Backpack Styles

Finding the Right Balance

When you’re putting together your pack, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how you balance weight, comfort, and durability. Not every hiker needs the lightest possible setup, nor does everyone want to haul a 50-pound pack full of camp luxuries. Backpacking styles generally fall into a few categories - traditional comfort, lightweight, ultralight, and expedition, but in reality most hikers blend elements from each depending on their goals, budget, and preferences.

This guide will walk through these common backpacking styles, highlight the weight ranges that define them, break down how much the core items typically weigh, and discuss the type of hiker who usually gravitates toward each. By the end, hopefully you’ll have a better understanding of what each style looks like, and also see why there can be a crossover between them.

Traditional Comfort Backpacking

Base Weight Range: 20–35 lbs (sometimes higher)

Typical Core Item Weights:

Backpack: 4–6 lbs

Shelter (tent): 5–7 lbs

Sleeping Bag: 3–5 lbs

Sleeping Pad: 2–3 lbs

Traditional comfort backpacking is what many people think of when they picture backpacking: a large, sturdy pack filled with durable gear and maybe a few luxuries. Gear in this category is often more affordable, widely available, and designed for durability and comfort rather than cutting-edge weight savings.

Hikers in this category are usually new backpackers, weekend campers, or those who prioritize comfort over mileage. They may enjoy carrying a roomier tent, thicker sleeping pad, or camp chair, and they often bring along extra clothing or cooking gear. Traditional backpackers typically hike shorter distances per day—5 to 10 miles is common—and don’t mind carrying heavier packs because the focus is on enjoying camp rather than maximizing efficiency on the trail.

Take a look at this Traditional Comfort Assembled Pack for some ideas to get started.

Lightweight Backpacking

Base Weight Range: 10–20 lbs

Typical Core Item Weights:

Backpack: 2–3 lbs

Shelter: 2–4 lbs

Sleeping Bag/Quilt: 1.5–2.5 lbs

Sleeping Pad: 1–1.5 lbs

Lightweight backpacking is the sweet spot for many hikers. It trims down the weight significantly from traditional backpacking by choosing lighter gear without going to extremes. Lightweight packs are often framed but pared down, tents are still enclosed but use lighter fabrics, and sleeping systems prioritize efficiency while still offering comfort.

This style attracts hikers who want to cover more miles per day—often 10–15—without sacrificing too much comfort. Section hikers, weekend warriors looking to push a bit farther, and backpackers who’ve outgrown their bulky beginner setups often land here. Gear costs are higher than entry-level but still more accessible than the premium ultralight niche - but there is wide range of prices for gear in this cateogry. For many, this balance between comfort and efficiency makes lightweight backpacking the most sustainable style long-term.

Take a look at this Lightweight Assembled Pack for some ideas to get started.

Ultralight Backpacking

Base Weight Range: Under 10 lbs

Typical Core Item Weights:

Backpack: 1–2 lbs (frameless or minimal frame)

Shelter: 1–2 lbs (tarps or trekking-pole tents)

Sleeping Bag/Quilt: 1–1.5 lbs

Sleeping Pad: ~0.5–1 lb

Ultralight backpacking strips away anything non-essential and focuses on the lightest functional options available. Tents are often minimalist tarps or trekking-pole shelters, quilts commonly replace sleeping bags, and backpacks are small, frameless designs intended only to carry compact, low-volume gear.

This style is popular with thru-hikers and efficiency-focused backpackers who want to maximize their daily mileage and minimize fatigue. Ultralight hikers typically average 15–25 miles per day and have refined their kits through trial and error. Gear in this category is often premium and costly, with cutting-edge materials like Dyneema or high-fill-power down.

Ultralight backpacking isn’t for everyone - it requires careful planning and some willingness to sacrifice certain comforts. However, the payoff is significant for hikers who value moving efficiently through the wilderness and covering long distances.

Take a look at this Ultralight Assembled Pack for some ideas to get started.

Expedition Backpacking

Base Weight Range: 40–60+ lbs

Typical Core Item Weights:

Backpack: 6–8 lbs (large capacity, heavy-duty frame)

Shelter: 6–10 lbs (four-season tents, snow shelters)

Sleeping Bag: 4–6 lbs (expedition-rated down or synthetic bags)

Sleeping Pad: 2–4 lbs (insulated pads, doubles for redundancy)

Expedition backpacking sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from ultralight. It prioritizes durability, warmth, and safety for extended or extreme trips, often in alpine or winter conditions. Gear is heavy-duty and redundant: four-season tents with multiple poles, double-layer sleeping pads, and packs designed to carry 70+ liters of supplies.

Hikers in this category are usually mountaineers, winter campers, or those venturing far off-trail into remote environments where resupply is impossible. Expedition packs carry not just personal gear but also group gear, technical climbing equipment, or extra food for extended periods. This style makes sense when survival and durability matter more than comfort or weight.

Why Not All Backpacking Kits Fit Perfectly Into a Category

While these categories are useful for understanding general approaches to backpacking, the reality is that most backpackers don’t fall squarely into just one. Instead, packs are often hybrids tailored to individual needs.

For example, a hiker might carry an ultralight quilt and pad but prefer the durability of a slightly heavier two-person tent. Or a section hiker might own a 55-liter lightweight pack but still bring along a camp chair for comfort on weekend trips. Budget also plays a role - many hikers start with traditional gear, slowly upgrade to lighter items, and end up with a mixed system where some components are ultralight while others remain midweight.

Another factor is environment. A hiker who backpacks in the deserts of Utah might embrace ultralight principles, while the same hiker heading into the Sierra Nevada in shoulder season may swap in warmer, heavier gear. Personal preference is just as important, what feels like a “must-have” luxury to one hiker might feel like unnecessary weight to another.

Finding Your Style

The most important takeaway is that backpacking styles are not rigid rules, they’re guidelines. As you gain experience, you’ll naturally refine your pack to match your goals. If you’re new, start with budget-friendly, traditional gear and borrow from friends when possible to see what feels right. If you discover you prefer comfort at camp, you may stick closer to the traditional end of the spectrum. If you fall in love with long miles, you may gradually drift toward ultralight.

Think of your kit as evolving, not fixed. Over time, you’ll replace bulkier gear with lighter items where it matters most to you, all while keeping the pieces that make your trips enjoyable. The “best” style isn’t the lightest or heaviest - it’s the one that fits your needs and makes you excited to hit the trail.