REI Flash 18 Pack

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

I used the precurser to the "Flash" packs in 2008 on a trip to India as my carry around pack. I found it to be very lightweight, large enough to carry all my daily essentials and valuables in. I have since used it for my 14ers day pack for the past 5 years. Unfortunately I lost my prescription sunglasses in India at a rest stop on a trek when the top pocket was not fully zipped up and they fell out. Dumb me! Whatever, Forward to NOW - the Flash 22 has the same pocket that I screwed up with, and also has mesh side pockets that I don't really need, and it also costs more, so I wanted to get the flash 18 instead - the same exact design without top pocket or mesh side pockets. Both Flash 18 and 22 have a convenient inside pocket I can use for small ietms and sunglasses. The one drawback I saw in the Flash 18, listed as a "con" by some in these reviews is the 18 does not have "enough padding." I submit that this is actually not quite true. It has sufficient padding with the two thin pieces of closed cell foam, however they are not stiff enough (Flash 22 has a much stiffer type of plastic insert, making it hold it's shape better and not be subject to odd-sahped objects poking one in the back unless it is perfectly packed). To remedy this I purchased the Flash 18 on sale, then bought the large REI "Campware Cutting Board" a flexible cutting board in the cooking area. I removed the foam inserts, traced around them and cut the cuttng board with a scissors to the same shape and size, cutting both the foam and the cutting board stiffener about 1/4" shorter than the original foam inserts, for ease of fitting. Then I replaced the foam inserts and put the cutting board in as well on the inside (foam against the back for padding). Now my Flash 18 actually is as stiff as the Flash 22 and has better padding! True it added a few ounces, but I can remove the stiffener if I want to use it as a stuff sack, or if I need a cutting board for those outdoor chef moments...

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

I grabbed this from the rack one day after coming back from a trip to the eastern Sierras. A friend had one and I spent the trip jealous of her Flash pack and the fact that everything she needed for our day hikes fit perfectly into its deceptively roomy interior.

Fast forward several months and this little pack never gets put away. It stays hanging over the back of a chair in the dining room, being grabbed up about three or four times a week to be stuffed with a change of clothes to head to the gym, or used as a carryall for evening hikes around San Diego county.

During backpacking trips I have used this as a day pack for hikes from the campsite, turned it inside out and stuffed it full of clothes for use as a pillow, and made it pull double duty as a stuff sack. I can't say enough good things about this pack. I've loaded it past its capacity and it didn't complain, nor did it feel awkward on my back or pull down on my shoulders too bad. The loops on the outside are perfect for lashing down extraneous gear or for securing a bag for trash I find on the trail.

If I had to list cons, it would be the following, although I consider them minimal compared to the pros. First, when hiking in hotter climates, I end up with severe back sweat due to the fact that it has no ventilation on the back. I understand the price point and function of the pack so I can live with that. However if you tend to sweat during hikes just be forewarned--you'll take the pack off more than once thinking your camelback bladder is leaking. I'm just saying. Second, I've had one time where the cinch on the top jumped off the rail on the plastic buckle. It only happened once but it was absolutely maddening getting it to jump back on the track and work again. After that I had no further problems.

Overall, I have one thing to say about the Flash 18. Buy this pack. You will have so many uses for it it's not even funny. As of now, four people in my regular hiking/backpacking group use this for day hikes and much more. You won't be disappointed.

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

This pack has quickly become my go to bag. I originally bought it for use as a boat bag while kayaking for a few weeks in Patagonia Chile, but I now use it practically everday for the gym and weekend trips and as a great little carryon. While in Patagonia, this bag lived on my kayak for 20 straight days and took a severe beating day in and day out. I was able to organize my belongings by using in dry bags inside, and it held a day worth of snacks, a full extra layer including a hat and gloves, my bowl and spoon, and a 70 oz bladder. The daisy chain on the outside made it very easy to strap the pack to my kayak and quickly access its belongings. I also used it to attached things I needed to get my hands on quickly, like my camera and CPR/First Aid supplies. Because of the lightweight and treated nylon material it was able to dry out everynight and kept mild amounts of water out on its own. I would highly recommend this bag looking for a great alternative to duffles or satchels for everyday life.

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

We just spent five days at Disney World where I used this as a daily pack for the parks. It comfortably carried three water bottles, snacks, a can of sunscreen, a samll FAK, and some souvenirs. I like fact that ths is basically a stuff sack with shoulder straps. It did not get in the way on rides or at restaurants. I also used it as a laundry bag for a trip to the resort's laundromat mid-stay. On the trip home our six year old wore this pack with no problem. It's a keeper.

