Bottom Line Up Front
Pros:
- Impressive weight (788g / 1.73 lbs without bladder and rain cover)
- Comfortable with ~15 lbs loaded
- Good airflow on the back
- Comes with 3L hydration bladder and rain cover included
- Solid value at $50
Cons:
- Grab loop is rigid and uncomfortable against the neck
- Removable lower back pads felt odd (though easy to remove)
- Had to reorder after receiving wrong version initially
Why I Tried This Pack
I’ve been running with an Ultimate Direction 20L for overnights, and honestly, I was tired of jamming it full and strapping things to the outside. It just wasn’t making sense for the way I want to pack anymore. I wanted something I could more comfortably fit everything into—30 liters felt like the sweet spot.
I found the INOXTO recommended on a Reddit thread where someone was listing fastpacks they wanted to try.
Getting the Right Pack (Eventually)
Fair warning: they initially sent me the wrong pack—probably a really old version. It was much heavier and looked completely different from the listing. I returned it and reordered, and the second time they sent the correct one. It looks exactly like the Amazon photos and came with a three-liter hydration bladder, hose, and rain cover.
First Run: 5 Miles in the Snow
I tested it this morning on some snowy trails—about five miles in five-degree Fahrenheit weather.
I loaded it up with two five-pound hand weights, a quilt (about a pound and a half), a towel, a small water bottle, my Yaktrax, snow goggles, and an extra hat. Probably around 15 pounds total. It was pretty comfortable.
Before heading out, I removed the hydration bladder and rain cover (I was using my own water bottle).
I also took off the removable lower back pads, they’re velcroed on, and something about them felt a little odd when I put the pack on. During the run, those areas felt warm against my skin, and I was trying to figure out if I was developing hot spots. When I got back and checked my back, no marks or
anything. I think it was just body heat in the cold (it was 7F outside), the pack has good airflow, so where it does contact your back, you notice it.
I like the front pockets on the padded front straps so far – the open pocket held my Pixel 10 phone securely and was easy to get in and out without a lot of bouncing. Both sides have the open pocket and a zipper pocket (unused on this run).
One more note – this pack came with a replacement for the plain waist loop/buckle if you wanted to carry snacks or small items easily accessible near your waist (see picture). Nice option to have and to not pay extra for (unused on this run).
The Grab Loop Problem
One thing I noticed every time I took the pack on or off: the grab loop at the top kept folding back under, pressing against my neck. It’s a piece of nylon cord with rigid plastic over it, and it’s uncomfortable. See the pictures as the top of this review, you can see the loop both “up” and “down”.
I could see just cutting it off. You can carry a 30-liter pack by the straps—it’s not going to be that heavy.
Features and Details
Harness: The front padding is nice. Not super thick, but this is a 30L fastpack—you shouldn’t be carrying a ton of weight in this anyway. Both straps have zippered front pockets (haven’t used those yet) and spandex pockets. My Pixel 10 fit perfectly in one of the spandex pockets.
Attachment points: Lots of tie-ins for trekking poles and other gear. The tie-downs are done really well. There’s probably a lot you could remove if you wanted to shave weight even further.
Storage:
- Roll-top main compartment with a tie-over strap to secure it
- Internal pouch for hydration bladder with a side port for the hose
- Two zippered pouches in the upper-mid area—one has a key holder inside, the other accesses the main
compartment - Bottom zippered pocket where the rain cover lives (labeled “rain cover”—you could probably cut that
tag out if it bothers you)
Frame: There’s an internal frame, which I actually appreciate for a 30L pack. Helps it carry weight better than a frameless design.
Weight Check: After removing the hydration bladder, hose, and rain cover, I weighed the pack at 788 grams (1.73
lbs)—just under their stated weight of 1.75 lbs.
I looked up comparable packs, and even Ultimate Direction’s 30-40L lightweight fastpacks are in a similar weight range (1.52lbs+).
Initial Verdict: For ~$50, I’m really impressed. I was expecting it to be much heavier or feel cheap, and it doesn’t. The comfort with 15 pounds loaded was solid, the airflow is good, and the features are thoughtful. This is my first time using it, so I’ll come back and update after some longer runs. I want to see how
that lower back area holds up over time and test it on some actual overnights.
Check out the INOXTO 30L Fastpack here.