Free delivery on orders over £80Gear Guide To Ultralight Hiking
Sometimes the combined weight of our hiking gear can actually be slowing us down. We've put together some of our favourite clothing items and accessories to create lightweight and ultralight sets that will protect you in every weather. So, if you're looking to make the switch to lighter gear for your next hike, make sure to check these kit lists out.
Men's Light Set
Total weight: 2.51kg
Rab Men's Cirrus Flex 2.0 Hoody
An insulator with an eco-conscience, Rab’s Cirrus Flex 2.0 uses PrimaLoft Silver Deluxe, a synthetic down substitute made from 100 percent recycled material. The windproof outer and lining also use recycled fabrics, and the DWR coating is entirely PFC free. A slim fit means this can sit under your shell or be slipped over the top for static moments during energetic hikes.
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Rab Men's Cirrus Flex 2.0 Hoody
- Price: £129.99
- Weight: 422g
An insulator with an eco-conscience, Rab’s Cirrus Flex 2.0 uses PrimaLoft Silver Deluxe, a synthetic down substitute made from 100 percent recycled material. The windproof outer and lining also use recycled fabrics, and the DWR coating is entirely PFC free. A slim fit means this can sit under your shell or be slipped over the top for static moments during energetic hikes.
Patagonia Men's Point Peak Trail Pants
Like all of Patagonia’s products, these abrasion-resistant pants are designed to have as little impact on the planet as possible. Made from a recycled nylon / elastane blend that’s bluesign approved, they’re coated in a PFC-free DWR and sewn by garment workers who are paid Fair Trade Certified wages. All-round performers, they work well for hiking, scrambling or climbing.
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Patagonia Men's Point Peak Trail Pants
- Price: £129.99
- Weight: 442g
Like all of Patagonia’s products, these abrasion-resistant pants are designed to have as little impact on the planet as possible. Made from a recycled nylon / elastane blend that’s bluesign approved, they’re coated in a PFC-free DWR and sewn by garment workers who are paid Fair Trade Certified wages. All-round performers, they work well for hiking, scrambling or climbing.
Osprey Talon Pro 20 Backpack
The Talon Pro 20 is built tough, designed for day hikes where the weather throws everything at you. It features Osprey’s adjustable Airscape back panel, which helps wick sweat away from your body, keeping you dry during strenuous activity. Perhaps best of all, it’s bluesign approved, certifying its low impact.
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Osprey Talon Pro 20 Backpack
- Price: £149.99
- Weight: 910g
The Talon Pro 20 is built tough, designed for day hikes where the weather throws everything at you. It features Osprey’s adjustable Airscape back panel, which helps wick sweat away from your body, keeping you dry during strenuous activity. Perhaps best of all, it’s bluesign approved, certifying its low impact.
Hydro Flask Trail Lightweight Wide Mouth Water Bottle
The latest wide mouth water bottle from US brand Hydro Flask is 25 percent lighter than their standard 32oz (ie. 946ml) models. It still offers the same performance, though, keeping hot drinks warm for 12 hours, or cold ones cool for 24.
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Hydro Flask Trail Lightweight Wide Mouth Water Bottle
- Price: £49.99
- Weight: 355g
The latest wide mouth water bottle from US brand Hydro Flask is 25 percent lighter than their standard 32oz (ie. 946ml) models. It still offers the same performance, though, keeping hot drinks warm for 12 hours, or cold ones cool for 24.
Men's Ultralight Set
Total weight: 1.23kg
Rab Zenith GORE-TEX Paclite Plus
An ultra lightweight shell built for scrambling and climbing on the kind of wet, windy days that are all too common around Rab’s Derbyshire HQ, this uses GORE-TEX’s PacLite material, allowing it to pack down small when it’s not needed. The face fabric is 13 denier, but reinforced with 20 denier sections where abrasions - from rocks, or backpack straps - are most common.
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Rab Zenith GORE-TEX Paclite Plus
- Price: £249.99
- Weight: 330g
An ultra lightweight shell built for scrambling and climbing on the kind of wet, windy days that are all too common around Rab’s Derbyshire HQ, this uses GORE-TEX’s PacLite material, allowing it to pack down small when it’s not needed. The face fabric is 13 denier, but reinforced with 20 denier sections where abrasions - from rocks, or backpack straps - are most common.
Arc'teryx Atom SL Hoody
Arc’teryx have engineered one of the lightest insulator layers going here, using Coreloft Compact 40 synthetic insulation in the main body, with stretch fleece side panels. The sleeves are uninsulated, which helps keep the weight down further, but they still provide enough warmth for the milder conditions the Atom SL is designed for. If weight and pack size are your top priorities this is the jacket for you. |
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Arc'teryx Atom SL Hoody
- Price: £179.99
- Weight: 270g
Arc’teryx have engineered one of the lightest insulator layers going here, using Coreloft Compact 40 synthetic insulation in the main body, with stretch fleece side panels. The sleeves are uninsulated, which helps keep the weight down further, but they still provide enough warmth for the milder conditions the Atom SL is designed for. If weight and pack size are your top priorities this is the jacket for you.
