REI Co-op Flash 55 vs Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
Quick take: The Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 costs $19 less; the REI Co-op Flash 55 carries more (55 vs 40 liters); the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 is lighter (1.25 vs 2.81 lbs).
| Spec | REI Co-op Flash 55 | Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $180 |
| Rating | 4.2★ (98) | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Frameless |
| Capacity | 55 L | 40 L |
| Weight | 2.81 lbs | 1.25 lbs |
| Max Load | 30 lbs | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | Sized S-L, 15-20 in | See manufacturer sizing |
| Material | 100D ripstop nylon | 70D and 100D recycled Robic nylon |
| Back Panel | Framed foam with ventilation channel | Frameless with removable sit pad |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | Yes | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | No |
| Warranty | REI 1-year satisfaction guarantee | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published |
Pros & cons
REI Co-op Flash 55
- ✓The consensus best-value ultralight pack — r/Ultralight repeatedly ranks it the cheapest pack that doesn't compromise the essentials.
- ✓The Packmod system is genuinely clever: strip the lid, pockets, and straps to drop from 2.8 to about 2.35 lbs.
- ✓Frequent REI sales bring it near $150, undercutting every serious competitor by $100+.
- ✓The roll-top plus side zip gives both compression and mid-pack access, a combo rare at any price.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets come standard and fit modern phones — a dig at the Exos in every comparison thread.
- ✓A BV500 fits horizontally, which canister-country hikers specifically buy it for.
- ✓The 100D recycled ripstop wears better than its weight suggests; multi-thousand-mile PCT reports exist.
- ✓REI's return window makes it the lowest-risk way to test whether ultralight works for you.
- ✗The 30 lb comfort ceiling is real and arrives abruptly — reviewers agree it sours above that line faster than the Exos.
- ✗The foam back panel ventilates poorly compared to trampoline designs; sweat is the common summer gripe.
- ✗Fixed torso sizes with no adjustability make between-sizes buyers gamble.
- ✗The hipbelt wings flex under load, letting heavy carries sag onto shoulders.
- ✗Shoulder-strap padding is thin, a frequent complaint from higher-load users.
- ✗The bottle pockets angle awkwardly; retrieving a bottle one-handed takes practice.
- ✗Removable pieces are easy to lose and cost real money to replace.
- ✗Its 4.4-star REI average hides a bimodal split: light packers love it, heavy packers don't.
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
- ✓$180 is the cheapest entry to a well-regarded cottage brand in this catalog.
- ✓The removable SitLight pad doubles as back structure and a camp seat, so it is not dead weight.
- ✓1 lb 4 oz for 40 L of usable volume is an excellent ratio.
- ✓70D and 100D recycled Robic is a proven, repairable woven fabric rather than a laminate.
- ✓Gossamer Gear has one of the longest track records among cottage makers.
- ✓Removing the pad strips the pack down further for very light trips.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included at this price.
- ✓Woven nylon is far easier to field-repair than DCF or Ultra laminates.
- ✗Frameless, so loads much above 20 lb become uncomfortable quickly.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗70D fabric on parts of the body is thin and abrades on rock.
- ✗Not waterproof, unlike the DCF and Ultra packs at higher prices.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗36 L is too small for a bear canister plus a week of food.
- ✗Warranty terms are not published in detail.
- ✗Requires disciplined packing with the pad positioned correctly to carry well.