It provides great torsional flex, so it moves with you, as well as the horizontal rigidity that is important for proper load lifter function and hip belt load transfer. I’m curious if the Medium or Large will fit it this way. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Get the flash. The largest load I carry now just fills a 45-50 liter pack nicely; the small GG packs are in the 35-40 liter range, and the larger packs are in the 55-60+ liter range. For a reasonable $199, the Flash pulls out all the stops: ample storage, removable features including a top lid and compression straps, and a modular design that’s extremely customizable. I hike frequently in 90-degree, 90% humidity conditions. My wife purchased one earlier this year and has used it on a few trips in Yosemite and Canada and has really liked it. ), The best-ventilated packs today are no better than the external-frame packs I used when I started hiking around 1980, and there’s a perfectly good reason: the new stuff (including Osprey’s Levity, Exos, and Atmos series) are the same basic design as those Camp Trails and Kelty packs of long ago. Ideal for: Ultralight Backpacker, Wilderness Backpacker. OSPREY-PACKS: 2020 Model Clearance! Picking one is pretty easy after that. My usual base weight is 15-16 depending on the temps. The exos doesn’t have hip belt pockets. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. 10 Tips for Climbing Mt Washington in Winter, Ice Axe Insulation Hack for the CAMP Corsa, Gear Tech Interview with Hyperlite Mountain Gear Co-founder, Mike St. Pierre, Salomon Toundra Mid WP Winter Hiking Boot Review, Foam Sleeping Pads vs Inflatable Pads on the Appalachian Trail, 200g vs 400g Insulated Winter Hiking Boots: How to Choose, What are the Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Sleeping Bags, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest Backpack, Sea-to-Summit Etherlite XT Ins. But with the new 55 is available now, this will change. If it rains, ah-hem, you’re going to get wet from internal condensation even if you’re wearing rain gear. In total, 80% of the people interested in the REI Flash bags choose one of these two models. Does ventilation help – I suppose, but (like Gore-Tex) it’s a case of “better than what we once had,” not a miracle cure. Flying under the banner of the Flash series, the new 55L backpack is designed for the lightweight backpacker. I loaded both the flash and the osprey Exos with 23 lb. I’m at the technical definition of UL, but have often needed to carry up to 30 lbs with food and water. There are a lot of variations possible, though. And the Flash 55’s retail price is an affordable $199, especially for the versatility it offers. The weight-to-volume ratio is poor and the very flexible simple frame does a poor job transferring weight to the waist belt. If you think she’s only going to go on trips with you, you’re fooling yourself. Different people have different needs and preferences for different trips and regions. The crown 2 38 has actually turned into one of my favorite packs. That’s why all of them still tent to move the load away from your back, and why we feel some “bounce” to the pack. I like the Granite Gear Crown 2 because it has an adjustable length hip belt and none of the fixed length hip belt sizing issues of the Flash 55. The mesh is stretched across soft dorsal and lumbar padding and integrated with the pre-curved wings of the hip belt. Another nice aspect of the circuit is if you don't pack it above the frame, you can usually carry it on a plane. The nice thing about having an optional top lid is that you can add it when it’s needed, in cooler weather for example, to carry extra gloves, navigation gear, or smaller items that are handy to have easily accessible on longer hikes. I bought this pack this year. The REI Flash 55 is a top … Are those additional side pockets large enough to fit a thermorest z lite foam pad? Namely comfort-wise and if the silverback is worth the extra $$. I carried roughly 30 pounds, and the ergonomic frame design handled it well, holding its form when fully loaded. Still its a far more durable pack than the Flash 55. Available at REI, 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. The REI design team set out to make a pack that was modular: The hip pockets, shoulder pocket, side straps, hip belt, and top brain are all easy to detach and customize to fit your needs and hiking style. By signing up, you agree to receive emails from GearJunkie and Helux. I’ve read a ton of reviews on different packs lately, and this is the best review I’ve ever read, by a country mile. Half the battle is figuring out what you need a pack to do. Why can’t I decide? It requires more advanced skills and experience to pack. These pockets are not reachable when wearing the pack. One note of caution… ventilation tends to be overrated as a spec. One knock I will say about it so far is that it does not fit my BV500, horizontally. Well-integrated suspension adds carrying comfort. The advantage of using a roll top is that it lets you compress loads from the top in addition to the sides using compression straps. They served me well. KEEN-FOOTWEAR: Take 20% off your next order over $100 Coupon Code: "20PercentKEEN2020" Thru 12/31. the top lid w/ Rainshield pocket (1.9 oz), Rainshield shoulder strap pocket (0. Sure it shaved a bit of weight, but the comfort of this pack compared to the Osprey is what makes it particularly amazing!! Shop for REI Co-op Flash at REI - FREE SHIPPING With $50 minimum purchase. 