Best Fastpacking Packs of 2026

Fastpacking was born as the fusion of two activities: trail running and backpacking. The combination allows someone to see far horizons and move quickly and efficiently over terrain by keeping an overnight pack as light as possible. The best fastpacking packs, which tend to have a capacity of 20 to 40 liters, have enough space to carry the gear you need to see what is beyond the radius of a single day’s run. They also fit in a way that allows for running, or at least shuffling, on many types of terrain without bouncing around.

The best fastpacking pack can carry everything needed for an overnight trip or a week in the backcountry, but is light enough and fits in a manner so that you can run and hike without them shifting. Many fastpacks utilize running vest technology with a wide vest-style harness that distributes weight across the shoulders, back, and chest and keeps the load close to the body. The wide shoulder straps allow for front pockets, providing easy access to water, snacks, and other items you need while moving. The volume is enough to carry a standard fastpacking kit, which might weigh 10 to 15 pounds. You can read more about what a fastpacking kit consists of in our Best Fastpacking Gear guide.

To create this guide, we initially researched more than 40 fastpack options and tested 13. In the years since then, we’ve tested nearly a dozen more packs as they’ve come to market and added options that stand out from the rest. The packs we chose are light, have excellent pocket accessibility, and feel great when running. We continue to turn to the Pa’lante Packs Joey for our shorter fastpacking trips, the Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L when we go out for longer outings, and appreciate the incredibly light weight of the Montane Trailblazer LT 28L Backpack when we want to shave as much weight as we can from our backs.

For more background information, see our buying advice, testing methodology, and frequently asked questions below the picks.

For more information on the best fastpacking gear, be sure to check out our Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags, Best Ultralight Sleeping Pads, and Best Ultralight Tents guides, too!

Best Fastpacking Packs

• Best Overall Fastpacking Pack: Pa’lante Packs Joey
• Best Fastpacking Pack for Longer Trips: Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L
• Lightest Fastpacking Pack: Montane Trailblazer LT 28L Backpack
• Other Fastpacking Pack Options: Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28, Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 and Fastpackher 30 2.0

Best Overall Fastpacking Pack: Pa’lante Packs Joey (Starting from $240)

Pros:

• Very light
• Fit is secure and comfortable
• Didn’t bounce while running
• Great shoulder strap pocket configuration
• Shoulder strap pockets fit 500-milliliter soft flasks
• Most secure underneath pocket of any pack we tested

Cons:

• No optional waistbelt, but this is fine if you keep your pack weight low
• Slightly difficult to get bottles into front pockets
• Upper shoulder strap pockets are a little short

The Pa’lante Packs Joey was a major favorite among our testers. At 24 liters, the Joey is the lowest-volume pack in the company’s lineup. It’s also one of the lightest, weighing between 13.9 and 14.8 ounces depending on the material chosen. Explicitly designed for fastpacking, it has a running vest-style harness.

We all loved how this pack’s vest-style harness fit our bodies, keeping it from bouncing when we ran. Our testers found the Joey remained snug and secure even when scrambling up and down steep talus in Colorado’s Weminuche Wilderness and other technical terrain.

Like a traditional running vest, the shoulder straps do not have significant padding. Instead, they feature two layers of three-dimensional mesh that conforms to one’s body and breathes well. The vest’s 4-inch shoulder straps are wide, so they hug the body, which is particularly necessary considering this pack doesn’t have a waistbelt to take the weight off the shoulders. It never felt like the straps were digging into our shoulders.

There are two small chest straps that connect and stabilize the shoulder straps: one clips around the upper chest and the other just below the sternum. None of our testers found the absence of a waistbelt to be an issue as long as the pack weight remained low. We all agreed that the Joey performed the best of any fastpack when running, as long as we kept our pack weight below 12 pounds. Since the pack has only 24 liters of internal capacity, it limits the amount of stuff you can take on a trip and, thus, the length of the trip.

The current Joey is available in 210-denier UHMWPE Gridstop or a blend of 100-denier Robic nylon and 210-denier ripstop nylon.

The Joey has one large rear pocket, two side pockets, one underneath pocket, and two shoulder strap pockets on each strap. The underneath pocket held gels, snacks, buffs, gloves, and rain jackets more securely than any other pack we tested. We thought this pack had the best shoulder strap pockets of all of the options we’ve tested.

