REI Stuff Travel Pack

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

This is, hands down, the best bag any company has ever created. I'm currently waiting for my fifth one to arrive. Now, this isn't because they've fallen apart on me but because everywhere I take them, someone else wants it. I've sold mine off to friends/acquaintances four times now.

REI has reissued this bag multiple times and each time it seems to rotate between departments. The year before the flash pack series came out, this bag was REI's go-to for light, on the go travel. While it doesn't have nifty features like a sternum strap or a hydration system, it does have a lid, something that has kept my valuables from being drenched time and again. Also, the ability to thread something between the bag and buckle has provided that little bit of extra room necessary for any number of random items (frizbee for the beach, tent polls for a hitchhiking trip, yoga mat for after-work classes...)

Because the bag keeps getting reissued, all of the comments left on the old models (which were the exact same aside from color options) have been erased. The only complaint that has ever been listed on this bag was that the mesh pockets are sometimes too small to prevent a Nalgene from popping out. I've never had this problem, but others have suggested getting small buckles sewn on by shoe tailors or other sewing experts.

Do yourself a favor and order three because you'll sell off at least two to envious onlookers.

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

This is a reissue of the REI Zip Daypack, which I bought last year and used as a small travel bag rather than as a daypack. In almost every respect, the Stuff is similar to the Zip. There are three differences.

One, the colors are different from the previous iteration. Please note that the steel color shown on the website arrives as a darker gray than it appears in the product description--I think it's closer to a graphite color. This was actually a positive for me because I didn't like the lighter gray color; it might be a negative for you, however, if you prefer the lighter gray that appears on the website.

Two, the interior dimensions of the pack are slightly larger than the Zip. The Stuff is listed as a half-inch taller than the Zip. All other interior dimensions appear the same, but since these are unstructured bags, I'm not sure there's an immediate apparent difference. I can only tell you that when packing the Stuff exactly as I packed the Zip, the Stuff accepted the items easier, and it appeared that there was some room left over for other items.

Three, REI has addressed the biggest previous criticism of this bag: the mesh pockets on the sides are approximately 1.5-2 inches longer than the pockets on the Zip. There's more security for things like small water bottles or other items you might place in there, making the mesh pockets much more useful than the Zip's.

The Stuff, as the Zip, is advertised as a daypack. I've found it serves well as a small case for packing for trips. I took several trips with the Zip and took a similar trip this weekend with the Stuff. I was able to pack a pair of shoes, in shoebags and stuffed with two changes of underwear and socks, in the bottom of the Stuff with the heel of one shoe lying atop the toe of the other. I wear a size nine shoe, which is close to the limit given the width of this bag. You might be able to slip a size 9.5 in there, but I doubt a size 10 shoe would fit. Also, the shoes I pack are relatively low-profile loafers. Boots will clearly take up much more room.

I then put a 15-inch packing folder that included a second pair of pants, a merino sweater, a dress shirt, and a polo shirt on top of the shoes. I slid in front of the folder a rolled-up t-shirt, a rolled pair of REI convertible pants, a belt that fit the pants in the packing folder, and an electric shaver, in its case.

Into the lid went a toiletries kit in a quart baggie, with a 3-oz. container of 3-in-1 body wash/shampoo/conditioner, a folding hairbrush, a tootbrush, toothpaste, a couple of bandaids, a small container of aspirin, and another small container with allergy and sleep aid medicines. This wasn't an airline trip, but I've used the Zip on airline trips with both a toiletries bag and a 3-1-1 bag in the lid. The mesh pockets took a pair of noise-canceling headphones, a couple of small electrical cords, and two small snacks.

Packed in this way, it's fairly easy to go through a number of varied activities, as I did this past weekend (golf, Saturday night dinner out at a somewhat formal restaurant, Easter Sunday activities, etc.). Depending on your travel destination and how much you're willing to mix and match clothes over and over again, you might be able to travel for four or five days as I did when I took the Zip on a trip to San Francisco last October.

