Best Budget Ultralight Backpacks (Which Actually Hold Up)

If you are ready to upgrade to an ultralight backpack, you’ll quickly realize that most UL packs are EXPENSIVE. An UL pack from a well-known brand can easily cost more than $300. There’s generally a good reason why ultralight gear costs so much: lightweight materials which can handle abuse are not cheap!

Because of this, there are only a handful of budget-friendly ultralight backpacks worth recommending. And even these won’t hold up as well as packs made by brands like Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Palante Packs and Gossamer Gear. But the ones recommended here are nearly as good as those expensive packs but cost a fraction of the price.

Save On Other Gear, Not Your Pack

I firmly believe that backpacking (even UL backpacking) does not have to be expensive. But, when on a budget, the pack is going to be the last place I’d want to skimp on.

Your pack, after all, is what ultimately keeps you comfortable while trekking over long distances and hard terrain. And, since organization is important to me, I’d happily pay extra for a pack with extra pockets and exterior straps.

Remember, it’s fairly easy to find used UL backpacks (check Gear Trade) and places like REI also has a used gear section. Plus, buying secondhand is better for the environment. So shop secondhand first and only buy a cheap UL pack if you can’t find a good used one.

UL Pack Size?

When upgrading to ultralight backpacking gear, your pack is the absolute last thing you should buy. First upgrade your other key gear. Only then will you know how large of a pack you need to fit all your gear.

Hardcore UL backpackers usually use a pack around 40L. But, if you need to fit a bear canister in your pack, you’ll probably need at least 50L.

I’m a big fan of mesh pockets and exterior straps. These will let you attach a lot of gear to the exterior of your pack in case you need the extra space.

Frame or No Frame?

Most ultralight backpacks do not have a frame. If you are truly ultralight (total pack weight with consumables under 20lbs), then you probably don’t need a framed pack.

But there are plenty of situations where your pack weight might get over 20lbs. Like on longer trips where you can’t refuel. Or when you backpack in shoulder season and need to bring a warmer sleeping bag and pad.

The best solution would be to find a backpack with a removable frame. Then you could use the same pack for multiple gear loads. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy two backpacks: one framed and one unframed. It obviously costs more to buy two packs than one. Hence why I said that your pack is the last place you should try to save money on. It’s probably cheaper better to buy one pricier pack which is suitable for multiple conditions than two budget packs.

Roll Top or Brain Top?

Most ultralight backpacks, especially cheap ones, are roll-top. Not having a “brain top” lid reduces weight. Roll-tops have built-in compression, so they can accommodate different load sizes. It also is cheaper to make/sew a roll-top pack than one with a lid.

Personally prefer having a brain top, even if it adds weight. I like the extra organization and accessibility it offers. I also like that I can keep things like my jacket underneath the lid. But I often have a lot of random small gear that I need to access since I do “projects” while hiking.

However, for most UL hikers, having a brain top isn’t necessary. Everything you need during the day can be kept in exterior pockets. And you probably just dump everything out of your pack when you reach camp anyway, so it doesn’t matter that it’s difficult to dig anything out of a roll-top pack.

Granite Gear does have some packs with removable brain top lids. This gives you the best of both worlds.

Best Cheap Ultralight Backpacks

1. 3F UL QiDian Backpack

The brand 3F has actually been around for longer than a lot of “established’ UL gear brands. Their products are cheap but actually well-made, so it’s no surprise that the QiDian UL backpack has a huge fan base.

What’s unique about the QiDian pack is that it has a pocket on the torso area for holding a folded foam pad. The pad then acts as a frame for the pack. You are either going to love or hate this setup – and it does mean that you have to use a zig-zag pad. If you decide to cut the pad or want an air mattress, the QiDian pack might not fit you well anymore.

There are two versions of the UL pack. The original is cheaper and made from slightly flimslier material. The Pro version is made from more durable material and has S curve shoulder straps.

Specs/Features:

Capacity: 40+16L
Pack Weight: 30oz (original), 31oz (Pro)
Max Load: 26.5lbs (original), 30lbs (Pro)
Frame: Uses pad as frame
Pockets: 5 external pockets
Dimensions: 31.5 (H) x 11.8 (L) x 8.7 (W) inches
Fits Users: 5’5” to 6’2”; waistline 28”
Buy At: Aliexpress

*Read my guide to buying backpacking gear from Aliexpress

2. Naturehike 40+5 and 60+5 Pack

Naturehike is a Chinese brand which is known for making cheap UL gear which surprisingly can withstand abuse. I have several of their tents and particularly love the Cloudup.

