Stage racing, multi-day running and fastpacking all require a very specific pack. With the growth of multi-day running, many major brands now produce a pack or packs that are specifically designed for the task at hand. However, choosing a pack can be a daunting process due to many variables.
First and foremost, spend some time and sit down with a piece of paper and make notes of all the equipment that you need to carry. This may sound obvious, but there is a great difference in needs and demands.
For example:
- Are you running in a hot or cold environment?
- Do you need to carry food for the adventure or will you be able to get food on the route?
- What spare clothing do you need?
- What safety equipment do you need to carry?
- Do you need a tent?
- Do you need a sleeping bag and sleeping mat?
- How much liquid do you need to carry and do you need immediate access to that liquid?
And the list goes on, so, take time to sit down and plan. This also helps you look at weight.
An excellent website to help facilitate this is Lighterpack – You can see an example HERE of all the contents I used when testing the Instinct XX20L when I went fastpacking with a tent.
Recently I went fastpacking in Norway running from cabin-to-cabin. I did not need food (other than run snacks,) did not need a sleeping bag, just a sleeping bag liner and I could be minimal on clothing. I used the Camelbak Octane pack and the contents were as listed below:
You can see an example of my pack below and the details are as follows:
- Camelbak Octane Pack 600g
- adidas hat 32g
- adidas gloves Infinitum 52g
- Hestra waterproof gloves 53g
- adidas gloves 41g
- Devold merino base top 193g
- Devold merino base bottom 166g
- Buff 43g
- Haglofs down jacket 163g
- adidas waterproof pant 125g
- adidas Gore-Tex jacket 272g
- Rab bivvy bag 110g
- Underwear 98g
- Gels 81g (for emergency)
- Silk liner 126g
- Blindfold/ earplugs 22g
- Earphones 44g
- Ricoh GRIII camera 251g (a luxury)
- Sunglasses 18g
- Bottles x2 90g
- Katadyn water filter 52g
- Toiletries 196g
- Power supply 138g
- Phone 136g
- Garmin InReach 108g
- Leki poles 250g
3379g
As you can see, my pack weight was low. This allowed me to move faster and lighter for less effort.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING A PACK
Once you have worked out what you need to carry, you can then decide what size pack you need. The best recommendation here is that it is better to have a pack that is maybe just too small. That way you will be strict on what you take and what you do not take. Of course, this decision should never be at the compromise of safety. Simply, if you have more room, you tend to take more because you can.
When doing a stage race, multi-day or fastpack, weight is the enemy, so, you need to be as light as possible.
Comfort is obviously hugely important and just like shoes, packs need to fit you, cause no rubbing or irritation and feel like a piece of clothing. What works for one person will not work for another. A great example being, the needs and requirements for 152cm tall woman weighing 55kg is very different than a 182cm tall male weighing 85kg. It’s great to ask and take advice BUT you need to try packs, see how they fit and importantly when trying, add weight so you can feel how it sits on your body. Many brands do different sizes now such as S/M or L/XL and one or two brands do male/ female versions: Ultimate Direction, Osprey and Oxitis being good examples.
Many packs now use a ‘vest’ like system, however, when you have 8kg in the pack, does that fit and feel good? You need to know this. Look at pressure points, such as on top of the shoulders, this area can get very sore if you do not have enough padding. Also feel how it sits on your bag and check for bounce/ movement. A pack that moves too much causes friction, friction equals irritation and blisters.
A waist belt is often a great addition to help secure a pack to your body and distribute the weight load. Some love waist belts, others dislike them. I personally am a fan.
You must choose what is correct for you and don’t be afraid to go against the norm to use what is correct for you. A prime example being that a hiking pack may be the best solution for YOU. Trust this and ignore what others say. The only key things to consider: Be careful of the pack weight and make sure it is not too large in capacity.
Access to water is important, many packs now have the capacity and option to carry bottles up front. This makes drinking and refilling easy. However, this may not work for you. If that is the case, do what is right for you, if that means using a bladder, do so. The only consideration with soft flasks and bladders are the risk of puncture, but, I have used a bladder on countless adventures with no issue. Good admin is key.
If doing an adventure that is self-sufficient (such as MDS,) remember that as days pass, pack contents will become less due to eating food. So, the option to tighten, compress and make the pack smaller is a potential key consideration to stop or reduce bounce.
