, faster, more freely.

What is base weight and how to calculate it?

Base weight = all equipment except water, food and fuel.
Total pack weight = total weight including water and food.
Skin-out weight = everything you have with you (backpack + pockets + what you are wearing).

Goal: reduce base weight → greater flexibility, less fatigue, higher pace.

Who is the ultralight approach suitable for?

For long-distance pilgrims and trekkers who walk for several days at a time .
For those who don't have a strong physique but want to keep walking .
For anyone who appreciates more comfortable movement in the field .

It's not for everyone – and you don't have to be an extremist. Ultralight can be adapted to any travel style.

5 main principles of the ultralight approach

1. Reduce quantity – remove unnecessary things

Every extra gram counts. Do you really need four socks for a two-day trip?

Ask about each thing:

Will I really use it every day?
Can it be replaced by something else?
Could I survive without it?

2. Minimize weight – choose lighter alternatives

Today, there are super-light yet reliable equipment options. It's not always necessary to carry the classics from the army warehouse.

E.g.:

Tent → light tarp or poncho-tarp
Camping chair → sleeping pad folded as support
Gas stove → alcohol stove or cold kitchen
Heavy stainless steel bottle → PET bottle or hydration bag (soft flask)
Large first aid kit → minimalist first aid kit + basic medicines
Classic headlamp with batteries → mini USB headlamp (e.g. Nitecore NU25)
Microfiber towel → small napkin made of quick-drying fabric (cut)

3. Multifunctionality – one thing, multiple uses

Each object should ideally serve more than one purpose.

E.g.:

Poncho → also works as a tarp (sleeping shelter)
Scarf (buff / merino tunnel) → hat, towel, filter, pillow, bandage
Trekking poles → support when walking, but also a structure for a tarp or shelter
Sleeping bag cover → pillow after filling with clothes

4. Modularity – pack according to the situation

Assemble your equipment in a way that can be easily adapted to the type of expedition – one way you'll pack for a summer crossing of the Beskydy Mountains, another for a winter hike in the Alps. Adapt your equipment to the terrain, season, and duration of the event.

E.g.:

Cooking

Summer weekend in the Beskydy Mountains: cold dishes, instant food
Winter expedition: gas stove + leeward

Sleep

Summer: light quilt + tarp
Spring/autumn: sleeping bag with better insulation + closed shelter

Clothing

Spring/summer: light layers, minimal insulation
Winter: down jacket, thick socks, gloves, backup layer

Water filtration

Area with frequent sources: E.g. Sawyer Mini water filter
High-altitude terrain without reliable sources: carrying a larger supply of water

Charging

Short trip: 5000 mAh power bank
Long trek: 10,000 mAh + possibly solar panel

5. Safety and common sense always come first

Never reduce weight at the expense of basic safety.
Having one kilo less in your backpack isn't worth it if you don't have dry items, first aid, or storm protection.

Examples of when saving is not worth it:

Minimalist first aid kit without bandages: a few grams less, but you won't help yourself in case of injury
Check the weather carefully, especially if you're going for multiple days. If any of them are going to be awful, it's not worth saving on accommodation.
Thin tarp without leeward in a storm: great weight, but there is a real risk of getting wet
No headlamp – “I’ll be asleep by dusk” – but what if you’re delayed by the journey? It’s a good idea to always have a mini headlamp with you if you’re going on a more demanding day hike.

When to stick to a safe base:

In unpredictable weather (mountains, winter, spring)
When you go a long way outside of civilization
On solo expeditions (without the possibility of relying on help)
If you have no experience with expeditions in the given terrain

Tip: Always have a plan B – what will you do if you get wet, get lost, or get injured? Ultralight gear won’t give you wings – but good judgment will save your trip.

Overview of basic UL equipment

Category	Ultralight variant	Weight (approximate)
Backpack	frameless, 35–45 l	400–800g
Shelter	tarp, poncho-tarp	300–600g
Sleeping bag/Quilt	feathers, synthetics	500–800g
Sleeping mat	foam / inflatable UL	250–500g
Cooking	alcohol cooker / cold kitchen	150–300g
Clothing	layering, merino, pertex	minimalistically
Water filtration	Sawyer Mini, Katadyn BeFree	~50–100g
First aid kit + KPZ	own report	~150–300g

How to start ultralighting step by step

1. Review what you already have

To weigh every thing on the scale.
Make a list of equipment (e.g. in the Lighterpack or Notion app).
Find out what you don't use - and consider whether you're just carrying it "just in case."

2. Start with clothes and a sleeping bag

Clothing often accounts for a large portion of weight.
A sleeping bag and sleeping pad are heavy items – but they can be optimized a lot.

3. Focus on the “Big Three”

Backpack, sleeping bag, shelter. This often makes up 50–70% of the base weight.

4. Test, test, test

Go on a short trip with new equipment.
Keep track of what you missed and what you didn't pull out at all.
Tune the configuration based on your own experience.

Ultralight myths vs. reality

Myth	Reality
"Ultralight means discomfort."	On the contrary - lightening the backpack often increases the comfort of movement.
"I need to buy expensive equipment."	A lot of things can be DIYed or alternatives can be used.
"It's not safe."	If you know what you're doing, it can be safer than a heavy backpack that will exhaust you.

When does it make sense to go to UL and when is it better not to?

Ultralight we recommend:

For long-distance treks and long crossings
If you have a good weather forecast
When you know where to refill your water and food

Ultralight is NOT RECOMMENDED (or only partially):

In winter conditions without experience
If you are carrying equipment for other people (e.g. children)
When you go outside civilization with no way to replenish

Basic UL setup for a beginner (base weight ~6 kg):

Category	Recommended solution
Backpack	frameless UL backpack 40 l (e.g. Decathlon MT500 UL)
Shelter	poncho-tarp or light tent for one
Sleeping bag	3-season synthetics (comfort around 5–10 °C)
Sleeping mat	Z-lite foam sleeping pad (can be cut to size)
Cooking	alcohol stove + titanium bowl (or cold kitchen)
Water	2 PET bottles 1 l + Sawyer Mini
Clothing	1 extra set (t-shirt, socks, underwear) + insulation
First aid kit + KPZ	minimalist, tailored to the trip

Total price: approx. 6–8 thousand CZK (combination of new + second-hand equipment)

Tips for additional equipment and upgrades

Sleeping bag cover – replace with a compression drysack
Ešus – can be a mug and a bowl in one
Spoon – long plastic (Titanium is cool, but an unnecessary luxury)
Knife – an ultra-light Victorinox Classic (~21 g) is enough

Recommended resources and inspiration

YouTube channels: Darwin onthetrail, Homemade Wanderlust, Zpacks
Websites: LighterPack, Outdoorline, HikeVentures
Communities: Reddit /r/Ultralight, Facebook groups like "Ultralight CZ/SK"
Apps: Adventurer, MapyCZ

Conclusion: It's not a competition, it's a journey

Ultralight isn't about how much weight you carry. It's about how much junk you're willing to leave at home so you can keep going. It's a way to enjoy your trips with more ease - physically and mentally.

Don't start by throwing away half your gear. Start by noticing what you really need. And you'll find that the less stuff weighing you down, the more space you have for experiences.

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