Fastpacking Gear

[Dan Johnson]

Just curious if there is really a difference between fastpacking gear and ultralight gear? And if so could someone please point me in the direction of a good Fastpacking article/website/blog/gear list anything.

Thanks everyone!

[Rog Tallbloke]

Being from the UK, I'm not sure what the term "fastpacking" means anyway. Taken literally though, it gives rise to a thought about lightweight gear in general, and the compromises involved. I'm prepared to carry a couple more ounces on an item if it means I'm not wasting hill time babying fragile or fiddly equipment.

[Roger Caffin]

There are NO definitions.

A few people have tried to promote the term 'fastpacking' in competition with UL and SUL, but it hasn't caught on.

Cheers

[Chris Morgan]

Sorry Roger, but you're wrong.

UL is 12-25lb baseweight
SUL is 8-12lb baseweight
XUL is 5-8lb baseweight
SXUL is below 5lb baseweight
Fast packing is SXUL plus maintaining a 4.5mph pace over 14 hours each day consuming more than 1350 calories per hour.

[Rog Tallbloke]

Sounds like a quick way to lose weight, unless the superdooperlight baseweight is overpowered with heavyweight amounts of food.

[Here There]

"Sorry Roger, but you're wrong.

UL is 12-25lb baseweight
SUL is 8-12lb baseweight
XUL is 5-8lb baseweight
SXUL is below 5lb baseweight
Fast packing is SXUL plus maintaining a 4.5mph pace over 14 hours each day consuming more than 1350 calories per hour."

I got a chuckle out of that Chris, since I have a different definition for all of those, implying that there are indeed no firm definitions.

[Mat Tallman]

"UL is 12-25lb baseweight
SUL is 8-12lb baseweight
XUL is 5-8lb baseweight
SXUL is below 5lb baseweight"

I think pretty much all of this is at odds with what most people on here would tell you…
Seems like all of it is silly arbitrary definitions of nothing though, as I think Roger was speaking to. If I only consume 1349 calories/hr, hike 13 hours, and pace out at 4.4 mph, I'm not a fastpacker; yep pretty arbitrary.

[Terry Trimble]

So I guess in Fast packing you average a 13.33 mile just a little faster you are running a slow paced mile or you could realistically beat the 24 hour cut off point in the western states 100 race for fun . In less you want to beat the course record of 15 hour 7 minute become a ultra marathoner.
Terry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_States_Endurance_Run

[Ken K]

>> UL is 12-25lb baseweight
>> SUL is 8-12lb baseweight
>> XUL is 5-8lb baseweight

Woo hoo! Suddenly I'm UL and pretty close to SUL! Man, I'm good!

And here I've spent hours pouring over the my gear and technique… Turns out your way was MUCH easier.

And for now I'm going to put 14 pounds in the RRSDUL category (really, really super-dooper ultralight).

[Dan Johnson]

Alright so I guess "definitions" is a touchy word :) but I have noticed that it seems "fastpackers" or "SUL's" use some pretty cool techniques to get the most mileage of of there gear per weight. I'm just looking for some more good ideas. I found Matt's Polycryo Tube Tent idea awesome and I'm seriously thinking about making one. Since I never really do trips longer than 1 night I could really shave some weight off my current "blue tarp" shelter and still be bug free.

So to get back to my original question: Where are some good resources on the web to check out?

[Link .]

http://matthewkirk.blogspot.com/2011/01/fastpack-gear.html

[Brian Lindahl]

Pretty sure fastpacking just means trail running mixed with backpacking. If that requires you do go SUL, then so-be-it.

[Hiking Malto]

"Fast packing is SXUL plus maintaining a 4.5mph pace over 14 hours each day consuming more than 1350 calories per hour."
Could you reference an official source for this. I use the term fastpacking when describing trips where maximum mileage is the goal. 4.5mph average is not hiking it's trail running. I cant even maintain a 4.5 mph pace and I am a very fast hiker. Also I wouldn't consider gear selection or an arbitrary limit to apply, it's more of mindset.

[James Neal]

I'm relatively new to this light weight backpacking and I'm curious about who would have the "authority" to set these definitions? Is there some sort of organization? I have been backpacking for nearly 40 years and what has always attracted me to it is that I am only competing with myself. I say HYOH.

[Ken Thompson]

Fastpacking. Marketing BS originated by Go Lite? Who's name is also now marketing BS.

[Here There]

"So to get back to my original question: Where are some good resources on the web to check out?"

To start with I recommend posting your current gear list to the "Gear Lists" section along with the kinds of trips you have in mind. That will help people tailor recommendations to your needs and interests. If you have questions about particular pieces of gear or particular techniques, we have forum areas for those as well.

[Bob Gross]

As Roger stated, there are no official rules, at least not yet.

Come back in another forty years and there may be rules.

When I started this almost thirty years ago, anybody was called ultralightweight if they had 20 pounds of total load or less. Once I got below 15 pounds, I guess I rated. We didn't even have digital scales back then, so we weighed things with difficulty.

–B.G.–

[Bob Gross]

"Fastpacking. Marketing BS originated by Go Lite? Who's name is also now marketing BS."

Darn it, Ken. Marketing people have to have something constructive to do! Adding new words to our vocabulary is like adding to the Gross National Product.

–B.G.–

[Link .]

http://www.users.uswest.net/~cirnielsen/wind88.html

[Link .]

http://krudmeister.blogspot.com/

[Link .]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwko3ir8wdQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[Mat Tallman]

"I'm relatively new to this light weight backpacking and I'm curious about who would have the "authority" to set these definitions? Is there some sort of organization? I have been backpacking for nearly 40 years and what has always attracted me to it is that I am only competing with myself. I say HYOH."

Exactly, there are no consensus definitions on these things, nor (do I believe) should there be, short of setting yourself a goal for base weight to see if you can meet it. Using it as a bragging right, as is often done, seems silly and arbitrary to me. If 15 pounds of gear yields a rewarding experience for you, great. If 5 pounds flips your skirt, run with it. Not sure why, as human beings, we can never be satisfied with something unless we have a means of labeling it.

As you said, hike your own hike.

[James Neal]

Thanks, Bob. I apologize for the rabbit chasing.

I have to say that I have learned a lot in a short time here and spent a lot of money. However, my trips are much more enjoyable now that I don't feel like a pack mule.

I agree. IMHO I think there are already enough rules out there as it is.

[Bob Gross]

"I apologize for the rabbit chasing."

You can chase rabbits all you want. I prefer to play dead like a limp leaf and let the rabbits come to me.

–B.G.–

[b willi jones]

i dont give a f*#@ what you call it, what the gear manufacturers would like you to call it, or what weight bracket you are trying to fit into as long as you are out there gettin amongst it

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