Recently, I have received many inquiries from newcomers to the ultralight trekking scene who want to start optimizing their pack weight when hiking. It has often turned out that the eye for what is essential is missing. Ultralight trekking does not mean taking as much of the light stuff with you as possible. Rather, it means doing without everything non-essential. Likewise, not everything that bears the name ultralight is light. So here are a few words on how to feel your way into the topic. One thing I have to get off my chest right at the start: the optimal setup for all conditions does not exist!
What do I need and what for?
One of the big advantages of UL trekking is that you do not carry much gear around with you. So this chapter stays nicely manageable.
Weather-appropriate clothing
To be able to protect yourself from the weather on the trail, clothing is the answer! It has proven useful to wear clothing in several layers on top of each other. This layering of clothing is called the onion principle. The individual layers can be effectively combined depending on the weather.
Base layer
This is the layer worn directly on the body. It serves to wick sweat and moisture away and pass it on to the next layer. Preferred materials for this layer would be synthetic fiber or merino wool. Merino wool has the advantage that it does not start to smell as quickly, while synthetic fiber wins with lower weight.
Insulation layer
This layer is meant to keep the body from cooling down. Here, one must differentiate. The layer while moving can be thinner, since the body produces much more heat in motion than when standing. Depending on the expected temperatures, this clothing layer is thicker or consists of several parts. In the Central European winter, a wool sweater or a thicker down jacket is often added. For me, the combination of a thin fleece while moving and a light down jacket for breaks has proven itself. In winter, I usually replace the thin fleece with a wool sweater. Preferred materials in this layer would be synthetic fiber and/or down.
Outer clothing layer
This layer protects against wind and rain. As a rule, mine consists of a rain jacket & rain pants as well as a wind jacket. In this clothing layer, only synthetic fiber has proven itself in terms of performance per weight.
Accommodation
You have to be able to sleep somewhere at night without being directly exposed to the weather. Whether tarp, tarptent, single-wall or double-wall tent, everyone has to decide for themselves. From spring to autumn, I prefer my MYOG tarp, during mosquito season and in very bad weather with lots of wind & rain, as well as in winter, I prefer a pyramid tarptent.
Sleep system
At night, the body must be prevented from cooling down. Both the contact heat losses to the ground must be reduced and the warmed air around the body must be retained.
For insulation from the ground there are sleeping pads. Whether self-inflating mats, insulated air mattresses or foam mats, everyone has to decide for themselves. Likewise, everyone has to decide for themselves how long the pad should be. For some it is enough if it goes from shoulder to hip, for others the legs still have to be on the mat. Sleeping bag or quilt? These serve to keep the warmed air around the body. This is again a question of type. One thing is certain: without a sleeping bag or quilt, the night will probably be uncomfortable.
Cooking system
Food is very important on a trip, but cooking warm food is strictly speaking already a luxury, a luxury I happily allow myself. I have already described an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the different stove types here.
Backpack
Well, the stuff has to go somewhere. The rule here is: the backpack has to be comfortable enough to be carried for hours with weight. In addition, it should be big enough to hold all your stuff and provisions.
Hygiene items
A little biodegradable soap concentrate, toothbrush, toothpaste & dental floss, depending on the trip also insect repellent and sunscreen as well as deodorant.
Small stuff
Needle & thread – in case something tears
Compass – unnecessary depending on the trip
Repair patches – for inflatable sleeping pads
Cord – a little cord is always practical to keep food away from rodents and other animals.
Fire & tinder – it is incredibly calming to be able to make a fire when the sleeping bag has gotten soaking wet. A little match booklet and a few cotton pads soaked in petroleum jelly weigh hardly anything but provide a safe feeling.
