How to get started fastpacking

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THERE IS NO ROOM in a fastpacker’s pack for comforts like Lexan wine glasses, solar showers, or gourmet trail food, so it’s certainly not for every backpacker. But by using a combination of trail running and hiking, fastpackers can travel upwards of 30 miles a day.

Hardcores take it even further and travel without tents or stoves, fueling themselves with energy bars, cold instant coffee, and jerky, while making shelters out of tarps or sleeping on the ground.

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As grueling as fastpacking may sound, you won’t need to rest as much, and may actually enjoy carrying a pack more if you lighten your load. Without distractions like GPS and multi-tools, you’ll likely find it easier to connect with your environment too.

Essential Gear

Basically, fastpackers strive to cover as much distance as they can in as little time as possible by carrying only the essentials.

You’ll need to get a lightweight backpack and limit your gear to a sleeping bag, shelter, food, and water. Any lightweight daypack will do, but shoot for a model that weighs less than 3 pounds and holds 20-30 liters, such as Black Diamond’s Octane Pack.

Choose a lightweight sleeping bag and sleep in your clothes to cut the amount of insulation you’ll need. To drop even more weight, leave the sleeping pad at home or try out an ultralight inflatable mattress.

You can create a decent shelter out of a tarp or a poncho, but if you absolutely cannot go without a tent, find a lightweight single wall tent that weighs no more than 3 pounds.

Where to Go It>John Muir Trail in California is a fastpacking classic.