Sea to Summit Ultralight Camping and Hiking

Do you want a cookset or individual pieces? 

You can buy a collection of pots and pans designed to nest together or build a set piece by piece.

Pick the cookware material to suit your activity.

• Aluminum is lightweight and affordable. Good for simmering foods without scorching. A drawback is that it dents easily.
• Hard-anodized aluminum resists scratches and abrasion and last a long time.
• Stainless steel: More durable and scratch resistant than aluminum but heavier so is better suited for car camping.
• Titanium cookware is the lightest option, heats up quickly and highly corrosion resistant. But titanium costs more than other options.

Other considerations and items

• Pot size: The largest pot in a cook set should hold about 1 pint per backpacker or camper in your party.
• Number of pots: If you plan to cook dehydrated foods for two backpackers, then one pot is sufficient. More elaborate meals mean more pots.
• Lids reduce cooking time and save fuel. Some double as plates.

How will you be using your liner? 

• For backpackers, a mummy-shaped bag liner helps keep your sleeping bag free of dirt and body oils, helping it last longer. A liner can also be used in place of a sleeping bag in hot climates. 

• For travelers, a rectangular bag liner or travel sheet keeps you separated from bedding of questionable cleanliness or with possible bedbug infestations. 

Which liner material is right for you? 

• Silk: Very lightweight, compact and insulates in cold weather. Absorbent and breathable in warm weather. Price: moderate to expensive. 
• Cotton: Strong, durable and absorbent, but not the lightest or most compact. Price: economical. 
• Fleece and microfleece: Warmer, heavier, soft, moisture-wicking and quick-drying, but the mid- and heavyweight varieties are bulky. Price: moderate. 
• Synthetics (e.g., CoolMax^®): Moisture-wicking, breathable, ideal for humid conditions and stretchy for restless sleepers. Price: moderate. 
• Insulated (e.g., Thermolite^®): Adds enough warmth to greatly extend the range of a lightweight bag. It dries faster than cotton. Price: moderate to expensive. 

What size hammock is best for you? 

A single hammock is lighter for backpacking, but less spacious. A double hammock allows two people to share or one person to spread out. 

Look for a hammock that is at least 2 feet longer than your height. (This should be most hammocks, unless you’re really tall.) 

In what kinds of conditions will you use your hammock? 

Heavy-duty fabrics with a high denier count are more durable, while lower-denier models are more lightweight. 

Underquilts (sold separately) offer the best insulation for hammock camping in cooler weather, compared to just using a sleeping pad. Rain tarps, hung above the hammock, are also an option to protect from the elements.  

If you’d like a bug net, look for models with 360-degree protection and “no-see-um” netting. 

Should you consider a hammock tent? 

Compared to a traditional tent, a hammock tent requires no level ground for setup, has less impact on ground vegetation, is generally lighter and more compact, and cooler for summer camping. 

Hammock tents won’t work without sturdy trees, are colder and less rainproof than a traditional tent, generally not a great option for more than one person to sleep, and have minimal interior storage.  

Where will you use the pad? 

Decide how you’ll use the pad. Weight and packability will matter more if you're backpacking than if you're car camping. If you're winter camping, pick an insulated pad with warmth (or a high R-value).

What are the different types of sleeping pads?

• Air pads. Pros: Comfortable, lightweight and packable. Cons: Generally more expensive. Can be punctured or ripped.
• Self-inflating pads. A combo of open-cell foam and air. Pros: Often quite warm. Made in a variety of thicknesses and styles. Cons: Heavier than a simple foam pad.
• Closed-cell foam pads. Pros: Cheapest option. Almost indestructible. Cons: Not super comfortable.

Decide on the warmth (R-value) you need

• Sleeping pads are rated by R-value; a higher number means more insulation.
• Match your choice to the season and weather.
• Pads with an R-value less than 2.0 are suitable for warm weather whereas those with an R-value 5.5 and greater are ideal for extreme-cold-weather.

What dimension do you need?

• Pads vary by weight, cushioning, length, width, ease of inflation and more. At a minimum, your shoulders and hips need to fit on a pad.
• Regular (typically 72 inches long) and long (typically 78-inch) pads will insulate your legs and feet.
• A short or 3/4-length pad (usually 47 or 48 inches) weighs less and packs smaller.