The North Face Speedlight Men's Pants
These technical softshell hiking pants are windproof and waterresistant, making them perfect for hiking in mixed conditions or the ‘changeable’ British weather. They’re also tough enough to withstand the rigours of scrambling or even alpine climbing, should you decide to start tackling trickier trails.
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The North Face Speedlight Men's Pants
- Price: £89.99
- Weight: 337g
These technical softshell hiking pants are windproof and waterresistant, making them perfect for hiking in mixed conditions or the ‘changeable’ British weather. They’re also tough enough to withstand the rigours of scrambling or even alpine climbing, should you decide to start tackling trickier trails.
Ultimate Direction Mountain Vest 5.0
Ultimate Direction (not to be confused with Harry Styles and co.) are a US-based brand that specialises in gear for ultra distances. This latest iteration of their capacious mountain vest boasts a seriously impressive 13.4 litre carrying capacity, while weighing just 230g.
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Ultimate Direction Mountain Vest 5.0
- Price: £139.99
- Weight: 230g
Ultimate Direction (not to be confused with Harry Styles and co.) are a US-based brand that specialises in gear for ultra distances. This latest iteration of their capacious mountain vest boasts a seriously impressive 13.4 litre carrying capacity, while weighing just 230g.
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
Arguably the lightest way to hydrate while you’re out in the hills, the Katadyn BeFree Filter is integrated into the lid of a collapsible soft flask with a 0.6 litre capacity. If you want to keep the amount of water you carry to a minimum, and are happy to refill on the go, this is the perfect accessory.
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Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
- Price: £39.99
- Weight: 59g
Arguably the lightest way to hydrate while you’re out in the hills, the Katadyn BeFree Filter is integrated into the lid of a collapsible soft flask with a 0.6 litre capacity. If you want to keep the amount of water you carry to a minimum, and are happy to refill on the go, this is the perfect accessory.
Women's Light Set
Total weight: 2.18kg
The North Face Dryzzle FUTURELIGHT Women's Jacket
The North Face has upgraded a firm favourite, the Dryzzle jacket, with their patented FUTURELIGHT fabric, shaving around 50g off the weight without sacrificing waterproofing or breathability. Made using Nano-spinning, FUTURELIGHT was launched with great fanfare a couple of seasons back, and has revolutionised the lightweight products in The North Face line.
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The North Face Dryzzle FUTURELIGHT Women's Jacket
- Price: £199.99
- Weight: 300g
The North Face has upgraded a firm favourite, the Dryzzle jacket, with their patented FUTURELIGHT fabric, shaving around 50g off the weight without sacrificing waterproofing or breathability. Made using Nano-spinning, FUTURELIGHT was launched with great fanfare a couple of seasons back, and has revolutionised the lightweight products in The North Face line.
Rab Women's Cirrus Flex 2.0 Jacket
This offers warmth, mobility and an impressive level of breathability for an insulator, making it perfect for hiking. Use it either as a mid-layer in cold conditions or an outer when the weather heats up. The insulation is 100 percent recycled material, and the face fabric is also recycled, giving this a small environmental footprint.
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Rab Women's Cirrus Flex 2.0 Jacket
- Price: £139.99
- Weight: 317g
This offers warmth, mobility and an impressive level of breathability for an insulator, making it perfect for hiking. Use it either as a mid-layer in cold conditions or an outer when the weather heats up. The insulation is 100 percent recycled material, and the face fabric is also recycled, giving this a small environmental footprint.
Arc'teryx Women's Gamma LT Pant
These lightweight versatile hiking / scrambling / trekking pants from Vancouver-based brand Arc’teryx are made of their Fortius 2.0 DW material, a stretchy soft shell fabric that’s waterproof and weatherproof. Designed to make movement easy, they feature articulated patterning, and several handy zipped pockets.
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Arc'teryx Women's Gamma LT Pant
- Price: £149.99
- Weight: 310g
These lightweight versatile hiking / scrambling / trekking pants from Vancouver-based brand Arc’teryx are made of their Fortius 2.0 DW material, a stretchy soft shell fabric that’s waterproof and weatherproof. Designed to make movement easy, they feature articulated patterning, and several handy zipped pockets.
Osprey Tempest 9 Backpack
Weighing in at just a fraction under one kilo, the brand new, 2021 iteration of Osprey’s classic Tempest series pack features an upgraded back panel (the company’s adjustable AirSpace model) and more eco-friendly materials. The outer is now 100 percent recycled nylon, and the DWR coating is PFC free. The nine-litre carry capacity is great for day hikes, or cycling.
