If you’re looking for unique hiking and backpacking gear or gifts, Etsy is a craft-oriented shopping site that hosts the shops of many up-and-coming ultralight backpack gear manufacturers. There are about 30-40 companies actively making backpacking gear today on Etsy and they all have unique histories that depart from the norm. Please give them your support if you see something that suits your adventures. Buying directly through Etsy puts more money in their pocket than if you purchase their gear through another channel. If you value the innovations they offer, please support them.
Here are some of our favorites.
Model Mountains
We take Digital Elevation Models and turn them into 3D models. We can even overlay your .gpx track onto the model. I then hand-paint every detail onto the model based on satellite images and reference photos. It takes extra time, but the detail is worth it. Hang our framed models on your wall, or you could display an unframed model on your desk. Either way, we’re sure there’s something you’ll like.
Mountain Blaze
As avid hikers, the mountains are home to Dave and Sumiko, an Appalachian Trail (AT) Thru-hiker and an AT SectionHiker. Our knit hats and DCF products are handmade, inspired by our love of the woods, and made with functionality in mind. All listings are ready to ship, but if you have a special request, please email us and we’ll see what we can do! Thank you! Hope you get out in nature today!
Trailsigns
Philip, the owner of TrailSigns writes, “We all have a backcountry trail or a spot in the wilderness we love; a place that holds memories of a trek that fed our souls and tested our resolve. Want your favorite trail sign hanging above your fireplace? Send us a picture, and we’ll make you a replica. To create the most authentic looking replica signs, we use reclaimed wood sourced from all over New England. Species of wood varies upon what we have in stock. Variation in wood surface, tone, coloration, and texture will occur due to use of reclaimed materials. Every effort is made to faithfully replicate the original signage, and to create authentic weathering effects, but each replica is unique. For new sign pieces that will live outdoors, we generally use cedar.”
Packback Designs
Co-founder Jim Toel writes, “we really enjoy being a small and flexible cottage shop at Packback Designs. It grants us a unique opportunity to do small runs of high-quality, creative, and innovative product ideas. Things the bigger gear companies can’t find the economics with. We are not a custom pack maker but a group of avid hikers that really want to give something “special and unique” back to the hiking and backpacking community. We love to hear feedback and ideas.”
PeakQuest
Owners, Lynn and Jennifer, two avid hikers, were looking for a fun and unique way to record their peaks climbed and progress in multiple regions including the New Hampshire 48 x 4000 footer, the Adirondack 46ers, and the Catskills 3500’s and others. They designed scratch-off peak lists so you can visually track and share your accomplishments. This is a perfect gift for all ages!
GearBagsandMorebyCP
Cindy and Bryan Payne are a husband-and-wife team that loves to hike and mountain bike. “We primarily make water bottle holders in 5 sizes for your backpack shoulder strap, that features easy attachment, a shock cord to securely hold your water bottle, giving you easy access to your water. In addition, we offer Dyneema roll-top bags, Dyneema zipper pouches, cell phone/misc. pouch holders, and square end zipper bags. We are located in central Indiana and have the ability to take our shop on the road in a van that we customized ourselves, so we could still enjoy all the things we love to do. We started GearBagsandMorebyCP to create quality, durable, lightweight, and functional gear at a reasonable price for the everyday person.”
HikeLite
Andrea began HikeLight in early 2024, because of her love for the outdoors. She started off making her own gear some gear, and it soon turned into the little business that you see today. All HikeLite’s gear is 100% handmade and designed by her in Bowling Green, KY. Making the gear is only half the story; in her down time, she enjoys going backpacking with her husband and two amazing dogs.
UltraliteSacks
Luke Nalley, founder of UltraliteSacks writes, “we specialize in high-end outdoor organizational gear utilizing only the best materials and technical fabrics available. From thru-hikers to weekend warriors, we have you covered.”
Justin’s UL
Justin Anderson of Justin’s UL specializes in making water bottle sleeves that have a near-cult following in the thru-hiker community and sell out week after week. He writes, “In the constant pursuit of happiness, nature has been my personal escape for decades now as I continue to spread the love for getting back to our simple roots.” All products are hand-made by myself here in the USA.
Ponds Edge
Jason Pond, the owner of Pond’s Edge, founded his business in 2019 in Northern Wisconsin just a few miles from the Ice age national scenic trail. “I enjoy making the highest quality gear and the occasional custom piece”, he writes, including working with Dyneema, nylons, polyester, cotton, and leather. I absolutely love working with people to get them the gear they have always wanted and could never find.”
