REI Co-op Flash 22 Review

Overview

The REI Co-op Flash 22 is a frameless, top-loading daypack that weighs 397 g (14 oz) and costs $60. It suits hikers who already carry a short, disciplined kit and want a pack that disappears on the back and folds flat in a drawer or a duffel. The trade is the usual one for the category: very little weight in exchange for very little support.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	397 g (14 oz)
Capacity	22 L (1,343 cu. in.)
Packed size	19 x 11 x 8 in
Frame	None; removable foam back pad
Material	70-denier recycled ripstop nylon with polyurethane coating (bluesign approved)
Access	Top, drawcord closure under a fold-over lid
Pockets	4 exterior plus main compartment
Hydration	Reservoir sleeve with a port for either shoulder
Torso fit	16–21 in
Hip belt fit	26–42 in

Performance

Weight and packability. At 14 oz, the Flash 22 sits well below the usual 22-liter daypack. Outdoor-gear testers at BetterTrail point out that most packs this size weigh 2 lb or more. They list Gregory’s Miko 20 at 2 lb even and the Osprey Talon 22 at 2 lb 6.1 oz. CleverHiker, which has used the Flash on everything from short hikes to summit days and long fastpacking efforts, picks it as a favorite budget minimalist daypack. Because there is no rigid frame, it compresses to near-flat for travel. It is also floppy when empty, which makes it feel more like a stuff sack than a pack until it is loaded.

Carry comfort. The structure is a thin foam back pad, lightly padded stretch-mesh shoulder straps with fold-over padding, and a mesh hip belt with small wings. Testers say it carries a light load well. BetterTrail’s reviewers found that it starts to sag once the load passes about 10 lb, and the weight lands on the shoulders. They gave it 2 out of 5 for comfort and support. The Talon 22 is the stiffer, more supportive alternative, at nearly three times the weight. CleverHiker also flags limited cushioning and ventilation. On a hot climb, the mesh back panel gives some airflow, but the pack still sits against the spine.

Organization. The pack has more pockets than its weight suggests. The fold-over lid covers a large zippered pocket for hats, snacks and a shell. Inside are two small slip pockets for a wallet or keys, and a hidden zippered security pocket sits on one side. Two open side pockets hold a 32-oz Nalgene bottle each, according to SectionHiker. The hydration sleeve also takes a laptop, which is why the pack shows up in commuter and travel kits. The weak spot is the top-loading main compartment. CleverHiker calls the access awkward, and anything at the bottom takes some digging.

Sit pad. The foam back pad pulls out and doubles as a lunch-stop seat, a small bonus on a pack this light. SectionHiker’s reviewer found it cumbersome to slide back in afterward, so it tends to be removed once and then reinserted with some fuss.

Durability. This is where the weight savings show. BetterTrail describes the 70D ripstop shell as noticeably thin. They say owners who carry an ice axe, scramble over abrasive rock or toss the pack around will probably put holes in it eventually. One owner reported seams failing after two years of light use on an earlier version of the pack, and said the design has since been revised. Used on maintained trails and kept off sharp granite, the pack holds up well enough for its price.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 397 g for 22 liters, roughly a third the weight of a conventional daypack
• $60 list price, with frequent member discounts
• Packs nearly flat for travel
• Extensive small-item organization, including a hidden security pocket
• Bottle pockets that take a 32-oz Nalgene
• Removable sit pad and reservoir compatibility

Cons

• Sags and loads the shoulders above about 10 lb
• Thin 70D fabric that punctures and abrades
• Limited cushioning and ventilation
• Top access makes it hard to reach gear at the bottom
• Flops when partly loaded
• Sit pad is fiddly to reinsert

Who Should Buy This

The Flash 22 fits experienced hikers with a short list of gear and a sub-10-lb daypack load. That includes fastpackers, summit-day hikers who want a light secondary pack, and travelers who want one pack that works on a plane and on a trail. It also makes sense as a first pack for someone who does not want to spend $150 to find out how much support they need.

It is a poor fit for anyone who regularly carries 12 to 15 lb, such as photographers, parents hauling kid gear, or winter hikers with extra layers. A pack like the Osprey Talon 22 is the better choice there. Scramblers, ice-axe carriers and rough users will also wear through the shell quickly.

Verdict

The Flash 22 is one of the lightest and cheapest 22-liter packs from a major retailer, and it does that job honestly. Keep the load light and the terrain tame, and it is an easy recommendation. Beyond about 10 lb or on abrasive terrain, its limits show quickly.