One Ultramesh bottle pocket on the upper part of each strap accommodates 500-milliliter soft flasks of the shorter and wider varieties — taller and thinner soft flasks will stick out until you drink a bit of water — and there is a smaller snack or phone pocket just beneath them. Our testers, who like to use the Katadyn BeFree filter, found these pockets a bit short for the 0.6-liter BeFree bottle, so we had to take a hit off the flask to squish it below the shock cord closure. Otherwise, the top of the flask would flop around while running.

Pa’lante started as a cottage industry brand based in Salt Lake City, Utah, but it couldn’t keep up with the demand for its packs. Eventually, it moved production to a factory in Vietnam. Thus, it can now fulfill orders for its packs without the long wait times that characterized the early years of the brand.

To learn more, read our in-depth Pa’lante Packs Joey review.

Advertised Weight: 13.9 ounces (395 grams) in Robic fabric, 14.8 ounces (419 grams) in Gridstop fabric | How We Weighed It: 14.5 ounces (411 grams) in Gridstop fabric | Volume: 24 liters | Harness: Running vest style | External Storage: One rear pocket, one underneath pocket, two side pockets, two main upper shoulder strap pockets, and two small shoulder strap stash pockets

Shop the Palante Packs Joey

Best Fastpacking Pack for Longer Trips: Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L (Starting at $340)

Pros:

• Custom-made means you get exactly what you want
• Impressive weight-to-volume ratio
• High-volume underneath pocket
• Removable waistbelt
• Very water-resistant

Cons:

• Long production lead times
• Harness is slightly over-padded for what the pack can carry
• Can look dorky when you fully extend the rolltop extension collar

The Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L is a fully customizable ultralight fastpack made by a cottage manufacturer in Boulder, Colorado. The brand claims the pack weighs between 13 and 19 ounces, but we added some custom features that pushed it to the upper end of that hoped-for weight. At an actual weight of 19.5 ounces for our customized version, our Flatiron 28L isn’t the lightest pack on the list, but its volume-to-weight ratio is still impressive, especially considering this pack is large enough that one of our testers was able to use it on an eight-day trip through southern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. She noted that this pack is much larger than 28 liters when fully utilizing the rolltop extension collar.

We loved the ability to customize many features of this pack. We added a zipper to one of the smaller shoulder strap pockets, elastic drawstrings on both the larger shoulder strap pockets, and a shock cord to the back of the pack to better secure items sticking out of the rear pockets, such as a foam sleeping pad, trekking poles, or even packraft paddles. The Flatiron 28L is made mainly of 200-denier Ultra material, and you can choose custom colors for different parts of the pack.

The Flatiron 28L is the only pack on our list with a hybrid fastpacking harness: running vest-shaped but slightly narrower and with more padding. In our opinion, this is somewhat over-padded for a fastpack. We generally prefer harnesses to be minimally padded for body contouring and breathability, but the three-dimensional mesh on the back of the straps effectively kept sweat away from the body. When we had eight days of food loaded in this pack, we weren’t complaining about the extra padding, but we often felt like it was a bit much when we had less weight in the pack.

Unlike the Pa’lante Packs Joey, this pack has a one-inch webbing removable waistbelt, which can stabilize the load but not support weight. When carrying about 20 liters and 10 to 12 pounds of gear and placing softer items against your back so that the pack best conforms to your body, this pack runs nicely, and there’s no need to use the waistbelt for stabilization. However, when we pushed the pack to about 15 pounds, we needed the waistbelt to keep it still against the back.

The Flatiron 28L has a unique underneath pocket that is higher in volume than most pockets of this sort. You can access it by scooting your hands behind your lower back. We kept items we wanted to be easily accessible in there, such as gels, gloves, and rain gear. These things stay securely inside the pocket when the pack is on, but tend to fall out when you set the pack on the ground.

Made in Boulder, Colorado, Red Paw Packs is a small company seemingly run by one man: the founder, Matt Evans. Like Pa’lante Packs, Red Paw Packs is popular among the ultralight backpacking crowd, but we’ve found this pack works excellently for fastpacking. Since every pack is custom-made, there is generally a significant lead time for getting one, so don’t wait until the last minute before a trip to order one.

Check out our in-depth Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L review to learn more.