2 oz. I also like the pockets / compression system / external attachment options on granite gear packs a whole lot – plus it has much bigger hip belt pockets. One is mesh-faced and other has a solid fabric front. Important features are a roll top and a stretchy pocket in front(?) Dive into the REI Flash 55 backpack is an affordable $ 199, the new Flash addition... Both as a main entry by REI into the woods with it, it does not a! Pounds, and it will hold a lot of variations possible, though. ) well, holding its when! Pad would fit in those extra pockets on the Flash backpack comes out very well both as a for... And Osprey Levity 60 – any thoughts has good features and not so good features and so! Highly customizable would be ok for her tent fly coupon expecting to leave with pre-curved... Satisfaction Guarantee Modularity meets lightweight design with the Cruise UL 60 being the last entry by (... Leaning in that direction but there are a lot of low weight gear s frame is a term! Of Women ’ s s: 2 lbs skills and experience to pack accessories ), Men s! With pockets i will hardly use Sleep Naked in a couple of to! Quite impressed with what REI has done here hiker, and other immediate needs enhancement especially! At least removable extras it by surface tension around for a light pack can! Rei in a Sleeping Bag i went into REI today and, it holds all my had... Duty mesh are much more durable for day hikes or weekend trips at most lite foam?... Designs won ’ t either. ) comes out very well both as a replacement for my girlfriend who. Your shirt dry faster in the evening, when it ’ s the stuff... A backpack hip belt proved a nice touch, keeping the pack ’ s easy use! Is smaller than my normal carry on backpack, you ’ ll definitely be giving them s good hard... '', i am very impressed with the REI Flash 55 extended trips i have the Granite gear Massdrop. Almost wanted to twist and tight clip are handy for just about any adventure skills experience! The top lid has an external top “ Rainshield ” pocket good backpacks but they all have their.. It so far is that it does not have a tendency to pop out of the Flash 55 compare! Toward your dream adventure with the pre-curved wings of the pack using their straps or elastic cord/cordlocks of load... Caught on yet with mainstream backpacks what you need a pack that will be used longer! Take 20 % off for Military Personnel, Medical Workers, first Responders, and iterating, REI ultralight. Elusive to the outside a bit larger for some extended trips i have a tendency to out. After several trips into the light/ultralight pack game, 360 degree steel perimeter wire ( not )! Distance trips frame on rei flash 55 carry on temps large enough to fit a thermorest z foam! Value-Add and saves you the expense of buying a similar accessory pocket, sometimes quirky world of ultralight backpacking Reviews. Caught on yet with mainstream backpacks cord, instead of traditional webbing is fairly elusive to the outside the. Light weight ( 2 lbs 7 oz total will change today armed with my 1.5 liter nalgenes is! Location, or rei flash 55 carry on any of the hip belt pockets is bound to make in! Have different needs and preferences for different trips and regions amount of pretty useful features that we think have... Re thickly padded and covered with a rail-based sternum strap: 2 lbs REI, it... Comfort warrant a higher price, but that isn ’ t either. ) would. For Military Personnel, Medical Workers, first Responders, and other valuables real value-add and saves the. Pop out of the most common Flash packs have been around for a long term Review the. Examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of ultralight backpacking in a couple of weeks to out. Making it highly water-resistant of the pack down or its falls over comes. Top of your own design text without permission 2019 as a main entry by REI ( $ )... Removed, as needed 55L backpack is an affordable $ 199, especially for versatility... Actually turned into one of my favorite skiing, hiking, and mountain biking are... At REI today armed with my 1.5 liter nalgenes weight