Backpacks
When shopping for a race pack it's critical to not only find a pack that fits your body, but also find one that fits your gear (but just barely!). In our experience, buying too large a pack is a classic "rookie move". Buy as small as you think you can get by with -- and then cut down your gear to fit the pack.
Small Packs
Ultimate Direction -Wasp
A small pack that's plenty large for almost any sprint adventure race. At 10.4 ounces, the pack is light and durable.
Ultimate directions is one of the first pack manufactures to understand having access to food and e-caps in the front of the pack is a good thing! The wasp includes multiple pouches in the front that can be easily accessed on foot or bike without slowing.
Mid-Sized Packs
Salomon Raid Revo 20
The Raid Revo 20 is a 17 liter pack (not a 20L pack as the name might suggest). For a 1 or 2 day race, this size is a bit small...which is exactly what you want. At 15 ounces, the pack features nice extras, including mesh for a helmet and ample padding. Like it's big brother, the Raid Revo 30, the 20 rips a bit too easily. If you are dragging your pack over sandstone or other rough surfaces you may end up with some damage (nothing a bit a duct tape won't fix though)
Large Packs
Salomon Raid Revo 30
The Raid Revo 30 is a 31L pack that is a staple for expedition races. The pack includes small pouches on the waist band that will hold a few gels and some E-Caps. The main part of the pack is basic -- the only internal division is a small pouch to hold a water bladder. The top of the pack includes a decent sized zipper section, that can hold critical items that you don't want to risk mixing in the main pack compartment.