Backpacking rewards good gear decisions more than almost any other outdoor activity. Every ounce matters by mile four, which is why this collection is built around what actually earns its place in your pack: Big Agnes ultralight tents, Sea to Summit sleep systems and cookware, HydraPak hydration, and stove setups that hold up from a shoulder-season weekend to a week in the backcountry.
Shelter
Our tent lineup comes from Big Agnes, whose Alto and Telos series cover most trip types. The Alto TR1 and TR2 are single-wall ultralight options built for speed and minimal carry weight, starting at $499. The Telos TR2 and TR3 are freestanding double-wall tents that trade a few ounces for significantly more livable interior space. If you're bikepacking or splitting weight across a group, the Telos Bikepacking TR2 packs down exceptionally small. See the full side-by-side breakdown in our backpacking tents collection.
Sleep System
Sea to Summit's synthetic bags cover three temperature ranges: the Trailhead (30°F/20°F) for three-season use, the Traverse (25°F/15°F) for colder shoulder seasons, and the Venture Women's for cold-weather trips. Pair any bag with a Sea to Summit sleeping mat - the Ultralight Air is the lightest option in the lineup, the Ether Light XT adds insulation for sub-freezing nights, and the Comfort Plus and Comfort Deluxe are for those who prioritize sleep quality over pack weight. The Aeros Ultralight Pillow packs small enough that skipping it is hard to justify.
Cooking and Hydration
The Sea to Summit Alpha Pot is a proper cooking vessel for multi-day trips; the X-Pot Kettle collapses flat when you need to minimize volume. Pair either with titanium cutlery and a double-wall cup for a complete trail kitchen. For fuel, the solid tab systems are the simplest setup for short trips; the Trekker's Alcohol Cookset handles longer hauls without the weight of a canister.
On the hydration side, HydraPak's Force and Shape-Shift reservoirs fit most hydration-compatible packs and come in 2L and 3L. For non-reservoir setups, the Sea to Summit Stow soft flasks collapse when empty and disappear into a hip belt pocket.
For lighter day trips that don't require overnight gear, our day hiking collection covers a more focused kit.
