REI Co-op Traverse 60 vs Exped Lightning 50
Quick take: The REI Co-op Traverse 60 carries more (60 vs 50 liters); the Exped Lightning 50 is lighter (2.65 vs 4.5 lbs).
| Spec | REI Co-op Traverse 60 | Exped Lightning 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269 | $269 |
| Rating | 3.8★ (11) | 4.7★ (3) |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 60 L | 50 L |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs | 2.65 lbs |
| Max Load | ~45 lbs (tested) | 48.5 lbs |
| Torso Fit | 2 sizes | Adjustable |
| Material | Not published in the source | Not published in the source |
| Back Panel | Framed suspension; construction not published | Framed suspension; construction not published |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published |
Pros & cons
REI Co-op Traverse 60
- ✓A 45 lb rating covers most multi-day trips including bear canister and full water.
- ✓REI's return policy makes a pack this fit-sensitive far lower risk to buy.
- ✓Available to try on loaded in store, which cottage and direct-only brands cannot offer.
- ✓Two frame sizes give better fit than the one-size packs at this price.
- ✓$269 undercuts the Osprey Aether 65 and Gregory Baltoro 65 by $100.
- ✓60 L is the most broadly useful backpacking volume.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✓REI's own-brand packs are serviced and warrantied through the same stores that sell them.
- ✗4.5 lb is heavy, half a pound more than the Osprey Atmos AG LT 65 which carries less.
- ✗OutdoorGearLab does not publish the fabric specification.
- ✗No rain cover included at this price.
- ✗Only the 60 L could be confirmed with a current price, though a 70 L exists.
- ✗No ventilated back panel.
- ✗REI's design iteration is slower than the specialist brands'.
- ✗Heavier than the Granite Gear Blaze 60 while carrying 5 lb less.
- ✗Bear-canister fit is not stated.
Exped Lightning 50
- ✓A 48.5 lb rating at 2.65 lb is extraordinary -- it carries more than the 5 lb Osprey Aether 65.
- ✓The T-Rex system reduces back contact points for airflow while keeping an adjustable aluminium stay.
- ✓2.65 lb puts it within reach of the ultralight category while remaining a framed trekking pack.
- ✓$269 is well below the premium trekking packs it matches on load capacity.
- ✓Named best backpack of 2026 by Outside Magazine's editors.
- ✓Adjustable torso, which many packs at this weight omit.
- ✓50 L is enough for a bear canister and several days of food.
- ✓Exped has a long European reputation for suspension design.
- ✗Exped's US retail presence is limited compared with Osprey or Gregory.
- ✗The source does not publish the fabric specification.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗Only the 50 L could be confirmed with a current price, though 40 and 60 L exist.
- ✗A 48.5 lb ceiling on a 2.65 lb pack demands disciplined packing to be usable.
- ✗Warranty terms are not published in detail.
- ✗Less common on trail, so fewer real-world reports than mainstream packs.
- ✗Bear-canister fit is not stated.