Which Ultralight Backpack Is Lightest in 2026?
Ranked by the weight each maker publishes, with list prices, re-read daily. 40 models on this page, of 111 backpacks we rank.
Of the 40 models ranked here, the lightest by maker-published weight is the Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 Hyperlight Backpack (Aluula) at 7.9 oz (225 g). It lists at $350.
- Models
- 40
- Lightest
- 7.9 ozGossamer Gear Murmur 36 Hyperlight Backpack (Aluula)
- Median weight
- 1.62 lb
- Median list price
- $299.99
On this page6 sections
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The picks, with their figures#
Lightest
Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 Hyperlight Backpack (Aluula)
- Weight
- 7.9 oz225 g
- By weight
- #1 of 40lightest
- List price
- $350.00$44.10/oz
1.2 oz (34 g) lighter than the next lightest, the Zpacks Women's Nero Classic Backpack.
+ Add to my packLightest at or under $250
Gossamer Gear Skala 38 Backpack
- Weight
- 1.27 lb578 g
- By weight
- #6 of 40lighter than 87% of the others
- List price
- $225.00$11.04/oz
12.5 oz (353 g) more than the lightest, for $125 less.
+ Add to my packLowest list price
Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36 Fastpack
- Weight
- 1.29 lb586 g
- By weight
- #7 of 40lighter than 82% of the others
- List price
- $190.00$9.19/oz
12.7 oz (361 g) more than the lightest, for $160 less.
+ Add to my pack
How the weights spread#
The heaviest is the Big Agnes Sweetwater UL 43L at 2.49 lb (1,130 g), 2.00 lb (905 g) more than the lightest.
In the table, "lighter than" is the share of the other models on this page that weigh more; models of equal weight share a figure.
Weight against price#
Against the median model, 1.62 lb (734 g) at $299.99, an ounce saved costs $2.79 with the Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 Hyperlight Backpack (Aluula), 18.0 oz (509 g) lighter for $50 more; $5.16 with the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35, 9.7 oz (275 g) lighter for $50 more; and $33.36 with the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Waypoint 35, 2.4 oz (68 g) lighter for $80 more.
22 models have no list price on record and are ranked on weight alone.
Every model on this shelf, lightest first#
Ultralight backpacks: 40 models. Median weight 1.62 lb, median price $299.99, median $9.32 per ounce.
The whole category, every model placed: the full backpacks & packs ranking.
What this ranking does not cover#
This ranking compares published weight and list price. It does not cover torso fit, how the hip belt carries a load, comfortable carrying weight, durability or weather resistance, which depend on the pack and on you.
Makers often publish weight for one size; a different torso or hip-belt size changes it. Check which size the figure is for before comparing two packs closely.
Day packs and packs under 35 L are left out of this ranking, among them the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Pack 30, the Gossamer Gear Minimalist 19 and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pemi 15.
Questions people ask#
- How much do ultralight backpacks cost?
- List prices run from $190 (the Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36 Fastpack) to $450 (the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism 40) across the 18 models with a price on record.
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