Skyline 30 Fastpack

I was intrigued by fastpacking after watching a few YouTubes videos and decided to take the plunge and buy OV’s Skyline 30. Initially I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it and it took me about a month before I tested it out on an overnight trip. Finally, I used the Skyline 30 this past weekend, and I’m really satisfied with how great the backpack feels and the ability to move around nimble. In the beginning the shoulder straps were bothering, after a few quick adjustments, the slight discomfort went away. I didn’t trail run with the fastpack because my friend was using a regular backpacking pack. Nevertheless, it did what the pack was designed to do, move faster and nimble. The fastpack at first glance can be deceptive because it gives the appearance that you can’t carry a kit, but I was wrong. I was able to carry my sleeping kit, food, stove with gas canister, sleeping clothes, and other essential items. If I can change anything about the fastpack it would the flask, I would make the drinking cap lockable, because any type of pressure it makes a leak, perhaps it was user error. Overall, I’m satisfied with the fastpack, I hope OV designs a 50 or 60L backpack with running style vest strap in the future.

The Skyline 30 Fastpack is an excellent choice for short backcountry hiking trips and mountain biking, performing reliably across a variety of conditions. It rides high and stays secure, with chest straps that make it especially well-suited for biking, hiking, and fastpacking. It is impressively lightweight while still using durable materials that hold up well in rugged environments. For longer trips, I use my CS 40 which is a great option, but the Skyline 30 stands out as an ideal pack for weekend adventures. I highly recommend as a reliable addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s gear lineup.

I don't run. But, this is an amazing pack for day hikes and it definitely speeds me up. Love it!

I have taken this pack on 2 fast hikes. 1- 50+ mile on the PCT and 1- 25 mile High Unitah Mountain trek. It was the perfect size, well made, perfect fit for mobility on some necessary climbing portions of the trail. I was able to fit well my stormloft quilt, pad, tent for 2, small cook kit, some extra cloths, and water...all weighing in at 25#.

I’ve been using the Skyline 30 Fastpack, and I’m seriously impressed. It’s incredibly lightweight yet still offers enough room for everything I need on fast hikes. The design is thoughtful—pockets are well-placed, the materials feel durable, and it fits really comfortably even after hours on the trail.

What really stood out to me was how stable it feels while moving fast. It’s clear this pack was designed by people who actually get outside and use their gear.

Highly recommend for anyone looking for a minimalist, high-performance pack!

Looking forward to taking it on even more adventures.

First day both cinch straps let go... neither were sewn in. Seams are not sewn well. Maybe it was just this one. Better off spending more money and getting a quality pack. Sizing is questionable.

I recently dialed my full comfort gear down to the Fastpacker’s weigh of 10lbs, not to run trails but to continue to be a backpacker as I turn 70 later this summer. I also liked that your Skyline 30 loads up my shoulders & chest vs. my lower back & hips which tends to aggravate my sciatica. I recently did a long overnight at Guadalupe National Park (GUMO) where I needed to carry an additional 4 liters of water beyond the 3 liters typical of the Skyline 30’s two 500ml Liters Flasks and a 2 Liter internal bladder; for a total of 7 Liters. For that I used a Sea to Summit 4 Liter WaterCell which slipped into the Skyline 30 like it was designed to fit. With dehydrated food that took my full weight up to 28lbs which was beyond your recommended 20lbs but the pack still performed perfectly; of course in the course of the two days as I consumed the water the pack did quickly drop back to your recommended guidelines. What was great was GUMO has some wonderful backcountry campsites which I have not been able to reach due to pack weight & lack of water in the past few years. So thank you for designing a pack for your targeted Trail Runner audience which has the unintended consequences of helping us Senior Backpacker stay on trail!

Upon arriving in Colorado, our outfitter had us climb Mt. Elbert (14,438'). The OV Fast Pack easily accommodated 4 liters of water, snacks, lunch and extra clothes needed for the cold temperatures at the summit. It did not bounce like other small packs. Everyone in my group was asking where I got it. I found the Fast Pack to be very comfortable with easy access to the two 500-ml water bladders. I would highly recommend this product.

Two Teenage Girls
One Dad
Two Fastpacks
4 Days
One EPIC Adventure

This pack is well thought out with lots of pockets. I will say it does take some time to get used to a frameless fast pack after using a Gregory Juno framed pack for so many years! I took it up for an inaugural fast hike in the Rockies and I was pleased to say I had everything at my fingertips and I actually forgot I had it on a few times. You need to play with the straps a bit to get fit right and I can fit all my essentials to be safe for 15-20 km out on trail for the day. I tried to fit my backpacking gear but alas I am not that ultralight yet so this pack will have to do for day hikes! I am happy with this pack.

