
Ultralight gear for hiking is having a major moment and for the most part, I’m here for it. When I'm backpacking, my Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor backpack, Sea to Summit Ember II Down 35 Sleeping Quilt, Therm-A-Rest ProLite Apex sleeping pad and Alpkit Kraku camping stove weigh under five lbs. For a lot of the adventures I want to have, they offer sufficient protection against the elements.
But if I’m being honest, we’re reaching that time of year when my preference for ultralight kit means that sometimes my jacket is wetting out before I get back to the trailhead. So when is ultralight gear worth the (lack of) weight, and when is it a false economy?