Now that the sun is shining upon us, it’s time to hit the trails and with that, we’ve rounded up the best ultralight backpacks with every traveler in mind. Whether you’re camping, hiking to Half Dome on a thru-hike, or going for a trail run, we have an excellent backpack for you. The bonus of an ultralight backpack means you can hike farther, climb higher, and reach new places each time you use it because nothing is weighing you down. The advantages of an ultralight backpack may mean less storage, but they often have the best pockets for the most important items, like water and easy-to-reach snacks.
While you may not be able to stash your laptop in there, you can hide some electrolytes and water filters for a long day on the mountain. Leave the world behind and go explore with an ultralight backpack and take only what you need.
1. The North Face City Voyager Backpack
This backpack is a lightweight dream for commuters, whether they’re using public transport and traveling by bike, and it doubles as a cool backpack for traveling. Going on a quick trip? This ultralight backpack has room for all the essentials like your laptop, water, and an extra set of clothes. Check out this 100% polyester-made backpack for a cool commute or for a weekend away.
2. Osprey Arcane Large Day Bag
The Osprey Day Bag is a sleek and stylish choice for any day adventure or commute, weekend away, or hike. This do-it-all-style bag can hold up to 20 liters of gear. With a separate laptop sleeve and a lock that functions are security to tie your bag to a chair. The Osprey bag is an excellent choice for a day in the city or a hike up a mountain. This versatile ultralight backpack will take you further than you ever thought you could go. Made from recycled polyester packcloth, this sustainable bag is great for you and the environment.
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3. Rains Field Bag
This ultralight backpack is super minimalist, with only two compartments, virtually no designs, and only a logo on the far corner. It’s small enough to be pleasing for a spontaneous weekend getaway or for a commute via bicycle. Lightweight with padded, adjustable shoulder straps, the Rains Field bag has a waterproof coating that almost guarantees it will become your favorite ultralight backpack. Whether you’re going out on the town or for an adventure, check out the Rains Field Bag for all your needs.
4. Heimplanet Monolith Rucksack
This old-fashioned rucksack-style ultralight backpack is a great option for outdoor adventures. With its minimalist style, this bag is lightweight at only 500 grams but has room for a laptop if needed. Take this bag for a spin on the town or out and about in the wilderness, the choice is yours. With 18 liters of storage, this is the ultimate lightweight bag for all your upcoming summer adventures.
5. The North Face Terra 65 Pack
For the robust thru-hiker, The North Face makes a mean ultralight backpack. Now this is the ultimate lightweight backpacking backpack meant to store all your life’s gear while you’re out on the trail for a week or more. Take care to pack this 65-liter bag with only what you need because the weight will start to add up quickly. With an internal frame design to keep the weight off your back and onto your hips, the Terra 65 pack is an excellent choice for anyone seeking an ultralight backpack to hit the trails.
6. Osprey Rook 65 Pack
Another great choice for backpackers seeking out that ultralight backpack is Osprey. With 65 liters of space and a weight of fewer than 4 pounds, this pack will take you all over the world. The mesh back eases the strain and lets you breathe as you hike, releasing the tension from your shoulders while the compression straps help you stabilize your load. With an integrated removable rain cover, keep your gear dry at a moment’s notice. This backpack has dual side mesh pockets for easy storage of water and snacks, headlamps and any other valuable easy-to-grab items. Check out the mountains and travel in style with an Osprey backpack.
7. Burton Prospect 2.0 Backpack
Burton’s classic style comes through with their commuter backpack which is great for long days exploring the city or for traveling by bike. It has room for a laptop, dual side pockets for water within easy reach, and an internal mesh pocket with a zipper for small valuables. The Burton Prospect 2.0 comes with a lifetime warranty and is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a sleek and stylish ultralight backpack for summer exploring.
8. Osprey Radial Bike Commuter Backpack
The Osprey brand has long been on our radar for favorite outdoor gear, and the commuter backpack made it on our list because of the comfort on the bike. If you’re a bike commuter, then you know the difficulty of hoisting weight and getting it to sit comfortably between your shoulder blades, which is why we’re pleased to include the Osprey bag on our list of best ultralight backpacks. With a padded laptop sleeve that can fit most 15 inch laptops, mesh side pockets for easy access, an integrated rain cover for messy wet days and separate pockets internally for shoes and clothing, this ultralight backpack can’t be beaten. You won’t be disappointed with the Osprey Commuter Backpack.