Can you live for a week in a single set of hiking clothes? Of course, and learning to ignore the grunge and odor will help your shoulders (less weight = less pain), your legs (less weight = more miles), your feet (less weight = fewer aches), and your efficiency (less stuff = less futzing with gear = more trail time). So get in touch with your inner caveman, be proud of your minimalist style, and hit the trail with a single pick for every layer, head to toe. Yes, that means one pair of socks and one set of undies. Here’s what BACKPACKER recommends for the core pieces of your kit.
Trekking Pants
Convertible trousers are a great example of ultralight clothing, because they do triple duty: shorts, long pants, and long johns. Bring this one item rather than all three, and you’ve cut a pound or more from your pack. The ExOfficio Nio Amphi pants are a favorite of BACKPACKER editors, one of whom wore them 40 miles straight on a Peru jungle trek. Cool, quick-drying shorts by day, they become wind-resistant, cotton-soft pants by night
Shirt
Since you’ll be wearing the same shirt day after day after day, odor-resistance is key. That’s why BACKPACKER testers are choosing wool (yes, wool), which is naturally stink-resistant. Today’s extra-fine merino wool t-shirts are also great for warm-weather hiking because they wick moisture away from your skin and breathe well. We like Patagonia’s Wool 1 shortsleeve shirt; it’s a lightweight blend of merino and polyester that keeps you cool and won’t get super-funky after four days, like polyester will.
Jacket
If you want to sit out and enjoy the stars after dinner, pack a lighweight down jacket, something that weighs a pound or less. (Not fleece: It’s heavier for its insulating value.) BACKPACKER editors almost always have one in their packs-almost like an emergency insurance policy-because these micro-parkas boost warmth almost immediately and add warmth if your bag proves too thin. The Mountain Hardwear Nitrous is one of their recent favorites. This 9-ounce down sweater packs as small as a grapefruit.
Shoes
On the JMT, the trail conditions are so smooth that you can wear the same trail-runners that you’d take dayhiking. BACKPACKER editors wear-tested more than 50 hiking shoes in the last year, and one of their favorites for Yosemite conditions is the Montrail Hardrock 09 , an ultralight yet stable shoe that stays cool on the hottest days. If you’re tackling rougher terrain-like the steep, rocky, and often loose terrain on the Sierra High Route, go with a heavier, high-cut hiking boot with sturdy toe and ankle protection. Kayland’s Zephyr, which won the magazine’s Editors’ Choice Award this year, is a good choice. See a video review of the Zephyr, read more boot reviews , and find your perfect pair with our GearFinder.
Stove
Some ultralighters prefer to skip the weight of stove and fuel, opting instead for food that doesn’t require any cooking. But that doesn’t always save weight, and a warm meal and drink is half the pleasure of backcountry camping. BACKPACKER editors have been carrying the 1.9-ounce Snow Peak LiteMax (that’s right, 1.9 ounces!) on ultralight outings lately, and they report that it’s fast, stable, and offers enough flame control for simmering delicate sauces. Read more stove reviews here, then find your perfect cooker with our GearFinder.
I have found that 2 pair of undies and 2 pair of socks is more comfortable on treks of 5 days or more. You can alternate and wash out in between. Doesn’t add but a few ounces.