Head torch
The head torch you should take on a fastpacking trip will depend on how you plan to use it. If you will be doing any night running and hiking, you’ll need something with a powerful output for route-finding and good vision on the trail. Something less powerful and lighter may be sufficient if you are just using it at camp or at your accommodation. Always consider carrying spare batteries.
Top tip
Always carry a head torch on a fastpacking trip, in case you make slower progress than planned and accidentally end up on a trail in the dark or fading light.
Running poles
In mountainous terrain, running poles help enormously with the climbing and technical descents. They reduce effort and impact and help when you’re getting tired. They are also useful for crossing rivers and for testing marshy ground, to see how deep bogs are. There are lightweight poles on the market designed specifically for runners, which can be folded down easily.
Running poles are invaluable in mountainous terrain. (Above Rifugio Genova, Italian Alps)
Clothing
Your clothes will be a significant weight in your pack, and the goal here is to pack minimally while ensuring you have everything you need for the expected conditions. It’s a classic balancing act that requires you to question whether every item has a place on your trip.
While more experienced ultra-runners might manage a hut-to-hut trip carrying only the compulsory kit for the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) race, others might want more gear – but always remember that pack weight will significantly affect your enjoyment of the trip.
General advice
Always take waterproof trousers and jacket, with fully taped seams, even if the forecast looks benign. Conditions can change unexpectedly and hypothermia is potentially fatal. Even if it doesn’t rain, these provide extra insulation and a windproof layer.
Waterproofs should be fully breathable because you will be sweating from running. They will also be subject to increased rubbing from your pack due to your running movement, so it helps to re-proof these regularly.
Merino wool tops are brilliant for fastpacking. They do not smell even after being worn for days, which means that you can usually manage a trip with one or two tops that won’t need hand-washing. They come in different thicknesses and you can get lightweight t-shirts, vests or thicker base layers. You can also get merino underwear and leggings.
Avoid thick seams on tops because these will rub between your pack and skin. Where seams are unavoidable, choose flat-locked seams.
Wear a top that will cover the entire surface area of your pack. Fastpacking in a sports bra or a vest will rub your skin where the pack is in contact with it.
Women should look for seamless sports bras, with close-fitting and flat straps.
Consider cutting out labels to avoid chafing.
Always consider multi-use for different items of gear. A pair of running tights will be travel-wear, evening-wear or running-wear when it’s cold or wet. A fleece top for the evening will be an extra running layer if it gets cold. A Buff could be a beanie, headband, travel towel or wrist sweat-band.
Whatever you wear on your legs, whether shorts, capri or tights, it is critical that these do not chafe.
Carry detergent so you can hand-wash shorts and underwear. This helps to prevent chafing. Technical fabrics will usually dry out overnight. You can also use cord to attach these to your pack to dry during the day.
Do not try anything new. Stick to tried and trusted gear that you are happy with on long runs carrying a pack.
Make sure you’re prepared for quickly changing weather (Reichenbach stream, Switzerland, Route 11) (Photo credit: Chris Councell)
Top tips
Pack for your destination and the worst conditions you might encounter. If it’s 30 degrees outside a city hotel room when you’re packing, don’t forget that in an Alpine hut at 3000m you may see snow even in summer.
Travel wearing your spare running gear and running shoes. Don’t carry around spare clothes for your flight or return journey – this is dead weight. Accept that you will look like a gnarly adventurer from when you leave your front door. This also makes life simple since you have no clothing choices to make!
For overseas trips, if starting and returning to the same place, you can leave a bag of gear at a hotel, airport or train station for your return journey or the rest of your trip.
Footwear
As fastpacking can be done in any environment, footwear should be chosen based on the conditions you will encounter and the distance you plan to travel. Shoes are a highly personal choice, but here is some general advice:
For long distances over multiple days, trail-running shoes with plenty of cushioning and protection are ideal. Protection around the foot and toe box is needed to protect your feet on rocky trails
Cushioning is crucial. Without enough cushioning, days of running on hard trails can bruise the soles of your feet and this can end your trip. Stones and rocks jab up into the soles of your shoes more when you are running with a pack. Inserting Sorbathane insoles into your shoes is good for extra cushioning
On rocky, wet trails, or grass and mud, you will want a shoe with a good traction for that terrain. Trusting the grip on your shoes is crucial to safety and can also make the difference between loving and loathing your trip
Test shoes in the terrain that you are likely encounter, especially if you are heading into mountains. Wearing trail-running shoes on mountain footpaths is very different to walking boots, which usually have better grip on wet rock, plus ankle support
A luxury item is flip-flops or lightweight canvas shoes. These are not essential but it’s nice to get out of running shoes at the end of the day. Many mountain huts provide Croc-type plastic shoes.
Top tip
If you don’t have a second pair of shoes for the evening you can keep your socks dry in damp shoes by wearing plastic bags on your feet – a favourite tip of mountain marathon competitors.
Running gaiters
Running gaiters are handy for keeping stones and debris out of your shoes. They may also help to keep your feet and socks dry.
Micro-spikes
These are worth considering if you think you may encounter any late snow on Alpine routes in the summer. However, they are not adequate for glacier crossings, which would be a whole book chapter on their own.
Waterproof socks
Gore-Tex waterproof socks are great for keeping your feet warmer and drier for longer than ordinary socks, but they’re not cheap. If you only have damp running shoes to wear in the evenings, these will help keep your feet dry. They won’t keep all water out – for example if you ford a stream where the water is above the sockline – and they also take longer to dry out after washing than ordinary socks.
Top tip
Take care with foot placement while fastpacking. On a trip where you’re jogging and hiking all day with weight on your back, rocks and stones jabbing into your feet will start to hurt a lot. Watch the ground and try to land on flat surfaces when you can.
Food
While fastpacking, even if you’re