SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs 
Backpacking packs and backpacking gear have gotten much lighter weight in recent years due to innovations in the materials and fabrics available to backpack manufacturers. Most lightweight backpacks now weigh between 2 and 3 pounds and have 40 to 60 liters of storage volume. They have frames and can usually carry between 30 and 40 pounds of backpacking gear, food, fuel, and water. If you need to carry more than that, you’ll want a bigger backpack. Less than that, you’ll probably want to get an even lighter, frameless, ultralight backpack.
Here are the 10 best lightweight backpacks that we recommend.
| Make / Model | Weight | Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Zpacks Arc Haul 60L | 19.6 oz / 556g | Ultra |
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L | 30.5 oz / 865g | Robic Nylon |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 | 34.9 oz / 989g | Dyneema DCF |
| Granite Gear Crown 3 60L | 32.6 oz / 1040g | Robic Nylon |
| Osprey Exos 58 | 42 oz / 1191g | High Tenacity Nylon |
| ULA Circuit 68L | 37.3 oz / 1038g | Robic Nylon |
| REI Flash 55L | 42 oz / 1191g | Ripstop Nylon |
| Gregory Focal 58 | 41.3 oz / 1171g | Robic Nylon |
| Superior Wilderness Designs Long Haul 50 | 34.2 oz / 970g | XPac |
| Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60 | 42 oz / 1191g | Nylon-Poly Ripstop |
Be sure to read our Lightweight Backpack Selection Guide below and the linked FAQs for even more advice and reader feedback. SectionHiker has an international reputation for its comprehensive men’s and women’s backpack reviews and we’re passionate about helping our readers find the best backpacks for their needs.
1. Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack
Check out the latest price at:
Zpacks.com
2. Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack
Check out the latest price at:
Gossamer Gear
3. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 Backpack
Check out the latest price at:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
4. Granite Gear Crown 3 60 Backpack
Check out the latest price at:
REI
5. Osprey Exos 58/Eja 58 Backpack
6. ULA Circuit Backpack
Check out the latest price at:
ULA Equipment
7. REI Flash 55 Backpack
Check out the latest price at:
REI
8. Gregory Focal 58/Facet 55
Check out the latest price at:
REI | Backcountry | Gregory
9. Superior Wilderness Designs Long Haul 50
Check out the latest price at:
Superior Wilderness Designs
10. Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 60 Backpack
Check out the latest price at:
Sierra Designs
Lightweight Backpack Selection Guide
Lightweight Backpack Frames
Most lightweight backpacks range from about 40 liters up to 60 liters in volume and usually weigh between 2 and 3 pounds. They’re intended for carrying loads between 30 and 40 pounds and have full frames or frame stays. The volume and weight capacity you need will depend on the amount of gear, food, fuel, and water you need to carry. This can vary from trip to trip, or town to town if you’re a thru-hiker or section hiker, but compression straps let you shrink a pack’s volume from 40L down to 60L as needed. Generally speaking, you want more “frame” for heavier loads, but this can be a matter of personal preference.
See the following FAQs for more advice and reader discussion:
Gender-Specific Backpack Features
Many lightweight backpacks are now available in men’s and women’s specific models, although there are a few exceptions. They also tend to have fixed torso lengths and hip belt lengths, although many backpack manufacturers have figured out that adjustable torsos and hip belts or ventilated backpacks give them a significant competitive edge. Many women prefer S-shaped shoulder straps and female-specific hip belts because they mold better to a “curvier” female form.
Backpack Fabric Durability
Most lightweight backpacks are made with Nylon and its variants including Robic Nylon, Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF), XPac, EcoPack, and Ultra. In terms of durability, Ultra is usually the most durable in terms of abrasion resistance, then EcoPak, XPac, DCF, and then Nylon, although it depends on the thickness of the material used. In addition, there are many different types of Nylon and thicknesses, which are measured by “deniers”, also abbreviated as “D” in “20D Nylon Ripstop. Usually, higher denier counts result in more durable fabrics.
Cost
Dyneema (DCF) packs are the most costly in terms of price, then Ultra, EcoPak, XPac, and then Nylon.
Backpack Covers and Pack Liners
DCF, Ultra, EcoPak, and XPac are waterproof materials so you can get by without a backpack cover if you wish. That said, the shoulder pads and hip belts on all backpacks are not waterproof and will absorb some water, but your gear will stay dry even if you don’t!
Most lightweight backpacks do not include a rain cover. If your backpack is not waterproof and rain is likely where you plan to hike, we recommend you get a backpack rain cover or line the inside of your backpack with a plastic bag. Some people do both or wear ponchos that cover themselves and their backpacks. See the following FAQs for more advice and reader discussion:
Roll Tops vs Top Lids
Some of the backpacks listed above are roll tops and some have top lids. Which you choose is a matter of personal preference. Roll tops can be nice because they’re more minimalist and require fewer webbing straps. But top lids are handy if you need to change hats or gloves frequently or access a map and navigation gear. Still, other packs, like the Granite Gear Crown 2 60 and the REI Flash 55 are roll-tops, but come with an accessory top lid that can you attach over them. That’s really the best of both worlds.
Backpacking Fit
The most important factor when choosing a lightweight backpack is fit. Keep trying ones on until you get a torso length and hip-belt that fits you perfectly. Return policies and warranties matter. Stick close to manufacturers that guarantee their products, are easy to contact, and want you to have the best experience possible. What makes a lightweight backpack great? It fits you, has easy-to-use external pockets, and works well with your other backpacking gear choices.
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Hi, Philip, I’m waffling between HMG and eXped Lightning for winter. I’ve read your reviews. Any further thoughts. Much appreciated.