The Stuff should fit under any airline seat as a personal item since most airline definitions describe a personal item as a bag measuring no more than 36 linear inches. The Stuff will easily fit in the overhead bin of almost any aircraft, including regional jets. When I went to SF last fall, the Zip was dwarfed by the large rollaboards so many people use.

And since the bag itself weighs only 10 oz., you're not burdened by a heavy bag. Packed as described here, the Stuff weighed less than ten pounds. And given the low price, I feel I couldn't buy a better bag for light travel. And, if you want to use it for its stated purpose as a daypack, it folds up into a small package and fits easily into a suitcase.

REI has hit a home run with this bag. I love it!

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

I was looking for a lightweight pack to take day hiking, cycling, bikepacking, around town errands, etc. I wanted something around 10oz and was looking at the REI flash 18 when I found this. I was a little skeptical to use this on any active endeavors because it lacked a waist and sternum strap to stabilize any load. Also, no hydration bladder sleeve. What I did like was the zippered top compartment, weight, ability to pack in on itself, look and mesh side pockets.

This bag would be perfect if it had the following upgrades:
1) Hydration Sleeve (for hydration bladder/ foam padding like flash 18)
2) sternum strap for support

I realize not everyone is capable of modding gear like this but if you know how to sew or know someone that can help you it's worth the effort. The materials cost around $5, which is pretty much the difference in price between this pack and the flash 18

Basically i just turned the bag inside out and measured the back panel. Then cut out a piece of 1.7 ripstop to those dimensions and sewed grosgrain around the edges. Then just sewed that piece onto the grosgrain already on the bag. Oh ya, and I added a loop of paracord at the top to hang the bladder from.

Second mod was to add a sternum strap. You'll need 1' of 1" nylon webbing and 1' of 3/4" nylon webbing, (2) sternum strap sliders and a 3/4" buckle (i used a whistle buckle). Basically just assemble it all and sew the 1" straps onto the shoulder straps. Easy and adjustable. The other option is just to sew the 3/4" straps straight onto the shoulder straps. Lighter and simpler but not adjustable.

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

I bought this to replace the Hammock Bliss Ultralight Travel Daypack that my wife appropriated. We use them for grab-and-go daytrips, side trips from the car and general cycling, hiking and other sightseeing, carrying cameras, raingear, lunch, swimwear and the like.

These ultralight packs become a must-have after you've used them - pack away to nothing and wind up carrying nearly everything for a day's adventure. Although the Hammock Bliss pack is lighter (both of these only weigh ounces), the REI is heavier, waterproofed nylon and seems beefier - no wear and tear so far. bottled water seems okay in the side pocket and the waterproofing has held up well in moderate rains. I'm not sure I'd care to lug 30+ lbs. of gear in it but for modest loads it's quite comfortable both hiking and cycling.

The ONLY thing I'd have loved to see added to this pack is a clip/lanyard for keys in the top zip pocket - something I added.

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

I wore this pack daily for 3 weeks while traveling in Cambodia. It held all my daily needs, including my water. It was light, comfortable and easy to pack. The wide straps held well. The upper pocket was convenient for things I needed more frequently. The pull string & flap was a great safety feature. Not easy for a 'pick pocket" to get into. I have had this happen with another pack while on a crowded public transport. I love the pack.

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

I really like this bag but I'm dissapointed with the stitching. My first bag lasted a year and then the stitching for the front strap came undone. My second bag has only been used for a few trips and I noticed that the shoulder strap stitching is coming loose. I also recently purchased the REI Flash 18 pack which shares the same shoulder straps and I noticed the stitching on the straps are starting to fall apart as well. The heaviest thing I've carried in the bag is a 1L water bladder for day hikes.

Besides the poor stitching, the only other improvement to the bag that I would like to see is a chest strap like the one on the REI Flash 18 bag. Then this bag would rock!

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

Hiked the Camino de Santiago in Spain last year and wished I had this for my day pack. I usually carry photography gear (DSLR + Canon L lenses) when I travel or do field work (professor)--and I do NOT carry a camera bag (screams "Steal me"). Debated long and hard and discussed with REI sales rep. between buying this pack vs. REI Flash 18 (also a cool pack). In the end, I bought the Flash 30 AND this Stuff Travel Pack (STP).