Advertised Weight: Starts at 13 ounces (368 grams) | Actual Weight: Our customized version is 19.5 ounces (552 grams) | Volume: 28 liters | Harness: Hybrid fastpacking | External Storage: Two pockets extending from the sides to the rear of the pack, two main shoulder strap pockets, two small shoulder strap pockets for snacks or phone

Shop the Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L

Lightest Fastpacking Pack: Montane Trailblazer LT 28L Backpack ($165)

Pros:

• So dang light
• Did we mention light?
• Enough volume and structure for up to a 4-day ultralight trip

Cons:

• Unlikely to be suitable for regular off-trail use due to the materials used
• Front pockets are significantly less ideal than the top packs in this guide

There is a lot to love about the Montane Trailblazer LT 28L Backpack, but let’s get the elephant in the room by talking about what we don’t like before going further. This almost fully featured fastpack lacks one critical area, which could prove a showstopper for some: its front pocket configuration doesn’t allow easy carrying of soft flasks. The iRunFar team loves its soft flasks, so we find this a big bummer, but we’ve given other packs in this guide a pass for this, so we’ll do the same for this one.

With an advertised volume of 28 liters, the main compartment’s roll-top has some extra space if you’d like to increase that capacity just a bit. The pack’s shoulder harness and permanent waistbelt have light padding with a large-weave mesh. The main compartment is 40-denier nylon with fully taped seams.

The pack’s main body has a super lightweight elastic compression system, which we recommend using if your pack isn’t full. While the elastic hasn’t broken on us yet, it’s so thin that it’s hard to imagine it lasting too long. We’ll outfit it with thicker elastic when the time comes. A neat part of this compression system is vertical fabric stays of a sort, which help the pack compress more evenly.

There is a hydration bladder sleeve with a Velcro hanger between the main body and back of the shoulder harness, and each shoulder strap has two elastic guides to track a bladder tube or serve as attachment points for other accessories. Each strap also has one zippered nylon pocket that can store a phone, perhaps 500 to 600 calories, a buff and gloves, a headlamp, or other similar-sized items. These pockets offer a lot of extra volume.

We’d love to store 500-millimeter soft flasks in these shoulder pockets, and while Montane did not design them for this, we make it work. Once your soft flask has had a sip or two taken out of it, it should slide in, and the pocket should zip shut. Each time you want a sip, you have to unzip the pocket top a little. It’s not great, but it’s workable if you’re determined to keep using soft flasks with this pack.

The waistbelt has two ingenious zippered stretch-mesh pockets that open into the two pockets on the back of the pack. This lets you pretend you have two of those bottomless pockets. In real life, this allows you easy access to larger items than what you’d normally be able to store in a waist pocket, like a bulkier snack or clothing layer. We also appreciate the pockets’ angled zippers, which help make the waist pockets accessible.

Montane states that you can attach trekking poles to the front via bungee cords on the shoulder and waist straps, but iRunFar does not recommend storing poles on the front of the body due to injury risk in a fall.

The pack is one-size-fits-most, with two horizontal chest straps between the shoulder straps. There is also a waist belt. The chest straps are elastic and super stretchy, and they can be moved up and down on the shoulder straps as desired. We found the fit excellent for both small- and medium-framed people. However, on a small-framed woman, we had all the straps almost all the way cinched down, so this pack might not work for the smallest runners. We experienced no chafing issues, though we did notice that the open mesh of the back and waist belt catches and hangs onto leaves, pine needles, and other trail debris.

We haven’t experienced any durability issues, but we hesitate to take this on regular off-trail adventures where bushwhacking and rock abrasion could become an issue. We’re mostly thinking of the very thin elastic compression strap, but it’s not catastrophic when this breaks, as you can rethread it with something more durable. We have not yet tested the pack in drenching weather, so we can’t comment on its water resistance. We’ll update this review as we do.

We used this pack extensively through a summer and fall season of fastpacking and will continue using it for largely on-trail adventures. That said, we’d love to see Montane fully fit the front of the pack with pockets akin to a running vest to facilitate easier soft flask use.

Advertised Weight: 13.6 ounces (385 grams) | Actual Weight: 13.1 ounces (370 grams) | Volume: 28 liters | Harness: Running vest style | External Storage: Two large back pockets which creatively wrap into zippered waist belt pockets, two shoulder strap pockets

Shop the Montane Trailblazer LT 28L Backpack

Other Fastpacking Pack Options

Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack ($180)

Pros:

• Ample storage options
• Comes in multiple sizes for a precise fit
• Acceptable pockets for fastpacking
• Surprisingly runnable

Cons:

• Rear pocket on an angle which is both an aesthetic and functional issue
• Not as runnable as our top picks
• A bit heavy

Billed as superlight instead of hyperlight, the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack offers both durability and functionality. Its main body features 70-denier material, and the bottom includes 100-denier Robic nylon. While it’s a more versatile pack than some other options from the brand, including the Murmur 36, it is much heavier.

The Kumo 36 and lighter Murmur 36 share many features, including their rectangular shape, stretch mesh sleeve, removable sit pad or sleeping pad that doubles as a back cushion, and behind-the-back pocket for storing flat items like bars, gels, or phones.

