What’s better than ultralight camping gear? Yep, you guessed it – cheap ultralight camping gear! We love going off on ultralight backpacking adventures, but one of the biggest barriers to entry for this fun hobby is the cost. Many people worry that they will have to spend a fortune on high-end gear made by cottage industries.
In fact, that’s why we founded Thrifty Hiker – to showcase the great and growing range of affordable, good-quality ultralight gear. So today we’re proudly showing off our top 5 pieces of ultralight camping gear for cheapskates. You can find all of these items on Ali Express – for those who are uninitiated, here’s our guide to Ali Express. So, let’s dive into our favourite cheapskate picks.
TiTo Titanium Spork
TiTo Outdoor Camping Spork
Ideally, everything in your ultralight armory should serve a few different functions. So if you’re looking to save weight on cutlery for your next adventure, a Spork is definitely the way to go. This excellent
Naturehike Dry Bags
Naturehike 20L 30L 40L Waterproof River Trekking Bags
Dry bags are a great way of keeping your stuff both dry and
Naturehike Packable Backpack
Naturehike Foldable Waterproof Backpack
Packable backpacks are great for longer trips, as you can use them as day-packs for individual hikes. This packable backpack from Naturehike folds down to just 7 x 5 x 12 cm and weighs only 150 grams! It’s a very similar design to the Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Backpack, but the Naturehike will set you back a little less cash. That’s always a win in our book!
Naturehike Microfibre Travel Towels
Naturehike Microfibre Anti-Bacterial Travel Towels
If you’re heading out on a longer trip, chances are you’re probably going to want a wash at some point. On the trail, you can wind up getting smelly especially quickly! These Naturehike microfibre towels are available in Green, Blue, or Rose. They spread out to 80 x 40 cm, have a pack weight of 63 grams, and – maybe best of all – won’t break the bank.
Ultralight Folding Camping Mat
Ultralight Folding Camping Mat
This Ali Express camping mat is based on the well-rated Thermarest Z-Lite – but only a fraction of the cost. The Ali Express mat weighs in at just 350 grams, which definitely keeps it in ultralight territory. You could even chop a few of the segments off, which is a hack that some people have used if they’re desperately trying to shave off an extra few grams.
Ready To Get Shopping?
That just about does it for this week folks. I hope you enjoyed this rundown of our favourite cheap ultralight camping gear. Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more tips, tricks, and gear reviews from the trail. Until next time!