In the world of ultralight backpacking, the philosophy is to carry only what you need and nothing more. In this blog post, I'll explore the various options for ultralight backpacking gear available at REI Co-op, a trusted retailer for outdoor lovers. For those new to ultralight backpacking or transitioning from a traditional heavier setup, REI is a great starting point due to its wide selection of quality gear, customer-friendly return policies, and knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re a seasoned ultralight backpacker or just starting to lighten your load, this guide will help you navigate the essentials for a more enjoyable and efficient hiking experience.

In this post, learn about all the ultralight backpacking gear I used on my southbound thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail in 2023.

In this post, learn about all the ultralight backpacking gear I’m taking with me on my southbound SOBO thru-hike of the 3,000-mile Continental Divide Trail in 2023.

Learn about all the training I did to prepare for my 93-day thru-hike of the 2,653-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada!

In 2022 alone, I backpacked over 3,450 miles between hiking the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, the 800-mile Arizona Trail, and several backpacking trips in my current home state of Washington. I’ve put a lot of time (and I mean a lot) into finding the best backpacking gear that is durable, quality, and ultralight. Here, I hope to share some of my knowledge with you so you can create your own backpacking gear setup. I provide an overview of both ultralight and lightweight options of backpacking gear, along with some budget-friendly options and some higher-priced items.

Learn about everything I ate and put in my resupply boxes on my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. I break down all the food I ate by breakfast, lunch/snacks, and dinner, along with the total calories of each item.

In this post, learn about all the ultralight backpacking gear I took with me on the Arizona Trail in fall 2022.

In this post, learn about all the ultralight backpacking gear I finished my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike with in 2022.

In this post, learn about all the backpacking gear I’ll be starting my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike with.

In this post, learn about all the backpacking gear I took with me on my thru-hike of the John Muir Trail.

In August 2021, I thru-hiked the 210-mile John Muir Trail. It was easily the best (and hardest) thing I’ve ever done in my life and I encourage anyone who wants to do it one day to just go for it. The first step to making your John Muir Trail thru-hike dream a reality is to get a permit. In this post, I’ll walk you through all the permit application options and logistics so you know what you need to do in order to score a John Muir Trail Permit for the 2024 hiking season.

In June 2019, I visited my 27th National Park: Isle Royale National Park. This post includes tips on planning your own Isle Royale trip, what gear to bring, and my experience backpacking the beautiful and rugged Isle Royale National Park.