MEC’s 2 Kilo Project Redefines What You Really Need in the Backcountry
For decades, ultralight travel has asked a simple question: how much can you carry without slowing yourself down? With its new 2 Kilo Project, MEC takes that question further by asking how little you actually need, without giving up comfort, durability or trust in your gear.
The result is a fully functional backcountry camp system that weighs under two kilograms, designed in Vancouver and tested on coastal mountains, in stormy conditions, on backcountry trips and on alpine expeditions across Canada by the same people who will use it. It is built for fastpackers, bikepackers and hikers who are looking to reduce their carry weight but want their gear to perform when conditions change.
At the centre of the system is the Charlie 32L UL Pack. At just 400 grams, it is one of the lightest packs MEC has ever developed, but the design does not chase weight savings at the expense of reliability. Instead, it reflects a more deliberate approach.
High-wear zones are reinforced where it matters most. The pack can be reconfigured for summit pushes or streamlined days. Every feature has a clear purpose, and anything unnecessary has been removed. The result is a pack that feels considered rather than stripped down.
That same thinking carries across the full system, with a focus on flexibility for how people actually build their kits over time. Each piece is designed to perform fully on its own, giving hikers the option to upgrade gradually rather than commit to an entirely new setup all at once.
For MEC’s in-house design team, that meant ensuring every product delivers standalone reliability first, while also working together for those looking to reduce weight across their full kit. The result is an approach that meets people where they are, whether upgrading one piece or moving toward a more complete ultralight setup.
The materials and construction reflect that balance. Quiet fabrics improve livability in camp. Carbon fibre tent poles, developed in collaboration with camera tripod manufacturers, reduce weight without sacrificing strength. The sleeping bag incorporates advanced materials more commonly associated with aerospace applications.
The result is not just lighter gear. It is gear that feels intentional and usable over multiple days in the backcountry.
The 2 Kilo Project launched in April and while the full system will be available in key locations, the Charlie 32L UL Pack will be stocked more broadly across MEC stores nationwide.
For those looking to move faster and carry less, this is not about cutting corners. It is about refining what matters most and building gear you can rely on when it counts.
This article is sponsored by MEC
Since 1971, MEC has united members around our shared love for the outdoors, developing deep roots in each of the communities we inhabit, while offering top brand gear and expert advice from staffers with firsthand knowledge. Through the years, we’ve stayed true to our mission: to equip Canadians for a lifetime outdoors.