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

I like the new update. Here's my take on the newly updated Flash 18:

I love how the inside pocket isn't a few giant pockets making easy for small items to tumble around any longer. In it's place, the pack now has a zippered compartment in addition to the adjacent side's hydration bladder.

I also like how the straps can be removed. On a pack this light, you don't always need a hip belt, especially one of such unsupportive qualities. Usually..

I love how padding has been added to the portion that rests on your back. However I do think more could be added and not sacrifice too much weight. You can remove the hip belt, so a few oz extra of padding on the back would be a good thing. If we could access said padding and customize the depth of the padding, all the better. Maybe ship it with a 1" and a .5" pad that you could tailor to your personal preference or outdoor outing? I'd pay a few $ more for it since the versatility would be better in a variety of situations.

Size of the pack internally is great. 18 liters should be sufficient for most any day adventure you would pursue. I think it's the perfect day pack size.

I would have liked the very bottom of the zippered pocket to have been attached to the inside portion of the pack. This pouch seems to get in the way as you load the pack occasionally. It is attached at the corners, however, I think that if the entire bottom portion was attached it would have been better. I band-aided this with two or three safety pins, but it could have been implemented better.

I think a little bit of padding on the very bottom of the pack would have been nice. I wonder how many people put their pack on rocks, sticks, etc all the time in their outdoor adventures and never think about how vulnerable that portion is?

The pack overall probably weighs in at about an ounce or half an ounce heavier than the previous incarnation, but seriously, it's so light that you wouldn't notice the difference on or off your back anyway. I'll take a little organization above lightweight when the difference is that small. A great update, a worthy upgrade though could still be improved upon slightly.

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

The flash 18 is a classic packable day pack. It's light and compact enough to stuff in your backpacking pack and use for day hikes. It carries wieght well enough for a pack of this size. After cutting off any unesscary parts, it weighs around 8 oz. There are lighter day packs out there, but the flash is made from a durable fabric and carries comfortably.
It can also be used as stuff sack for organizing your gear.
If you are just going heading out for a day hike, there are more comfortable packs with better features. But if you need something light and compact for hiking from your base camp on a backpacking trip, the flash 18 is a great choice.

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

Great pack with easy top loading. Havent tested it in the rain but I suspect everything inside will get wet in heavy rain. I wish there was a smaller pocket on the outside to easily stash small items. I also dont like the large logo printed on the side but I'm thinking of sewing a patch over it. Overall awesome bag, it holds heavier things than I would have thought and is still comfortable with extra weight. I'm hoping it will be long-lasting and enduring.

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

Overall, The 18 Liter bag is the most versatile bag I have ever used. I use it as a stuff sack then as a day pack. Also use it as my daily gym bag and when I go hiking. I use it when I need to sleep over at a friends house. I use it just about everywhere and its replaced many of the bags I used to use. I bought a Camelback Mule right before I got this one a few years ago. I basically took the water pouch out of the Mule and the Mule does a lot of dust collecting.

This version has many improvements over the first version. 1) The removable back panel creates a sweatproof barrier between the bag and my back. It's easy enough to take out but nice to have as an option.

2) The mesh pocket inside the bag is moved to the front of the pack, away from my back. It is now much easier to access than the first iteration. Sometimes in the old one I would stuff a jacket inside and it would get stuck in the mesh pouch. Not so with the new one because its been moved and also now comes with a zipper. This new design also keeps stuff away from my sweaty back. With easier access comes other problems. I dare not hold valuables in the mesh pocket when travelling overseas and stuff is exposed to rain.

3) I never used the old belt buckle and its great that it can be removed in this iteration.

Unfortunately, the new closing mechanism is chunkier and not as easy to use as the old system.

Still, one of the most versatile bags out there. I bought the new version because my old version has turned into a gym bag. I need one that doesn't smell for the other stuff this bag is good for. Highly recommended.

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

I actually use this as a gym bag and its perfect. I added a carabiner to the front (there's a ton of places to attach stuff) and hook my gym shoes to the outside. Good simple bag.

Comments about REI Flash 18 Pack:

I have been looking for years fora a day pack to take on multiday backpacking trips that I could use as a day pack that didn't take extra space in my pack or ad unnecessary weight was large enough and comfortable. This does all those things and has multiple uses. I love this thing. The only thing I am not a huge fan of is the type of draw cord that cinches the top closed. For some reason I always grab it the wrong way to release it.