REI Flash 55 Backpack Review

[George Harris]

Companion forum thread to: REI Flash 55 Backpack Review

This REI Flash 55 Backpack review features a user-configurable, lightweight, internal-frame, roll-top pack.

[Brad P]

My son used it at Philmont this year and it worked well.  Philfood is bulky and there is bulky crew gear to take.  He strapped his pad and tent on the outside of the pack.

He had the lightest pack in the crew mostly because I found reasonably priced bargains for fairly lightweight gear.  This pack is an example of that.  I got it on sale.

If you can get it on sale, it’s definitely a pack worth considering.

[Jenny A]

Thanks for a really thorough review!  You ran that pack through its paces.

I had the 2nd or 3rd iteration of this pack and really appreciated its capabilities for the price.  Your load recommendations seem spot-on; I was able to use my pack on 5-day summer solo trips in the Colorado mountains (no bear canister) with 30 lb max. load comfortably.  As you mention several times, fit is absolutely critical to pack comfort.  As always.

To be fair, I work for REI and am glad to see them continue to create innovative, high-quality, affordable pieces of gear for folks who are shaving weight but are unwilling to commit to more expensive products.

[Scott S]

I’ve had my Flash for 2 years, and I’m very pleased with it. A tip for the shoulder pocket that I read elsewhere and works: Attach a small velcro patch where the magnet closure is. It’s still not an ideal pocket but it will stay closed.

[Author]

Posts