r/Ultralight

Community Overview
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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 996K members. It has been around since 2010. It uses a forum format for communication. On the Hive Index it ranks #9 in the Outdoors communities list. It is the 9th largest community in the Travel topic page.

Roughly 127K 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
996K Members

Community Topics

Community Features

Forum

This community has a forum

Subreddit Analysis

via GummySearch
Yearly: +127K members
Growth: +14.6% / 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: 117K members

Past year (monthly)

  • Nov: 4K members
  • Dec: 4K members
  • Jan: 4K members
  • Feb: 5K members
  • Mar: 6K members
  • Apr: 5K members
  • May: 6K members
  • Jun: 22K members
  • Jul: 17K members
  • Aug: 9K members
  • Sep: 43K members
  • Oct: 197 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
    46 posts in the past month
    1. Zero drop barefoot shoes for backpacking that AREN'T Xero?
    2. Do I need an inreach messenger?
    3. I need help with recommendations.
    #1
    Purchase Advice
    Zero drop barefoot shoes for backpacking that AREN'T Xero? · Do I need an inreach messenger? · I need help with recommendations.
    46
  • Question
    29 posts in the past month
    1. This DIY Skurka meal variation was YUMMY! Please tell me your single FAVE ultralight trail meal
    2. ULers with medical experience, what’s in your FAK?
    3. Altra LP to → ???
    #2
    Question
    This DIY Skurka meal variation was YUMMY! Please tell me your single FAVE ultralight trail meal · ULers with medical experience, what’s in your FAK? · Altra LP to → ???
    29
  • Shakedown
    4 posts in the past month
    1. Shakedown Request - JMT
    2. Shakedown Request - NZ's Te Araroa
    3. Pemi Loop Gear - Will I be warm enough next week?
    #3
    Shakedown
    Shakedown Request - JMT · Shakedown Request - NZ's Te Araroa · Pemi Loop Gear - Will I be warm enough next week?
    4
  • Trip Report
    3 posts in the past month
    1. Trip Report: HST + JMT (8 days, 285.6 miles)
    2. Hadrian's Wall Path Trip Report
    3. Lofoten Long Crossing - SOBO - early autumn 2026- Trip Report
    #4
    Trip Report
    Trip Report: HST + JMT (8 days, 285.6 miles) · Hadrian's Wall Path Trip Report · Lofoten Long Crossing - SOBO - early autumn 2026- Trip Report
    3
  • Trails
    3 posts in the past month
    1. Thru-Hiker Base Weights: What the Data Actually Says (PCT, AT, CDT)
    2. 7 day Pyrenees hut-to-hut early October help
    3. I have a dream...
    #5
    Trails
    Thru-Hiker Base Weights: What the Data Actually Says (PCT, AT, CDT) · 7 day Pyrenees hut-to-hut early October help · I have a dream...
    3

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
View full analysis on GummySearchSynced 9/29/2026

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 996K 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.
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Added 11/23/2021

Monthly Stats

16
Views /mo
(+33%)
14
Visitors /mo
(+27%)
1
Referrals /mo

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