My ULTIMATE ultralight backpacking gear set up!

[@andreya6577]

Fifteen years ago, I hiked the West Highland Way with a 16 kg rucksack and completed it in 5 days. Nowadays, I keep my rucksack weight to no more than 9 kg, and I’m aiming to reduce it to under 5 kg. I’ve come to realise that there’s no need to hike with a heavy rucksack anymore, as there are many affordable lightweight gear options available. Even your gear is reasonably priced when compared to the costs of other items today, including hotel expenses and more.

[@Mikey2tt]

Loved the video! Pretty expensive, but nobody forces you to buy it all right at the same time. I love the process of gathering and upgrading gear as years go by. And that base weight of yours is bonkers!

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

I hope the comments don't devolve into how expensive this gear is and how they use a 6lb. canvas tent like a real man. I've got Dyneema and carbon everything and glad of it.

[@Jon_From_Coventry]

If everyone had the money, they would buy the best of the best. This guy is demonstrating what's the best. I personally can't afford any of it, but I still like seeing it. I just have to accept the heavier weight.

[@dudeymcduderson]

Fair play to you for remembering all the weights. Really well presented video.

[@BackpackingUK]

Thanks, it’s not easy 🤯

[@4BB4S]

So true. Hard enough just to remember the names

[@garysmith7286]

Great video mate. Why dont you do the same for a winter type set up?

[@tomsk7666]

Like how that small gust of wind at 4:01 almost blew everything away

[@BackpackingUK]

😂😂😂

[@adge_ventures4915]

Ultralight is the only way to travel........if you want distance, speed and less injuries! Im a huge convert to this way of doing things as i cover an awful lot of miles in alot of trails. There are zero scenarios where someone is better off with a heavy rucksack. Glad you did a video like this! Adge

[@Lands_Solo]

A light rucksack with insufficient or inadequate gear is definitely not better than a heavier rucksack with the correct gear, so there's one for you straight away, that setup is literally asking for trouble at 500m and above in any season in the UK in my experience.

[@HilltopPacks]

Nice dialed in setup! Gotta love that Durston tent

[@chrisvardy2956]

Not a bad set of options. I like the DD gear too, I've swapped out my ZPacks tents for the X-Mids. However, I don't find the DCF tents to be any colder than dual walled nylon ones from Terra Nova etc so that was an interesting observation. For me PHD sleeping bags are very capable as the temperature drops and, given the right ones, you can use one of the uber light ones inside one of the others to take you way down below freezing. Gas stove though - nah - I moved over to hexy first and then bioethanol (now that the regulations are in place preventing us from buying hexy). I make my own packs to a similar de facto roll top design at around 800g and they have the features that I want.

[@ОлександрСтепаненко-д4ы]

Sweet English pronounce! ) Great thus costy setup, space for challenge.. after war Thanks for the vid and cheers from UA!

[@stephenmorris6202]

Amazing weight. Good context. Really good video.

[@timmo971]

Yeah I got a sort of similar set up. Some different brands and I’m tall so I went with a Durston 2 plus. So just a touch heavier with the rest of it changing around accordingly to the seasons. As for the costs yeah it’s pricey but over time it’s ok. Probably taken 3 or 4 years for it to evolve.

[@ksgonewild]

Hey lovely! Excellent vid as always, don’t usually comment as figure you’re sooo popular you probably wouldn’t notice 😂 I would love to see a lightweight setup for winter camping. I’m having to re-think my gear as I’m waiting for spinal surgery. I don’t have money for really expensive gear but sometimes one little change can make a super saving so always intrigued to watch these vids. Thanks for sharing! 🥰

[@BackpackingUK]

Hi Karen, there seems to be lots of interest in this so I'll put a pack together. My only issue is it usually means, lightweight + winter = expensive! I'll see what I can do though 👍

[@ksgonewild]

@@BackpackingUK amazing thank you! 🤩

[@paddle_hike]

I just got the Xmid pro 1 (but dcf floor) + poles too... Love it

[@stewartgregson8479]

Hi Andy great video as always. Just some ideas for cheap summer 😅alternatives: dd hammocks super lite tarp, vango Aotrom Matt, cold soak plastic jar, no need for leggings - use waterproofs to keep wind off, toothpaste tablets. And if u buy second hand kit I reckon you could get an ultra light kit together for two or three hundred quid - max. The other thing is it doesn’t have to be all done at once - the pleasure is trialing things and reducing your weight to what suits you over time. Keep up the great content.

[@acey850]

Appreciate the honesty about the cost. As a beginner, I will cheap out on most of these but I will definitely go for a more expensive but lighter bikepacking tent.

