The REI Flash 22 is a frameless daypack for easy day hikes, commuting, and travel. It is loaded with features, including a fold-over top pocket, a laptop-compatible hydration sleeve, internal organizational sleeves, a hidden side security pocket, trekking pole holders, daisy chains, side bottle pockets and more. I’ve used the Flash 22 for the past four months as my pack for short hikes and commuting with great success and it’s my go-to bag for daily adventures in town and on the trail.
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- Gender: Unisex
- Volume: 22L
- Weight: 14 oz
- Access: Top
- Pockets: 4 + main
- Fits Torso: 16-21 inches
- Hydration Ready: Yes
- Hipbelt: Yes
- Pros: Hidden side security pocket, Removable/internal sit pad provides padding and structure
- Cons: Hipbelt is not removable, Sitpad is cumbersome to reinsert after use
With 22 liters of volume, the REI Flash 22 is large enough to carry all your daily essentials for hikes, commuting, and travel, including a laptop, snacks, water bottles or a hydration system, and extra clothing layers.
The pack has 4 pockets plus a main compartment. The main compartment closes with a drawstring and contains a hydration sleeve, a reservoir hang loop, and a key fob. The outside of the hydration sleeve also has two vertical pockets that are good for holding pens and are sized to hold a smartphone. The hydration sleeve has a foam sit pad in the back (behind the shoulder straps) that protects items and prevents them from poking you in the back. While the foam pad is removable, returning it to the pack is a PITA unless you completely unload the contents.
A fold-over pocket covers the main compartment and contains a large zippered pocket for holding hats and personal items. A hidden and zippered security pocket along the side of the pack keeps items organized. It also has an organizational sleeve inside to hold smaller items like your wallet or a passport. Finally, the pack has two external open bottle pockets, each large enough to hold a 32-oz Nalgene bottle.
The outside of the pack has a trekking pole holder, including a shaft bungee to secure the top of your poles – something that many backpack makers leave out. You can also use it to hold an ice axe if needed. There are also 10 external daisy chain loops sewn into the pack’s seams to which you can clip items like a hat or microspikes.
The shoulder pads and sewn-on hipbelt are made with breathable, unobtrusive mesh. Both are closed with big, durable buckles you don’t need reading glasses to see. The front sternum strap slides along webbing straps and is easy to adjust, while the hipbelt, which is also a webbing strap, holds the pack close to your body so it doesn’t bounce when you hike.
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Recommendation
The REI Flash 22 Backpack is a fully-featured frameless daypack for hiking, commuting, and travel. At just $59.95, it provides tremendous bang for the buck with features rarely found on smaller-capacity backpacks. Its numerous pockets and internal sleeves keep your gear organized, secure, and accessible, while its external features, including large side pockets, daisy chains, and a trekking pole holder, let you load it up for outdoor adventures.
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