I’d figure out what you want in a winter pack. Personally, I value a floating top lid, top lid pocket, lots of compression straps, an internal pad pocket, external crampon pocket, and the ability to hang insulated water bottle sleeves more than just about anything else. That really simplifies the choice (Hint: CCW Chaos).
Fantastic list, as always. Thanks for adding metric weights too. Much appreciated. Those new Gregory packs look interesting!
Hi Phillip,
I’ve been excited about the Gregory Focal coming out. Love the comfort of my Atmos 50 ag but saving weight is always helpful. When do you think you might post your review of it? Retailers are starting to list it for sale.
Thanks!
Very very soon!
I’m glad to see the Exos 58 still makes these lists. I’ve had mine for several years and haven’t regretted the purchase.
Nice article. Where would you place Waymark Lite 50 framed you recently reviewed?
Thanks
It’s here:
https://sectionhiker.com/sectionhiker-gear-guide/10-most-durable-lightweight-backpacks/
It’s very similar to the Gossamer Gear Mariposa but more durably built. If you value durability over weight, (which most people shopping for lightweight packs don’t), we recommend you look at this list instead.
Very complete list of the best of this genre of packs. Thanks Phil.
I’ve had an Osprey EXOS for 5 years and it is THE most comfortable 3 season pack I’ve ever owned. I like to keep my foam sit pad behind the mesh trampoline where it’s handy. My 1st two UL backpacks were REI FLASH versions and were quite good but just not the comfort level or the EXOS.
I have cut off the hiking pole holder stuff and the top flap under the lid pocket as they were useless to me.
But i added light side pockets for fast access to things like water purification kit, 1st aid kit, toilet kit, stove and fuel. etc. the few ounces of those pockets is well worth the convenience.
I suspect that people will switch from the Exos to the new Gregory Focal is which very very similar to the Exos in every way, but comes with two large hip belt pockets. I have no idea why Osprey decided to drop the hip belt pockets from the Exos. Pure idiocy.
Phillip,
I found what I was asking for in my prior text
Thank you for all the quality content you present.
Bruce
I’m intrigued by Zpacks’s new Arc Haul Ultra. It weighs about 0.5oz more than the Blast, carries 5L more, and may solve the durability issue with DCF.
From what I gather, the Arc Haul Ultra is built on their Arc Air Frame, which has had a lot of problems from quality and poke-thru from hard objects. I reviewed their Arc Air Robic (or whatever they call it over the summer). Ultra is also a new fabric that hasn’t really been that through one or two seasons. It sounds good, but I’m sure that some kind of flaw will pop up with use. Zpacks has sent me an Arc Haul Ultra to review, so we’ll know about the frame soon enough.
On Gregory’s website, they list the max load for the Focal 58 at only 15.9 lbs, in the synopsis here it says will handle 30-35 lbs. Is that a misprint??
yes. they made a mistake. That listing must have just gone up.
That’s what I assumed, thank you. I already have three great packs but my birthday is coming up, always loved Gregory’s packs. I used to have an Optic 58 and that was a nice pack..,
The Gregory website has switched the numbers for pounds and kilograms.
Thanks!
I’m surprised to not see the “Highly Recommended!” Seek Outside Flight pack in your list. I now own one and I agree with your review. I like it much more than my HMG and my Exos.
The same reason it wasn’t on this list last year. Its max recommended load varies by close to 100% depending on your torso length, which is kind of odd if you think about it. It has some durability issues as well, although they may now be mitigated by the fact that SO has switched to Ultra which is much more abrasion-resistant. Finally, flight is a wilderness trekking style of backpack (related more to a hunting backpack) and a very different animal than these lightweight backpacks, with the possible exception of the long haul which can span both worlds, now that its made with EcoPak.
Quite a number of UK backpackers, including me, have been really impressed with backpacks from a relatively néw UK based cottage manufacturer, Atom Packs. My Atom Pack ‘Custom Mo’ is the best I’ve ever owned – I’ve previously used a Z Packs Arc Blast, a GG Mariposa and a ULA Catalyst amongst others. The Mo carries superbly. Very comfortable carry. I would highly recommend. I must add that I have no connection with the company other than as a very satisfied customer.
Do you recommend the Granite Gear Blaze or Crown? I can’t tell the different between the two. TIA!
Actually both. The Crown 3 has a fixed length torso, while the Blaze has an adjustable length torso. Both packs have adjustable length hip belts. The Blaze is really designed for hauling heavy loads and is about 1/2 pound heavier than the Crown. For general purpose backpacking, the crown is the way to go if it fits you.
Just finished a short trip for one night into Joffre Lake (BC) with my new Mariposa backpack and must admit, most comfortable pack I have ever worn. Largely felt as if it were a daypack and truly enjoyed the short trip in the upper lake for a one night stay. Now pack weight was light, as a short trip and I wouldn’t want to bushwhack with it, but on trail and doing some boulder hopping it worked so well I literally did a bit of a extra day hiking with a full kit. For me, it was almost a perfect fit right out of the box. Did take a while for me to figure out best way to pack and will likely improve on that with more use, but very pleased.
I would take anything made by Six Moons over the REI pack.
When it comes to backpacks, I wouldn’t.
Interesting, besides the v harness versus non (preference)
which pack? priorities are comfort, ease of use, and weight (3 day trips)
I picked up the Six moons 30 ultra (Swift V out) and not sure I will keep it.
Sub-Nero 30L DCF Backpack
Waymark EVLV Ultra
Swift V
p.s. Thanks for all the reviews very helpful and informative
If it was me, I’d go with the Waymark because it has daisy chains on the shoulder straps, it’s higher volume, and doesn’t have a fiddly external pad. You can always compress, but its hard to go the other way. Six moons anything wouldn’t be at the top of my list. The last pack they made that I really really liked was the Starlite.