[@feldgraufox4927]

You could use a lanshan 1 or lanshan 2 for bikepacking. Less than a kg

[@andreameigs1261]

My advice is just get a regular x-mid over the xmid pro. The xmid pro only saves a bit of weight for a LOT of money, and you can much more easily save far more than a pound of weight for that 410ish bucks that you'd save by getting the regular tent over the DCF version. If you want to know what I would get if I re-kit myself out, getting the best value for not a huge amount of money (not ultra budget, but maybe middle to higher end budget) for conditions down to 30 degrees, I'd be happy to share that, as I haven't seen any youtuber with that setup yet, and it includes an insulated air mattress and spending less than 500 for the big 3. My other piece of advice as a person with a compressed disc- whatever pack you get, get one with a GOOD hip belt. Even if your baseweight is ultralight, your spine 'feels' it. I can feel pain from a 3 lb pack if it doesn't have a hip belt. You can replace hips, knees, ankles, but not your spine, so even if your pack is on the heavier side, but the hip belt absolutely rocks, then stick with the pack with the best hip belt that puts the weight on your hips. Measure your torso and learn how to fit a pack. Get that after you've got all the rest of your gear, so you know what volume you need.

[@fraserp2377]

I enjoyed this, I am not buying it all, but it's a great rundown of the best of the best and I trust your opinion.

[@GeordiLaForgery]

Fascinating gear thx would be nice to see a winter one

[@karlkeating2803]

I just returned from several days hiking in Yosemite National Park, with a setup very similar to yours. I have the X-Mid Pro 1 with the Dyneema floor, which saves 45 grams, and I used a quilt rather than a sleeping bag and likely saved more weight there, but I took more clothing than you did (such as hiking pants in addition to rain pants and a puffy jacket in addition to a hoodie similar to yours) because in the Sierra Nevada, in October, snow can sneak up on you almost instantaneously (though I was blessed with sunny days). My only puzzlement with your review is that you said the tent wasn't good in cold weather. No tent keeps out the cold--if properly staked, it keeps out the cold wind, but a tent's fabric doesn't provide insulation as a jacket does.

[@BackpackingUK]

It’s all about stopping cold draughts. See through mesh inners are hopeless in cold weather. Solid mesh, double walled tents also provide a little insulation too. I must admit, I’m shocked how poor both floors are in the Pro’s, I know it’s an ultralight tent, but those floors won’t last long unless you pitch on nice plush grass.

[@chrishamilton2527]

Nice ……. Well done. Mine is not a million miles different. I have a DCF Bonfus pyramid tent carried in an Atom Pack backpack. I use a small Des Cattys alcohol burner with a titanium pot which works stunningly. I sleep on an R7.2 Thermarest with a goose down quilt. My only ‘heavy’ item is a Grayl water purifier as I’ve moved on from a water filter having seen the number of issues others are reporting. The other biggies are a Timmermade DCF waterproof smock (amazing, but took months to get, but worth it) and my Vivo barefoot forest boots which are simply the best. My kit weighs in at a tad under 8kg Including fuel and food but excluding water.

[@pootlingalong8928]

Wow. Thought I was doing well with my Nordisk Telemark tent - says it’s 870g but all in with pegs bags and everything is more like 950g. I believe in ultralight camping gear, I think our bodies will thank us for it when we are pensioners. It costs, yes, but you can save up and buy one thing at a time. Thanks for the video - I still have the lw clothing to sort out 👍🏻

[@KramF10]

Bonus points to anyone who counted how many times Andy said 'ULTRALIGHT'...

[@nvcn86]

i'll be going for the x-mid solid myself. thinking about an atom pack, but the price is .... STEEP. for sleep i think i'll just go with thermalite quilt and mat. i always want to take extra clothes ;_; but also definitely taking a small towel. need it when sometimes stopping at a campsite shower. also love my merino longlseeve and longjohns for sleeping. sometimes gotta compromise weight for comfort.

[@BackpackingUK]

The solid is half the price and still weighs sub 1kg. Better still, it protects you from chilly winds. It’s a much nicer tent for general use, although does have less head space as it’s a proper double wall tent unlike the Pro single wall.

[@nvcn86]

@@BackpackingUK how many g is your trowel? ;)

[@stephenmorris6202]

Great ideas. Thanks.

