Emily Pennington/CNN emphasized that as a travel writer specializing in outdoor adventure and national parks, my hiking backpack game is very powerful. When I am not walking across Patagonia, I may drive across the Olympic Peninsula or take a jeep in rural Nepal. I've been looking for the perfect bag that can perform well in all kinds of adventures. REI's Flash 18 Pack is a bestseller that I often see in the city and on the road. It has always been one of the lightest and best-designed backpacks on the market today. I may have a version of it for many years to come. Not only would I never consider throwing it into a bigger suitcase or duffel bag (it only weighs 9.5 ounces), but it is very functional for a bag that costs .
This backpack is equipped with hydrating sleeves, hip straps, zipper pockets and padded backboard, which can be used as a cushion in humid environment, providing a lot of fancy functions of expensive brand-name bags at a low price. Next, I will explore what makes this bag really stand out and become my first choice for short-distance hiking, summit bidding and international adventure travel.
REI Cooperative Flash 18 Pack
REI Co-op's best-selling Flash 18 Pack weighs only 9.5 ounces, which is surprisingly functional. It provides good pockets, cushions, hydration sleeves and ultra-thin hip straps, which are affordable and can be easily loaded into larger backpacks or suitcases. $50 at REI What do we like about it?
Flash 18 Pack manages to pack many excellent functions into a small package. Its packable design, good pockets and ultra-light weight are just a few reasons why we like it.
Ultra-light and packable
Emily Pennington/CNN stressed that the Flash 18 bag weighs only 9.5 ounces and is one of the lightest daily bags in the store. Remove its detachable sternum strap and hip strap, and you have a 7.7-ounce carry-on bag. This is a thin backpack, which is not easy to trip over when hunting in the wild jungle, because it is made of 70 denier recycled tear-resistant nylon and fluorine-free DWR (durable and waterproof). I recently went to Auckland for a four-day weekend trip, and I could easily fold the Flash 18 bag into my (stuffed) Patagonia black hole luggage bag, which I used as carry-on luggage. Then, once I get to town, I don't have to carry a 45-liter bag around; I can walk freely with a small backpack with my snacks and food.
Functional pocket design
Emily Pennington/CNN emphasized that REI's Flash 18 is very suitable for all kinds of activities because of its large open single pocket design. When I was studying mountaineering in the eastern mountains, I often threw this small bag into my larger 60-liter backpack and tried to climb to the top quickly with its outer webbing and ice tool ring, just outside the base camp. The exterior of Flash 18 is a hidden zipper pocket, which is very suitable for holding small items such as wallet, a bunch of keys, protein sticks or some lipstick. Inside, you will find two sliding pockets without zippers, which are very suitable for storing extra snacks or hiking poles when not in use. There is also a hydration sleeve with a bladder hose outlet, plus a hanging label, so that it will not be crowded during your more rugged trip.
Another reason why Flash 18 Pack is an excellent travel companion is that it can be instantly turned into a stuff bag or an organization bag in a larger bag or suitcase. Just turn the flash over and stuff your underwear or dirty clothes in.
Interesting extras
Emily Pennington/CNN emphasizes that this little miracle is surprisingly functional, although it is compact and budget-friendly. The outer ring of the outer layer of the backpack can easily tie the rope and belt to the wet outer layer or ice tools. Belts and sternal straps also help to create a more comfortable carrying. The back pad of the bag is also detachable, so it can be turned into a cushion, and the quick-pull socket label of the flash can be easily accessed with one hand or heavy mittens. But most importantly, Flash 18 Pack has many interesting and high-visibility prints and colors (including the special series of Pride Month), so that you can show your wild side on the road. What we don't like is
Of course, a 9.5-ounce backpack can't be folded and put in your pocket, and it has everything on our list. Next, I will introduce some things that this little miracle lacks.
No internal security pockets.
Emily Pennington/CNN stressed that call me an antique, but I prefer to put things like keys and wallets in my backpack so that I won't lose them when running, cycling or hiking. This is also my strategy when traveling in a new city, especially when I don't know which areas are the best choice for pickpockets. Unfortunately, REI's Flash 18 has only two internal slotted pockets and no zipper. Therefore, I tend to put my keys in my outside pocket and expect the best results. It might be more comfortable
Emily Pennington/CNN stressed that it makes sense that at 9.5 ounces, you won't get a bag with soft shoulder straps and thick padded hip straps. Of course, REI Co-op has done its best to make Flash 18 quite comfortable to carry, such as designing breathable mesh shoulder straps, including sternum clips and slightly padded back, but it will never support 20 pounds in a comfortable posture during a whole day's hiking. Based on my experience of trekking in redwoods and traveling with this baby on weekends, I recommend it to weigh 10 pounds or less. How does it compare?
Considering that REI Co-op's amazing return policy supports Flash 18 Pack, and its price is 50 dollars, it is an affordable and reliable choice for anyone who needs a light and packable travel and hiking backpack. If you are looking for more storage space, please check out the REI Co-op Flash 22 bag (), which has a thicker hip belt, a top "brain" bag and an external water bottle bag.
If you like bright colors, you don't mind spending a little more money to buy a brand with an excellent environmental record. Cotopaxi's Luzon 18L backpack () weighs less than 10.6 ounces, and its design is similar to Flash 18.
Finally, if you are a hardcore osprey fan (I like its All Powerful Guarantee), its 20-liter Daylite Plus bag () is made of recycled tear-resistant polyester, which is thicker and more durable than Flash, with a compression band and a water bottle bag outside. If you plan to carry a heavier load, the Osprey Talon 22 Pack (0) is a heavier backpack, which can easily carry 20 pounds in its compartment, and has a thicker pocket hip belt, helmet carrying and extra storage pockets.
result
REI Co-op's Flash 18 Pack is one of the lightest and easiest backpacks on the market, which is very suitable for daytime hiking and air travel in fine weather (when you need a daytime bag but only want to bring one hand luggage). It amazed us with its low price of , intimate pocket and strap design and lovely color matching. I think it is necessary when space and weight are precious.
According to the real hikers, the best hiking equipment you actually need in 2024.