REI Flash 22 Day Pack Evaluation

Backside Line

The REI Flash 22 is a flexible, ultralight daypack that punches above its weight class. Of all of the standouts on our checklist of greatest daypacks, it’s certainly one of our workforce’s all-time favorites. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has used the Flash 22 for years as he’s climbed 600+ of Colorado’s 13,000’ – 14,000’ mountains. He loves its spectacular consolation, ultralight design, and easy group. It’s additionally certainly one of our go-tos for operating round city and touring, too.

We take into account the Flash 22 extra of a minimalist pack. It has technical options like a detachable foam sit pad, breathable again panel, and trekking pole attachments, however it doesn’t have a body, substantial padding, or load lifters. Its ultralight building, water reservoir compatibility, and packability make it an important selection for day-long adventures the place transferring quick and staying agile are prime priorities.

Nonetheless, the Flash 22’s minimalism comes with trade-offs. This frameless pack can really feel floppy, particularly when underpacked. Additionally, the two-clip prime closure is a bit awkward, and the weird facet pockets make it awkward to retailer and entry gear. However should you’re on the lookout for light-weight effectivity over heavy-duty help, this mannequin is certainly one of our prime picks – and for a wonderful value, too.

Consolation

This daypack delivers a shocking quantity of consolation for a frameless, ultralight pack. Weighing solely 14 ounces, it’s as gentle and simple to hold as a backpack will get. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has put hundreds of miles on his Flash 22 fashions through the years – nearly completely within the excessive alpine of the Colorado Rockies. Throughout that point, he’s appreciated how the mesh pads on the backpanel have helped him handle sweat and warmth. Plus, he’s preferred how the light-weight straps and waist belt have been supportive sufficient whereas rising breathability and lowering bulk. However, our favourite consolation function about this little pack? The detachable foam sit pad. It doubles as each again padding and a comfy seat for a path break. 

Nonetheless, the seat’s minimalist design may miss the mark for folks with heavier hundreds. After we carried heavier objects for birding journeys, together with a tripod and binoculars, we might really feel the load jutting into our backs. Plus, the Flash 22 can really feel floppy when it’s not absolutely packed as a result of it doesn’t have a considerable hip belt, inner body, or comfortable padding. 

That stated, the Flash 22 continues to be Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s go-to for 15-40 mile days. When he’s mountain climbing from sun-up to sun-down, its sensible, ultralight design provides simply sufficient consolation whereas nonetheless feeling agile. 

Group

The Flash 22 retains gear neatly organized with out overcomplicating issues. Its intuitive format is flexible and easy, with devoted pockets for particular wants. For instance, the pack consists of two inside group pockets for smaller objects, a top-lid zippered pocket for fast entry objects, and a big hydration reservoir sleeve that’s appropriate with most manufacturers. Nonetheless, the dearth of inner framing means heavier objects may shift round, particularly in the primary storage compartment. 

At 22 liters, the pack provides loads of room for our necessities for the day, from layers to a primary help package. Our largest grievance is the vertical facet pocket. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer hardly ever makes use of it as a result of it’s awkward to entry and a bit too slender for many gear. That stated, it’s okay for objects you don’t recurrently entry like a headlamp or an additional pair of socks. Different small points gave us pause as nicely, like the dearth of a key clip and the dual-clip lid closure that feels clunky in comparison with the prior mannequin’s single-clip design. This pack additionally has ten complete lash factors, however they’ll’t help a lot weight because of the bag’s gentle and frameless building. 

Regardless of these quirks, the pack’s easy group nonetheless shines for people on the lookout for versatility and minimalism.

Person-Friendliness

The considerate and easy design of this REI mannequin makes it certainly one of our prime picks for day hikes, metropolis adventures, highway journeys and airplane journey. For our tester, the non-mesh water bottle holders stood out as a result of they made it simple to entry bottles with out eradicating the pack. The lengthy pull tabs with structured plastic suggestions are additionally simple to seize with gloves. Adjusting the straps is fast and hassle-free. Considerate particulars like trekking pole attachments and a sun shades loop additional improve its usability from the streets to the paths. 