Finally, pack weight is important, BUT, do not go for the lightest pack if it has no durability. You need the pack to be strong, durable and reliable.
BRANDS TO CONSIDER
As mentioned, many brands now make packs or packs suitable for stage racing, multi-day or fastpacking.
- WAA https://www.waa-ultra.com
- Camelbak https://www.camelbak.co.uk/
- Ultraspire https://ultraspire.com
- inov-8 https://www.inov8.com
- Ultimate Direction https://ultimatedirection.com/product.php?page=accessories
- Salomon https://www.salomon.com/en
- Rab https://rab.equipment/uk/
- Osprey https://www.osprey.com
- Raidlight https://raidlight.com
- Silva https://silvasweden.uk/
- Oxsitis – https://www.oxsitis.com/en/
- OMM https://theomm.com
- Instinct https://www.instincttrail.com/product-category/packs/
- ARCh Max https://www.arch-max.com/en
- Compressport https://www.compressport.com/uk/
- Nathan https://www.nathansports.com/
- USWE https://uswe.com/en-gb/
- Arc’teryx https://arcteryx.com/no/en
- Montane https://montane.com/
- Six Moon Designs https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/
- Gossamer Gear https://www.gossamergear.com/
- Hyperlite https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/
If you have a brand missing from the list that you feel needs to be added, please make a comment below.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PACK OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
Remember, we are all individual. Every pack on the list below I have looked at, played with and tested in some capacity.
They are ALL applicable for stage racing, multi-day or fastpacking.
You may well be asking, but which do I prefer? Well, I could answer that, but if I do, am I then influencing your decision and thought process? So, for now, I will refrain from giving an opinion.
WAA Ultrabag 20L https://www.waa-ultra.com/en/mds-ultra-bag-20l.html
Camelbak Octane 22l https://www.camelbak.co.uk/products/octane-22-hydration-hiking-pack-22l-with-2l-reservoir?_pos=3&_psq=octane&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Oxitis Enduro 30 Ultra (male and female specific) https://www.oxsitis.com/en/product/sac-enduro-30-ultra/
Ultimate Direction Fastpack available in 20L and 30L also male and female specific https://ultimatedirection.com/fastpack-20/
UltrAspire Epic XT 20L https://ultraspire.com/products/epic-xt-20-hydration-pack/
Instinct XX 20-24L https://www.instincttrail.com/product/xx-20l/
Inov-8 Venturelite 25 https://www.inov8.com/venturelite-25l-hiking-pack?colours=3120
Osprey Talon Velocity in 20l and 30l (male and female fit) https://www.osprey.com/talontm-velocity-20?color=White
Raidlight Ultralight 24-30l (maybe the lightest pack available?) https://raidlight.com/en/products/sac-a-dos-trail-ultralight-24-30-made-in-france
Raidlight Raid Legend 25l https://raidlight.com/en/products/sac-a-dos-de-trail-activ-legend-24l
Montane Gecko VP 20l https://montane.com/products/montane-gecko-vp-20
Montane Trailblazer 25l https://montane.com/products/montane-trailblazer-25l-backpack
Salomon XT 20 https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/xt-20-lc12756.html#color=87687&size=27106
OMM Classic 25 https://theomm.com/product/classic-25/
OMM Phantom 25 https://theomm.com/product/phantom-25/
OMM Phantom 18 https://theomm.com/product/phantom-18/
RAB Aeon (18 and 28l) https://rab.equipment/uk/rab-aeon-ultra-28-lightweight-pack
SILVA Strive available 17+3l or 23+3l https://silvasweden.uk/collections/backpacks/products/strive-mountain-pack-17-3
Large Capacity Packs:
Arc’teryx Aerios 35 https://arcteryx.com/no/en/shop/aerios-35-backpack?sub-cat=multi-day&sub_categories=Multi-Day
Six Moon Designs Flight 30 https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22 https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/products/elevate-22
CONCLUSION
As you can see above, there is no shortage of options for packs. The main problem is testing and trying packs. Today, the internet and online purchasing provides us all great options and ease for shopping, but, I cannot emphasise enough, with a pack, go to a store, try them on, add weight and play around. Ideally, go to a store that sells many options so you can compare.
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IAN CORLESS 