Fastpack > Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Fastpack Review

Who The Skyline 30 Fastpack Is For

This is for someone who wants a fastpack that disappears while you move. If you’re doing long trail runs, day hikes that stretch past what a handheld or waist pack can support, or short fastpacking overnights with a truly ultralight kit, this pack was built for exactly that. It works for a base weight under 10 pounds and a hard ceiling of 20 pounds total, so it fits people who’ve already trimmed their gear list down.

Who The Skyline 30 Fastpack Isn't For

If you’re still carrying a traditional backpacking kit with a heavier tent, a thick sleeping bag, or a bear canister, this pack will fight you the whole way. It’s not a load hauler. It’s also not the pack to reach for if you need guaranteed waterproofing in sustained rain since the fabric is water resistant, not waterproof.

Skyline 30 Fastpack Quick Review

I run, hike, and backpack almost entirely in Texas or Arkansas humidity, which means I’ve thrown out more gear reviews in my head than I’ve written, because most packs that feel fine in a cool dry test somewhere out west turn into a swamp on my back an hour into a Gulf Coast afternoon.

The Skyline’s EVA foam back panel is cut with real open space, not just perforated foam, and that matters more here than almost anywhere else it’ll get tested. On a 12 mile trail effort in July heat, my back still sweats, everyone’s does, but the airflow keeps it from turning into the kind of soaked, chafed mess I’ve dealt with on packs that trap heat against your spine.

The vest style harness is the other piece that earns its keep on longer efforts. It distributes weight across your chest instead of yanking down on your shoulders, and once you’ve adjusted the dual sternum straps to sit right, it stops moving with you instead of against you. On a flat, humid, unglamorous Texas trail, that stability is the difference between mile 10 feeling fine and mile 10 feeling like a fight.

The two included Hydrapak soft flasks live in the harness pockets right at chest level, which sounds small until you’re the person who used to stop every water break to dig a bottle out of a side pocket. Now I just grab and go. That’s the whole point of a fastpack, and this one actually delivers it.

Pros to the Skyline 30 Fastpack

• Genuinely low bounce even loaded near capacity, thanks to the compression webbing and sternum straps
• Breathable back panel that holds up in real heat and humidity, not just a lab test
• Grab and go access to water and small gear without stopping or taking the pack off
• Two Hydrapak soft flasks included at no extra cost
• 26 liters of total volume in a package that weighs about 20.6 ounces empty
• Trekking pole and ice ax loops if your trail work extends past summer

Cons to the Skyline 30 Fastpack

• Water resistant only, rated to 1500mm HH, so a real downpour will get through, so use a liner!
• Soft flasks can’t be returned separately for sanitary reasons, so check fit before you commit
• Not built for loads over 20 pounds, so it’s the wrong tool if your kit hasn’t gone ultralight yet
• Duraflex plastic hardware works fine but isn’t the metal buckle feel some hikers prefer

The Skyline 30 Fastpack Is Best For:

Long trail runs and day hikes past the range of a handheld or waist pack, or a short, truly ultralight fastpacking overnight where your base weight is already dialed in under 10 pounds.

Testing Conditions For the Skyline 30 Fastpack

Tested on Texas and Arkansas area trails and also during road miles in summer heat and humidity, loaded with a typical gear set for backpacking, using a soft flask setup plus snacks, etc.

Skyline 30 Fastpack Sizing Notes

The Skyline comes in Small, Medium, and Large, sized by torso rather than one universal fit. I’m running the Medium, which fits a 19 inch torso and weighs 20.6 ounces empty (23 ounces with both soft flasks in). Small and Medium share the same 23L main compartment and 26L total volume. Large steps up to a 28L main compartment and 31L total, at 21.6 ounces empty. If you’re between sizes, size toward your torso measurement rather than your overall height.

Skyline 30 Fastpack Overall Scoring:

• Comfort and stability: 4.5 / 5
• Breathability in heat: 4.5 / 5
• Storage and on the go access: 4.5 / 5
• Weight to capacity ratio: 5 / 5
• Value at $187.97: 4 / 5

Learn more by starting with the Fastpacking hub if you’re new to the discipline.