That stated, a easy design has just a few downsides. The sit pad could be obnoxious to entry. Because it’s positioned in the identical pocket because the hydration reservoir, it’s tough to take away when a reservoir is in place. That stated, we’re splitting hairs. None of those points are dealbreakers. After we’re within the subject mountain climbing for hours, they don’t impede our expertise.

Weight and Compressibility

The REI Flash 22 is without doubt one of the most moveable packs on our checklist. It weighs solely 14 ounces, making it a no brainer for ultralighters and minimalists. To maintain weight down, REI makes use of 70D nylon building, small parts, and a easy design. To additional lower weight and bulk, you’ll be able to take away the sit pad.

As a result of it’s a frameless pack, the Flash 22 can simply be rolled, folded, and flattened all the way down to the scale of a water bottle. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loves its compact dimension for backcountry adventures. He’s typically stuffed the Flash in his backpacking pack, so he can drop his heavy pack and bust out the Flash for a facet quest like a summit push, lake go to, and mine exploration.

That is an ultralight pack that performs its greatest with smaller hundreds and lighter gear. It’s not our first choose for carrying heavy hundreds or cumbersome gear. In case you prioritize portability over help and construction, the Flash 22 shall be an important match.

Sturdiness

For an ultralight pack, the REI Flash 22 delivers common sturdiness. Our gear analyst discovered this bag’s 70D nylon successfully resisted abrasions from sharp rocks and tough branches and held up nicely to the pains of backcountry mountain climbing within the Colorado Rockies. REI additionally moved away from mesh facet pockets, which was a wise change to extend their longevity with out sacrificing stretch or accessibility. A number of different considerate design options means the Flash 22 can final for years. We should always know – Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has had three of those packs and sometimes retires them after 1,200 miles or so.

However, like many ultralight merchandise, the Flash 22 shouldn’t be as sturdy as packs constructed with extra sturdy materials and supplies. We discovered throughout testing that the underside will finally present injury from being set on rocks and grime, the strap and waist belt mesh can put on skinny, and the waterproof liner will start to flake off. The cinch-top design will break down after hundreds of openings and closings. And the dearth of a body means heavy hundreds can pressure its design, particularly the place the shoulder straps hook up with the body.

These trade-offs are price contemplating for anybody tackling intense journey. That stated, we don’t thoughts the diminished sturdiness an excessive amount of. The Flash 22 is so reasonably priced, light-weight, and helpful, we don’t thoughts selecting up a brand new one each few years to remain quick and nimble on and off the path.

Must you purchase the REI Flash 22 day pack?

The REI Flash 22 is a superb daypack for ultralight lovers, minimalists, fastpackers, and budget-conscious hikers. At solely 14 ounces, this can be a featherlight daypack for people whose prime priorities are agility, pace and ease on the path. With its detachable sit pad, intuitive design, and skill to pack down small, this daypack is a dream for people who need top-tier effectivity and adaptableness on path and in on a regular basis life. However the Flash 22 isn’t for everybody. Its frameless, minimalist design lacks the construction and help obligatory for heavy hundreds and hulking gear, and never everybody finds it comfy for all-day outings. However, should you’re on the lookout for an reasonably priced, light-weight daypack for quick and lengthy days on path, touring, or commuting, this one could also be what you’re on the lookout for.

What different day packs must you take into account for mountain climbing?

If this isn’t the precise pack for you, try our information to the Greatest Daypacks for Climbing to contemplate different packs we advocate for hikers: 

LL Bean Stowaway Evaluation: The Stowaway is a extremely packable different to the REI Flash 22 with regards to gentle weight, low value, 22 liter capability, and stable group. 

Salomon Trailblazer Evaluation: The Salomon Trailblazer is one other ultralight, frameless daypack that stands out for its compact design, however it has higher sturdiness in contrast with the Flash 22. 

Osprey Daylite Plus Evaluation: Much like the Flash 22, the Osprey Daylite Plus is a stable selection for many who desire a extra conventional design with superior sturdiness and luxury for straightforward creekside to cafe transitions.