[@stephenwharrior5835]

Could do with a winter kit review just to compare the two

[@BackpackingUK]

My winter kit probably weighs 15kg, it’s the complete opposite end of the scale. I might see how I could do a comparison though, thanks for the idea 👍

[@stovemonkey6614]

Hi there im just new here in the uk ive been looking for videos on how to do wild camping in the peak district on how to do and what to do or not to do before goin to the peak district bec im planning to do wild camping in the peak district thanks more power to your channel🎉

[@johnmoss2582]

Could you please give more details on the waterproofs you showed in this video please

[@IvanDP1967]

Expensive yes..... but a great video Andy. I thought I'd done well getting my lightest kit down to about 7.5 kilos 🤣 To get to that sort of base weight takes some serious dedication.

[@BackpackingUK]

7.5kg is still ridiculously light. Sub-4kg is completely over the top for the UK, but it shows what can be achieved if you look at every piece of gear in detail.

[@yuriklaver4639]

I would choose GT trousers, in stead of the underpants. Unless you're a runner.

[@_Chris390]

If you're sleeping alone, in 5C or warmer conditions, why not just use a tarp and save even more weight, and a huge amount of money vs that Durston X-Mid Pro? GramXpert do a nice "Wide" one for about £65, which is a £360 saving from that tent. Also you'll pay way more import tax with the tent, so it's probably closer to a £420 to £450 saving. The tarp is 209g too, about 280g lighter than that tent. The Durston has a mesh inner anyway, and you said the wind cuts through it. So yeah, save a massive amount of money and a fair amount of weight and just get a tarp.

[@robertwaller2983]

I just took my two oldest kids on their first backpacking trip. It kicked my ass and the pack only weighed 40 pounds. lol! I need to invest in some of this light stuff

[@WayneD-d9z]

Awesome I’d definitely miss my chair

[@buizenpost]

Nice vid! Also, made me chuckle a bit when your sleeping bag almost was blown away at the slightest hint of a breeze. Point made, super light piece of kit! 😀

[@BackpackingUK]

😂😂😂

[@samreagan6292]

Very impressive. I’ll be using your list to update some things for sure! The thing that is the real dog for us in the US is the bear proof bag, I’ve seen one brand ursack that is doing good things with an ultralight solution to the classic heavy thick plastic bear canisters. I’d like to see you with a rodent proof bag, even though it’s probably not required it’s a good idea for your food supplies integrity as well as the rodents not looking for food from hikers. Happy trails

[@benedikthassel]

buy one with Dyneema, they're light af and are very hard to destroy.

[@samreagan6292]

@@benedikthassel that would work for most people, especially in the eastern US or the UK. The problem is the bear proof canisters are becoming a legal requirement in many western camping spots. And only specific brands are allowed because they have been tested. The day a dyneema bear proof bag is tested by the NPS I’ll be jumping with joy because the ursack is lighter than the conventional canisters, it’s still much heavier than dyneema

[@hedleythorne]

I think just my rucksack and tent weight 4kg before I pack everything else! Superb

[@BackpackingUK]

My winter solo tent and backpack weigh 5kg!

[@Obi-Wan_Pierogi]

I've got a quilt from a Polish company. Cumulus Roamer 150: 370g for about £210 But this is for summer

[@stevefloodgate8609]

Fair enough I apologize. Check out the poles though

[@summittaedae2323]

That’s a nice kit Andy. Hopefully over the next few years I will manage to get some lighter gear. All my kits top end but not light 😂. It’ll have to do until my nova is built tho. I have choices to make 🙄

[@BackpackingUK]

But I bet your gear is more durable and weatherproof. This is definitely a better-weather set up.

[@camping_guru_uk]

I love all that kit but as you know it's possible to get pretty much the same performance ish 😂 for £500- £600 but at the expense of going up to about 6-7kg total which is not bad for a £2000 saving 😂😂😂 I'd still like some of that kit

[@Jon_From_Coventry]

I am not very wealthy, and my shelter that would be comparable to an ultralight setup, is my £80 DD 3x3 superlight tarp, and my £30 OneTigris mesh inner. Erect tarp in a pyramid format with the mesh inner inside, and it does the job. Not as good as the setup in this video, and not as light and easy to use. But it does me alright. Poor folk have to think outside the box to achieve similar results 🤣.

[@INSOLESandLACES]

Some great kit Andy, think my day pack weights more😂

[@BackpackingUK]

To be fair, mine usually does too!

[@DanielOutdoors]

Ill never bring that type of tent here in Norway for sure.

