Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 Running Backpack

Ready for the miles ahead

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Ultimate Direction

Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 Running Backpack

$319.90

Fastpacking · 41.0 L · 715 g

Colour: Spruce

Size: S/M

Size chart packs

This chart applies to Ultimate Direction running vests and vest-style packs. Aarn packs are one-size with an adjustable harness, so no chart needed; see the fit notes on the product page, or come in and we'll fit it with weight in it.

Running vests are sized by chest circumference so the load sits tight and bounce-free. Measure your chest, match the band below, then confirm against the size tab on the specific product; models vary and the women-specific Vesta runs a touch narrower.

How to measure your chest

Wrap a soft tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades.
Keep it level and snug, not tight. Breathe normally.
Match to the band below. On a boundary, the adjustable sternum straps mean either works: size down for a racier fit, up for layering.

Ultimate Direction vest sizing

Size	Chest (cm)	Chest (in)
XS	73-84	29-33
S	80-92	31-36
M	84-100	33-39
L	94-114	37-45
XL	100-127	39-50

Women-specific Vesta models run slightly narrower (XS from ~70 cm chest). Some packs (e.g. Fastpack) use S/M and M/L bands rather than single sizes; check the product size tab. Source: Ultimate Direction vest size chart.

S/M M/L

Quantity:

✓ Ships from Taupō · ✓ Easy 30-day returns · ✓ Covered by the manufacturer's warranty

Description

The Fastpack 40 has UD's best weight-to-capacity ratio for longer adventures over rugged terrain: it fits like a vest, with water bottles up front, but distributes weight like a pack. Infiknit™ and FastFlow keep the back panel breathable, and a roll-top opening plus a full-side external zip give access to everything inside. 40-litre capacity.

FEATURES

Large front storage for water, phone, maps, glasses, or food
Unique zip-down main compartment for total access to gear
Roll-top closure expands or compresses to secure varying capacities
Large external stretch mesh pockets for quick access
Sliding rail sternum straps
Removable and height-adjustable T-hook waistbelt for heavier loads
Easy access pocket with keyfob
MonoRip Mesh is very strong, but extremely breathable.
Water bottles not included

SPECS

Volume: 40.0 L / 2440.95 in³
Height: 49.5 cm / 19.5"
Width: 27.9 cm / 11.0"
Length: 19.7 cm / 7.8"
Weight: 0.715 kg / 1.58 lbs

Sizing at Chest:

SM/MD: 66 - 99 cm / 26 - 39 in
MD/LG: 91.5 - 122 cm / 36 - 48 in

Maximum Torso Length Sizing (measure at the high point at top of shoulder down to the natural waist):

SM/MD: 43 cm / 17 in
MD/LG: 47 cm / 18.5 in

MATERIALS

100% polyester

Shipping, returns & Click and Collect

Ships from our Taupō warehouse, typically 2–4 working days NZ-wide. Free Click & Collect from the Taupō showroom. Easy 30-day returns on unused gear. Covered by the manufacturer's warranty against defects.

Ultimate Direction Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 Running Backpack

$319.90

The honest take

Best for

Fastpacking: longer adventures over rugged backcountry terrain

Specs

Specifications for Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 Running Backpack
Volume	41.0 LAll-day capacity: supported ultras, fastpacking and big missions.
Weight	715 g
Load system	Rear-load fastpack + vest-style front harness; roll-top + full-side external zipper; removable height-adjustable T-hook waistbelt for heavier loads; daisy chains for extra gear
Torso fit	S/M chest 64-102 cm (25-40 in); M/L chest 76-122 cm (30-48 in)
Pockets	15 exterior pockets: front harness storage (water/phone/maps/food), 2 large side pockets for larger water vessels, large external stretch mesh pockets, zip-down main compartment, key-fob pocket
Hydration	Reservoir compatible: Yes (not included); front harness + 2 large side pockets carry bottles (no bottles included)
Pole carry	Yes
Best for	Fastpacking: longer adventures over rugged backcountry terrain

Specs published by the manufacturer.

Details + technologies

Brand technologies, in plain English

Ultimate DirectionAdjustable Sternum Straps

Height-adjustable chest straps hook onto rails to fine-tune the fit and stop the front load bouncing.

UD uses adjustable sternum straps across the range: "dynamic sternum straps with hook closure [that] allow for full chest expansion without bounce" on race vests, and "static sternum straps [that] give bounce-free stability for larger loads" on bigger packs. Benefit: dial in the fit and kill front-of-chest bounce as your load changes through a run.

Ultimate DirectionStretch Mesh Pockets

Stretchy open mesh pockets on the front and sides let you stuff gels, gloves or a flask on the move.

UD vests carry "stretch mesh shove-it pockets" plus a "stretch back passthrough pocket… accessible from both sides." Benefit: quick, one-handed stashing with no zip to fumble. Trade-off: open mesh isn't as secure or weatherproof as the zippered chest pockets.

Ultimate DirectionRoll-Top Load System

A roll-top that cinches down or expands with your load, with side-zip access and a comfy pack harness.

The Fastpacks use a "roll-top closure [that] expands or compresses to secure varying capacities," plus a "full, external side zipper" and a harness that "combines Infiknit seamless harness technology with Fastflow breathability." Benefit: one pack that scales from a light day out to a loaded overnighter. Trade-off: a roll-top is less instantly grab-able than a lidded pack.

Every technology explained in plain English. Supplier claims stay clearly labelled as theirs.

Find Your Path Tool

Gear Compare

Volume, load and fit. Vests against vests, never against a tramping pack.

Like-for-like only: Packs fastpack. In-stock, fully-specced options are shown first; swap any column below.

Compare Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 Running Backpack with similar packs fastpack products you can choose
	This product Ultimate Direction Fastpack 40 Running Backpack $319.90 In stock	Compare with Aarn Pace Magic 40 $350.00 In stock	Compare with Aarn Pace Magic 30 $300.00 In stock
Volume	41.0 L	40.0 L	30.0 L
Weight	715 g	850 g	810 g
Load system	Rear-load fastpack + vest-style front harness; roll-top + full-side external zipper; removable height-adjustable T-hook waistbelt for heavier loads; daisy chains for extra gear	Aarn balance-pocket harness	Aarn balance-pocket harness
Torso fit	S/M chest 64-102 cm (25-40 in); M/L chest 76-122 cm (30-48 in)	One size, adjustable 42–56 cm back length; hip belt fits 75–117 cm	One size; hip belt fits 75–117 cm
Pockets	15 exterior pockets: front harness storage (water/phone/maps/food), 2 large side pockets for larger water vessels, large external stretch mesh pockets, zip-down main compartment, key-fob pocket	Front balance pockets + stretch stash	Front balance pockets + stretch stash
Hydration	Reservoir compatible: Yes (not included); front harness + 2 large side pockets carry bottles (no bottles included)	Bladder attachment loop and tube exit; two 750 ml mesh pockets on the shoulder straps	Bladder attachment loop and tube exit; two 750 ml mesh pockets on the shoulder straps
Pole carry	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best for	Fastpacking: longer adventures over rugged backcountry terrain	Aarn's fastpacking and thru-hiking pack: happy on anything from a day walk to multi-day missions.	Built for fast-and-light adventures: fastpacking, adventure racing, the Camino or big day walks.

Pack fit is worth 20 minutes in person. Book a fitting in Taupō.