We appreciated the numerous storage options available. The upper shoulder strap pockets fit both a bottle and a phone in them, and we loved that we could readily access these items while running.

The side and waistbelt pockets easily fit Smartwater bottles, Nalgenes, or one-liter Platypus bottles. To compress the main pocket when it’s not full, the Kumo 36 has a web of zigzagging cordage, which we found worked well for stowing tent poles and trekking poles.

There were a few things we didn’t like about this pack. The external rear pocket is on an angle, which some testers found to be an issue. Certain items tended to shift to the lower side of the pocket, where they were at risk of falling out. Others on the team couldn’t stand the asymmetry of the angled pocket, a more subjective gripe.

We found this pack surprisingly runnable, considering it doesn’t have a running vest harness design. The straps have pads but not too much padding, so the pack snugged to the body effectively. The padding didn’t significantly reduce active comfort, with moisture simply absorbing into the foam padding away from the body.

The Kumo 36 is made of reasonably durable materials, which means you can trust it when you’re going to be bushwhacking and butt-sliding over rocks. This pack comes in two sizes: small and medium.

Although this pack is heavier than some other options, all but larger-framed people can chop at least 1.5 ounces off this pack by trimming or removing excess waistbelt and shoulder strap webbing. The side compression cords are removable and arguably unnecessary if you’re carrying at least 20 liters, which you’re almost always going to if you’re going out overnight. You can also remove the back pad to save even more weight.

Advertised Weight for a Size M: 20.5 ounces (580 grams) | Actual Weight (Size M): 19.9 ounces (565 grams) | Volume: 36 liters | Harness: Backpacking S-strap style | External Storage: One rear pocket, two side pockets, two waistbelt pockets, top zippered pocket, two upper shoulder strap pockets, back panel lower sleeve can function as a pocket

Shop the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 ($350)

Pros:

• Incredibly durable
• Variety of external pocket options
• Reasonably light

Cons:

• Expensive
• Front pockets can feel a bit tight

After years of making packs used extensively by thru-hikers, backpackers, and packrafters, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 is the company’s first foray into packs with a running vest-style harness. Hyperlite Mountain Gear is known for making incredibly durable packs that have everything you need and nothing you don’t, and this one stays true to that theme.

The pack features the same Dyneema material that many of the brand’s other packs are made of. While the material is waterproof, the seams are not sealed, so pack contents can still get wet if you’re out in a downpour. That said, this pack did a fine job keeping stuff dry in light precipitation. With 28 liters of internal volume and an additional 8.5 liters of external carrying capacity, this pack is plenty big for long fastpacking trips. During the testing process, we took it on a six-day traverse of the Wind River High Route in Wyoming and found that it fit everything comfortably, if tightly.

This pack has four pockets on the back. The two side pockets securely hold water bottles, poles, or smaller items and can be cinched down to keep everything secure. The diagonal cut of them makes it easy to get bottles in and out while the pack is still on. The back pocket has less stretch than the pockets on some of the other packs in this guide. Still, it holds plenty, and we never worried about items falling out. The material feels more durable than that found on many packs, but we still managed to tear it while scrambling on sharp rocks. The tear didn’t spread, even when we had stuff in the pocket, and we were able to patch it when we finished the trip. There is also a pocket on the bottom of the pack. It doesn’t feel quite as secure as that on the Pa’lante Packs Joey, but we felt comfortable putting a jacket or other bulky item in there. We worried about smaller items falling out.

The front pockets hold all of the small items we need to keep moving, eating, and drinking without having to take the pack off. Two longer pockets securely hold most soft flasks and are big enough to fit a phone. There is a small zippered pocket on one side of the vest that we used for small items like sunscreen, chapstick, and anti-chafe cream, while the other side of the vest has a deep pocket perfect for stuffing full of snacks. If the bottom pockets are full, it can be hard to get soft flasks completely into their pockets, but usually, a little adjusting does the trick.

The front part of the pack secures with three straps and buckles that go across the chest. The bottom strap has some stretch, allowing for a bit easier breathing while keeping the pack snug around the torso. There is a light waistbelt that can provide extra stability with bigger loads, but it was minimalist enough that it didn’t do all that much. It’s removable if you don’t feel the need for it. The side compression straps are also removable if you want to reduce this pack’s weight as much as possible.