[@BackpackingUK]

🥶

[@stigcc]

Why? Most of the time we have the weather for it. Btw, someone is selling this tent at finn now

[@DanielOutdoors]

@@stigcc Yeah i know some use them. But i have experience with a Zpack back in 2018. The problem is Norway is way to windy, xold.and humid for the type.of tents. And the problem is of courae the cant handle Winter either, at least no Norwegian Winters

[@Norristheforest]

Informative thanks. Often I wonder whether an extra 1 or 2 kg added would actually slow you down much from a base weight of say 5 kg. Obviously there is a line to be drawn and everyone would be different.

[@BackpackingUK]

I’d say absolutely not. Weight gets into people’s heads far too much. My exception would be long, multi day, long distance hikes with a lot of elevation.

[@Norristheforest]

@@BackpackingUK Very true. I did the Cambrian Way a few years back with a base weight of about 6.5kg and I don't think I would have wanted to go below that ( and I've got some pretty lightweight gear.)

[@yuriklaver4639]

Earplugs for when the wind is rocking your tent - am I right :-?

[@BackpackingUK]

More like for bird and sheep noises early in the morning!

[@3922JDM]

Hi Andy , new to your site but been following Kris and Liam for a few months . Quick question . Which trek / trail poles would you recommend, I’ve seen a few of you guys using them on Apex challenge etc and couldn’t find a vid review of poles so thought I’d ask direct , or on which poles you guys use personally , many thanks and loving the videos 👍🏻

[@BackpackingUK]

I’ve got 4 pairs ranging from expensive (Leki) or cheap (Amazon). 2 are carbon, 2 are aluminium. Personally I like the positives of both, lightness or carbon, the strength and dependability of aluminium. Also depends if you want 3-piece z-poles or telescopic poles. To start off you do t need to spend a fortune. Personally, I’d get some cheaper ones to see how you get on with them.

[@LisaTheWanderingGeordie]

Similar to mine, same tent (handled storm agnes of skye fine), ive a WM terralite, or EE quilt, BRS stove, 750 toaks, lightest mat is BA Zoom, and i basically layer in alpha direct... But WM sleeping bags are great i love mine seriously thinking about getting the apache or antelope for winter, just not sure if its worth it or if im best pairing the bag i have with the quilt

[@muhammadarfandy4140]

I like watching your videos bro, I'm inspired to go to nature, but I don't have enough money to buy a mountain backpack, are you willing to send your used backpack to Indonesia, my brother?

[@muhammadarfandy4140]

please, help me bro

[@ohdearism]

Just think about how much extra beer you can now pack.

[@BackpackingUK]

😂😂😂

[@Jk_outdoors_]

I thought you didn't like ultra light gear?

[@BackpackingUK]

As a general rule I don’t, but I went all-out to try and form a proper ultralight backpacking set up for multi day, long distance trips.

[@Jk_outdoors_]

@BackpackingUK how you finding the ul set up so far? I enjoy the light weight setups but my friend who I camp with alot hates the idea of it 🤣🤦

[@benedikthassel]

many years I've been hiking with around 15kg. these year im going light weight. not ultra light, i cant get over choosing some heavy gear or extra weight for comfort like my Savotta Backpack or a chair​.(wich i also changed to a carbon/dyneema one 😅) but wish me luck i want to be under 9kg with 2 liters of water 🙈 @@Jk_outdoors_

[@justanomadicguy]

Great video mate I would love to see a similar one, that prices up a full lightweightb set up, for under 1k, but with similar quality. I dont think u meed to include trainers as everyone has personal preference in that drpartment

[@BackpackingUK]

I did one at approx 7.5kg that wasn’t too stupidly expensive.

[@stevefloodgate8609]

I notice that there is a lighter and cheaper offering for the trekking poles (fizan, excellent poles), unfortunately the sinic in me then questions the sponsorship deal that maybe involved. It's a shame I like your KZbin offerings normally

[@BackpackingUK]

Sponsorship with Durston?!?! No chance!

[@BackpackingUK]

Also, if you read the description, the tent and poles are my mate’s who will let me borrow them when I like.

[@get_outdoors]

I don’t know how you manage to carry that full sized toothbrush up the hill! Seriously, nice gear tho

[@BackpackingUK]

😂😂😂

[@benedikthassel]

at least drill some holes in it geez 🤦🤣

[@bernardscott1783]

Where’s the treats and goodies,supposed to be a hobby isn’t and where does it stop.!!

[@MrNotanybody]

can shave a few grams off the toothbrush by cutting half the handle off

[@BackpackingUK]

Although it looks like it, I’m not actually a gram counter, I’ll keep the handle 😁

[@benedikthassel]

i hate this. just get a foldable. why y'all want that stupid tiny ass toothbrush? why don't you clean your teeth with your bare fingers?!? geez....