Flash 18 CONs: no side pockets to carry water bottles or other items and the drawstring top was NOT safe enough for my camera gear. F18 PROs: water bladder outlet (darn cool!) and sternum strap for added security (solution for STP = buy tie straps & add them on, which is what I did). In sum, nice/popular pack but not for me.

Flash 30 PROs: larger carrying capacity & adjustability (almost perfect!). F30 CONs: bottom design prevents pac from sitting upright on its own--must lean against something or lay flat on ground (not good IMO). In SUM: I use F30 as my day pack when traveling in distance/difficult places (no running water or telephones). I use STP in places where there is running water, phones & internet and don't have to worry about safety. :)

STP PROs: portability (collapses into its own bag), stands on its own unlike F30. Did I mention it looks cool? CONs: see below.

SUMMARY: STP is darn cool to carry around as a day back. You can stuff it into your travel luggage or main backpack (mine is Deuter ACT 65) and then put camera gear in STP for full day of photography. It has no back support so stuff an inflated pad in the back and stuff rain gear & clothes on bottom & sides (do the same for F30) to protect camera gear. Water bottles go on outside. WISHED IT HAD: sternum strap & hip strap for safety & were bigger--would give it 5 stars if it were. Still, I really really like this day pack!

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

So we "needed" a light backpack to carry water and keep the boys scout books and other items dry and secure on camp trips. The type of activities we will use these for is no more than 5-10 mile hikes. Mostly we walk to various areas in the scout camp and then stop and work on a merit badge or something. So we do a lot of stop and start. Short walks and not overnighting on the walks.

I purchased the REI Flash 18 Pack at the recommendation of a friend from scouting. I loved the compact and light nature of it - but when they came in I realized it wasn't for me. Too many loops, no pockets and too many straps. Not sure it was going to protect the contents from moisture.

So I purchsed this product to compare them. The net is that this one rocks. As soon as my boys and I looked at them it was hands down for these packs. They are easily compacted upon themselves to a pouch. They open up with plenty of room and two mesh carrying packs so we can carry two water bottles without having to latch them on and off the pack to use. The Flash 18, unless you put the bottles in the pack, you have to use a clip through a loop and then the bottles flop along with anything else you clip to it.

I'll follow up when we experience them on this upcoming trip, but we have used many different packs and these seem to finally answer the mail for what we need.

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

I travel up to 10 months out of the year, all over the world. This bag has been on nearly every trip for the last 3 years. It always begins a journey folded into itself as a pouch in the bottom of my main bag. It comes out the minute I get into my hotel or bus. As a touring musician I needed a bag that I could carry a change of clothes and my toiletries in back and forth to the venue, bus and hotel as well as something for exploring various cities.

On day trip adventures a lot of times it starts out all folded up in a jacket pocket but then gets busted out as soon as it gets too hot for the jacket. I usually wind up carrying everyone else's sweaters & trinkets picked up along the way.

At the end of a tour or long vacation this bag has come in perfect as a catch all for all of the things that wouldn't fit in my suitcase on the way home. Oh! and stuffed with a sweater and a few pairs of socks and underwear it made the perfect pillow for a 19 hour, overnight delay in the Taipei airport!

I can not imagine traveling without this bag. By far some of the best money I've ever spent at REI...

Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:

Picked this up on a whim last year for a trip to Thailand and it worked great. So great that I've ended up using it almost every day...until my wife discovered how great it was. Its been around the world three times now. Now I only get to use it if she's not looking. You won't realize how useful this pack is until you get it. I use it to go to the grocery store, as a second carry on, as my everyday day pack, I bring it on all hiking and camping trips. Basically, once I bought it it has been used constantly. It has shown very little wear and tear. I throw it in the wash every once in awhile. I had it on today and walked about 20 minutes in a Seattle downpour. The top pocket got damp, the rest of the bag was dry. Can't say enough about how useful and well thought out this bag is. The side pockets are deep and no worries about losing stuff out of them.