While I haven’t tried it myself, a lot of backpackers swear by the Naturehike UL pack. Unlike many other UL packs, this one actually has an internal frame. Because of that, it’s a bit heavier at 44oz for the smaller size and 47oz for the larger size.

Specs:

Capacity: 40+5L/60+5L
Pack Weight: 44oz/47oz
Max Load: 24lbs/30.8lbs
Frame: Internal frame
Pockets: 6 external pockets
Dimensions: 22 (H) x 10.2 (L) x 7 (W)/26 (H) x 10.2 (L) x 7 (W)
Fits Users: 5’3″-5’7″ and 121-155lbs/ 5’7″-5’11”, and 143-177lbs
Buy At: Amazon (40L version only), AliExpress

3. Granite Gear Crown 2 60L (Men and Women’s Fits)

The Crown 2 60L pack by Granite Gear is an awesome option for people who are just starting with UL gear and/or still occasionally carry heavy loads.

What’s cool about the pack is that it has a modular design. You can remove the top lid (2.56oz) and then use it as a roll-top. If your load isn’t heavy, you can remove the frame sheet (6.08oz) from the pack to save weight. It’s also possible to remove the hip belt, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that!

I also love that the pack comes in 3 torso lengths AND there’s a women’s fit version which has 2 torso lengths.

Specs:

Men’s Short:
- Torso Length: 15-18”
- Pack Weight (with frame sheet and lid): 36.2oz
- Minimum Pack Weight (w/o frame and lid): 27.6oz
Men’s Regular:
- Torso Length: 18-21”
- Pack Weight (with frame sheet and lid): 37.8oz
- Minimum Pack Weight (w/o frame and lid): 29.2oz
Men’s Long:
- Torso Length: 21-24”
- Pack Weight (with frame sheet and lid): 39.4oz
- Minimum Pack Weight (w/o frame and lid): 30.8oz
Women’s Short:
- Torso Length: 15-18”
- Pack Weight (with frame sheet and lid): 36.2oz
- Minimum Pack Weight (w/o frame and lid): 23.5oz
Women’s Regular:
- Torso Length: 18-21”
- Pack Weight (with frame sheet and lid): 37.8oz
- Minimum Pack Weight (w/o frame and lid): 29.2oz

*If you are willing to spend a bit more, the Crown 3 has an optional aluminum stay frame for holding heavier loads. This makes it more versatile so you can get more use out of the pack.

Available At: Amazon

4. Granite Gear Virga 2

Granite Gear Virga 2 Backpack - Tiger/Moonmist 52L Regular

Granite Gear also makes the Virga 2 ultralight backpack, which is currently very cheap. At 52L, it’s large enough to hold a 3-gallon Bear Vault sideways. Personally, I don’t like this UL pack as much as the other ones. It doesn’t have as many features (like pockets) and the hip belt is really narrow.

There is no maximum load listed for the Virga 2. But users say that you need to keep it under 20lbs. The pack does not do well with heavier loads!

On the plus side, the Virga 2 currently costs under $100 and weighs in at under 19oz (regular size). There are also short and long sizes too.

Specs/Features:

Capacity: 50L/54L/58L (Short/Reg/Long)
Pack Weight: 18oz/19oz/20oz
Max Load: N/G
Frame: Frameless
Pockets: 3 external pockets
Dimensions: 26 (H) x 12.75 (L) x 14 (W) (Regular)
Fits Users: Torso length 15-18”/18-21”/21-24”
Buy At: Amazon

5. Homiee 50L Pack

HOMIEE 50L Hiking Backpack Travel Bag Waterproof Camping Climbing Daypack Outdoor Sports Rucksack Backpacks with Rain Cover

This is probably the cheapest ultralight backpack you can find, and it surprisingly has a lot of awesome features. I especially love all of the straps for hanging gear. I love that it’s a lidded pack and not a roll-top. There is an internal divider for dirty gear too.

But, not too surprisingly, the Homiee UL pack is not durable. It seems to do well enough if you keep the weight very low. But, if you load up more than 15-20lbs on the pack, the stitching on the straps starts to come undone. Expect to do some sewing repairs!

Another issue is that the pack isn’t really designed for distribute weight well. There aren’t load lifter straps and the padding isn’t the best. But, then again, it is an insanely cheap UL backpack. You get what you pay for.

Also note that this pack is for really petite backpackers. The total height of the pack is just under 27 inches. The sternum strap will hit you at a low place if you are tall. I wouldn’t recommend this pack if you are over 5’5” tall.

Specs/Features: