TIL that ultralight gear isn't just a gimmick... I was so wrong

I've been backpacking for about 5 years now, mostly in the White Mountains. I always thought ultralight stuff was for rich people who liked to spend $200 on a tiny tarp. But last summer I did a 3-day trek on the Appalachian Trail with my old 45-pound pack and came home with bruises on my hips. A guy at the campsite let me try his 12-pound setup, just for an hour, and I couldn't believe how nice it felt. So I bit the bullet and spent $150 on a lighter sleeping bag and a cheap frameless pack. My next trip to the Pemi Loop was so much easier, I actually had energy left to enjoy the views. Has anyone else made the switch and noticed a big difference in their legs or back?,

2 comments

2 Comments

grace4191mo ago

Honestly, I was the same way about ultralight gear being a gimmick for people with too much cash. But my first trip with a lighter pack felt like magic, my back actually thanked me the next day. Ngl, I still bring a few luxury items, but cutting weight changed how much I enjoy the hike itself.

butler.mark1mo ago

Switched to a frameless pack last year and my knees stopped screaming on the way down Moosilauke.