r/Ultralight

Community Overview

About r/Ultralight

r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! This sub is about overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight, and following LNT principles. Join us and ask yourself the question: Do I really need that?

The community at a glance

r/Ultralight is a Subreddit for Travelers and Outdoors with roughly 922K members. It has been around since 2010. It uses a forum format for communication. It is the 6th largest community in the Outdoors topic page and the 9th largest community in the Travel topic page.

Roughly 112K members have joined in the past year. Popular discussion topics include Ultralight, Tent, and Gear. Product recommendations often mention tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad.

On Reddit
Established 2010
922K Members

Subreddit Analysis

via GummySearch
Yearly: +112K members
Growth: +13.9% / year

Member growth over time

All time (yearly)

  • 2013: 4K members
  • 2014: 5K members
  • 2015: 7K members
  • 2016: 14K members
  • 2017: 28K members
  • 2018: 53K members
  • 2019: 45K members
  • 2020: 108K members
  • 2021: 194K members
  • 2023: 195K members
  • 2024: 37K members
  • 2025: 185K members
  • 2026: 43K members

Past year (monthly)

  • Jul: 26K members
  • Aug: 21K members
  • Sep: 3K members
  • Oct: 1K members
  • Nov: 4K members
  • Dec: 4K members
  • Jan: 4K members
  • Feb: 5K members
  • Mar: 6K members
  • Apr: 5K members
  • May: 6K members
  • Jun: 17K members

Topics

  • Ultralight
    98 posts in the past month
    #1
    Ultralight
    98
  • Tent
    37 posts in the past month
    #2
    Tent
    37
  • Gear
    34 posts in the past month
    #3
    Gear
    34
  • Struggling
    26 posts in the past month
    #4
    Struggling
    26
  • Backpack
    26 posts in the past month
    #5
    Backpack
    26

Flair

  • Purchase Advice
    75 posts in the past month
    1. MLD is Open to Acquisition or Partnership
    2. Walking While I Can
    3. Decathlon Must-Buys?
    #1
    Purchase Advice
    MLD is Open to Acquisition or Partnership · Walking While I Can · Decathlon Must-Buys?
    75
  • Question
    43 posts in the past month
    1. Is 6" enough?
    2. Stung by the Katadyn BeFree (again)
    3. Gear failure
    #2
    Question
    Is 6" enough? · Stung by the Katadyn BeFree (again) · Gear failure
    43
  • Gear Review
    27 posts in the past month
    1. Dreams do come true: an UL scrunchie now exists
    2. Garmin inReach "suspend" plans include SOS
    3. Ultralight Gear That’s Lasted Years
    #3
    Gear Review
    Dreams do come true: an UL scrunchie now exists · Garmin inReach "suspend" plans include SOS · Ultralight Gear That’s Lasted Years
    27
  • Shakedown
    24 posts in the past month
    1. Shed about 4.5 lbs of base weight today, only spent $7
    2. my meadowphysics grasshopper
    3. SHAKEDOWN REQUEST: Vermont Long Trail NOBO, Sept-Oct, 2026 — 6.33 lb (2.87 kg) base weight
    #4
    Shakedown
    Shed about 4.5 lbs of base weight today, only spent $7 · my meadowphysics grasshopper · SHAKEDOWN REQUEST: Vermont Long Trail NOBO, Sept-Oct, 2026 — 6.33 lb (2.87 kg) base weight
    24
  • Trip Report
    10 posts in the past month
    1. Hiking with Glen Van Peski
    2. 10 lb Base Weight | Unsupported Benton MacKaye Trail FKT (289 miles in 5d 5h 21m) – Full Video
    3. Trip Report: Camino de Costa Rica, Feb/Mar 2026
    #5
    Trip Report
    Hiking with Glen Van Peski · 10 lb Base Weight | Unsupported Benton MacKaye Trail FKT (289 miles in 5d 5h 21m) – Full Video · Trip Report: Camino de Costa Rica, Feb/Mar 2026
    10

Product recommendations

  • tent
    18 posts in the past month
    1. Best Budget Tent
    2. Best Budget Tent
    3. Best Tent for Section Hiking the CBT (Washington) in September?
    #1
    tent
    Best Budget Tent · Best Budget Tent · Best Tent for Section Hiking the CBT (Washington) in September?
    18
  • sleeping bag
    10 posts in the past month
    1. i need the best sleeping bag in size and temperature
    2. Best sleeping bag?
    3. Best 15 - 20F Sleeping bag for ~$200 or less?
    #2
    sleeping bag
    i need the best sleeping bag in size and temperature · Best sleeping bag? · Best 15 - 20F Sleeping bag for ~$200 or less?
    10
  • sleeping pad
    9 posts in the past month
    1. What Sleeping Pads Are The Best?
    2. What Sleeping Pads Are The Best?
    3. Best Budget Lightweight Sleeping Pad
    #3
    sleeping pad
    What Sleeping Pads Are The Best? · What Sleeping Pads Are The Best? · Best Budget Lightweight Sleeping Pad
    9
  • quilt
    8 posts in the past month
    1. Best way to pack and protect a quilt? Stuff sack, dry bag, compression?
    2. Best quilts for an AT thru hike (which temp, brand, etc) looking for recommendations
    3. Best sleeping bag/quilt for the mountains
    #4
    quilt
    Best way to pack and protect a quilt? Stuff sack, dry bag, compression? · Best quilts for an AT thru hike (which temp, brand, etc) looking for recommendations · Best sleeping bag/quilt for the mountains
    8
  • backpack
    7 posts in the past month
    1. Im looking for the best budget UL 40l bag
    2. Made a tool to help find the best Ultralight backpack - Help!
    3. Best backpack for backpacking/trekking/travel - help
    #5
    backpack
    Im looking for the best budget UL 40l bag · Made a tool to help find the best Ultralight backpack - Help! · Best backpack for backpacking/trekking/travel - help
    7

Frequently asked questions

Who is r/Ultralight for?
Best for Travelers and Outdoors enthusiasts looking for a Reddit-based community with forum discussion.
Is r/Ultralight free to join?
This listing is not marked as paid-only. Access rules and any fees are decided by the community.
How many members does r/Ultralight have?
Roughly 922K members, based on figures reported by the community or its host. Member counts are approximate and change over time.
What platform is r/Ultralight on?
r/Ultralight runs on Reddit. Reddit communities (or "subreddits") are forum-based groups on the popular social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website Reddit. Reddit is commonly known as "the front page of the internet". Users submit content to the site such as links, text posts, and images, which are then voted up or down and discussed by other members. From investing Reddit communities, to professional ones, to ones just for laughs, you're likely to find a community for you on Reddit.
What topics does r/Ultralight cover?
On the Hive Index, r/Ultralight is organized under Travelers, Outdoors.
How do I join r/Ultralight?
You can join r/Ultralight by clicking this link, or pressing the "Go to community" button above.
What are the Travel communities like?
Communities for travelers planning trips, sharing itineraries, and swapping tips on everything from budget backpacking to luxury travel. You will find subreddits for specific regions and travel styles, Discord servers for nomads and expats, and Facebook groups for niches like solo female travel and budget flights. Active communities for both trip planning and general inspiration.