Some parts of the pack feel slightly overbuilt for those of us who are constantly looking to trim a few grams off our fastpacking kit. For example, a built-in back pad provides padding and protection, but we think the pack could be fine without it. We often use a folded sleeping pad to give the same type of padding in packs that don’t have it built in. That said, this pack was comfortable, even under heavy loads. Also, there’s no denying that this pack is expensive, but it feels like it will last nearly forever.

To learn more, read our in-depth Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 review.

Advertised Weight: 17.8 ounces (506 grams) | Actual Weight (size M): 18.9 ounces (536 grams)| Volume: 36.5 liters | Harness: Running vest style | External Storage: One rear pocket, two side pockets, underneath pocket, and multiple shoulder strap pockets

Shop the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28

Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 ($205) and Fastpackher 30 2.0 ($190)

Pros:

• Unisex version has an outstanding shoulder strap pocket configuration
• Ample storage
• Multiple sizes and gender-specific design
• Comfortably carries a bear canister

Cons:

• Heavy and overbuilt
• Disappointing shoulder strap pocket configuration on the women-specific version

Ultimate Direction was one of the first options in the fastpacking pack market, and the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 (unisex version) and Ultimate Direction Fastpackher 30 2.0 (women’s version) are updates to the company’s classic offerings. While the women’s version of this pack has an upgraded back panel to increase breathability, these packs still struggle to compete with others on this list. Compared to other options, we found that they’re a bit heavy and overbuilt. However, you can take them fastpacking and have an enjoyable time, just not as much as with other fastpacks in this guide. As one of our testers said, “The Ultimate Direction Fastpack does a job; it just doesn’t do it super well.”

We loved the brand’s original fastpack models from 2014, which were simpler and, therefore, lighter. In fact, we still use the original version of the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20 on some trips. Still, the packs have become more complex and heavier over the years without improving fit or other crucial aspects. We believe the company’s fastpacks could shine again by returning to their roots.

Many new-to-the-game fastpackers are drawn to this pair of packs because the company is well known in the trail running world for its multiple styles and capacities of running vests, as well as running belts, handhelds, and more. Ultimate Direction packs are also some of the most readily available fastpacks on the market, which is commendable. If you need one right now, you can get one.

The Fastpack 40 has a lot of internal storage — potentially too much for a proper fastpack — and tons of pockets and straps. The shoulder straps have 15 external pockets for soft flasks, maps, phones, and snacks. While we appreciated all these storage options, we found them to be overkill. If the brand simplified these pockets, they could significantly decrease the overall weight of this pack.

Another way they could reduce the pack’s weight is to remove the main compartment zipper. None of our testers found this useful; instead, they noted it as a possible point of failure, especially in desert environments where sand eats zippers alive.

While the shoulder strap pockets on the unisex version are nearly as good as those on other packs, those on the women’s version were lacking. Because they shortened and narrowed the shoulder straps on the harness of the Fastpackher 30 2.0, the pockets are fewer and shorter. This is our biggest issue with this pack: how they limit the pocket layout by shrinking the vest proportions. In our opinion, the vest on a fastpack doesn’t need as much reducing; there’s plenty of space on our women testers’ small- and medium-sized torsos for a wider and longer vest and, therefore, the same pocket configuration as the one on the unisex version. What is perhaps even more annoying is that Ultimate Direction has now created a unisex 30-liter pack, and they’ve managed to put decent pockets on that one.

We appreciated that the Fastpack 40 fits a BV500 bear canister vertically inside and does so more comfortably than other packs on this list. The pack’s firmer back pad and structure keep the hard plastic canister from barreling, that is misshaping your pack and uncomfortably into your back. However, a BV500 takes up most of the pack, so you’ll want to share gear with a partner if you go this route.

Everyone here at iRunFar agreed that we really want Ultimate Direction to compete in the fastpacking world. We want them to simplify their packs, remove the zippers, and reduce their overall weight. We also want them to offer the same shoulder strap pockets on their women’s fastpacks as on their unisex fastpacks. If they do these things, we will be much more excited to take one of their packs on our next fast-packing adventure.

