GEAR REVIEWS
Gear for Your Adventure
ULTIMATE DIRECTION FASTPACK 25
The first requirement for a multi day trail event is a robust, lightweight bag to carry all your mandatory gear. And the Ultimate Direction Fastpack series ticks all the boxes for me. It comes in different capacities and sizes for a range of event requirements and different body types, including women's specific models for smaller frames.
What I really like about this bag is that is has fantastic weight distribution. I have carried up to 8kgs in the Fastpack 25 with no discomfort or chafing. It also seems next to indestructible - mine has seen sand, ice, mud and airport baggage handing without a problem at all.
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Technical Details:
Sizing at Chest (Unisex):
S/M: 64 cm - 102 cm
M/L: 76 cm - 122 cm
Measure wearing the clothes you intend to wear
A pack full of gear will fit smaller
Secured Volume: 24L / 1465 in3
Unsecured Volume: 5.2L / 317 in3
Total Volume: 29.2L / 1782 in3
Weight: 19.43 oz / 555g
Dimensions: 27.6" x 11" x 8.3" / 70 cm x 28 cm x 21 cm
Materials:
MonoRip Mesh: Breathable, non-stretch, and hydrophobic - this lightweight monofilament mesh is ideal for bounce-free load carrying
100D Robic Triple-Ripstop: High-tenacity nylon for strength and durability
Power Span Stretch Mesh: High-strength, durable stretch mesh allows you to see inside pocket to view contents
LEKI MICRO TRAIL PRO
Whether you choose to use poles is a personal thing, but for me they are essential to help with the uphill, provide extra security on the downhill and to preserve my hips and knees to continue on through days 3, 4 and 5.
The ideal poles for multiday races are lightweight, foldable and designed specifically for trail running and light hiking to propel you forward (rather than your standard hiking poles which are designed to help support heavy pack weight).
My choice is the Leki Micro Trail Pro. They come in 6 sizes and it is important to have someone size you correctly - they are not adjustable. For me, the set length is important because I have had a very bad run of adjustable pole mechanisms breaking or failing when confronted with too much sand, mud and water - and this is to be avoided when in the wilderness on a multi day event! The Micro Trail Pro has a comfortable cork handle that can cope with sweaty hands and titanium tips that have no problem with ice, sand or trail.
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Technical Details:
Packed Dimensions: 37L x 10W x 10H cm
Material: 100% Carbon (HM)
Length: Fixed
Grip: Trigger Shark 2.0 (2-Component)
Weight: 0.195 Kg (each)
Warranty: Lifetime | 10 Years Availability on Parts