Ultimate Fastpacking Gear List
JUMP TO: SHOES | CLOTHING | PACKS & BELTS | NUTRITION & HYDRATION | SLEEP & SHELTER | TOOLS & ACCESSORIES | ELECTRONICS
Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Feb 2, 2023
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Learn more.
Fastpacking, the delightful mashup of trail running and ultralight backpacking, has rapidly gained popularity in recent years. It allows runners to take on epic trails that require more than a single day and opens up new and exciting opportunities to explore the backcountry.
But if running under the weight of all your backpacking essentials sounds like your personal hell, well, that’s because it will be—if you don’t have the right gear.
For fastpacking to be truly enjoyable, even a finely tuned ultralight kit will likely require a few adjustments, especially to your backpack. We’re starting to see brands put out fastpacking-specific packs—Frankenstein creations that combine features from trail running hydration vests and ultralight backpacks that make running with gear actually enjoyable.
The Black Diamond Distance 15 is our favorite backpack for short “weekender” fastpacking trips.
However, even the best running-friendly pack will still induce suffering if it's too heavy. You need to carefully consider every last piece of gear, from your socks to your sleep system to what you eat for dinner.
The unique gear requirements of fastpacking can be intimidating and overwhelming. But to make it as easy as possible, we’ve pulled together the absolute best gear for fastpacking to help get you started.
SHOES
Best Overall Fastpacking Shoe: Hoka Speedgoat 5
Best Waterproof Shoe: Brooks Cascadia 16 GTX
Best Mountainous Trail Shoe: La Sportiva Akasha II
Best Muddy Trail Shoe: Salomon Speedcross 6
CLOTHING
Best Men’s Short Sleeve Shirt: Icebreaker ZoneKnit T-Shirt
Best Men’s Long Sleeve Shirt: Janji Repeat Merino Tech Long Sleeve
Best Men’s Shorts: Patagonia Strider 7” Inseam
Best Men’s Pants: Patagonia Terrebonne Jogger Pants
Best Men’s Insulated Jacket: Arc'teryx Cerium Down Hoodie
Best Men’s Waterproof Jacket: Montbell Versalite
Best Men’s Waterproof Pants: Outdoor Research Helium
Best Men’s Underwear: Icebreaker Anatomica Long Boxers
Best Men’s Base Layer Top: Ortovox 230 Competition
Best Men’s Base Layer Bottoms: Icebreaker 260 Tech Base Layer Leggings
Best Women’s Short Sleeve Shirt: Icebreaker Sphere II T-Shirt
Best Women’s Long Sleeve Shirt: Janji Repeat Merino Tech Long-Sleeve
Best Women’s Shorts: Patagonia Strider Shorts
Best Women’s Tights: rabbit Super Tights
Best Women’s Insulated Jacket: Arc'teryx Cerium Down Hoodie
Best Women’s Waterproof Jacket: Montbell Versalite
Best Women’s Waterproof Pants: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants
Best Women’s Underwear: Patagonia Barely Hipster Underwear
Best Women’s Base Layer Top: Icebreaker 200 Oasis Crew Top
Best Women’s Base Layer Bottoms: Icebreaker 260 Tech High Rise Base Layer Leggings
Best Crew Socks: Balega Blister Resister Quarter Socks
Best Toe Socks: Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew
Best Ankle Socks: Darn Tough Run No-Show Tab Ultralightweight Cushion Socks
Best Camp Socks: Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks
Best Hat: Arc’teryx Calvus Cap
Best Gloves: Black Diamond Mont Blanc Gloves
Best Gaiters: Salomon Low Trail Gaiters
Best Sunglasses: Goodr OG Sunglasses
PACKS & BELTS
Best Weekend Trip Pack: Black Diamond Distance 15
Best 3-4 Night Pack: Pa’lante Joey
Best Higher Volume Pack: Nashville Cutaway
Best Women-Specific Pack: Ultimate Direction FastpackHer 20
NUTRITION & HYDRATION
Best Energy Gel: Spring Energy Awesome Sauce
Best Energy Bar: XACT ENERGY Bars
Best Energy Chew: Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews
Best Hydration Mix: Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Drink Mix
Best Dehydrated Meals: Nomad Nutrition
Best Breakfast: Trailtopia Oats
Best Instant Coffee: Verve Instant Craft Coffee
SLEEP & SHELTER
Best One-Person Tent: Zpacks Plex Solo
Best Two-Person Tent: Zpacks Duplex
Best Freestanding Two-Person Tent: Nemo Hornet
Best Bivy Sack: Outdoor Research Alpine AscentShell Bivy
Best Tarp Shelter: Mountain Laurel Designs Grace Tarp
Best Quilt: Zpacks 20F Solo Quilt
Best Sleeping Bag: Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20F
Best Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite
TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
Best Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles
Best Water Purifier: Katadyn BeFree Filter
Best Water Flasks: Salomon Soft Flask Speed 500ml
Best Hydration Bladder: Hydrapak Shape-Shift Water Reservoir
Best Head Torch: Nitecore NU25 UL
Best Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2
Best Pot: TOAKS Light Titanium 650ml Pot
Best Mug: Sea to Summit Cool Grip X-Mug
Best Eating Utensil: Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork - Long
ELECTRONICS
Best Personal Locator Beacon (with two-way messaging): Garmin inReach Messenger
Best Personal Locator Beacon (without two-way messaging): Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1
Best GPS Watch: Suunto 9 Baro
Best GPS Watch on a Budget: Coros Apex 42mm
Best Battery Bank: Nitecore NB10000 Gen 2 Power Bank
MORE INFORMATION
If you have the gear sorted out, but need a little more insight into how to plan for a successful fastpacking? Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Getting Started with Fastpacking!
Or check out our entire Gear Reviews Page, our Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more hiking, backpacking, and outdoors related content.
Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!