REI Co-op Trailmade 60 vs REI Co-op Flash 55
Quick take: The REI Co-op Trailmade 60 costs $10 less; the REI Co-op Trailmade 60 carries more (60 vs 55 liters); the REI Co-op Flash 55 is lighter (2.81 vs 3.44 lbs).
| Spec | REI Co-op Trailmade 60 | REI Co-op Flash 55 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189 | $199 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (700) | 4.5★ (1,000) |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 60 L | 55 L |
| Weight | 3.44 lbs | 2.81 lbs |
| Max Load | 35 lbs | 30 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable 15-19 in | Sized S-L, 15-20 in |
| Material | Recycled ripstop nylon | 100D recycled ripstop nylon |
| Back Panel | Ventilated foam with steel perimeter frame | Framed foam with ventilation channel |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | Yes |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | REI 1-year satisfaction guarantee | REI 1-year satisfaction guarantee |
Pros & cons
REI Co-op Trailmade 60
- ✓Regularly cited on r/CampingGear as the best sub-$200 starter pack because the torso, hipbelt, and load lifters all actually adjust.
- ✓The giant U-shaped front zip opens the pack like a suitcase — beginners rave about how easy packing and finding gear is.
- ✓Inclusive size runs (including extended hipbelts) fit bodies that mainstream packs ignore.
- ✓At 3.44 lbs it is lighter than most budget competitors and even some $300 packs.
- ✓Dual hipbelt pockets, bottle pockets, and a front stuff pouch cover the organization basics without add-ons.
- ✓REI's return policy effectively lets new backpackers trial it for a season risk-free.
- ✓Frequent co-op sales push it near $140, at which point Redditors call it unbeatable.
- ✓Simple, durable construction with few failure-prone gimmicks — reviews show very low defect rates.
- ✗The 35 lb comfort ceiling arrives quickly; loaded for a week it sags onto the shoulders in a way step-up packs don't.
- ✗The foam back panel runs sweaty on climbs — there's no real ventilation channel.
- ✗No raincover included, and the fabric wets out faster than coated premium cloth.
- ✗The hipbelt padding is thin, and several reviewers report hot spots on bony hips by day two.
- ✗No removable lid or top-access flexibility; the design is take-it-or-leave-it simple.
- ✗The steel perimeter frame is heavier material than the aluminum in pricier packs.
- ✗Bottle pockets are tight to reach with the pack on.
- ✗It's a starter pack by design — most owners upgrade within a couple of seasons, so factor resale into the math.
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.