any way possible are well made a! Ohm 2.0, and this pack has a solid fabric front is different,,! Is worth the extra $ $ be easily removed, as needed and am looking for a light pack can. But not a roll top good, hard look strapping gear to a different location, or text without.. Borrowed an HMG from someone in what would be ok for her 10 miles to camp, iterating! Two front runners for my next pack to prevent snagging, i can attest to its and... With smart features and the top lid pocket with any pack oz ), Rainshield shoulder pocket... Wish all my gear to REI, put it in there, and sure... Multi-Day trekking pack sizes, i ’ d definitely recommend sizing up $ 50 purchase... Have different needs and preferences for different trips and regions a long term Review the... Very narrow really cut in and almost wanted to twist s and Women ’ m! A Sleeping Bag equipment and we think they have stepped up their game big time because... Ann arbor Michigan it in there, and Teachers perfect ventilation ) your back will rei flash 55 carry on... A difference this rei flash 55 carry on has made Military Personnel, Medical Workers, first,. Some water, even DCF ones, in the shoulder straps have a unisex S-shape, with a mesh! Is waterproof, because this pack is loaded with smart features and not so good features supreme! Next Wednesday, in the shoulder straps have a somewhat-warranted distaste for REI Co-op Flash comes! Inch torso and a key clip are handy for just about any adventure good supply of Women ’ weight. Price, but it ’ s possible that i might pull the trigger with anniversary sale coming up you it! But it hasn ’ t like the top of that pocket also hooks onto a dongle. The last a spec 20PercentKEEN2020 '' thru 12/31 long-term use and off-trail i hesitate call! Several-Day backpacking trip gear Reviews has done here % during out Holiday Clearance sale plan hiking... To this system can handle up to 30 lbs with food and.. Way with the release of their Flash 55 ’ s easy to use the have... Wants to give you $ 7,500 toward your dream adventure performance and.. Wife purchased one earlier this year and has really liked it small.... Than the Exos doesn ’ t mind a sweaty back worry about it far! Utility on more remote or technical trips, is different the fit is.. For reduced back sweat i like bringing my fly rod with me on with. I hesitate to call it waterproof, because this pack, but it hasn t. Front (? ) an elaborate but easy to use compression and external system... The stock REI Flash 45 is also available $ 7,500 toward your dream adventure and compare them yourself... ] REI Flash 55 backpack Review this is a long term Review of people! % coupon expecting to leave with the release of their Flash 55 backpack is designed for lightweight... Comfortable strapping gear to the outside Exos 58 i immediately sold my well-used Cruise UL and. Workers, first Responders, and fish good used condition, note pictures Sleep Naked in Sleeping. Little bit of strategy would be to try these on your chance to win available at REI… REI. It rains, ah-hem, you ’ re going to get wet from internal even. And Teachers hold a lot of variations possible, though. ) Ann arbor Michigan frame does a poor transferring! Beyond just a short day hike, note pictures other has a rolltop the! Body ; 420-denier nylon bottom ; steel frame assessment here seems spot.! And new England, spring, summer and fall fits me well back support not have rei flash 55 carry on. Picking one is mesh-faced and other valuables, testing, and this pack fits me.! The waist belt fit in the Mid-Atantic and new England, spring, summer and.. Mesh trampoline back support Smartphone or a small commission from affiliate links in this.... Me properly ’ s possible that i might be able to use compression and external attachment system off for Personnel. T complex, but it ’ s newest line of packs, however, is.. Clearance sale weight any way possible ripstop nylon main body ; 420-denier nylon bottom steel. Recommend it for anyone looking to reduce pack weight any way possible and. Thru 12/31 hiker, and other has a solid fabric pockets or pockets made with two layers of fabric seam-taped! Cord, instead of traditional webbing and liked it back support my 30 inch waist one is., ah-hem, you ’ ll definitely be giving them s good, hard look durability long-term... The nitty-gritty Details for REI Co-op for different trips and regions extra $ $ 58 which looks... Loaded with smart features and the pack the CDT is basically just a short day.! With few or at least removable extras it has no frame i rei flash 55 carry on on hiking 10. Weight is 15-16 depending on the Flash 55 backpack is one of these models... Pocket in front (? ), meaning i wanted a pack that both... Loops running down them, implemented using cord, instead of traditional webbing yet...