To click off 15 miles in this rugged park in one day-or stand atop multiple summits where the views go on forever-you have to pack light, light, light. And that doesn’t mean simply buying the most featherweight sleeping bag. To keep your load under 20 pounds-a good goal that includes food weight-you’ll need to leave some items behind, like that thick book, the camp shoes, and the spare pair of underwear. For this kind of trip, it’s all about making do with the least possible equipment. But fair warning: Going this light requires solid backcountry skills and a bit of toughness-you’re not prepared for full-on mountain storms, and that means you could spend a night or day being a bit chilled.
1. Trekking Pants:
Convertible trousers are a great example of ultralight clothing, because they do triple duty: shorts, long pants, and long johns. Bring this one item rather than all three, and you’ve cut a pound or more from your pack. The ExOfficio Nio Amphi pants are a favorite of BACKPACKER editors, one of whom wore them 40 miles straight on a Peru jungle trek. Cool, quick-drying shorts by day, they become wind-resistant, cotton-soft pants by night (full review here). (Photo by courtesy)
Convertible trousers are a great example of ultralight clothing, because they do triple duty: shorts, long pants, and long johns. Bring this one item rather than all three, and you’ve cut a pound or more from your pack. The ExOfficio Nio Amphi pants are a favorite of BACKPACKER editors, one of whom wore them 40 miles straight on a Peru jungle trek. Cool, quick-drying shorts by day, they become wind-resistant, cotton-soft pants by night (full review here). (Photo by courtesy)
2. Shirt:
Since you’ll be wearing the same shirt day after day after day, odor-resistance is key. That’s why BACKPACKER testers are choosing wool (yes, wool), which is naturally stink-resistant. Today’s extra-fine merino wool t-shirts are also great for warm-weather hiking because they wick moisture away from your skin and breathe well. We like Patagonia’s Wool 1 shortsleeve shirt; it’s a lightweight blend of merino and polyester that keeps you cool and won’t get super-funky after four days, like polyester will. See the review here. (Photo by courtesy)
Since you’ll be wearing the same shirt day after day after day, odor-resistance is key. That’s why BACKPACKER testers are choosing wool (yes, wool), which is naturally stink-resistant. Today’s extra-fine merino wool t-shirts are also great for warm-weather hiking because they wick moisture away from your skin and breathe well. We like Patagonia’s Wool 1 shortsleeve shirt; it’s a lightweight blend of merino and polyester that keeps you cool and won’t get super-funky after four days, like polyester will. See the review here. (Photo by courtesy)
3. Jacket:
If you want to sit out and enjoy the stars after dinner, pack a lighweight down jacket, something that weighs a pound or less. (Not fleece: It’s heavier for its insulating value.) BACKPACKER editors almost always have one in their packs-almost like an emergency insurance policy-because these micro-parkas boost warmth almost immediately and add warmth if your bag proves too thin. The Mountain Hardwear Nitrous is one of their recent favorites. This 9-ounce down sweater packs as small as a grapefruit (full review here). (Photo by courtesy)
If you want to sit out and enjoy the stars after dinner, pack a lighweight down jacket, something that weighs a pound or less. (Not fleece: It’s heavier for its insulating value.) BACKPACKER editors almost always have one in their packs-almost like an emergency insurance policy-because these micro-parkas boost warmth almost immediately and add warmth if your bag proves too thin. The Mountain Hardwear Nitrous is one of their recent favorites. This 9-ounce down sweater packs as small as a grapefruit (full review here). (Photo by courtesy)
4. Shoes:
On the JMT, the trail conditions are so smooth that you can wear the same trail-runners that you’d take dayhiking. BACKPACKER editors wear-tested more than 50 hiking shoes in the last year, and one of their favorites for RockyMountain conditions is the Montrail Hardrock 09 , an ultralight yet stable shoe that stays cool on the hottest days. If you’re tackling rougher terrain-like the steep, rocky, and often loose terrain on the Sierra High Route, go with a heavier, high-cut hiking boot with sturdy toe and ankle protection.
On the JMT, the trail conditions are so smooth that you can wear the same trail-runners that you’d take dayhiking. BACKPACKER editors wear-tested more than 50 hiking shoes in the last year, and one of their favorites for RockyMountain conditions is the Montrail Hardrock 09 , an ultralight yet stable shoe that stays cool on the hottest days. If you’re tackling rougher terrain-like the steep, rocky, and often loose terrain on the Sierra High Route, go with a heavier, high-cut hiking boot with sturdy toe and ankle protection.
5. Stove:
Whether or not you carry the Tarptent, pack a pair of Leki’s Carbon Lite poles. These 13-ounce-per-pair carbon-fiber sticks will give the Tarptent and other ultralight tents structure, and they’ll absorb much of the shock that would otherwise hit your knees, hips, and shoulders during the constant ups and downs as you scale the Continental Divide. Read more stove reviews here, then find your perfect cooker with our GearFinder.
Whether or not you carry the Tarptent, pack a pair of Leki’s Carbon Lite poles. These 13-ounce-per-pair carbon-fiber sticks will give the Tarptent and other ultralight tents structure, and they’ll absorb much of the shock that would otherwise hit your knees, hips, and shoulders during the constant ups and downs as you scale the Continental Divide. Read more stove reviews here, then find your perfect cooker with our GearFinder.
