Weekly Blog #16 - Ultralight vs. Lightweight vs. Sponge
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posted: Saturday, August 15th, 2026
There are ULTRALIGHT Hikers and LIGHTWEIGHT Hikers. And then there's Sponge.
Beginners to long-distance hikers will hear a lot of common jargon as they gather their gear. Two words may be heard more often: Ultralight and Lightweight. As their names imply, they are all about how heavy your gear is. And each can have a cult-like following with tips, tricks and justifications for their supremacy.
So what is ULTRALIGHT?
While it may depend on who you ask, a generally accepted answer is your pack weights between 10-15 lb.
Keep in mind that this weight includes only your base gear - consumable food and water are not included (as these will always be variable). It DOES include things like your tent, sleep system, first aid kit, extra clothes and toiletries. It also does not include items you wear - such as those in a fanny pack.
That being said, ultralighters can make some extreme decisions to shave weight. These would include using a tent stake to dig catholes to poop in, cutting a toothbrush so short that practically only the bristles remain and spending THOUSANDS on premium gear that can share precious extra ounces.
Case in point? The Durson X-Dome Pro 1+ Freestanding Tent. On Jul. 29 it sold out in SECONDS after being offered on the Durston web site. Why? Because it is the lightest freestanding tent. But how much lighter was it than the previous version? Roughly 7 oz. ...the weight of a banana. And while Sponge knows the tent has other tech and noteworthy features, the reality is unescapable here. Thousands of devoted ultralighters competed to spend $849 (which more than double the $359 price tag of the heavier X-Dome 1). For each - and the countless ones who were not quick enough with clicking - the $500 was worth 7 oz.
Generally speaking, ultralighters forgo any luxury items (like an inflatable pillow) and buy the lightest tent, sleep system and cooking gear (if they bring cooking gear at all). They also may bring no backup clothing....or backup ANYTHING.
Lastly ultralighters are a proud breed. They tend to brag a bit about pack weight, gear choices and ways they shaved ounces. It's hard to really blame them, as in many cases their decisions required saving hard-earned money or enduring physical pain, but hikers like Sponge can still get tired of hearing about details at a campfire.
Ok, then so what exactly is LIGHTWEIGHT?
This can be even MORE subjective, but a good answer is that your pack weights between 16-25 lb. Again, base gear only counts.
This level allows for some luxury items and heavier tents or sleep systems, but there's not too much wiggle room. Throwing in a 2-person tent you found at Walmart for 30 bucks can quickly derail lightweighter dreams when you realize it was 6.7 lbs. You still may need to pony up a bit for lighter gear and make some tough choices.
Many lightweighters have ultralighter ambitions and are working to get there. Others are comfortable with luxury items and/or comfort. Either way, they tend to swap gear stories around campfires as well.
Finally, what is good ol' Sponge?
Simply put: unique. He's definitely not an ultralighter or lightweighter, but he does incorporate aspects of each. He has some premium ultralight gear, like the titanium Toaks 750 ml pot, long-handled spoon and tent stakes. He has a lightweight 2-person tent that cost him $150 and weighs 4.4 lbs (NOT the 1.7 lbs of the Duston X-Dome Pro 1+).
But he also has a trove of luxury items, including an inflatable body pillow that weighs 11 oz. (helps with a bad back), extra power banks and a 1.5 lb. camping chair he sometimes brings along.
This usually pushes Sponge over the lightweight category, but not by too much. He often laments that he'd like a lighter pack, and schemes how to make it happen, but he also enjoys the creature comforts that come with a little weight. After two long hikes totaling 260 miles, he has generally accepted what he can handle and why.
But like Sponge, each hiker is unique. Part of the fun is figuring out what weight works for you. Feel free to experiment, try tricks and pick up lighter gear when it works for your budget.
Just, for the love of God, shut up about it around the campfire.