REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

I bought this pack (Men's Large - 42L) after a long period of shopping for a replacement for my 65L pack. After years of buying high quality replacements for tent, stove, sleeping bag, pad, etc. I have been able to downsize quite a bit. This pack is marketed as a day pack but I can fit everything needed for a regular 3-season weekend trip and still be quite comfortable.

One of my zippers is a little difficult to operate but overall the quality seems pretty good.

I love the pocket layout - there are enough to keep things organized but not too many as to cause me to forget where I put things. I wish they were a little more separated as filling any one pocket will push into the other neighboring ones, but overall this isn't really a problem.

I like the materials - the mesh is strong and stretchy, the bottom panel (with sleeping bag access zipper, if you're into that) is waterproof, and all of the other materials appear to be of good quality.

My only real criticism deals with the external hydration bladder pocket. While this is an interesting design feature, I don't really need quick access to 3L of water. There is no way to close off the top of the pocket so if you stuff a full bladder into the pocket, the opening remains open and can collect rain, dust, etc. Most hydration bladder pockets have a 'sleeve' that the bladder slides into and the hard mouth of the bladder rests on the edge of the sleeve, but this pack lacks that standard feature.

Aside from that, I'm very happy with this fairly light weight pack and will be using it for all my weekend backpacking trips.

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

Have had this pack for about a month and used it on some short hikes and ski trips. It's a sizable pack and maybe a little heavier than what I might've used in the past as a daypack, but with two kids in tow the size is just right. Sheds water and mud nicely. Seems resistant so far to snags, tears, and slight bending of frame to jam into a ski locker. Highly recommended.

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

First, let me say that this is a comparison review from my older, highly used and loved, Lookout 40 from 3-4 years old.

Loved that pack and finally broke down and wanted to buy this one, but my work beat me to it as a gift.

Why did we mess with the pockets?? The 2 side mesh pockets are now angled instead of vertical. I always put my water bottle in these, can't do that any more. Not to mention the other items I cannot put there now.

Vertical zippers? Are you nuts? Any time you open the zippers on the 2 smaller pockets, you run the risk of everything falling out. I have forgotten to close zippers on my old pack, but everything stays put because the zippers are horizontal.

Also should mention, one of the great features of the older pack's small pockets was an internal mesh, zippered organizers inside the pockets. This has nothing so all those items you begin keeping in your pack.....they are all over the place.

Good things: Love the ventilated back, much better than the old version.
Belt pouches are a big plus, larger and hold cameras or phones.
Whistle on chest strap is a nice feature used often now, but not back then.
Hydration pouch is now on the outside. I thought this would make it easier to fill than the inside pocket of my old Lookout, but it is actually harder....but for some reason I like this outside pocket.
Like the zipper for bottom access to the pack...big plus.

Overall, not a bad pack for hiking, weekend trips, commuting to work, biking, and many other activities. Just not a big improvement of product for me. Kinda disappointed, usually love all rei stuff.

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

I like this packs features minus the pocket arrangement. I wish one of the pockets had a small mesh organizer and key loop etc. Also the upper small pocket is basically exposed inside the main compartment which is unusual. I think the sleeping compartment would be better if it were seperate from the main compartment as well, but thats just my tatste in features

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

I used this pack on a spur of the moment snowshoe trek with a friend right after I received it. It had plenty of space for the trip and was very comfortable on the hike. I use it everyday as a school bag and it holds 2 1" binders and a 2" binder along with notebooks with ease. The water bottle slots are great and hold a 32oz nalgene perfectly. I would recommend you buy this pack if you are reading this right now.

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

I wanted a new day pack and found the Lookout 40 which at first I thought was too big for a day pack. Then I decided it would be great for a 4-season day pack or a small overnighter pack so i bought it. So far I am very happy with the price and performance of the pack. I've used it on several 5-10mi dayhikes and it has been quite comfortable and spacious.

My only complaint about the pack so far is there is no little flap of fabric covering the zipper so rain just falls right onto the zipper teeth and into the bag - especially if you leave both zippers for the main compartment straight up, then there is a 1/4 in. opening. Seems like a simple feature that was overlooked. A pack cover would prevent this, but in a light rain, I don't usually pull out a cover.

It's not a light bag, but still acceptable for me.

All in all, very happy with the pack and looking forward to more trail time with it.

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

This pack is a great choice for anybody looking to do day or overnight trips. On day trips I used to use a large general purpose backpack and this is my first dedicated hiking pack. It's great price for everything this pack offers. The two water bottle pouches hold large Nalgene bottles very well and the hydration pocket can be accessed from the outside of the pack, which is quite nice. The trekking pole strap attachments work well for holding my poles. The are very adjustable and can hold one each, or I can get both to fit on one side and use the other side to carry my air pellet rifle. There are four lightweight attachment hooks on the front of the pack that work well to carabiner smaller things such as gps, machete, or hatchet. The bottom of the pack unzips to allow access to the main compartment which is great for direct access to your sleeping bag/tent/hammock without having to empty the entire compartment.

A few picky things I wasn't the fondest of. The hip pads could be a little softer, but work well enough so long as the pack isn't overloaded with huge amounts of gear. The two main outside pockets, when filled, push into each other's space, and then into the space of the main compartment. Same with the soft-lined top pouch.

Overall it's a fantastic day pack with plenty of space to provide enough luxuries to make day and overnight trips extremely fun and comfortable.

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

I needed a day pack that would be light, yet roomy enough to carry extra clothes on winter hikes. This pack can easily hold all extra clothes I need plus food for a day and my emergency kit. The side pockets are stretchy, they hold water water bottles securely, and allow me to pull them out easily without having to take the pack off my back. Overall - a perfect four-season day pack.

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

Seemingly decent pack. I didn't like the bottom fabric, as it seems plasticky and prone to damage. Also the pockets on the back kinda collide with each other, meaning if you pack one too much it will limit what you can put in the other. not to mention the pockets had no way to organize smaller things, such as a spoon or knife and will eventually be at the bottom of pocket. the padded top pocket also, if you put a few things in there, this will make it harder to maneuver things in the main pocket, although not too terribly. If you are going to purchase this pack, just try it out, I think its pretty good pack with a minimal design.

Comments about REI Lookout 40 Pack - Men's:

This pack is well made and very good for the day hike. I would of given it 5 stars but needs more hooks/straps on the out side to hang things from such as GPS, trekking poles or what ever else you need to carry.