A hiker with all of the essentials and none of the weight is a happy hiker, at least in our experience. Lightweight camping and hiking gear has become cheaper to make, less expensive to buy, is becoming the go-to for many. Not only is lightweight hiking gear easier to buy, but it’s also getting more comfortable, too!
The backpacks listed below are trail-tested and hiker approved — these are the best lightweight overnight hiking backpacks for 2022.
Before we jump into the best backpacks for ultralight hiking, here are a few more of our all-time best gear-related posts:
- 52 Best Gifts for Outdoor Women
- Complete Women’s Hiking and Backpacking Gear List
- Black Diamond Cosmo Vs Petzl Tikka – Best Headlamp for Backpacking?
- How to Pick a Warm Sleeping Bag for Backpacking
The Best Hiking Backpacks for 2022
Let’s get started! When looking for an overnight hiking backpack, you’ll typically want to look for something 40-60L size range. This is enough space for all of the lightweight hiking gear you’ll need to pack, without leaving too much extra space and added material weight.
Whether you’re planning a thru-hike or heading out of a weekend, these packs will get the job done.
1) Gossamer Gear Mariposa
Comfort and lightweight combined – the Gossamer Gear Mariposa will be your best friend. In a world where ultralight packs are defined by thin shoulder straps that dig into your flesh and make themselves at home, you wonder how so much padding can make this still considered an ultralight pack. Well at less than 2 pounds, it is. Want lighter? Customize the fit and shed weight by removing the backrest and waist belt.
Our favorite part? the backrest doubles as a sit pad. Triple bonus for side sleepers – slide 
the backrest beneath your sleeping pad at night for extra comfort and warmth.
- Price: $270
- Weight: 1lb 14.5oz (medium size)
- Capacity: 60L
- Where to Buy: gossamergear.com
Pros:
- lightweight
- large capacity
- lots of pockets
- customizable
Cons:
- thin material can breakdown over time
2) Mountainsmith Zerk 40
What drew us to the Zerk 40? It’s the love child of Mountainsmith and the bad-boy of thru-hikerdom, The Real Hiking Viking. The Real Hiking Viking is the mile-crushing, beard-growing, beer-drinking hiker of the future that we all wish we could be. So when they say the pack is awesome, well – we believe it.
The Zerk 40 is best for experienced hikers who know how to pack light. With no hip-belt, this pack is meant for fast movers and minimal extra weight. 
- Price: $219.95
- Weight: 1lb 12oz
- Capacity: 40L
- Where to Buy:
Pros:
- trail-tested
- thoughtful design
Cons:
- low capacity
3) REI Flash 55 – Men’s and Women’s
The Flash 55 is an excellent lightweight backpack that won’t break the bank. It’s also one of few lightweight backpacks that that can easily be found in a store near you – so you can take the guesswork out of size and comfort and go try it on yourself!
Another bonus for the Flash 55 is that it comes in both men’s and women’s sizes, making it easier to find the perfect fit.
- Price: $199
- Weight:
- Men’s: 2lbs 10oz (medium size)
- Women’s: 2lbs 11oz (medium size)
- Capacity: 55L
- Where to Buy:
Pros:
- Comes in men’s and women’s sizes
- large capacity
Cons:
- thin waistbelt and shoulder straps
4) Ultralight Mountain Gear Circuit
No ultralight backpacking search goes without the mention of Ultralight Mountain Gear. Hang out in thru-hiker hotspots along the CDT, PCT, or AT, and you’re bound to see someone carrying one.
The ULA circuit is not the lightest pack that ULA makes, but includes bit more space and structure than the lightest of the light tend to offer. The circuit is the ULA for me.
- Price: $279.99
- Weight: 2lbs 9oz
- Capacity: 68L
- Where to Buy: ula-equipment.com
Pros:
- large capacity
- customizable fit
- option to get your trail name embroidered on!
Cons:
- expensive
5) Zpacks Arc Blast
The Arc Blast is an under-rated pack and another favorite in the long-distance hiking community. Best suited for those who know how to pack light, the Zpacks Arc Blast will make you feel light as a feather.
The Arc 2 also features an interchangeable hip-belt and a few optional add-ons, too. If you typically hike with a super low base weight and don’t often pack in amenities – this might be the ultralight backpack for you.
