Lighter Faster: An Essential Guide to Ultralight Backpacking and Fastpacking

Fastpacking sits at the intersection of trail running and backpacking—moving through the wilderness with everything you need and nothing you don't. Lighter Faster is the practical guide to doing it well.

Whether you're a backpacker ready to shed weight and move faster, a trail runner looking to extend your range into multi-day terrain, or a hiker stepping into the backcountry for the first time, this book gives you the tools to get there.

The book is built in three parts.

Part One is a buying guide. Cut through the noise of the gear market and build a lightweight, capable kit around the Big Three—pack, shelter, and sleeping system—plus clothing, nutrition, and safety essentials. Know what to buy, what to skip, and why every ounce matters.

Part Two is a planning guide. Choose routes that match your fitness and experience. Navigate with maps, compasses, and GPS. Fuel multi-day efforts with calorie-dense nutrition and hydration strategies designed for sustained output. Understand the logistics that turn a good idea into a trip you actually complete.

Part Three is about getting trail ready. Develop the backcountry skills—campsite selection, weather awareness, wildlife protocols, emergency preparedness—that keep hard days from becoming dangerous ones. Train your body and mind for the demands of multi-day movement in remote terrain.

Actionable throughout. Built for the trail, not the coffee table.

The backcountry is waiting. This is how you go.