This review comes from approximately 30, 10-50 miles jaunts with it this past year olus. So I have a lot of packs for any little variation of what I'm doing. I bought this pack to check off my ultralight fast packing box. I was just thru hiking the Superior Hiking trail (310 miles and my weight with water was 25 lbs. Kind of the upper limit with this pack.But would get lighter each day. I have always liked the collapsible water bottles, the strap pockets work well but the little bottles they provide need to be switched out right away. Great food and gps pockets as well. The top loading and roll up closure is solid and the big back stretchy pocket amd two side stretch pockets are amazing and really roomy. Very cool pouch under the pack too for my tiny therarest! Fits perfectly. There are a few design issues. Because of its narrow profile, the lower part of fhe straps connect around your body ( unless you're a 145 pound man or less) and that connection is very rough and rubs. No big deal for 3-4 hr hikes but anything longer you will gets sores. It like the problem the late 1990s old camelbaks had. Now the straps do prevent the packs from bouncing nicely but since the waist strap is for stability and not support it doesn't do the best job coupled with the mesh on the foam back pad is very slippery. That's a weird problem I've never experienced. So the pack slides back and forth a lot (but doesnt bounce) with more than 10 pounds in it. My abrasions were bloody this week. I know this stands out be cause of how light it is, but you will want to buy the strap on should pads. There is no padding at all and they cut in. Lastly, if you are using this for fast trekking or ultralight stuff, you'll sweat. The back padding is extremely minimal ( it's just thin foam) and it is full of hole.( not sure why, it doesn't let air through) and the pack is not water proof, so your sweat goes directly into the pack and whatever you're carrying.. I'd give this pack a B-.The pack is super light with good pockets but definitely lacks comfort just to "make weight". Don't be a gram counter and sacrifice prolonged comfort. This will be relegated to point of interest hikes from the car for now on.

I've only trained with OVS30 so far. My 85 miles in 3 days of the Susquehannock Trail in PA isnt until June. But so far so GOOD. I'll know more after my trip. So take my review as you may.

The nr 1 pack for Running( Pa’lantes Joey nr 2). Lays high up on my back.. no more chafing on my love handles. Does not bounce around. Easy acces pockets. The vest system very comfortable. I’ve got only 2 suggestions for improvement. The buckles to close the harness could be a tic bigger. Running im winter and difficult to close the with gloves on. The cords(?) to close the front pocket broke after about 100 miles of use( see picture) an easy fix with a needle and thread but a weaj point it is. BUT.. a one of a kind pack. Thank you. / Robert

This is by far my favorite pack. I have taken out on multiple trips now. It carries well, so long as it's packed well. One gripe I have with it is the shoulder strap design. The edges of the straps drive into my body after a long eight hour hike. Once I take my shirt off and look at my chest I can see red marks from the edges of the straps. I don't know how else this could be reinforced, perhaps more padding as that is simply nonexistent in the straps. However, I don't usually have a problem with this until it's been an eight hour plus hike. I've yet to stretch it out on other trips, such as one nighters and trail running missions, though I am excited to put it to the test for this summer. Regardless, it did pass the winter season, which is primarily why I got it. How will it hold up on a running mission? I think fairly well. I'm giving it a four out of five because the comfort is there until I spend a long time in it which is what it's ment for. Other than that though, I feel like a race car out there. I never have to stop for a single thing. All of what I need is on my chest. Additionally with the upgrades I made in the water flasks, I get water so easily, it's awesome! Very nice pack.

I only did a small 12k to test it but it was fully loaded with 3 day / 20lbs load and it was hard to believe how little it was moving and how light it felt.

I have several "fastpacks" backpacks/vests that I have used through the years but the Skyline rises above them all! The fit and comfort of the skyline is awesome, and you hardly notice you are wearing it at all.
I think the biggest issue I have struggled with in fastpacks is the balance. What I mean is just some work well as vests and others work best at being a backpack.
The Skyline 30 Fastpack is the best of both in one very lightweight and comfortable package! Seriously, try it out for yourself! You will be happy you did!

I purchased this because I wanted a larger carrying capacity than my 20L. I’ve worn it on a number of trail runs to see how it feels with a base weight of 10lbs. With a number of fitment adjustments it barely moves. I also loaded it fully (about 20 lbs) for a 25-mile hike. I did have to readjust the straps with the heavier load and couldn’t quite find the sweet spot for heavy carries, though I expect that will come in time.

I appreciate what OV is doing in the ultralight and fastpacking space and recommend their products.

I became aware of fast packing last year and wanted to add a fast pack to my arsenal. After completing my through hike of the AT this year on 117 days I knew I would need to make fast packing a part of my regular life in order to scratch my hiking itch. I carried the Mountainsmith zero 40 for the majority of my through hike and really liked the running vest but missed the bottom pocket of my HMG Unbound 40. I also felt like 40 liters was too large for a fast pack so when I saw the Skylite I had to have it! I just had it out this past weekend for a short trip with my wife and son. The pack carried like a dream even with more weight in it than I would normally carry for a 2 day 1 night fast packing trip as I was carrying the bulk of everyone's food. I'm looking forward to getting some longer days in with this pack in the upcoming months.