Best Rei Co-Op Backpack

Choosing a REI Co-op backpack starts with deciding how much you value low empty-pack weight against structured support and storage, since REI Co-op's two core backpacking lines — Flash and Traverse — sit at opposite ends of that trade-off rather than competing directly with each other.

What should you look for in an REI Co-op backpack?

Look for the combination of frame type, torso adjustability and closure style that matches your trip length, since these three factors determine how a pack carries more than brand name does. A pack with an adjustable torso system, a padded and contoured hipbelt, and a frame rated for your typical loaded weight will carry comfortably regardless of which REI Co-op model it is.

Confirm the closure style fits how you pack: a roll-top compartment suits hikers who want a lighter, simpler pack and don't mind less rigid organization, while a fixed lid with a drawcord closure suits hikers who want a dedicated top pocket and more predictable packing. Check pocket count and placement too — hipbelt pockets, side water-bottle pockets and front stretch pockets matter more on longer trips where quick access to snacks, a filter or rain gear saves time.

Should you buy the Flash or the Traverse?

Buy a Flash-line pack for trips where keeping empty pack weight down matters, typically overnight to five-night trips at a moderate pace with a base camp or summit-day component; buy a Traverse-line pack for longer or heavier-load trips where structure and storage matter more than shaving ounces. Neither is objectively better — they're built for different priorities.

A hiker doing frequent weekend trips who wants to move faster and carry less empty weight will generally be happier with the Flash. A hiker doing extended trips, carrying shared group gear, or hiking in conditions requiring bulkier layers will generally be happier with the Traverse's fuller suspension and storage. Trying both loaded at an REI store, if one is accessible, is the most reliable way to feel the difference before buying.

Do REI Co-op packs fit true to size?

REI Co-op backpacks generally use the same torso-measurement approach used across the backpacking industry — measuring from the C7 vertebra at the base of the neck to the iliac crest at the top of the hips — and fit true to that measurement when the adjustable system is set correctly. Sizing issues usually come from an incorrect torso measurement rather than the pack itself running long or short.

Because torso length, not overall height, determines backpack fit, two hikers of the same height can need different pack sizes. REI's in-store fitting service, where staff measure torso length and load a pack with test weight, removes most of the guesswork that comes with sizing a backpack from specs alone.

Is an REI Co-op pack a good value compared to other brands?

REI Co-op backpacks use frame and suspension concepts broadly similar to comparable packs from Osprey, Gregory and Deuter, which is why the brand is frequently recommended as a value option rather than a downgrade. The trade-off is availability — REI Co-op gear is bought primarily through REI rather than compared across multiple retailers.

For hikers who already shop at REI or hold a co-op membership, the combination of lower pricing, an annual member dividend and a longer member return window adds up to a lower-risk first backpacking-pack purchase than many alternatives. For hikers who prioritize buying across retailers or want the widest possible resale and accessory ecosystem, a more widely distributed brand may still be worth the price difference.