TIL that ultralight backpacks aren't for everyone after a trip with my cousin

Alice Rivera · 2026-02-25T19:00:35.345441+00:00

My cousin brought his new ultralight backpack on our camping trip last week. It tore on the first day when he snagged it on a branch, but all the reviews I see online say these packs are the best because they're so light. Do you think we care too much about weight and not enough about how strong gear is?

theas946mo ago

Doesn't a backpack need to survive the trail first? A lot of ultralight stuff skimps on materials to cut ounces, and that leads to rips like your cousin had. Focus on gear that can handle your trip, not just what's lightest.

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the_val6mo ago

After my pack tore, I just use my old reliable one now.

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danielh816mo ago

My buddy's fancy ultralight tent poles snapped in a mild wind last spring. He spent the night in the car, which kinda defeats the point of buying a tent. Some of that light gear just can't handle real use.

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