REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack

The REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack is ultralight and ultra-affordable, with some nice useful features for your day hiking tours and also for commuting and travel.

Key features & benefits

What this REI Co-op Flash 22 backpack is about

This is a pack that has been around for years, but the version presented here is its latest. Note that the previous pack is still on the market, you can recognize it by its single buckle that fixes the lid on the front. In this new version you have two buckles and two straps as shown in the top picture above.

So this is an enormously popular daypack, and when you see its price you realize why this is so. But for such a small pack, it still has plenty of useful features.

The pack is with a classic lid and a spindrift collar shown below. It is hydration compatible with its inner hydration sleeve. It includes a port and you can route the sip tube over either shoulder.

Suspension

This is a frameless pack so you have two padded sections on the back, they are visible below. The shoulder harness is with enough padding for such a small pack. It comes with an adjustable and removable sternum strap. 

The torso length is fixed, so you only have the usual minimal adjustments on the shoulder straps. The hip belt is there with its wide flaps on the sides, this is enough in view of its size. There is no padding here.

It is interesting that the inner back panel is removable so you can use it as a sit pad. This may be useful when you have a wet ground on the route, but the question is how practical this can be. 

Pockets

The pack comes with two side pockets where you can store your water bottle or anything similar. The lid has one zippered pocket, and there is yet another front zippered pocket with a side entrance, it is shown below.

Attachment options

In the picture above you can several orange loops on the front and on the sides. This adds lots of options for attaching stuff from outside with some extra cord. I love packs with such details that add almost no weight but increase attachment options tremendously.

There is also a loop on the bottom for trekking poles, see the picture below, it can be tucked away when not needed. It is paired with a removable Packmod bungee tie-off on the front. 

Materials

This pack is made of recycled bluesign-approved nylon materials. You realize from the pictures that they build it in three different color combinations which I show on purpose. 

Who is it for

Regarding the best use in view of its 22 liters volume this is a pack for short and fast day hiking adventures, and also for commuting and travel. 

Regarding the weight, the pack weighs only 14 oz (400 g), so it is definitely in the category of ultralight packs. But this is also reflected in features, there is no frame and some other things are missing. But it is what it is, it is great with what it offers.

Regarding the price, it is incredibly affordable and this is one of the reasons for its popularity.

Specifications

• Weight: 14 oz (400 g).
• Volume: 1343 in³ (22 l).
• Dimensions: 19 x 11 x 8 in (48 x 28 x 20 cm).
• Torso fit: 16-21 in (41-53 cm).
• Waist/hips fit: 26-42 in (66-107 cm).

Final thoughts & rating

Below you can see how I rate it against my usual rating criteria so that you can easily compare it with other items of this type:

REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack

8.7

Volume-Weight ratio

10.0/10

Features & bonuses

8.0/10

Comfort

8.0/10

Pros

• Incredibly light.
• Great price.
• Hip belt.

Cons

• No rain cover.
• Not many pockets.

BEST PLACEs TO BUY

REI
For more options, please check under the category Day Packs. You might want to see also this remarkable and unique Mystery Ranch Coulee 25 Pack for Women. If you need something smaller, see this Salomon XT 15 Pack.

Bookmark this site and come again, this will keep you informed because I add texts here regularly. Let me know if you have questions or comments, there is a comment box below. Have a nice day.