KAMOutdoors
KAM Outdoors specializes in custom-designed, ultralight outdoor gear. Each item is hand constructed with the highest quality fabrics and accessories. “My best sellers include the UL Dyneema Trail Wallet, Trail Pouch, and Sternum Pouch,” writes owner Chris Stoy. “My love for being outside and backpacking with my friends and family led me to start making my own gear, as well as for others.”
HangTightShop
Steve Hazel at HangTight has been on a mission to make camping cozy, warm, simple, affordable and light by doing the work for you. He writes, “In the ultralight community of hammock and camping, I wanted to make Down quilts attainable for the average hiker. My passion is to bring this incredible way of enjoying the outdoors to folks without breaking the bank. I can’t believe it all started years ago because I needed to set up the family for a big trip!”
QiWiz
Rob Kelly aka QiWiz (trail name) is now in his 12th year of making ultralight backpacking gear, most made from titanium, in his basement workshop in Ohio. Many of his most popular items (3 sizes of cathole trowels and 3 sizes of cooking spatulas, multiple sizes of windscreens, a twig-burning stove, and a unique buck saw) are available in his QiWiz Etsy shop. He makes everything himself, by hand, one item at a time. He himself is an avid backpacker and LNT enthusiast.
Hartford Gear Company
Georgia Wetmore started backpacking 5 years ago and began modifying and making her own gear. She writes, “I loved doing it so much that I made pouches and fanny packs for friends and family and eventually started an Etsy shop as a side-hustle to my 9-5 job. I never expected Hartford Gear Co. to become my full-time job, but I am elated and flattered that so many folks want what I make. I describe Hartford Gear Co. as “No Frills” because I strive to make the simplest, strongest, most functional bags I can. I am a one-woman operation working out of the house I rent in Hartford, CT along with my cat Paco.”
NAPACKS
My name is Mike and I’ve been an active outdoor enthusiast since I moved to Southern California about 14 years ago. I love the outdoors, creating, and the creative process and have always followed my passions in life. Like others in the MYOG group, the appeal of making gear to fit my needs was a calling. Everything I sell is designed, cut, and sewn at my home on an industrial Brother walking foot sewing machine. I’d love to accommodate variations of my products if there’s anything that could be done to make it better suited for your needs. I also welcome new build ideas!
Been Campin
I am the Ben of Been Campin. Ever since moving to the Tetons in 2013, I have been obsessed with hiking, camping, and generally being outdoors in the mountains. I am currently in Colorado and have climbed 49 of the 58 Colorado 14ers (14,000’+ mountains). I have always been very ambitious with my hiking goals and the ultralight world was helpful in making some of those goals a bit more obtainable. With the Dyneema options on the market being so limited, I learned to sew in late 2018 and started creating my own ultralight gear.
SomeDaveOutdoorGear
Dave writes “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been coming up with neat ideas. I like to solve little problems to make life easier. I like to ‘plus’ stuff… tweak it…make it better. What I sell here will support my hiking goals, and hopefully bring a little solution to your outdoor life too. If you have a custom alteration you would like me to do, just ask. I will see if I can accommodate you.
Stitchbackgear
Have you ever wanted to sew your own ultralight backpack or thought about starting your own cottage company to make backpacks? StitchbackGear sells detailed sewing patterns for making your own backpacks, backpack accessory pockets, and stuff sacks. Stitchbackgear is owned and operated by Drew Soderborg an industrial designer based in central Utah who likes to make things with all sorts of materials. He especially likes to make his own outdoor gear. He also enjoys backpacking, climbing, and canyoneering in Utah’s backcountry with his wife and daughters.
Vintage Camp and Trail
Not exactly ultralight, but unique. Dave, the owner writes “I specialize in obscure pieces for the outdoorsman that enjoys Vintage gear, Re Enacting, Collecting period pieces, and for those interested in Camping the way our forefathers did it. I think that camp cookery is one of the most important parts of enjoying your time outdoors so I look high and low for good vintage pieces to fit your kit needs and only list items I have hand selected, and would use myself in Camp or on the Trail. Most items will have been cleaned and serviced prior to placing for sale so they are ready for use when you get them. Some of my prices may seem a bit high but remember that I have driven to search them out, hand selected them, cleaned or serviced them, and the Shipping is free in the USA.”
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