What to pack for backpacking: the best lightweight kit
Our experts have chosen the best lightweight camping essentials for a comfortable backbacking trip
Successful backpacking – and in particular packing for backpacking – is all about taking everything you need and nothing you don’t. A lightweight tent that’s perfectly suited to the people, place and conditions of your camping trip; a warm and comfortable sleeping system; and a good setup for cooking outdoors are the backpacking essentials. Once these are sorted, there’s a world of innovative camping kit available to make your trip easier and more exciting. We’ve tried and tested a wide range of backpacking gear and share our favourite finds here.
A note on DWR treatment
Many outdoor products are treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) to add water repellence and stain resistance. All relevant products in this test use a PFOA/PFC-free DWR because perfluorinated compounds are persistent, pervasive and toxic.
The best tents for backpacking and hiking
Easy Camp Rondane 2
RRP: £144.99
This good value, two-person dome tent, designed for backpacking and cycle touring, is packed with user-friendly features including a front porch for kit storage, hanging loops, internal pockets and a washing line, plus a useful rear exit which also increases ventilation options. At 2.6kg and packing down to 40 x 13cm it’s small and light enough to carry.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1
RRP: £450
This super-light (911g) tent made from durable HyperBead™ fabric is designed for three-season solo use. The freestanding layout gives plenty of head height and floor space, with large internal storage pockets and a full-length side porch. It’s easy to pitch thanks to the single DAC pole system and well vented with a half mesh inner. Also available in two-, three-, four- and five-person versions.
Nordisk Halland 2 LW Tent
RRP: £755
This super-light (911g) tent made from durable HyperBead™ fabric is designed for three-season solo use. The freestanding layout gives plenty of head height and floor space, with large internal storage pockets and a full-length side porch. It’s easy to pitch thanks to the single DAC pole system and well vented with a half mesh inner. Also available in two-, three-, four- and five-person versions.
Fjallraven Abisko Dome 2
RRP: £900
This three-pole dome tent is freestanding, spacious and features two porches for great storage and sitting space. It’s very stable and will shrug off all but the strongest winds. Weighing in at 2790g, it’s not light but the stable design and durable materials make it ideal it for winter or mountainous camping. Made without PVC plastics, toxic fire-retardant chemicals or PFAS treatments.
Lightweight backpacking gear for a great night’s sleep
Exped Flexmat
RRP: From £26.50
The Flexmat is light, virtually indestructible and deploys in an instant. While brilliant on its own for alpinism or ultra-light adventures, we think it best under an air mat for added warmth and puncture protection. Made from Oeko-Tex tested closed cell foam and available in short, regular or long and wide sizes.
Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated Air Sleeping Mat
RRP: From £200
One of the comfiest and warmest we’ve tried, this 10cm-thick mat is filled with Thermal Core insulation, a supportive Air Sprung construction and quiet face fabric. It’s durable and easy to inflate/deflate with the pump sack provided. Available in five different lengths and widths; weights start from 500g.
Sierra Designs Cloud 20° sleeping bag
RRP: £315
A lightweight (880g), zipperless sleeping bag with a -3°C comfort rating, this bag’s wraparound design allows comfortable movement and easier entry/exit than a zipped design. It features an ingenious foot vent, zoned insulation and a sleeve for your sleep mat. The ripstop Nylon shell is insulated with high quality 800 fill power hydrophobic down. Long version £330.
Ayacucho Magura 10 Sleeping Bag
RRP: £75
These good value bags are made from 100% recycled polyester with a standard, tapered ‘mummy’ shape for maximum warmth to pack size and weight. The 10 has a comfort rating of 10°C and weighs just over 1kg, ideal for summer use or travelling. The warmer Magura 5 (£90) is available in regular or long lengths.
Cooking equipment and lightweight stoves for backpacking
Optimus Crux Weekend Cook System
RRP: £110
Perfect for two backpackers, this lightweight (372g) cook-set nestles the powerful and space saving Crux gas stove inside a 1-litre hard-anodised, non-stick aluminium pan, plus space for a folding spork and 230g gas canister. The lid doubles as a frying pan or bowl/mug and it all packs into a neat storage bag.
Robens Firefly Stove
RRP: £29.99
A lightweight (84g), compact gas stove made from durable stainless steel, the pan supports fold out to take a good-sized pot. It will boil a litre of water in about 6 mins but benefits from some wind protection so take care where you use it. Supplied with a protective carry case.
Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Original Chair
RRP: £69.95
Weighing just 500g, this is one of the most compact and lightweight seating options available to backpackers. The 8mm EVA foam is comfortable and insulating, the tough Nylon outer is weather-proof, and carbon-fibre stays provide support. It’s ready in an instant, providing a comfortable seat at the campsite or during rest stops.
Helinox Chair One (re)
RRP: £109.95
The original Chair One, launched in 2012, revolutionised camping chairs with its comfortable, packable, lightweight design. The new, updated version features a (re)Tension Design, improving the support and comort and making an already brilliant product even better. It still weighs a kilo, stows away small and supports up to 145kg.
You’ll find a wealth of information about all things camping in the Bensons’ new book, The Camping Bible: the complete guide to life under canvas, out now from Bloomsbury.
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