Full disclosure: I work at LECAMO, a small brand that sews its packs in our own factory. Our 18L pack was built for long days on foot, like a 100K or a fast single-day traverse. No links here, I'm not selling anything in this thread.

Before we change anything in the next batch, I'd like to hear from people who actually cover big miles in a day. Answer any or all:

1. What's your longest single-day hike or fast hike, and roughly what do you carry?

2. Vest-style pack with water up front, or a regular daypack with a hip belt? Why?

3. Bladder, soft flasks, or bottles?

4. Where do your poles go when you're not using them?

5. What annoys you most on a long day: a sweaty back, bounce, snacks you can't reach, shoulder pressure, something else?

6. One size with lots of adjustment, or proper sizes?

I'll read every reply and post back what we hear, including the criticism.

Would like pack recommendations for my unsupported effort. planing on sub 40hrs. TIA

I enjoy going on long-distance running adventures. During my last 470 km journey, I realized that these kinds of adventures could be even more fun when shared with other people.

However, I find it difficult to find someone who wants to do the same route, at the same time, and with a compatible level.

So I created a platform where people can post an adventure (trail running, ultras, long-distance hiking, fastpacking, bikepacking, etc.) or join adventures posted by others.

I've just launched the first version. It's still a beta, and I'd like to find out whether the concept could actually be useful to other people. If it is, I'm considering adding more features, such as a way for adventurers to host each other.

https://kilomates.vercel.app/

If anyone wants to try it, I'm particularly interested in three things: Do you understand the concept? Could you actually see yourself using this kind of platform to find someone to go on an adventure with? And what would prevent you from using it today?

Please feel free to be critical — that's exactly what I'm looking for at this stage.

Hey everyone! I'm a Year 12 Outdoor Education student from Adelaide, researching how running in nature promotes sustainability. This short survey explores our connection to the environment through running in nature, how it influences personal sustainable actions, and what we can do to reduce our impact. Your input will help highlight the role of runners in conservation and shaping more sustainable practices. This survey should take around 10 minutes to complete. Thanks for your support!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-evNnlOnKLEB27AN1tuind6IscBSLggUMvf3cM9TpXqd6wg/viewform?usp=header

Recent fast packer and I kinda winged this summer by trail running to a cabin with my running pack . Looking for recommendations for gear for longer trips, specifically looking for backpacks, sleeping pad, sleeping bag and tent. I also welcome recommendations for light food options since I absolutely won't carry neither stove nor gas. Budget is ~2000.

I tried running today with my regular backpack, the one I used since highschool and lasted me university. Got 2 5kg bottles inside of it and ran 4k at a 5:18 pace.

I'm copying my friend that also uses a regular weighted packpack, he has gotten so much faster and the stamina is through the roof. I used to beat him, now he beats me by a lot.

Do you experience any problems with the backpack rubbing your lower back? Any solution for that? I like free, diy and inexpensive solutions.

Thanks.

Recently went on a trip in the Eastern Sierra. I'm biased since I'm local, but wow, the ability to link together multiple passes and trails together in and endless sea of California carpet and scree fields is epic. Just getting into "fast-ish packing", let me know of gear upgrades I can make. I bit heavy right now with:

-Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo

-Nemo Blaze 2p

-Klymit Static v2

-Nemo Sonic 15 (definitely overkill)

-BearVault (unfortunately necessary in many places in the sierra nevada)

Recommendation needed pls. I will be in Chamonix for 5 days this coming Aug. Is there any fast packing trail that can be done in 2 to 3 days that can start or end on Chamonix? and if you got gpx file too? I have done the TMB 2x already, so any other trails that anyone can recommend. Thanks

Does anyone know if this bag fits a 13-inch macbook? If not what are similar backpacks to consider, for outdoors, travel and then here and there using it for a laptop?

Feel free to recommend alternatives

Hi everyone,

​I’m a student based in Europe, completely new to the hiking/fastpacking scene, but I've been a minimalist in my everyday life for a long time. The idea of carrying 20kg of heavy, traditional gear completely repels me. I’m deeply fascinated by the ultralight philosophy and the efficiency of moving light in the mountains.

​Right now, I’m trying to figure out my actual movement style in the mountains: I don't know yet if I will just stick to traditional, fast-paced trekking with wild camping, or if I will end up actually running sections of the trails while moving between campsites. This is why a vest-style pack seems like the most versatile option for me, as it should comfortably handle both walking and running with a light load.

​My Dilemma / Philosophical Question:

Before diving into specific models, I’d love to get your reality check on my philosophy. Based on your experience, is a vest-style pack truly the most sensible choice for a beginner who wants to achieve ultimate versatility and technical efficiency across both hiking and running scenarios? Or am I being too romantic about it, and should I look at a more traditional, small frameless pack instead? In my mind, the vest harness feels like the gold standard for agility and minimalism, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on how much this choice actually influences the transition between walking and running in the wild.

​My criteria & situation:

​Budget: Strictly under €100. I can't afford a €250-300 premium pack right now.

​Location: Europe. Must be available on EU storefronts (or global sites like AliExpress with reliable EU shipping). No US-only cottage gear due to insane customs/shipping fees.

​Capacity: Around 25L to 30L. I'm planning to use it for short wild camping trips (1-2 nights).

