A hybrid of backpacking and trail running, fastpacking involves multi-day routes, occasional off-trail sections, and running the flats and downhills, all while carrying your clothes, camping gear, and food on your back. That means bringing just the stuff you need, mastering mountain movement–power hiking, technical trails, and alpine scrambling–and leaning into a minimalist, self-reliant approach.
As a whole, fastpacking walks a fine line between comfort and weight. Bring too much, and you’ve reverted to backpacking; leave too much at home, and you’ll be shiver-bivvying all night. I try to keep my kit around 15 pounds, varying a bit with the season and the length of the trip, but that wasn’t always the case.
I did my first fastpacking trip a decade ago with very little planning and a cowboy attitude. Let’s just say I’ve learned a lot since. This summer I’ve been to the Sierra, North Cascades, and Wind Rivers, and later this month I’m off to Japan for a route across the Northern Alps, which adds a level of complexity. Here are the things I’ve learned over the years to make fastpacking more fun, safe, and adventurous.
Note, the recommendations below focus on core gear items I carry and use while fastpacking. I do not dive into food or other consumables in this story, but you’ll need to consider them when packing for your own trips.
Packs, Shoes, and Poles
The most crucial piece of gear is the right pack. What was once a monopoly dominated by Ultimate Direction, the fastpack market has exploded in the last couple of years, with brands like Salomon, On, Hyperlite, Mammut, Arc’teryx, Black Diamond, and Osprey all launching new options, providing plenty to choose from.
A good fastpack is between 20 and 30 liters and has a snug, light design that brings in running vest features such as easy-access soft water flask on the chest. My favorite pack is the Rab Veil XP 20L, which uses a waterproof fabric that keeps your gear dry even in major storms. It has a large back pocket for spare layers, plus easy-access side pockets for a phone and snacks. Regardless of the pack you use, I recommend taking it on fully loaded runs before your first trip to see if it has any pressure points that cause chafing.
Shoes
Like packs, finding the ideal shoe often takes some trial and error. For me, the Norda 055 has proven to be a perfect option thanks to a durable upper, grippy Vibram sole, and knit collar that keeps most small rocks out. I’ve used it on multiple trips this summer without any issues. Take a look at GearJunkie’s guides to the best trail running shoes and best hiking shoes for more ideas.
Poles
Another critical item is poles, which help take stress off your quads. Any lightweight, quality trekking pole will work, but I’ve been using a set of Folkrm Timberline Poles this year, which are quick to deploy, sturdy, and weigh in at just 119 grams. They also come with a quiver that’s easy to attach to a pack, making them easy to stow on the go.
Shells, Insulation, and Socks
The biggest mistake new fastpackers make is bringing too many clothes, especially on mild summer trips. During these months, I pack only one set of clothes, with spares limited to socks and underwear.
Because you’ll be passing through a variety of climates, managing fickle alpine weather, and sweating a lot, your kit needs to be dynamic and work together as a system. It must be able to wick moisture away from your skin while trapping enough heat, keep you dry from storms, and be breathable so you don’t feel like you’re in a trash bag.
Rain Shell, Insulation
Starting from the outside, the first thing is a lightweight 3-layer rain shell. Although the Black Diamond Deploy 3L Shell originated as a race layer for pro athletes, I find it perfect for fastpacking. The 10D face fabric is light yet waterproof, durable, and the overall design is pleasantly minimalistic. Even in heavy rain, it’ll keep you warm and dry. I pair it with a Black Diamond Deploy Down Hoody, which weighs in at just 160 grams thanks to 1000-fill down, making it one of the best warmth-to-weight jackets on the market.
If the weather forecast looks damp or cool, I’ll add a Florence Marine Polartec Alpha Hoody as an extra insulating layer to run in. It’s breathable and fast-drying thanks to its hydrophobic fibers, and still looks brand new after a year of use.
Shorts, Socks
Keep bottom layers simple and time-tested. Make sure you love the shorts, tights, or pants that you take, because they should be the single item you wear for your outing. For socks, a good quality pair of merino-wool blend socks will hold up for days and keep your feet happy. Socks and maybe underwear are one of the few items you should consider bringing in multiples as a fresh pair can really lift your spirits and help you avoid blisters.
At the bottom, I love the Terignota Sendero Shorts, a lightweight, thoughtfully designed product with extra storage all around the waistband. Bonus points because they are a fraction of the price of comparable options and just as reliable. Last but not least, I use Stance Digi Dash Wool Socks, which have held up to weeks of hard use and have almost no odor thanks to their wool-nylon blend.
Sleeping System
The hardest part of a fastpacking kit is the sleep system. I’m a big fan of cowboy camping and falling asleep under the stars, but on rainy or fringe season trips, I’ll sometimes add a lightweight 1P tent, too. Lastly, I use a stuff sack with clothes as my pillow. For your system, aim for a light pad with enough insulation for your conditions. A quilt — most likely down — of an appropriate temperature rating should serve as your primary insulation. Adding a stocking hat, gloves, and wearing your puffy coat while sleeping can help stretch that temp rating to keep weight down.
My go-to system is a Nemo Tensor Elite Ultralite Pad and Pulse Ultralight Quilt, which are made to work together. The pad is made with custom 10D Cordura nylon and comes with 3 inches of loft, yet weighs just 305 grams. The quilt was designed for ultralight hikers, shaving weight by using 45% less material than a typical sleeping bag, while securely attaching to the pad to keep you cozy. To make sure I don’t get a leak, I also pack a Hyperlite Ground Cloth, made from a burly Dyneema.
Water, Tools
I bring a few extra tools on every trip, but I try to only pack what I need to keep the weight down. Instead of a bulky water pump or gravity filter, I simplify and use a Salomon Soft Flask Filter that is lighter and fits in my front pack pocket. I carry a lightweight Igneous First Aid Kit that covers the basics, a small roll of duct tape for blisters and gear repairs, a lighter, parachute cord, and bear spray depending on location. Unless I have a specific use case, I’ll leave my pocket knife, camp towel, and camping stove at home, instead eating a mix of salami, cheese, tortillas, peanut butter, GORP, dried fruit, and Snickers bars.
Electronics
The only electronics I bring are my phone with offline maps downloaded ahead of time, a Black Diamond Spot 450 Headlamp, which hits the sweet spot between brightness and battery life, a Garmin fenix 9 Pro Watch that comes with high-res maps and 10 days of battery life, and a Garmin InReach Mini 3 Plus, which I rarely use outside worst-case scenarios.
On longer trips, I’ll throw in a small power bank to make sure I don’t run out of juice on the important items. Lastly, I’ll either pack a point-and-shoot film camera or a lightweight mirrorless, because I love capturing high-res memories of the adventures.
