3. REI Co-op Flash 55: Best Customizable Hiking Backpack
The REI Co-op Flash 55 is the best backpack for you if you’re the type of hiker that loves customizing your bag. REI Co-op builds a wide range of affordable and very capable outdoor gear, and this backpacking pack is no exception.
Choose from a range of features, mostly the external pockets, to keep or remove as you please. This helps make the initially lightweight pack even lighter, if that is what you need.
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The REI Co-op Flash 55 is impressively comfortable with well-padded shoulder straps, a supportive hip belt, and a back panel with a good ventilation system. Despite being a lightweight bag, you can carry around 30 pounds worth of gear in it, and it offers 55 liters of capacity.
The REI Co-op Flash 55 features nine exterior pockets, including a mesh front pocket, two vertical water bottle pockets, large side pockets, a top lid, hip pockets, and a shoulder strap pocket. These are great for storing all your essential gear like tent poles, your phone, etc.
REI Co-op made it so you can remove the top lid, hip pockets, and shoulder straps to shed even more weight from the pack, perfect for those minimalist hikes. Your gear is also protected from the rain when you place it in the top lid and shoulder strap pockets as they feature a water-resistant design.
If you want a pack that you can make your own, this REI Co-op Flash pack is a fantastic choice.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Flexible and customizable
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Pockets in all the right places
Cons
- Not great for heavy loads
- Not durable for extended trips
- The weather-resistant pockets aren’t perfect