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hip belts Load lifter strap Pack capacity Pack color Tips for selecting a winter backpack ultra-light backpacks for winter

Tips for Selecting a Winter Backpack

Ultra-light gear is what makes winter backpacking possible. In the past people needed heavy gear to stay warm and that required pulling a sled or polk. The gear was too heavy and bulky to put it all in a backpack. Those days are gone, especially in mild winter temperatures such as are common in the Pacific Northwest. Today it is possible for a 2–3 day winter backpack to weigh between 25–35 pounds (12–16 kg). Everything can fir in a 60-liter pack and the pack itself can weigh as little as two pounds or less. Many ultra-light backpacks in the 2–2.5 lbs range are strong enough and large enough to carry all that you need.

winter backpacking in snowshoes
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backpack sizes Backpacking Gear Lists Backpacks compressing gear Gear hierarchy How to pack a winter backpack pack bladders pack lids pack rain covers Safety Tips stuff sacks

Safety Tips for Packing a Winter Backpack

When packing a winter backpack, safety is an important consideration. In winter, how you pack matters more than any other time of the year. For example, when you reach the crest of a ridge and encounter a severe wind chill, your rain jacket and gloves need to be at the top of your pack or easily accessible. This post reviews safety considerations and general packing methods.

winter backpacking safety
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Backpacks Gossamer Mariposa 60 Backpack Ultra-light Gear

Gossamer Mariposa 60 Backpack Review

The Mariposa 60 backpack is Gossamer Gear’s bestseller. Here are my thoughts and first impressions. With a 35-pound weight and 60-liter capacity, it passes the bar for winter backpacking. It has a removable internal frame, 7 pockets, a comfortable hip-belt and shoulder straps, and weighs only around 2 pounds. You have a choice between small, medium, and large and you can configure the hip belt size as needed.

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Backpacks Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight backpack Ultra-light backpacks for winter backpacking Ultra-light backpacks under 2 lbs

Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight™ Ultralight Backpack Review

In my ongoing quest to find the best ultra-light backpack for winter backpacking, I recently tried Outdoor Vitals’ Shadowlight™ Ultralight Backpack. This is my first impression.

Most ultralight packs are designed for light loads and 3-season thru-hikers. In recent years larger size ultra-light packs have become available. The challenge is finding ones that are adaptable to winter backpacking requirements, such as a 30–35 pound weight limit, 50–60 liters of capacity, and the ability to put all liquids, a closed-cell pad, an ice ax, and snowshoes on the exterior. The Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack is one such option.

Outdoor Vitals ShadowLight 60L pack
The Outdoor Vitals ShadowLight 60L pack out snow camping in the Cascade Mountains.

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Backpacks Granite Gear Crown 3 backpack Granite Gear Leopard 58 AC Ultralight backpacks for winter Uncategorized

Granite Gear Crown3 Backpack Review

One of the best ways to lower the amount of weight you are carrying in winter is to get an ultralight backpack. Years ago when I set out to find a light winter backpack, I settled on the Granite Gear Leopard A.C. 58. Up until now, it was my gold standard. It was built with Granite Gear’s award-winning “AC” (AirCurrent) suspension, made with durable 100- and 210-denier high-tenacity Cordura nylon, and has a 58 liter/40-lb. capacity. At around 3 pounds (lid removed) it allowed me to keep my total winter pack weight at around 28 pounds, or 32 pounds with snowshoes attached (both base weight + consumables). It worked so well that when my pack began to show signs of wear, I resisted the newer Granite Gear packs and instead picked up a second-hand Leopard that I kept around as a backup.