REI Co-op  Flash 22 Print Pack

Picked up a Flash 22 Print pack a few months ago on sale, probably because of the "different" I've never been much of a fashion plate. I'm kind-of old school and have been skeptical about all this "ultralight" gear out there. The Flash 22 has helped convert me. Initially seemed a little small but I've realized most of the things I put in it are now sort-of ultralight too. After a couple of months of intermittent use the Flash 22 is perfect for the kind of day hikes I'm doing. Holds a soft-shell, ultralight rain gear, water, headlight, some food, knife, fishing tackle, fero rod and bush-crafty toys. Back padding mesh design works great for dissipating sweat and drys quickly. Strap system appeared a little under-gunned at first but is equally well designed in my experience. I was never much of a sternum strap person but now I'm a convert, spreads the load nicely, The whistle seemed a little geekazoid at first but its sort-of brilliant, could end up saving you some day. I haven't had to fully load it but can see it does have expandable capacity under the lid. Which is an old school design ! Other reviews talk about the side mesh pockets not reliably retaining a water bottle. I keep all my gear inside a pack (something I took from the Carlos Castenada Don Juan series, kind-of a JU JU energy thing) so they make great pockets for trash I collect on my hikes. Other pocket designs are great and seem well made and secure. My favorite feature is the sewn in key holder. This eliminates the "don't lose the keys" anxiety I've struggled with for years. Reassuring to know they're permanently anchored in the pack so whatever happens you know they'll be there when you return exhausted to the trail-head. This feature also eliminates "the should I hide them in the gas cap or that rusty magnetic key holder and is any one going to see me doing it" conundrum. At any rate it stays in the car loaded as incentive to get outside even for mini fitness hikes and so far its helped me to lose 10lbs! It's always tempting to head-out with nothing, but a wrong turn, weather change or unforeseen occurrence can mean a hypothermic and potentially deadly night in the woods versus a cheery pint or two at the local pub on the way home. Comforting to know the gear is there. Lengthy review but I'm a gear-head. I'm not a rabid REI fanboy (although I do have a six digit membership # from the late 70's) but their stuff does seem to stay innovative. Probably wouldn't use it for my Everest Base camp dream hike but for what I'm doing these days it's perfect.

The *first* Flash 22 I got was returned due to a defective drawstring closure (painless experience, thank you REI!!) The *second* one I decided to take on a day trip to Camel's Hump in Vermont. Unfortunately, the Flash 22 did not fair well.. 1) Both side pockets had 2" diameter holes in them. 2) The shoulder straps had started tearing away from anchor stitching at multiple points 3) The fabric on the back panel tore I had a base weight of maybe 3lbs and a filled 2L Platypus reservoir, certainly shouldn't have been worried about overloading a pack of this size. All in all, the design is really great but the construction and materials used leave much to be desired.