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Item 809163
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 33 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
Picked this up before a week long family vacation where I wasn't positive I'd need another day pack (we already were bringing another) based on the recommendation of an REI employee who had received it herself as a gift.
So the positives were that the bag packs down nicely to put into other luggage and is very light and fairly comfortable.
It would be nice if there were some padding on the back (though that'd kill the self-packing feature) and a sternum strap or waist strap would have been helpful for the times when I had to run with it on.
End of the trip, we all agreed it was a winner and became the go to bag. Based on this experience, I'll be getting the Flash 22 as well since it addresses all the concerns at the cost of being able to stow in another bag.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
Pros: LIght and compact. Loved how the bag folded into itself in a handy pouch. 2 side mesh pockets also good for water bottles, umbrellas... Top compartment was roomy as well for frequently accessed items.
Cons: Capacity was smaller than I had hoped. Because of it's longish rectangular shape, it was difficult to access items from the middle down when the bag was full. Unless you're carrying soft items or clothing in it, the bag is not comfortable to carry. You really have to pack it carefully/ thoughtfully for it to be comfortable to carry. Lastly, after using it for about 2 weeks straight, the colour of the fabric around the drawstring started to fade.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
I use the travel pack as a small gym bag. It is a little small, but it works for me. It will carry a swim suit, goggles, some workout clothes and water bottles. The bag is compact yet rugged and stylish.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
I carry this pack in my luggage for all my trips, business and personal. Handy for impromptu day hikes, picnics, and even for carrying dirty clothes. I've had close to 20 pounds on drinks and gear and ice for beach trips, and the pack wears great. A removable lightweight belt strap would be handy for heavy loads or jogging, but not necessary.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
We've only used this bag a couple of times on hikes and as a day pack while exploring cities, but already know this will be a go-to bag when packing for any trip. It's very lightweight, easy to carry, and the pockets give you quick access to needed items while on the move. I love that it's very compact - I don't feel like I'm lugging some big, stiff bag around that's mostly empty if we happen to not need to carry around much that day. On the flip side, it holds a great deal when you do find yourself needing to carry more than a few items. We bought a second one, as both the husband and I keep reaching for this bag...
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
Purchased one for every member of my family to keep in car for emergencies - each packed with first aid supplies, fire starting, water, flashlight, warm clothing, etc. Perfect size and price. Quality very good.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
I used this bag for a trip to Costa Rica. It worked perfectly to hold all of my gear as well as my camera. It is lightweight, breathable, and kept out the sand and water.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
We bought this pack for use during a family vacation to Hawaii, and also for use on dayhikes when backpacking. So far, it was GREAT for our trip to Hawaii. The top pocket was excellent for stowing car keys & cell phone, and the main pouch held towels or spare clothes (depending on activity), and sunscreen. The side pouches carried our water bottles. We used it both hiking, and at the beach. It worked great! Everything stayed dry after a two hour hike in pouring rain. Plus it stowed very small in our luggage.
While we haven't yet used it backpacking, we know it is going to work great for carrying snacks, water, fishing gear, etc. for mid-trip dayhikes.
Great product - thanks REI!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
REI makes two fine lightweight, compact, non-bulky packs that are suitable for travel:
This one, the Stuff Travel Pack; and
The Flash 18.
It's usually easier to find the Flash 18 in the stores; sometimes the Stuff Travel Pack is only available online (for home delivery or FREE store pickup).
It's a toss up as to which one I bring along on my overseas trips. Both pack well in main luggage (lightweight, fold up small), they have about the same volume (18L) and carry the same - medium height, tubular between-the-shoulders ultra light day pack with thin but adequate shoulder straps.
The differences are these:
1. The Flash 18 gets snappier colors;
2. The Stuff Travel Sack body panels feel slightly stiffer than the Flash 18;
3. The Stuff Travel Sack gets a lid compartment but no interior panels or pockets, plus two exterior mesh water bottle slots;
4. The Flash 18 has no lid at all, just a zip cord to close the mouth, but it DOES get a handy interior pocket AND has a water bladder panel (which is useful for a thin windjacket if you aren't carrying a water bladder).
So the Stuff Travel Pack is oriented slightly more for travelers (the lid compartment is accessible without opening the main pack compartment, and the exterior water bottle slots can hold more than water bottles - like a banana or Power Bars for snacks, or a watchcap, or gloves) while the Flash 18 is slightly more oriented towards hikers wanting to take a side hike (water bladder compartment, nothing "outside" to fall out and get lost, inside pocket for Chapstick etc.).
Which one you choose is a personal choice - the Flash 18 "crosses over" to travel better than the Stuff Travel Pack "crosses over" to hiking - and I don't always have a clear preference (for travel, at least!) myself - the water bladder slot in the Flash 18 is terrific for an IPad, but I don't like to have to open the drawstring just to reach my cellphone on side trips in the city I am visiting.
To be honest, the best "mash up" of the two approaches for me, would be if -
IF the Stuff Travel Pack had the same materials and colors as the Flash 18, I would prefer it;
IF the Stuff Travel Pack got the water bladder panel of the Flash 18, I would prefer it (place to stuff an iPad etc.);
IF the Stuff Travel Pack got the interior "junk" pocket of the Flash 18, I would prefer it;
I ALREADY PREFER the zip cord on the Stuff Travel Pack to the confusing "new design" of the zip cord on the Flash 18; and
I ALREADY PREFER the exterior water bottle slots on the Stuff Travel Pack to "nothing" on the Flash 18.
(And I like the fact that the Stuff Travel Pack lid keeps rain out of the main compartment, a weakness of the un-lidded Flash 18.)
ON THE OTHER HAND, if REI added exterior water bottle mesh panels, a la the Travel Stuff Sack, to the Flash 18, I would switch over! Why? Because overall the Flash 18 actually makes a better travel pack, IF it had handy exterior mesh panel slots, which are useful for SO much more than just water bottles.
I hope I have totally confused you - but in a good way, convinced you it is worth looking at BOTH REI ultralight day pack variants before making your own decision. Once you see them both, you will see just how close REI would be to perfection, if they would settle on the right mash up of features and materials and colors for both lines - I would keep the Stuff Travel Pack "lidded" for travelers, and the Flash 18 "lidless" since it probably will see more "stuff sack" use by peak baggers, but otherwise features from each need to cross over to the other.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about REI Stuff Travel Pack:
This bag is perfect for my needs and it would be great for anyone who needs a light pack. I had the grey one first but gifted that one to my husband who decided he loved it too and I am awaiting my new bag, I'm getting the berry color this time just for something different.
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