ActiveHiking & WalkingWhat’s fastpacking: the adventure sport that lets you go further, faster, and lighter on the trailsTrail running meets backpacking for one epic adventureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveHiking & WalkingWhat’s fastpacking: the adventure sport that lets you go further, faster, and lighter on the trailsTrail running meets backpacking for one epic adventureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Trail running meets backpacking for one epic adventure
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Canoe, Daniel Burrows, Montane)
(Image credit: Canoe, Daniel Burrows, Montane)
Jump to category:What is fastpackingBenefitsKit listHow to get started
Jump to category:What is fastpackingBenefitsKit listHow to get started
Nothing quite beats a long, leisurely backpacking trip through the wilderness but, these days, our lives are more busy than ever and time is limited. But, what if we told you there’s a way to hike further and see more sights, but in a fraction of the time of a through-hike? Well, there is! It’s calledfastpacking.
You may have come across the term before, especially as more outdoor brands are designing apparel catered towards this type of trek. Fastpacking is a hybrid of trail running and lightweight backpacking rolled into one, and it could be just the thing if you love a little running, buzz off adventure, and have limited time on your hands.
Intrigued to try it yourself? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is fastpacking
“Fastpacking is somewhere between ultra running and lightweight hiking,” saysMontaneAthlete,Katy Parrot, who fastpacked the GR20 across Corsica, the toughest walking route in Europe— it’s 200 kilometres long!
It sounds very similar tospeed hiking, and while the two do have similarities, the main difference is your clothing and footwear choices. “For fastpacking I will generally weartrail running shoes, rather thanhiking boots, so you’ve got the option to run as well,” Katy adds. You’ll also opt for running clothing when fastpacking.
What are the benefits?
(Image credit: Canoe, Daniel Burrows, Montane)
(Image credit: Canoe, Daniel Burrows, Montane)
- See more in less time
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Maybe you don’t have enough holiday left at work to do that seven-day trek you’ve always wanted, or maybe your schedule is too rammed, this is the beauty of fastpacking. You can cover long trails in a matter of days. “It hits the happy medium between covering loads of ground, but without carrying ridiculous amounts of kit,” says Katy. Plus, unlike ultra running, you’ve actually got more time to stop and take in the views, because you’re not against a clock.
- Strengthens your muscles and joints
Fastpacking is great for your cardiovascular system and muscle endurance. The extra weight from your hiking backpack (despite being light) means your upper and lower body muscles will be working harder. Picking up the pace and different elevations will also elevate your heart rate, improving your cardiovascular health and burning more calories.
- It’s far more sociable
Ultra running and talking don’t exactly go hand in hand, especially if you’re trying to clock a good finish time. But, with fastpacking, you have the freedom to do this as your pace varies; you could be hiking up a steep hill, running downhill and jogging on the flat, so there’s plenty of room for socialising and covering lots of ground. Just make sure whoever you go with you really like them.
Fastpacking kit list
The key with fastpacking is to pack only the essentials, the lighter your load the faster you can move on the trails. However, what you pack can vary depending on the duration and type of adventure (you may choose to camp,bivvy, or stay in overnight huts like Katy did whilst fastpacking across Corsica).
Below is Katy’s list of key essentials:
(Image credit: Canoe Inc, Daniel Burrows, Montane)
(Image credit: Canoe Inc, Daniel Burrows, Montane)
How to get started
If you’re completely new to fastpacking, it may be best to buddy up with someone who’s done it before or to seek out a hiking or trail running community in your local area. “If you can find a sort of tribe who are going to be your cheerleaders, that’s a really good place to start,” says Katy.
You don’t have to be superhuman ‘fit’ or spend months training to fastpack either. However, you will want to have a good aerobic capacity, as you’ll be switching between running, jogging, and hiking. If you don’t have a good level of fitness, you may spend the entire time praying for your adventure to come to an end, and that’s no fun.
Make sure you familiarise yourself with your route beforehand, tell someone where you’re going (if venturing alone), and don’t forget the right kit! “I always say there’s no such thing as bad weather, just not the right kit,” says Katy.
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