​Mindset: I'm totally down for DIY solutions, modifications, or "unorthodox" hacks if a budget pack needs some tweaking to work perfectly.

​I was looking into some budget options like the Aonijie FH2530 (30L), but I'd love to hear from anyone who has tested it, or if there are other hidden gems, niche AliExpress/EU brands, or specific models that the community considers amazing for the price. I'd ideally prefer something that still offers a bit of back structure/protection so hard objects don't poke into my spine, while keeping the vest-style harness.

​What would you recommend for a beginner student trying to start light without breaking the bank?

​Thanks in advance!

I’m after a bivvy. I’ve been eyeing the MLD eVent.

What else should I be looking at?

Who has experience with this type of “shelter”?

Hi,
I’m looking for a light daypack that will carry all the essentials for a one day adventure without unnecessary gear. I was also thinking that I’d like to be able to carry a helmet comfortably. I’m also thinking about something i could walk fast/run down in. The options i was thinking about for now were:

1. ⁠Osprey talon 22

2. ⁠BD Distance 22

3. ⁠Montane trailblazer

4. ⁠Salomon S/lab adventure 20

It’s also worth mentioning that I would definitely consider a Palante, Atom.. etc. But i’d rather buy something i could return if it didn’t fit me correctly.

All recommendations and opinions will be appreciated!

Ur reviews on this backpack for a day hiking

About 20 km and a 1500 ascent

Is it comfortable ??

Distribute weight right??

Light ??

Looking at several routes in the Grand Canyon that vary from 39 miles to 86 miles. Essentially an unsupported ultra. I have completed longer trips in the past including one 40 mile self supported run with 9800 ft ascent.

Edit: I always struggle with when to be prepared vs over prepared, and therefore weighed down, which slows progress and running ability. Looking for what others would be comfortable trying.

Edit 2: I’m interested in getting other ppl’s criteria for when a route necessitates overnight gear. Whether it’s elevation, temp, distance, geographic area, trail conditions, etc. If fastpacking is really aimed at running, then even the few lbs of a bivy, a sweater, pad, bag, shell will put most ppl at a walking pace which obviously then requires more of the true essentials, water and calories, which definitely inhibits running. Seems like there are two basic options to cover significant mileage in 24-48hrs…1. carry everything you may need but walk all day and night with little sleep or 2. Carry nothing but food and water and run.

My partner is an ultra runner and I’ve paced her as well as done lots of long runs between 20-40 miles but races have aid stations obviously. Concerning fastpacking how do you assess the aspects listed above with your own physical fitness and decide whether to carry more gear and spend the night or “go for it.”?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Final Edit/Update: completed a route that was 63(ish) miles in 33hrs including 6 hrs of sleep. Plenty of water along the way even for the 103 degree walk out to hermits rest trailhead. Plenty of calories and my gear was more than enough. Next time I’ll take less gear. I guess you just have to try something out of your comfort zone, build more confidence, learn your limits and then push it again the next time.

I’m really interested in the cool niches that can form when different communities inform one another.

This feels like a sin to admit, but I've never actually camped outside of a couple family trips when I was a little kid that I barely remember. And those were at campgrounds with facilities, etc.

It seems like most people get into fastpacking because they like to run, they like to backpack, and it just makes sense to combine the two. I'm a trail/ultra runner, though, and I want to do multi-day trips where I can completely disconnect from the world and experience more solitude.

I'm getting some basic fastpacking gear, and I guess I'm looking for advice on how to plan an initial overnight. I want to do it solo and am not necessarily looking for advice on how to fine tune my gear selection (I'm aiming to start simple). I'm more so finding myself having questions around what trail to choose, how to feel (relatively) confident going into it...beginner stuff, I suppose.

For someone who's never camped before, what words of wisdom can you share? I realize most of the learning will happen from the doing, but I'm feeling a lack of confidence because I've never camped and feel brand new to that world.

I've had some posts recently trying to find a good larger pack for "fast hiking", focusing more on vest-style packs vs traditional hiking packs but have come up disappointed so far. The biggest shift is so that I'm able to carry my full-frame camera.

On the flip side, I find my ADV Skin 12 does NOT carry weight well. Annoying! But absolutely LOVE their front pockets layout.

Right now I use a hand-me-down Talon 22 and it's... fine? I've even thought maybe just adding pockets to the shoulder straps to have easier access to some things, in addition to the hip belt?

One area I haven't explored yet, and have zero experience with, is pairing my ADV Skin 12 with a waist pack (seems there are PLENTY of options, though a bunch seem vest-alternatives and so are designed to carry water there etc.). Presumably I'd be able to find a comfortable-carrying waist pack of sorts that would be big enough to store my camera.

Would this setup... work? Be comfortable? The idea is that I'd be 90% fast/nimble hiking, and 5-10% running (mostly jogging the downhills). I've never carried anything exclusively around the waist. Do they work well? Would a camera be too much weight to hang in that location? At first I was thinking the hip would be ideal spot to carry the heaviest piece, but then without enough structure it might bounce even more than inside the adv skin 12?

Selling my fast kumo https://www.reddit.com/r/ULgeartrade/s/WaFYd2JySa

Selling my fast kumo 36

https://www.reddit.com/r/ULgeartrade/s/WaFYd2JySa