Ultimate Direction Fastpack 30

[LakeMcD]

Does anyone have any experience with the UD Fastpack 30? I did a quick search and only pulled up one reference in our forum. I'm looking into possibly switching from a day pack to a vest type pack. I like the idea of those pockets up front but really have no experience with these types of packs.

For reference I usually take either a Talon 22 or 33 on my caminos. When I take the 33 I have a good amount of extra capacity that is not used. I also prefer to carry the light camino loads on my shoulder rather than transfer it to my hips.

 

[klimmo]

loved it! walked the CP litoral and espiritual with it last october. comfortable, plenty of room for my stuff (still managed to bring too much). loved the access to my water flasks, phone etc. I absolutely recommend!

 

[LakeMcD]

loved it! walked the CP litoral and espiritual with it last october. comfortable, plenty of room for my stuff (still managed to bring too much). loved the access to my water flasks, phone etc. I absolutely recommend!

Thanks for the reply, I'm curious of the differences between it and a more traditional pack. Does it carry weight differently, is it less breathable. The front pockets look very handy, but if you are leaving a pack outside to go in for coffee etc, do you find yourself perpetually takin stuff out of those nifty pockets. Do you size it more according to your chest size rather than back length.

 

[klimmo]

Hi, I'll try to anwer yous questions, but I guess my best advise would be for you to go to a sportshop and try on some racevests. This is similar but bigger. It's a bit of a different concept to a normal backpack.

It fits snuggly around your torso, there's two straps to tighten it. these straps you can adapt to your personal preferences. there's a third one for your waist, that i don't use. the women's version has a shorter back length but as I am quite tall I chose the men's one.

I never leave a bag outside, but as any bag you can prop it up. i am travelling light so phone, small purse and passport are all I'd have on hand to take out of it.

i loved the rolldown top, and the big expandable pocket on the front.

Hope this gives you a better idea?

 

[klimmo]

I dug through my photos to see if I can give you a better idea. (Thank you for that, lovely to go back there!)

1. bag fully packed
2. everything I brought
3. frontal view (in front of the cathedral )

 

[LakeMcD]

I dug through my photos to see if I can give you a better idea. (Thank you for that, lovely to go back there!)

1. bag fully packed
2. everything I brought
3. frontal view (in front of the cathedral )

Very helpful thank you. None of my local shops carry the pack so I will have to order one to try on. Luckily we have a small but very friendly REI store. Everything I read online is about sizing has to do with chest measurement by the l lower rib area instead of back length like traditional packs. I wonder if this i because runners prize a pack that doesn't swing and bounce about. As a non runner who is using it to hike in I wonder if back length is more the way to go.

 

[klimmo]

Happy to hear that was useful to you. You wouldnt want the back length to be too long. the comfort comes from it being snug around the torso, if it gets too long it'll just hang on your back without the hip support of a normal pack. I hope that helps!