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Osprey Tempest 9 Backpack
- Price: £99.99
- Weight: 870g
Weighing in at just a fraction under one kilo, the brand new, 2021 iteration of Osprey’s classic Tempest series pack features an upgraded back panel (the company’s adjustable AirSpace model) and more eco-friendly materials. The outer is now 100 percent recycled nylon, and the DWR coating is PFC free. The nine-litre carry capacity is great for day hikes, or cycling.
Leki MCT 12 Vario Carbon Poles
These poles are perfect for hiking fast through rough terrain. The built in, breathable, straps aid power transmission, while the Speed Lock 2 system is smaller and lighter than on older Leki models, and they pack down to just 42cm in length, easily stashing in your pack.
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Leki MCT 12 Vario Carbon Poles
- Price: £184.99
- Weight: 380g
These poles are perfect for hiking fast through rough terrain. The built in, breathable, straps aid power transmission, while the Speed Lock 2 system is smaller and lighter than on older Leki models, and they pack down to just 42cm in length, easily stashing in your pack.
Women's Ultralight Set
Total weight: 1.46kg
Rab Women's Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket
Combining the stretch and comfort of a soft shell jacket with the protection of a hard shell, the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is designed for hiking, scrambling or climbing in mixed conditions. Like all products in Rab’s Kinetic range, this makes use of their new Proflex fabric, which can withstand a 10k hydrostatic head, while boasting an impressive 35k moisture transfer rate. Fully featured, with a helmet compatible hood, this is a versatile all-rounder.
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Rab Women's Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Jacket
- Price: £219.99
- Weight: 370g
Combining the stretch and comfort of a soft shell jacket with the protection of a hard shell, the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is designed for hiking, scrambling or climbing in mixed conditions. Like all products in Rab’s Kinetic range, this makes use of their new Proflex fabric, which can withstand a 10k hydrostatic head, while boasting an impressive 35k moisture transfer rate. Fully featured, with a helmet compatible hood, this is a versatile all-rounder.
Patagonia R1 Air Full Zip Women's Hoody
Designed for high intensity activity in low temperature environments, the R1 Air hoody is something of a classic. Brilliantly breathable, yet impressively warm, the R1 is referred to internally as a “regulator,” rather than an insulator. It uses a technical jacquard fleece to wick moisture away from the body. The R1 is available as a halfzip or a crew-neck too, but the hood helps add extra warmth.
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Patagonia R1 Air Full Zip Women's Hoody
- Price: £129.99
- Weight: 309g
Designed for high intensity activity in low temperature environments, the R1 Air hoody is something of a classic. Brilliantly breathable, yet impressively warm, the R1 is referred to internally as a “regulator,” rather than an insulator. It uses a technical jacquard fleece to wick moisture away from the body. The R1 is available as a halfzip or a crew-neck too, but the hood helps add extra warmth.
Mountain Equipment Sonica Women's Tights
Made of Mountain Equipment’s own Exolite soft shell fabric, these tights are warm, stretchy and comfortable, but also wick away moisture impressively quickly. There are two pockets - a mesh pocket and a concealed hip pocket - to keep a phone or a bank card in, but otherwise there’s very little in the way of extraneous features, keeping the weight down.
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Mountain Equipment Sonica Women's Tights
- Price: £64.99
- Weight: 290g
Made of Mountain Equipment’s own Exolite soft shell fabric, these tights are warm, stretchy and comfortable, but also wick away moisture impressively quickly. There are two pockets - a mesh pocket and a concealed hip pocket - to keep a phone or a bank card in, but otherwise there’s very little in the way of extraneous features, keeping the weight down.
Salomon Trailblazer 20 Pack
Impressively light for a 20 litre pack, the Trailblazer has a range of features that will make day hikes easier - from the hydration bladder slot to the trekking pole holder. The 3D light harness and hipbelt mean you’ll be comfortable no matter how full you stuff this, or how long your hike.
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Salomon Trailblazer 20 Pack
- Price: £59.99
- Weight: 414g
Impressively light for a 20 litre pack, the Trailblazer has a range of features that will make day hikes easier - from the hydration bladder slot to the trekking pole holder. The 3D light harness and hipbelt mean you’ll be comfortable no matter how full you stuff this, or how long your hike.
Peztl IKO Core Head Torch
French climbing brand Petzl has a long history of making groundbreaking head torches, and this - one of their lightest models to date - is no exception. Weighing a frankly ludicrous 79 grams it nonetheless manages to deliver 500 lumens of light, and comes with a neat storage pouch that converts it into a lantern.
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Peztl IKO Core Head Torch
- Price: £76.99
- Weight: 79g
French climbing brand Petzl has a long history of making groundbreaking head torches, and this - one of their lightest models to date - is no exception. Weighing a frankly ludicrous 79 grams it nonetheless manages to deliver 500 lumens of light, and comes with a neat storage pouch that converts it into a lantern.
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