Ultralight backpacks made with high-tech fabrics such as Dyneema DCF, Woven Dyneema, Challenge Ultra, and ALUULA have become very expensive and unaffordable for most hikers. But the truth is, those packs are a luxury and in some cases a status symbol, not a necessity. There are still plenty of durable ultralight packs available made with Ultragrid, Dyneema Grid, and Robic Nylon, all priced at $250 or less, that are perfectly suitable for thru-hiking and ultralight backpacking.

Here are the best budget-friendly ultralight backpacks priced under $250.

1. Gossamer Gear G4-20 (42L)

The Gossamer Gear G4-20 is a 42L frameless ultralight backpack that weighs 24.8 oz and can carry up to 25 lbs comfortably. The G4-20 has a roll-top closure, a front stretch-mesh pocket, and two side pockets, including one large enough to carry a tent. Its internal storage capacity is 30L with 12L in its mesh and side pockets. The well-padded hip belt, which includes pockets, is not removable, but you can ditch the molded foam sit pad covering the pack’s back panel and further reduce the pack’s weight. Read the SectionHiker G4-20 Review. 

2. Mountainsmith Zerk 40L

The Mountainsmith Zerk 40 is a 34 oz backpack made with recycled nylon ripstop. It has a roll-top closure, a removable hip belt strap, and a running vest-style shoulder strap system. Numerous open mesh pockets make it easy to store frequently accessed gear and food on the pack’s exterior so you don’t have to open it during the day. The pack comes with bear can straps so you can lash a canister on top, and it includes numerous external gear loops to attach additional gear. While there is a foam pad in a pad pocket behind the Zerk’s shoulder straps, its primary purpose is to protect your back from being poked by the pack’s contents. Read the SectionHiker Zerk 40 Review.

3. Durston Gear Kakwa 55L Backpack

The Durston Gear Kakwa 55 is a streamlined ultralight-type backpack available in less expensive Ultragrid, which is optimized for thru-hiking and backpacking. It has plenty of external pockets so you can carry all of your daytime essentials without stopping to open the pack. But where this pack shines is in the frame and suspension system, which does an exceptionally fine job of transferring the load to your hips. Sizing is unisex. Read the SectionHiker Kakwa 55 Backpack Review.

4. Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55L

The Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55L is a high-volume frameless backpack available in several fabrics, including a less expensive version made with Ultragrid. Weighing 18 oz, it has a standard ultralight roll-top design with a solid front stretch pocket and side pockets made of solid fabric rather than mesh for added durability. The Exodus also has a sewn-in hip belt and female-friendly S-shaped shoulder straps. The pack’s maximum recommended load is 25 lbs. Sizing is Unisex. Read the SectionHiker Exodus Review.

5. Six Moon Designs Swift V 50L

The Six Moon Designs Swift V is a 50L backpack designed for thru-hiking and ultralight backpacking. It has a single 41L roll-top main compartment with a 10L extension collar, a durable stretch mesh front pocket, and side water bottle pockets. A Y-strap secures the load top and provides a convenient and easy attachment point for a bear barrel. It also has an adjustable torso length, which is a rare feature on ultralight backpacks but one that really helps achieve a good fit. Read the SectionHiker Swift V Review. 

6. Atom Packs The Atom RE40

The Atom RE40 is a 40L frameless ultralight backpack made by the highly-regarded UK pack maker Atom Packs. Designed for ultralight thru-hiking, it’s a streamlined pack with a roll-top closure, Dyneema stretch-mesh on the front, sides, and bottom, and S-shaped shoulder straps with a large shoulder-strap pocket. It’s made with EPX200, a very durable, waterproof, laminate fabric designed as an alternative to nylon. The pack does not have a hipbelt, but one is available as an add-on accessory.

7. Granite Gear Crown3 40L

The Granite Gear Crown3 40 is a roll-top backpack with an optional top lid pocket. with a hip belt that can be detached to make a bomber fanny pack or a top lid that can be detached to create a chest pocket. It has dual compression straps on the sides and front of the pack, making it easy to attach bulky gear to its exterior. The 40-liter volume of this pack also does not include its open side or front pockets, so it can hold a lot more gear than you’d expect. Read the SectionHiker Crown3 40 Backpack Review. A woman’s model is also available. Granite Gear has been selling all of its packs for a 40%-50% discount for several years. Check out the other bargains on their website.

8. Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L

9. REI Flash 55

The REI Flash 55 is a modular ripstop nylon backpack that weighs 45 oz but can be stripped down to save weight. For example, it’s a roll top backpack with a floating top lid that can be removed if you don’t need it. The Flash 55 also has an adjustable torso length, which is a very desirable feature if you have issues getting a good fit. If you’ve never owned a backpack that’s this lightweight, the Flash 55 is a good ultralight pack to cut your teeth on because it’s so affordable. The REI return policy also can’t be beat, something that smaller manufacturers don’t offer. A women’s version is available as well. Read the Section Hiker Flash 55 Backpack Review. We think this is a much better pack than the more expensive Flash Air 50 pack that REI also sells.

10. ULA Equipment CDT 54L

The ULA CDT is a 54-liter frameless rolltop backpack with an internal pad pocket. Weighing 27.1 oz, the CDT is a streamlined backpack with 36 liters of closed storage in the main pack bag and extension collar, with the remainder distributed across its side pockets, front mesh pocket, and hip belt pockets. While the CDT is not the lightest frameless backpack available today, it is one of the largest in overall volume, is available with J-shaped or female-friendly S-shaped shoulder straps, and comes in a very wide range of torso sizes and hip belt lengths. Read the SectionHiker ULA CDT Review. Note: ULA’s website is very SLOW, so this link may take a long time to load.

Budget Ultralight Backpack Selection Guide

Backpack Fabrics and Durability

Ultragrid, Dyneema Grid, Extreema Ripstop Nylon, and Robic Nylon are all forms of reinforced or high-tensile nylon with excellent durability records. Ultragrid and Dyneema Grid are mostly nylon but have super-strong Ultra or Dyneema fibers running through them to create a ripstop grid pattern, which helps prevent catastrophic tears. Dyneema Grid is the oldest of these nylon variants and has a long history of durable use, even before woven or laminated Ultra and Dyneema fabrics came on the scene.

In addition, packs are made in a variety of nylon thicknesses, which are measured by “deniers”, also abbreviated as “D” in “210D Nylon Ripstop. Usually, higher denier counts result in more durable and abrasion-resistant fabrics.

UL Backpack Frames

Most ultralight backpacks range from about 40 liters up to 60 liters in volume and usually weigh between 20 and 48 ounces. They’re intended for carrying loads between 25 and 35 pounds and have full frames, frame stays, or are frameless. The volume and weight capacity you need will depend on the amount of gear, food, fuel, and water you need to carry. This can vary from trip to trip, or town to town if you’re a thru-hiker or section hiker, but compression straps let you shrink a pack’s volume from 40L down to 60L as needed. Generally speaking, you want more “frame” for heavier loads, but this can be a matter of personal preference.

Gender-Specific Backpacks

Many ultralight backpacks are now available in men’s and women’s specific models, although there are a few exceptions. They also tend to have fixed torso lengths and hip belt lengths, although many backpack manufacturers have figured out that adjustable torsos and hip belts or ventilated backpacks give them a significant competitive edge. Many women prefer S-shaped shoulder straps and female-specific hip belts because they mold better to a “curvier” female form.

Rain Covers and Pack Liners

Most ultralight backpacks do not include a rain cover. If your backpack is not waterproof and rain is likely where you plan to hike, we recommend you get a backpack rain cover or line the inside of your backpack with a plastic bag. Some people do both or wear ponchos that cover themselves and their backpacks.

Roll Tops vs Top Lids

Some of the backpacks listed above are roll tops, and some have top lids. Which you choose is a matter of personal preference. Roll tops can be nice because they’re more minimalist and require fewer webbing straps. But top lids are handy if you need to change hats or gloves frequently or access a map and navigation gear. Still, other packs, like the Granite Gear Crown3 40 and the REI Flash 55, are roll-tops, but come with an accessory top lid that you can attach over them. That’s really the best of both worlds.

Backpacking Fit

The most important factor when choosing an ultralight backpack is fit. Keep trying them on until you get a torso length and hip belt that fits you perfectly. Return policies and warranties matter. Stick close to manufacturers that guarantee their products, are easy to contact, and want you to have the best experience possible. What makes an ultralight backpack great? It fits you, has easy-to-use external pockets or daisy chains to attach your own, and works well with your other backpacking gear choices.

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