- Price: $375
- Weight: 1lb 4.6oz
- Capacity: 55L
- Where to Buy: zpacks.com
Pros:
- large capacity
- customizable
Cons:
- expensive
- low weight limit
6) Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus
Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus was cruelly left out of my pack search of the century. How did this happen? Incompetence, likely. This award-winning ultralight pack has a lot in common with some of my favorite packs on this list – and is more feature-full than most too!
You can customize your order to include a pack lid, hip pockets, or shoulder pockets too.
- Price: $245
- Weight: 1lb 2oz
- Capacity: 58L
- Where to Buy: mountainlaureldesigns.com
Pros:
- very lightweight
- high capacity
Cons:
- expensive
7) Granite Gear Crown 2
This super-durable pack is another thru-hiker favorite. Made with a high-tenacity (210-denier) nylon, it’s tough and weather-durable, too!
The Crown2 is a versatile backpack that comes in men’s, women’s and even tall sizes so you can find the best fit. The top lid is removable for extra weight-savings on your next fast-packing adventure.
- Price: $199.95
- Weight: 2lbs 4.7oz (regular size)
- Capacity: 60L
- Where to Buy:
- rei.com
- backcountry.com
Pros:
- men’s and women’s and tall sizes available
- budget-friendly
- large capacity
Cons:
- a little heavy
8) Gossamer Gear Gorilla
Gossamer Gear has managed to make their way onto our top 10 list twice! The Gorilla pack mirrors the Gossamer Gear Mariposa in many ways, but has a few key differences, including it’s smaller size
This pack is also the winner of Outdoor Gear Lab’s Best Mid-Volume Pack award. 
- Price: $240
- Weight: 1lb 4.5oz (medium size)
- Capacity: 40L
- Where to Buy: gossamergear.com
Pros:
- customizable
- very lightweight
Cons:
- lightweight material can rip easily
9) Osprey – Eja
We’re always happy to see gear made specifically for women hit the market and gear-makers who take women hikers seriously.
The Osprey Eja offers thinner shoulder straps, a higher sternum strap, and boasts better weight distribution for women. Plus it offers a ventilated back-rest, cushioned harness, and a removable top lid.
While this is not the lightest pack on our list, Osprey is well-known for their durable gear and fantastic warranty that easily can make up for the extra poundage.
- Price: $220
- Weight: 2lbs 10oz (medium size)
- Capacity: 58L
- Where to Buy: rei.com
Pros:
- durable
- great warranty from both REI and Osprey
- high capacity
Cons:
- on the heavy side
10) Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest
We can’t lie, this backpack looks sexy as hell. And if we’re being honest, is our current favorite backpack. The black and white minimalist design is not for the weak of heart. If you need lots of pockets, turn back now.
The closure is painfully simple and brilliantly thought out. While the straps are thin, they are still surprisingly comfortable. And the hip belt pockets are nice to have. We just love the simple design and comfortable fit.
- Price: Starts at $355
- Weight: 2lbs
- Capacity: 55L
- Where to Buy:
Pros:
- very durable
- simple design
Cons:
- expensive
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6 comments
[…] backpacks to find the one that works just right for you. Use this helpful backpacking list of the 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks to start your […]
Great info. I’m struggling with the choice between the Mariposa and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest right now…
John, I would definitely recommend the HMG 3400. They are both great packs but in my experience, the HMG is much more durable.
Thanks. I carry around 30 pounds and I just want to be sure that whatever I choose can handle the heavier load (zpacks triplex for me, my wife and 2 very large dogs, lol). Honestly the HMG / Dyneema bag really intrigues me, but I hear so many raving reviews of the GG Mariposa that I was leaning in that direction. I just would definitely prefer dyneema over robic though. I appreciate the first hand experience and will take that into consideration.
I think that both packs could handle 30lbs. The Mariposa would probably be slightly more comfortable because the shoulder straps are thicker. I have found that the HMG can still be comfortable at heavier loads, however how you pack becomes more important. If you have an uneven load, it can put a lot of strain on one shoulder or the other.
[…] If you’re interested in learning about the other packs I considered in my search, read: The 10 Best Lightweight Hiking Backpacks for 2020 […]