Hyperlite Mountain Gear

HISTORY OF LIGHTWEIGHT / ULTRALIGHT:

What is Lightweight? / History / Benefits / Is Lightweight Right for You?

In the early 1990s, in an attempt to push boundaries and productivity, hikers, backpackers and climbers began to reevaluate the way in which they approached their sports.  These early pioneers of the lightweight philosophy started minimizing their needs and maximizing their efficiency by looking at every piece of gear they used and asking the questions: 

“Do we need it?”
“Can we make it better?”
“Can we make it lighter?”

They initially analyzed their heaviest equipment – referred to as the big three: shelters, sleeping systems and backpacks.  Loads were lightened by switching from tents to tarp shelters, which were more versatile and efficient when used skillfully.  Sleeping systems were lightened with advancements in materials technology, such as the use of cuben fiber.  And big, heavy packs were no longer necessary as total packed weight was decreasing.  Cooking systems were simplified, hiking boots were replaced with trail runners, and eventually all non-essentials were eliminated.  Early on, these pioneers had to make their own gear as there was no ultralight gear available on the market, and they quickly discovered how much faster and farther they could move in the backcountry.  They had more agility and energy, and without necessarily knowing it, they were in the process of revolutionizing the approach to hiking, backpacking and climbing.

Lighter packs, lighter shelters, lighter sleeping bags, lighter stoves, lighter shoes and lighter clothes all meant decreased weight, less expended energy, less required food, and thus, even lighter and lighter pack loads.  Ultimately, the lightweight revolution was like a snowball rolling uphill as participants traded weight for skill and intelligence to become increasingly efficient at what they were doing.

And most importantly…everything that was being learned was shared.  Through word-of-mouth on the trails, as well as publications by some of the earliest pioneers, knowledge spread about this change in philosophy and this revolutionizing new approach to outdoor adventuring.  And today, the evolution continues!