This Budget Ultralight Backpacking Kit Costs Just $550
Between inflation and rising tariffs, prices for gear have gone up noticeably over the past few years. Ultralight gear—even American-made ultralight gear—isn’t immune: Between 2023 and 2024, the total cost of one popular budget ultralight kit we published on Backpacker rose $52, and it has continued to go up since.
If you’re an aspiring ultralight backpacker on a budget, that extra cost can be hard to swallow. But if you know where to look, you can still snag deals on quality gear. Here, we’ve built a Backpacker-tested ultralight kit aimed at budget-minded backpackers who don’t want to waste their money: The four main items in this kit—tent, pack, sleeping pad, and quilt—will cost you $550 and weigh just 5 pounds, 12 ounces combined. (You can add on our picks for a headlamp, jacket, filter, and poles for an additional 1 pounds, 12.8 ounces and $192, leaving plenty of room for clothes and other necessities while still staying below a 10-pound baseweight).
Continue reading to learn more about this budget ultralight backpacking kit, written by Adam Roy.
Kutoka kwa kikosi
Mazungumzo ya Campfire na jamii yetu, kutoka kwa Wanachama wa Squad na Mabalozi kwa Washirika wa Brand na timu ya Sawyer.
Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari
I’m also a fan of the venerable Sawyer Squeeze. Just collect water and drink!
Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari
Sawyer’s picaridin lotion lasts a long time, stores well in survival kits and cars, and doesn’t have the laundry-list poison control label like DEET sprays.
Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari
I’m not a fan of bugs, so Sawyer Picaridin spray is always in my pack.
