How to Choose Daypacks

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The REI Lookout 40 daypack has plenty of pockets for organizing a full day's worth of gear and a contoured fit to keep you comfy over miles of trails.
Shop similar productsBest Use | Hiking |
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Frame Type | Internal Frame |
Material(s) | Recycled ripstop PET/recycled PET oxford |
Frame Material | HDPE/aluminum |
Number of Stays | 1 |
Suspended Mesh Back Panel | No |
Pack Access | Panel |
Number of Exterior Pockets | 6 + main compartment |
Raincover Included | Yes |
Dimensions | 21 x 12 x 9 inches |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Reasons why I like it: - I have never run out of room - Comfortable - Plenty of pockets - Good price - Awesome rain cover Reasons why I am returning it: - The shoulder strap stitching has come undone on both shoulders. The shoulder straps are engineered to carry heavy loads (reinforcing webbing etc), but they seem to be very weak at the slightly different load bearing points when you pick your pack up off the ground by a single shoulder strap. I suppose this could be avoided by lifting the pack to shoulder height first by the handle on top of the pack. - The net-like mesh that lines the shoulder straps and the back wear very quickly, especially if you have any exposed velcro on your coat that it may cling to. I have used this pack everyday for about 6 months and the mesh is very frayed. - The pack will not stand up on its own. It requires a good 30 degree lean to keep it from toppling over. It is actually quite frustrating. Overall I thought it was a good try, but has some vital adjustments to be made.
I bought this pack awhile back and have found it to be my favorite travel pack ever. I recently took this pack to south America for a few months and was surprise by the capacity it had. To be fair, I am a very light packer. I never regretted having this bag on the many taxis, planes and chicken buses we were on. Since it isnt bright red yellow or green, you don't feel like a sour thumb in a small village. I also found the built in rain cover to be valuable. It saved my life during several unexpected down pours. I do wish it were a bit easier to lock, but since it was designed as more of a hiking pack I can understand the lack of that feature. Buy it, enjoy it, love it
I have used the pack on day hikes mostly, 2 nights would not be a problem. More nights than that, you may wish for a larger pack. Things that are great about this pack include the strap comfort, versatility in strap adjustment, hooks and loops for accessories, perceived quality. As an authorized REI licensed pack, I feel that REI definitely used their comprehensive knowledge in building a quality product. It feels 'overbuilt' for its size and purpose - like the waist straps seem to come from a much more heavy-duty pack. I added the Osprey 100 bladder to it and now it is a much more serious tool for getting into the woods or up that mountain! There aren't too many things not good about this pack - it is an overall great pack with lots of content and versatility!
First REI bag. My version is the generation before they added rain covers. The hip belt pockets were small and the back of the backpack was hardshell with minimal padding to the back. There is one main pocket which lends itself to creative packing as needed. However for going to school and such, having one pocket might not be the best idea. The pack is now approaching three years old and has been overpacked, shoved under airport seats, into carryon, carried through sun, rain and snow (and in the rain, the zipper is still watertight even without the rain cover!). Even though it's an older bag and lacking the newer features it is bulletproof and will last me a long time.
Used it twice in Africa (along with the REI Flash 65 as the bulk pack). The Lookout is heavier than UL packs, but I did not buy this to go to Africa. I had it, so it went to Africa - twice. The material I would not classify as high quality (hence the lower price tag), but it worked really well. The pack has good padding but hangs low on the back. The small zipper pouch on the waist can hold an iphone but it is not easy to get in or get out. Lots of pockets and that is good but the zippers would not work 100% of the time with one hand. Meaning I needed to take it off and use two hands to get in it. Inconvenient at times, but overall - a good day pack or second pack. I was able to keep a change of clothes, sandals, 2 cameras, laptop, notebooks, food, and stuff hanging on the outside - all with ease. It also fit on all airplanes from double deckers to underneath seats.
I have had this pack for about 6 months and have been very pleased with it, especially during our recent 3-day ascent of Mt. Cameroon and a previous trip to East Africa. The positives are that the design allows your back to breath well, the capacity is just about right for overnight, the internal rain cover is great, the adjustment straps allow one to customize a comfortable fit and the material is easy to clean. The only negative I could find is that there is not a very easy way to lash things to the sides of the pack (there is on the bottom). Overall, for the price this is an excellent backpack.
I originally bought this pack for hiking. Now, I use it not just for hiking but for traveling, commuting to work and the grocery store on my bike, and it can be cinched down to meet my needs as a day pack. I do most of my hiking in Florida. To say the least, its sometimes painfully hot and the air circulation is adequate leaving my back drier than the original pack I owned. There are plenty of pockets and straps. My Osprey 2L HydraForm Reservoir fits perfectly in the reservoir pouch. I have to say, I am thoroughly impressed that the pack is made from recycled plastics. Good job, REI!
I am always reluctant to give a product five stars, but the Lookout 40 pack by REI definately deserves the gratitude. When I first tried the pack on (with a 20 pound bag inside), and got it adjusted properly, it was the most comfortable pack I've ever worn. It has a large capacity and is easy to load. The upgraded back padding technology is awesome compared to previous models (i.e., '08 traverse pack, '08 Lookout 40 pack). I love it. I use this pack for day hikes, school, groceries, biking, and far more. It is a rare occasion that I leave my house without the Lookout 40 on my shoulders. This is definitely in my top five favorite purchases! If you choose to buy it, you won't be disappointed.
This is a great pack and obviously has had a lot of thought put into it. It's great REI is incorporating ecosensistive materials into it's mainstream packs. It has plenty of room for water, clothes, and whatever else you need for a day hike. It does however lack in the stitching department. At the present time I can count three loose threads that are unraveling parts of the pack (one on a waterbottle holder, another on the hip belt, and another on the chest strap). Additionally when loaded down with heavy cargo it seems to fit oddly (for a 6 feet tall male). All in all it is a great pack and I would definitely recommend it, but hopefully a higher quality of stitching will be used in future designs.
After extensive research, I settled on the Lookout 40 as best fitting my needs for a forthcoming trek in Africa. [...] with the Aussie dollar so strong against the Greenback it was great value [...]. I have been doing 20km walks with the pack loaded to 10kg, and it excellent in every way. The waist strap is ultra comfortable, the bladder compartment works perfectly, and the various compartments are great for efficiently splitting up the load. I leave tomorrow for a week long trip to London using only this pack - it's full, but still very comfortable. Very highly recommended.