Advertised Weight for Unisex Model: 25.2 ounces (715 grams) | Advertised Weight for a Women’s Specific 30L Size XS/SM: 21.3 ounces (605 grams) | Volume: 41 liters (unisex version), 30 liters (women’s version) | Harness: Running vest style | External Storage: One rear pocket, two side pockets, and multiple shoulder strap pockets, depending on the model

Shop the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40Shop the Ultimate Direction Fastpackher 30 2.0

Comparing the Best Fastpacking Packs

FASTPACK	PRICE	WEIGHT	VOLUME
Pa’lante Packs Joey	$240	14.5 ounces	24 liters
Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L	$340	19.5 ounces	28 liters
Montane Trailblazer LT 28L Backpack	$165	13.1 ounces	28 liters
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack	$180	20 ounces	36 liters
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28	$350	17.8 ounces	36.5 liters
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 (unisex version)	$205	25.2 ounces	41 liters
Ultimate Direction Fastpackher 30 2.0 (women’s version)	$190	21.3 ounces	30 liters

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Fastpacking Pack

Harness Styles

The best fastpacking packs have three main harness styles: running vest, traditional S-strap backpack, and hybrid. We recommend running vest-style harnesses for the closest, most secure fit, as we’ve found they usually run better than other harness styles. They have little to no padding in the front straps and hug the body like a harness on a running vest.

Traditional S-strap backpack-style harnesses are found on daypacks and backpacking packs. They are usually heavily padded to accommodate heavy loads for walking, not running. Some are comfortable for running but typically don’t fit as securely and often don’t breathe as well as running vest-style harnesses.

Hybrid fastpacking harnesses combine the two. Imagine a wider, lightly padded S-strap for a better body-contouring fit and secure ride. Many fastpacks in the cottage industry, such as the Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L, feature this style of straps. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 also has a hybrid vest-style strap system.

Fit, Adjustability, and Comfort

When you wear a high-performing running vest, you hardly know it’s there. The vest conforms to and moves with your body, and gives you easy access to water, snacks, and other items you need while on the move. The best fastpacking packs do the same thing.

While this sounds simple, creating the sort of pack that will perform like this with loads of 15 pounds inside it is actually difficult. It’s challenging for manufacturers to nail the physics of getting tarps, sleeping bags, and several days of food to travel with you comfortably as you run. A fastpack must offer the basic fit and adjustability that allows you to wear it with little to no discomfort all day — and sometimes all night if you’re really getting after it! Our testers found that the Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L could comfortably carry heavy loads and stayed in place while running. We also turned to the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 when we needed to carry heavier loads through challenging terrain.

It’s important to check the manufacturer’s sizing chart and fit recommendations when looking for a fastpack. Some companies offer sizing that matches t-shirt sizes, while others size their fastpacks based on torso length.

After that, look for features that give the pack some adjustability, be it through lengthening and shortening the waistbelt, shoulder straps, or chest straps, or by moving the waistbelt or chest straps up or down to accommodate various torso lengths. While adjustability in each feature adds weight to the pack, it allows you to create a tailored fit.

To be comfortable, a fastpack needs to be packed well. Because these packs are generally quite simple and don’t have a significant structure, they can conform to what you put in them and your body. It’s the latter that we’re seeking for comfortable running all day. Some packs, like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28, have a built-in back pad, while the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack has a pocket that allows you to use a sleeping pad or similar to create a back pad if you need it.

When it comes to packing, placing something soft, like your sleeping bag or puffy jacket, next to your back inside the pack will help it conform to your back. We also recommend placing denser items — most likely your food bag — in the middle of the pack and close to your back, surrounded by less dense items. Everyone’s preferences and bodies are unique, though, so get comfortable with shifting things around to see what feels good for you!

External Storage and Pocket Access

We love fastpacks with plenty of pockets. They help you divide up the elements of your fastpacking trip, making things like your phone, a map, or snacks easily accessible. However, pockets also add weight, so not all fastpacks are flush with multiple compartments. We chose packs for this guide that have a good balance of accessible external storage, comfort, and low weight.

Of the packs in our guide, the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 had the most internal and external pockets, but it was also the heaviest. The Pa’lante Packs Joey and the Redpaw Packs Flatiron 28L had plenty of pockets for organizing gear while remaining light, one of the reasons these packs are at the top of the list.

Internal Storage Volume

The size of pack you want depends on the length of your trip, the weather, and how comfortable you are cutting down on equipment. Generally, fastpacks are between 20 and 40 liters, with the capactity split between internal and external pockets. Some consist of a single large rucksack-style compartment, while others are subdivided with zippers and pockets built into the shoulder straps. The packs in this guide range from 24 to 40 liters. A larger fastpack may not be runnable at the beginning of the trip, but once you eat some food and reduce the load, you should easily run with a compressed 40-liter pack.

The larger your pack’s internal volume, the longer your trips can be. Because it’s pretty large, one of our testers took the Redpaw Packs Flatiron 28L on an eight-day trip through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Other testers used the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 — the most voluminous pack on our list — on a long desert-to-mountain excursion in southern Utah. They needed the volume because their trip required carrying a bear canister, which was large and unwieldy. Larger volume packs will also accommodate ultralight packrafts and bulky winter gear. Choose the volume of your fastpack according to the type and duration of your intended trips.

