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Ultralight backpacks made with high-tech fabrics like Dyneema DCF, Woven Dyneema, or Ultra have gotten very expensive and are not affordable for most hikers. While less waterproof and durable, there are still plenty of durable ultralight packs available made with Ultragrid, Dyneema Grid, and Robic Nylon that are perfectly suitable for thru-hiking and backpacking. Alternatively, you can purchase a lower volume and less expensive backpack if you’ve already reduced your gear volume and weight requirements, something that has become increasingly possible with today’s lighter-weight and more compressible gear.
| Gossamer Gear G4-20 | 24.8 oz | $240 |
| Mountainsmith Zerk 40 | 25 oz | $225 |
| Durston Kakwa 55 | 30.3 oz | $199 |
| MLD Exodus 55 | 18 oz | $245 |
| Exped Lightning 45 | 39.8 oz | $225 |
| Osprey Exos 48 | 42 oz | $240 |
| Granite Gear Crown 3 40 | 36.7 oz | $240 |
| Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 | 20 oz | $180 |
| ULA CDT 54 | 27.1 oz | $220 |
| REI Flash 55 | 45 oz | $199 |
Here are the best budget-friendly ultralight backpacks priced under $250 that we recommend.
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 front stretch mesh pocket, two side pockets including one that’s large enough to carry a shelter, an external map pocket, and a roll-top closure. 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 weight. Read the SectionHiker G4-20 Review.
2. Mountainsmith Zerk 40L
The Mountainsmith Zerk 40 is a 25 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 includes numerous external gear loops to attach additional gear to its exterior. 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 made with Ultragrid that 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 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 with solid fabric instead of 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. Exped Lightning 45L
The Exped Lightning 40 is a roll-top backpack with an adjustable torso length, something that’s very rare in the ultralight backpacking world but helps provide a custom fit. Weighing 39.8 oz, it is made with a water-repellent 210d ripstop nylon which can take serious abuse. It’s an extremely good backpack for carrying bulky gear on the exterior of the pack, with numerous external compression straps that can be reconfigured as needed. Read the SectionHiker Lightning 60 Review, which is nearly identical but higher volume. A woman’s Lightning 45 is also available.
6. Osprey Exos 48/Eja 48 Backpack
The Osprey Packs Exos 48 is a lightweight minimalist pack favored by thru-hikers, section hikers, and weekend backpackers alike. Weighing 2 lbs 12 oz fully configured, it has a rigid frame that makes it good for hauling heavier loads up to 30-35 pounds. The top lid can be removed if not needed, dropping the pack weight close to 2 lbs 7 oz ounces. Ultralight details and back ventilation make the Exos a good backpack for hiking in hot or humid conditions. The 48 liter volume of this pack does not include its open side or front pockets, so it can hold a lot more gear than you’d expect. The women’s version is called the Eja 48.
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.
8. Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L
The Gossamer Gear Kumo is a frameless backpack made with Robic Nylon that weighs 20 oz. It has 28L of closed storage and 8L of open storage in its side and front mesh pocket. In addition, there’s an external pad pocket behind the shoulder straps that holds a foam sit pad (included) and a map-sized zipper pocket in the fold-over lid. The hip belt has pockets and is also removable. Gossamer Gear also makes a vest-style version of the Kumo called the Fast Kumo for fastpacking. Read the SectionHiker Fast Kumo Review.
9. 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 terms of overall volume, it 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.
10. 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 and easily customized for different trips, seasons, or locales. 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.
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 from occurring. 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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