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 944K 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 98K 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
944K Members

Subreddit Analysis

via GummySearch
Yearly: +98K members
Growth: +11.5% / 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: 65K members

Past year (monthly)

  • 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: 22K members
  • Jul: 17K members
  • Aug: 140 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
    77 posts in the past month
    1. Best cost/benefit upgrades when most of my stuff is lightweight, but not UL?
    2. 1 GUY, 16 QUILTS
    3. Patagonia Capilene Cool Ultra hoodie
    #1
    Purchase Advice
    Best cost/benefit upgrades when most of my stuff is lightweight, but not UL? · 1 GUY, 16 QUILTS · Patagonia Capilene Cool Ultra hoodie
    77
  • Question
    42 posts in the past month
    1. Will ultralight ever shift to grams?
    2. 3fUL is in the water filter game.
    3. Carrying Trail Magic as a Backpacker
    #2
    Question
    Will ultralight ever shift to grams? · 3fUL is in the water filter game. · Carrying Trail Magic as a Backpacker
    42
  • Shakedown
    20 posts in the past month
    1. New LighterPack killer just released
    2. Pack Shakedown - North Downs Way UK (153 miles)
    3. Shakedown 3-season backpacking europe
    #3
    Shakedown
    New LighterPack killer just released · Pack Shakedown - North Downs Way UK (153 miles) · Shakedown 3-season backpacking europe
    20
  • Gear Review
    16 posts in the past month
    1. Review / First Impressions: Tipik Pioulou
    2. 3D printed a lid for my Decathlon Forclaz 400ml titanium mug - 9g, fits the whole cooking kit inside
    3. 3D printed gas canister stand - fits inside Toaks 750ml (free design)
    #4
    Gear Review
    Review / First Impressions: Tipik Pioulou · 3D printed a lid for my Decathlon Forclaz 400ml titanium mug - 9g, fits the whole cooking kit inside · 3D printed gas canister stand - fits inside Toaks 750ml (free design)
    16
  • Trip Report
    4 posts in the past month
    1. Lessons learned from a UL-ish Philmont trip
    2. Trip report: Kennedy Meadows to Yosemite (PCT/JMT)
    3. Alta Via 4 - Via Ferrata and Hut takeaways
    #5
    Trip Report
    Lessons learned from a UL-ish Philmont trip · Trip report: Kennedy Meadows to Yosemite (PCT/JMT) · Alta Via 4 - Via Ferrata and Hut takeaways
    4

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 944K 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.