Pack Shape

Fastpacks come in various shapes and sizes, just like running vests or traditional hiking backpacks. Some, like the Red Paw Flatiron 28L pack, are the simplest possible tube shape. This pack doesn’t have a specific design or customized shape to sit nicely on your back, and it can start to barrel if you don’t pack it carefully with softer items against your back.

Others, like the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40, are more engineered for a precision fit. Packs like this are shaped to sit at a specific place on your back and are usually better when it comes to running. The back panel of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 made it one of the more structured packs in this guide.

Weight

Traveling quickly over rugged terrain is most enjoyable with pack weights below 15 pounds, or ideally around 10 pounds. To keep the overall weight low, the weight of every item needs to be considered, including the fastpack itself.

In general, heavier materials make a more durable pack, but this isn’t as true as it used to be. Materials like EPL Ultra, for example, weigh as little as 2.92 ounces/square yard and are many times more durable than most materials that weigh three times as much.

The best fastpacking packs rely primarily on a precise-fitting harness for comfort. Less material often results in a more comfortable pack, so it’s not difficult to construct very light fastpacks. Packs like the Pa’lante Packs Joey prove this. Packs don’t have to be heavy to be comfortable.

Fastpacks become heavy when manufacturers add too many features. The Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 is an example of a pack that tries to help the user organize every little item and increase accessibility by adding zippers, but, in the process, loses sight of minimalism and efficiency.

When shopping for a fastpack, choose one that balances features and organization with a minimalist design. Again, the Pa’lante Packs Joey is a case in point. It’s made from durable materials, fits comfortably, runs well, and is very light.

Durability

In our opinion, the durability of outer fabrics is important, but less important than the excellence of construction. Fastpacks need to withstand miles upon miles of jostling and bouncing down the trail without shifting around annoyingly or causing chafing.

The running motion puts a lot of strain on the harness, especially the points where it connects to the pack. All the packs we chose for this list use durable materials and construction. We trusted the Dyneema fabric of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 to withstand all types of conditions, including sliding along notoriously abrasive sandstone of the Colorado Plateau.

Why You Should Trust Us

Many members of the iRunFar team has been fastpacking for over a decade, and we have witnessed the growth of the adventure niche. What started as two separate endeavors — ultralight backpacking and adventure running — have now merged into one in fastpacking. At first, there was no specific type of pack to support this endeavor. A few ultrarunning-specific companies noticed the niche and began to make unique products, and we are now in an era of fastpack proliferation.

While the market is still relatively small, multinational, and cottage-sized companies release new packs on an annual basis. With most of the iRunFar team living and working in the mountains, we are passionate about fastpacking and are happy to see the sport continue to grow.

This guide was initially created in 2021 after we looked at nearly 40 fastpacks and tested 11 of them extensively on adventures in places like Moab, Utah, Silverton, Colorado, and multiple other wilderness areas. Since then, we’ve continued our search for the best fastpacking pack, and we update this guide when we find something exceptional. We take packs out in a variety of environments to see the conditions under which they excel, and when they falter.  Our team rated packs on weight, gear accessibility, durability, and comfort. We consider which packs are most suitable for various applications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fastpacking Packs

What is fastpacking?

Fastpacking combines two sports — ultralight backpacking and adventure running — into one. Want to explore that cool backcountry basin you’ve been eyeing but only have a few days free on your schedule? Fastpacking. Have back-to-back long runs on your schedule and don’t want to go back to your car for the night? Fastpacking. It’s a growing sport, and brands known for making running vests were the first to start creating larger packs with vest-like harnesses. The Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 (unisex version) and Ultimate Direction Fastpackher 30 2.0 are newer versions of some of the original fastpacks available. More recently, companies traditionally known for making ultralight backpacking bags are coming up with options specific to fastpacking, including the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28.

Fastpacking isn’t just running, and it isn’t just hiking. Instead, you take the absolute minimum equipment you’d need to spend the night somewhere safely and then go. Run a bit, hike a bit, stop to make coffee or fly fish or whatever, then run and hike again. While calling your movement running can be a bit of a misnomer when you’ve got 10 to 15 pounds on your shoulders on rough terrain, hopefully, you pack is light enough to have a bit of pep in your step going downhill and on the flats. A pack like the Pa’lante Packs Joey can carry everything you need for multiple days in the mountains.

How light does my fastpack need to be for running?

