Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on November 17, 2019, and was updated on September 19, 2020.
Having accessible “pockets” on your pack is useful for keeping little bits of gear handy without taking off your pack.
Fastpackers and FKTers know this well – it makes them incredibly efficient on the trail, allowing them to log long miles in short periods. Not just because they’re moving particularly fast, but because they just keep moving. We talked about this with Jeff Garmire on the last episode of the podcast (Jeff just set the unsupported speed record on the Long Trail).
But fastpacking and ultrarunning packs with lots of easily-accessible pockets on the shoulders and hips are specialty items – they tend to have smaller volumes, and don’t carry much weight well.
One exception is the new Mountainsmith Zerk 40L, which we reviewed recently. It may have the best stock pocket configuration of any pack we’ve ever used. That’s why it’s gaining popularity in the thru-hiking community.
Another approach is to use add-on pouches. Three of my favorites are the ZPacks Multi-Pack, ZPacks FUPA, and Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa because all of them can work as either standalone pouches/packs or integrate with a backpack’s shoulder straps, chest strap, or hip belt. The main reason I want this separability is so I can also use the pouch for traveling away from my campsite – when I go try to bag a peak or go fishing.
Watch this IGTV video to see how I use the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa on the trail:
The following table compares the specs of these three packs, plus a few others from cottage brands Gossamer Gear, Thrupack, and LiteAF.
| Weight | Dimensions | Volume | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZPacks Multi-Pack DCF | 2.9 oz (82 g) | 3" x 8" x 9" (7.5 cm x 20 cm x 23) | 3.5 L | $55 |
| ZPacks FUPA DCF | 2.8 oz (79 g) | 2” x 6” x 8.5” (5 cm x 15.25 cm x 21.5 cm) | 1.7 L | $65 |
| Hyperlite Versa DCF | 4.2 oz (119 g) | 2.25" x 6" x 9" (5.7 cm x 15.25 cm x 23 cm) | 2.25 L | $70 |
| LiteAF Fanny Pack DCF | 2.2 oz (62 g) | 2.75" x 4" x 8" | 1.4 L | $40 |
| Gossamer Gear Hipster Nylon | 1.9 oz (54 g) | 3" x 5.75" x 9" (7.6 cm x 14.6 cm x 22.7 cm) | 1.0 L | $19 |
| Thrupack Summit Bum | 3.5 oz (99 g) | 3" x 5" x 10" (8 cm x 13 cm x 25 cm) | 3.0 L | $45 |
This summer I used a LiteAF Fanny Pack on a 9-day backpacking trip in the Sierras and stowed some minor essentials in it while on trail runs out of my campsites. Its small size made it great for running, but limited the amount of gear I could take in it. My preference today is the Versa, for its reasonable capacity, organization capabilities, integration with my backpack’s chest strap, and stable shape that keeps it from bouncing around when worn as a bum pack, or in front.
Here’s the gear I typically store in my pouch while it’s attached to my pack:
- Miniature sunscreen/lip balm stick
- Insect repellent in a tiny dropper bottle (+ a headnet if it’s the peak of bug season)
- Microfiber cloth for cleaning my sunglasses
- My satellite communicator
- My phone/camera
- A tiny notebook and pen for writing notes
- That portion of a paper map for the section I’m currently hiking
- Electrolyte/hydration kit – a 16 oz water bottle, bottle filter, and some electrolyte tablets
- A few hours of Calories in easy-to-eat packaged snacks.
When I go on a short day hike away from camp, I’m typically packing the same stuff, but I’ll add a wind shirt as well. When I take it fishing, I’ll add a few flies and an extra tenkara line.
So as you plan your strategy for maximum efficiency on the trail, consider this:
- Be as efficient as possible by keeping the gear you use on the trail accessible without taking your pack off.
- Consider adding an accessory pouch that serves as a multi-use item like the Multi-Pack, FUPA, and Versa that can also be worn independently of the pack, for wearing around camp and for excursions away from camp.
What other types of “multi-pack” and “accessory-pouch” strategies do you use to increase your on-trail and in-camp efficiency?
Discussion
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Can’t believe the Gossamer Gear Bumster was left out of the update…shame shame.
Actually the GG Hipster (-2 ounces) is what I use as a belly pack with  my backpack. I seem to have an earlier iteration.Big enough for a soft water bottle or a smallish water bottle, plus Steripen and maybe a light lunch.
This was a blast from the past.  Still don’t care for a loaded chest pack, especially after meeting my first Green Mojave rattlesnake on a trail this past June.  I like being able to see my feet, the peripheral bushes/trail edges.
OTOH, used a small Zerk pack for an overnighter, and really enjoyed those smaller nested shoulder pouches for drink mixes, etc.. so I didn’t have to rummage through my main pack.
Also the hip pack (aka fanny pack) is coming back into vogue now even for urban wear. Â Â I have the Patagonia regular fabric version in high viz as to see it when breaking down camp (also use it under my Xlite to help keep the latter from the shelter wall) but also worry about the zip busting one of these days.
On a recent 2-day trip on the Trans La Sal trail near Moab Utah, I tried carrying two 700mL water bottles in shoulder strap pouches, plus 1L in a rear side pocket, since I was not confident in finding frequent reliable water sources after studying maps. I like having the bottles easier to access and to see how much water I’ve drank.
I found that for me, instead of being more comfortable by balancing the load, it made my shoulders SORE from having weight pulling down on my shoulder straps that couldn’t be shifted by “load lifter” straps. Two notes about my experience: I think that my shoulders are more sensitive to load than most backpackers I’ve gone with (I transfer all vertical force to my hips), and I am used to using trail running vests with two collapsible water bottles on the shoulder straps, but those are only 500mL each and the straps are wider (though not padded).
Maybe I need to try again, using smaller 500mL bottles? My shoulders were just barely sore near the end of day 2, so that reduction may be just enough for me.
Just a potential “watch out” for some people.
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