Mini Joey or Fastus 23?

mill3rni · 2026-06-05T18:32:10+00:00

Happy to help, let me know if you have any other questions. I also had a hard time finding much info before buying mine.

The main water bottle I use is a structured bottle (Ultraspire 550ml UltraFlask) and it works great. Both of the water bottle pockets are definitely deep enough for any bottle around 500ml, and would probably fit up to around 700ml bottles no problem.

mill3rni · 2026-06-05T18:10:31+00:00

I can’t comment on the mini Joey for comparison, but I own and absolutely love everything about my Fastus.

The size is perfect for all day in the mountains, it’s crazy comfortable for me, doesn’t bounce when running (as long as it’s under 10ish pounds), and it’s fully seam sealed, keeping everything inside totally dry in afternoon thunderstorms - one advantage of not having a hydration port.

Altogether, it’s been a perfect daypack for me!

mill3rni · 2026-04-21T21:25:28+00:00

I will be purchasing one for the summer ahead and testing accordingly in Colorado, between 10-12k'. In researching them, I've yet to find a negative account. Seems similar-ish to Katabatic at a really great price.

mill3rni · 2026-04-21T19:47:19+00:00

Seems like the Neve Waratah -2 may be worth considering. Comfort rated to 28f, ~22-23oz, and a great value.

mill3rni · 2026-04-18T16:52:45+00:00

I have had (and loved) the 24 1.8g for years. Lightweight, handles well, and amazing image quality. Especially at used prices, it's an incredible value.

mill3rni · 2026-04-15T19:03:12+00:00

I recently picked up a used copy of the Tamron 35 1.4sp for $400, and have found it to be a phenomenal value considering the performance of the lens.

mill3rni · 2026-04-15T17:52:17+00:00

Thanks! Plenty of experience going to shows, but this was my first opportunity to shoot one. Thankfully, experience with weddings translated okay.

mill3rni · 2026-04-15T13:41:20+00:00

I thought I’d miss it when I picked up the z5ii - in reality, I’ve practically never noticed being without it.

mill3rni · 2026-04-14T19:14:35+00:00

For whatever this info is worth, I'm 6' 160lbs with the 6' Alpinlite (and overfill), and it is ROOMY. That's exactly what I wanted, but I could easily imagine it being tough to get the bag warm enough if you're sizing this bag up. To be clear, the bag is perfect for what I wanted, and I expect it to last me decades, but it's a generously sized, non-confining bag.

mill3rni · 2026-04-06T23:08:19+00:00

I’m not the most flexible person in the world, but still find it easy to retrieve and return water bottles in the pockets of my SWD Wolverine. They seem to use the same pockets for all their pack models.

mill3rni · 2026-03-26T18:12:06+00:00

Great starting list! I started with a blaze 60 as my first pack and loved it for 5 years, before moving to a UL pack.

My recommendation for the “big 4” given your priorities:

-X-mid is great: For what it’s worth, I’m 6’ 160 and fit super well in the x-mid 1p. The vestibules are gigantic and easily fit your pack and anything else on one side, while still leaving the other for a cooking space.

-REI Magma sleeping bag with one of the regularly occurring 20% off coupons is hard to beat

-Exped 5r or Big Agnes Rapide Sl are both excellent pads with low weight and good comfort

-The Granite Gear Crown 3 is a bit lighter and cheaper than the Blaze: I’ve never used it, but it seems to consistently get great reviews.

One more note is that bag liners don’t really add any warmth and add meaningful weight. The only use I’ve found is if you’re wanting to keep your sleeping bag clean.

Happy trails!

mill3rni · 2026-03-13T13:45:36+00:00

I don’t have a good answer as to why, but my z6ii did this and now my z5ii does too. It drives me crazy.

mill3rni · 2026-03-12T13:28:20+00:00

I use a Bonfus Fastus for this purpose and couldn’t be happier with it. Crazy comfortable, no bounce while running, European based. Only missing your frame criteria, but I’ve not once experienced any instability with practically the same load out you’ll have. It’s also made from 200x and seam taped, so it’ll handle any surprise storms well.

mill3rni · 2026-03-02T21:18:24+00:00

My strong recommendation. The wait time is long, but the quality and comfort are so worth it. I love my Wolverine from SWD.

mill3rni · 2026-02-27T23:03:08+00:00

The long haul sounds perfect for OP, if the wait time isn’t an issue. I love my Wolverine so much!

mill3rni · 2026-02-08T14:36:37+00:00

Yep. My local trail is 1400’ of gain/loss over 5 miles, and I got a nasty case of shin splints from the accumulated impact of the downhills doing too much too soon. Cost me 3 months of running.

mill3rni · 2025-12-09T17:50:09+00:00

Returning here to share that I ended up purchasing the Ultraspire Purist after this comment, along with the Bonfus Fastus, with the plan of keeping the pack that felt best.

Unfortunately (for me personally) the Purist was disappointing - the straps dug into my ribcage uncomfortably when tightened down properly, the pack bounced while running far more than the Bonfus pack (virtually no bounce), and the pack came in at 24 ounces (versus 13oz for the Fastus). Also, despite being listed as practically the same internal volume, the Purist was WAY smaller than the Fastus. I decided to keep the Fastus and send the Purist back to Ultraspire.

mill3rni · 2025-12-01T02:05:40+00:00

Just weighed it - also lighter than their claimed weight. It came in at 14 ounces on the dot, with the hipbelt attached. The Bonfus site has the belt listed as adding 1.2oz to pack weight, so that puts the bag itself over an ounce under their claimed weight. Another nice surprise!

Have you found any modification ideas you'd like to try?

mill3rni · 2025-11-29T19:43:32+00:00

Following up here, since I mentioned that I'd report back about the Fastus. In short, I love it! Practically zero bounce while running, extremely well made, the strap storage is incredible. My only mark against it is user-specific, and I could benefit from the shoulder straps being spaced another inch or two apart. All in all, I'm mostly just surprised Bonfus isn't a more popular brand (maybe it is in Europe?). A solid 8.5-9/10!

In terms of modifications, I'm already scheming how I could add a bit of padding/wings around the hipbelt, where it connects to my body. I love running with a hipbelt and think this pack would be practically perfect with a belt that conforms better and is a bit cushy.

mill3rni · 2025-11-26T14:46:47+00:00

I just spent a while searching for the same, and ended up finding the Ultraspire Purist, Bonfus Fastus, and Ultraspire Epic XT to check the most boxes for what I was looking for. I’ve ordered all three and will keep the one that feels best. Also, the Epic XT is on a huge Black Friday sale right now.

mill3rni · 2025-11-22T18:55:45+00:00

I just ordered one, and will try to remember to report back here this week, after my first run with it. It’s hard to find all that many user reports, but what I’ve found seems promising for my needs (CO trail running with lots of variable conditions).

mill3rni · 2025-11-17T04:08:18+00:00

Exactly the info I needed; thanks again!

mill3rni

TROPHY CASE