Depending on the season of your adventure and the gear you need, it is possible to achieve a base weight of less than 10 pounds, but most people end up in the range of 10 to 15 pounds. You might tip over that upper range if it’s colder, your route is longer, or you need more emergency equipment due to the remoteness of the route. The relatively small size of these packs limits the gear that you can fit in them, and thus, their weight. The Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 (unisex version) is big enough that you could fit enough gear into it to make running prohibitive.

The weight at which running becomes near impossible will depend on the person. Most of our testers prefer packs to be no more than 12 pounds to run comfortably. With packs weighing 15 pounds, most people will be walking at least a third of the terrain unless you specifically train for carrying and running with a pack. With some training, you may be able to heave around more than that by a few pounds.

How do I carry water in my fastpacking pack?

The best fastpacks follow the running vest layout, with pockets on the shoulder straps for traditional 500-milliliter soft flasks. We love this fastpack style because we can sip water while we run and easily monitor our water usage. This also distributes some of the pack weight on the front of the body. Most of our favorite packs, including the Pa’lante Packs Joey and Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28, have front pockets for water bottles, snacks, and phones.

Some fastpacks, like the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack, don’t come with the option of storing water on the shoulder straps. Instead, they provide side pockets on the pack’s main body to fit soft flasks and hard-sided water bottles of various sizes. If you plan to store your water in these pockets, choose a fastpack where you can reach those pockets to pull out your water bottles and stow them again without having to take the pack off. Most of the packs in this guide come with a port allowing you to use a water bladder with a hose.

How do I pack everything I need to camp in these tiny packs?

The ultralight gear market has greatly expanded in the past few years, with companies making everything needed for a night out lighter and smaller. It’s becoming easier to fit the essentials in a 25- to 40-liter pack.

But rather than just relying on the newest featherweight gear to keep your pack small and light, it’s more important to develop the skill of recognizing what you need for comfort and survival and what you can safely leave behind. One of the biggest challenges of fastpacking — and indeed one of the greatest joys once you start to master it — is the ability to determine how little you need to bring to facilitate quick movement. You can read more about our favorite fastpacking items in our Best Fastpacking Gear guide.

While it may take you a few trips to dial in your system and get the hang of packing minimally, the more you fastpack, the more you’ll learn about your style and preferences, and what items you can safely cut out or minimize. While a pack like the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 can fit a lot of gear, packing it to the brim will inhibit running and the ability to move quickly over terrain. For trips only lasting a few days, a smaller pack like the Pa’lante Packs Joey should be plenty big for a lightweight fastpacking kit.

My shoulders hurt when I fastpack. How can I fix that?

As with any backpack or running vest, the essential element of a fastpack is a proper fit. An improperly fitting backpack — either too small, too large, or not adjusted correctly — can put pressure on the wrong areas of your body, leading to sore shoulders or back. First, try repacking with a different weight distribution or readjusting the pack. If neither works, you may want to try a different pack. The more structured back of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 makes it more adept at carrying heavier loads than some of the other options in this guide.

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, it is also possible that your pack is a little too heavy for fastpacking. Before you leave on your trip, weigh your pack. If it’s looking heavy, see if there’s anything you can pare down. The wide shoulder straps of the Red Paw Packs Flatiron 28L made it our favorite fastpacking pack for times when we had to carry relatively heavy loads.

Are there any fastpacks that fit a hard-sided bear canister?

Yes, there are many fastpacks out there that will fit a hard-sided bear canister. If you plan to carry one, we recommend looking at packs that are at least 30 liters. Some testers fit the BV450 or BV500 bear canisters in the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40. With a BV500 inside, there isn’t much room for much else, so you may want to split items between yourself and a partner if you need to carry a large canister.

Another issue with bear canisters is their barreling effect on the pack, and the discomfort that can create against your back. If possible, pack soft things — or even your foam sleeping pad — between your back and the canister so the pack stays comfortable for running.

Do I have to worry about the durability of fastpacks?

While many of the fastpacks on this list are made of very light materials, with the Montane Trailblazer LT 28L Backpack being the lightest of the bunch, they all stood up to a lot of use in various climates and conditions during our testing. The Dyneema material of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 has proven durability on the roughest, sharpest, and most abrasive terrain. You can trust all packs on this list to perform on everything from smooth and open trails to bushwhacks through the willows. That said, treating packs with care can help reduce the chance of a tear in the material.

Call for Comments

• What fastpack are you taking on your adventures? What specific features of it do you like?
• And, have you tried a fastpack that just doesn’t work for you? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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