100 Tips for Ultralight Backpacking, by Extra Ultralight on YouTube. 16 min 8 s.
- Video length
- 16 min 8 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Lay every item on the floor and weigh it. Put the heavy items in one pile: shelter, sleep system, food and water. Leave behind anything you did not use on your last trip.
Pack the sleeping bag or quilt loose in the bottom of the bag inside a waterproof liner. A loose fill fills gaps better than a tight stuff sack and saves space.
Place the heaviest gear, like food and water, against your back and around shoulder height. This keeps the load close to your body and stops the bag pulling you back.
Put the shelter and rain gear near the top or in an outer pocket. You may need them fast in rain, so they should not sit under your whole load.
Keep daily items in the top lid: map, snacks, sunscreen, headlamp and first aid. You should reach them without unpacking the main compartment.
Strap the sleeping pad outside only if it will not catch branches. Otherwise roll it inside against the back panel to add padding and structure.
Fill empty space with soft items like clothes so the load does not shift. Tighten all compression straps, then lift the bag and check the balance.
Adjust the hip belt first so it carries most of the weight. Then tighten shoulder straps and the sternum strap, and check you can look up and turn your head.
Tips and common mistakes
Weigh your full pack before the trip and aim to cut one or two items each time.
Keep water and snacks in side pockets you can reach without taking the pack off.
Use a pack liner instead of many small dry bags to save weight and space.
Test the packed bag on a short walk at home before a long hike.
Questions
Where should the heaviest items go in a rucksack?
Close to your back and around shoulder height. This keeps the weight over your hips and makes the load feel steadier on climbs.
Do I need stuff sacks for everything?
No. Loose packing in a single liner often saves weight and fills gaps better. Use small sacks only for items that must stay dry or easy to find.
How much should an ultralight pack weigh?
There is no fixed number. Weigh your base weight, the pack without food and water, and cut items you did not use. Lighter loads are easier on long days.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
