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How much water should you actually carry when you’re ultralight backpacking? Most hikers carry too much. In this video, I break down my real approach to water carries on the Pacific Crest Trail—and why I often carry less than a liter.

I’ve hiked the CDT, AT, and now the PCT with a super ultralight base weight. If you want to hike further with less weight, you need to rethink hydration. This isn’t reckless—it’s calculated.

Learn how to: • Plan smart water carries using maps and timing • Understand water needs vs. water fear • Trust your body and terrain, not just groupthink • Carry less and move faster

Filmed while hiking 30+ mile days with a base weight under 5 lbs.

Join me for 20 hot and exposed miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking from mile 600 to 620. I talk gear, trail food, and how ultralight backpacking changes everything on days like this. If you’re into super ultralight setups, real trail footage, and honest talk from the PCT, this one’s for you.

This is part of my full PCT thru-hike series. I’m carrying one of the lightest complete packs on trail—including a sub-5 oz shelter and a 6.5 oz backpack with a 4.5 baseweight

Temps were high, terrain was dry, and the ultralight gear made a big difference in getting through it.

Filmed on trail and edited entirely on my phone while thru-hiking.

In this adventure, I show you my 6.5 lb ultralight backpacking gear list.

backpack: ultimate direction 20l fastpack

shelter: sling fin splitwing poly ground sheet 2 msr groundhogs 6 shepard hooks ruta locura carbon fiber poles

sleep system: ph designs sleeping bag gosserman gear 1/8th sleeping pad

cook system: 500ml toaks titanium pot titanium esbit stove

water treatment: platypus quick draw

clothing: darn tough socks alpha direct hoodie high tail designs pantagonia houdini wind breaker enlightened equipment copperfield wind pants

light: nitecore nu25

misc: hyperlight pod hyperlight umbrella apex giant poop shovel zippo knife adotek bear bag

Looking for an affordable ultralight backpacking gear list that’s actually comfortable? In this video, I take you on-trail to break down my full backpacking loadout — with a base weight under 7 lbs and a total cost under $500. From a fully enclosed tent to a thick sleeping pad and full cook kit, this setup proves you can go light without giving up comfort. Whether you're a beginner or just trying to lighten your pack on a budget, this gear list shows you don't have to spend big to get outside.

This video covers my ultralight hiking gear & knowledge from 20,000 miles on the trail.

The following gear setup is full comfort, weighs 10 pounds, and covers down to 20 degrees for all weather scenarios, including:

Best Tents & Tarps for Backpacking

Sleep System - Sleeping Bag / Quilt, Pad & Pillow

Best Backpacking Backpack

Stuff Sacks & Equipment Organization

Clothes & Layering Systems

Small Essential Equipment

First Aid Kit for Hiking

Toilet Kit

Cooking System & Stoves

Water Purification & Storage

Simple 4 Day Resupply from Aldi

I did some research on a simple resupply plan using products available at Aldi. There are 4 ingredients:

Oatmeal, Protein powder, Almonds, Cranberries

4 Day Resupply:

1 - 42 oz oatmeal (regular)

1 - 32 oz protein powder

2 - 14 oz almonds

4 - 6 oz dried cranberries

Total weight: 7.9 pounds

Daily:

2 - 1.5 cups cold soaked oatmeal (about 2/3 peanut butter jar)

2 to 5 servings of protein powder

1/2 14 oz bag of almonds

1 6 oz bag of dried cranberries

The package of protein powder will provide up to 5 scoops of protein powder per day. Drink as many as you wish.

Daily nutrition (with 5 servings of protein powder per day):

Calories 3775

Fat 189% USDA recommended

Carbohydrate 152% USDA recommended

Protein 450% USDA recommended (5 servings protein powder)

Cost: about $46 at Aldi

I LOVE Cold soaking meals on the trail. Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner all from a peanut butter jar. MORE RECIPES: irontazz.com/stoveless-backpacking