Our workhorse for anything from epic day hikes to overnight microadventures, the men's REI Co-op Traverse 35 pack is durable, comfortable and well organized.
10% co-op member reward: $15$15 Member Reward
$30Member Bonus Card
This purchase pays for membership!
$15
10% Reward
on this and every eligible full-price item*
+
$30
Bonus Card
valid for 30 days after joining*
=
$45
Value
Start earning when you buy a $30 lifetime membership.
Keep shopping
Features
Extended sizing, upgraded fit and continuous torso adjustability support a broader range of body types and deliver on-trail comfort
Ventilated air-mesh back panel offers sustained airflow on the trail
Internal perimeter frame balances loads for technical hiking or minimalist overnights
Hydration reservoir–compatible design features a tube holder on the shoulder strap (reservoir not included)
Padded harness and hipbelt keep you feeling comfortable mile after mile
Dual-density foam in the hipbelt and lumbar pad is conforming and supportive; the continuous wrap helps avoid hot spots and discomfort
Generous hipbelt pockets are sized to store a phone and snacks
Stretch-mesh water bottle pockets are tilted forward for easy access on the go
Large front stuff pocket lets you store gear outside the pack
Floating top lid lets you make room for bulky gear, like a sleeping pad
Front panel J-zipper provides optimal main body access for quick stops or full unpacking
Side compression straps sculpt the pack to the shape of your load, helping with load management and balance
Trekking pole keepers and an ice axe loop make this pack suitable for a wide range of activities
Included raincover stashes into its own pocket under the top lid
Nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) and polyurethane finishes on the shell, lining and raincover help moisture bead up on the surface
REI Co-op brand is certified to The Climate Label; we actively fund efforts to reduce carbon emissions across our business and support climate projects around the world
Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria
Imported.
Sizing notes:
Each size features an easy-to-adjust sliding back panel with a 3 in. range to let you fine-tune the fit to your torso length.
Torso range is reflected in the size name: 18–20 fits torsos 18–20 in. long.
For hip size range, consult the Fits Waist/Hips guide in the Technical Specs; this dimension refers to body circumference at the iliac crest.
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.
Reviews
(9)9 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars
6 out of 6 (100%) reviewers recommend this product
Review this Product
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
Average Customer Ratings
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Customer Images
OnTheSummit
Received free product
Massachusetts, USA
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Pack with Plenty of Features
4 months ago
This is a solid 35L daypack with plenty of bells and whistles that are often found on more premium packs. I've spent the last week snowshoing around new England and the Traverse35 is a great option when you need to be out for the day, but carry a little more gear than 2 bars and an energy chew.
Of particular note are the side waterbottle holders, 2 mesh pockets with a snap closure that are mounted in a position between the hipbelt and the full side of the pack allowing for easy access to your waterbottle if you have shorter arms or limited range of motion. It has a bladder sleeve of course on the inside.
I also REALLY appreciate the half opening front access. This is often found on larger packs, but the ability to see an access all the gear in your pack without having to root through everything you don't want is huge! This pack has a zippered half-opening front that lets you see everything inside without having to remove or losen the pack's top lid.
Speaking of top lid, this pack has an extendable one, giving you room to put several more liters of cargo up there. If you have ultralight items, you could easily extend this pack to 45L and overnight with it. On the underside of the lid you'll find the rain cover in a mesh sleve, which is nice as some brands packs no longer come with one standard.
Looking around the pack, it is made with quality, as the stitching is all solid, and the daisy chains and gear loops are all robustly sewn. I think the only thing I would question is the use of alternative buckles about the pack. Time will tell if they hold up better than standard plastic buckle design. I'm curious why they were chosen over something more conventional. To be sure, they function just fine and very well may be completely fine during the life of the pack. I was simply surprised to see them.
Padding is generous on the hip and shoulders, and the Velcro torso adjustment lets you really dial in the appropriate torso length.
Bottom line is this pack will provide many of the features a premium pack would have while saving you some dollars to spend on more gear. If you don't hike all the time, this pack is a great way to get a very respectable and serviceable piece of gear that will do everything you need it to, while remaining budget friendly. An excellent choice if you're dipping your toes into hiking and want to save a premium purchase for later.
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'11"
Yes , I recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Sweet Tater
Received free product
Mobile, Alabama
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Lightweight option for overnighters
4 months ago
I received these products for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review.
I have owned several REI-branded backpacks over the years, including day bags and full size backpacks. I have been consistently impressed, and this Traverse 35 does not disappoint.
REI has taken great strides in creating a very lightweight, yet durable pack. Minimal fabric and webbing were used in the construction; even the plastic buckles and hardware is skeletonized to save weight. The result is a pack that holds more than enough for a 3-season overnighter and rides comfortably.
My favorite feature is the incredibly easy adjustment system. Along the right side of the back panel is a graduated scale. Pull a web in the center to move the pointer to the appropriate number (18", 19", or 20", corresponding to your back measurement). Viola -- the pack fits and rides very nicely.
Organization is minimal, with a two-sided floating top pocket, a voluminous main compartment with hydration bladder sleeve, two large hipbelt pockets, and a stretchy shovel pocket on the front of the back. Numerous tiedowns and loops are available to lash extra gear to the outside of the pack. It's easy to get your overnight or ultralight gear squared away, leaving you more time to hit the trails!
Age:55–64
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Yes , I recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
bike
Received free product
Las Vegas, NV
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Great day and overnight pack
4 months ago
This pack is a wonderful day or overnight pack. I like that it is adjustable to fit snuggly but comfortably around the shoulders and waist. The pack comes with a "rain" cover and has great access to the inside the main bag. Not only can you access the bag from the top using the drawstring, the bag also has a zipper which makes it much quicker to retrieve items inside or at the bottom of the backpack. Great single day pack!!!
Age:45–54
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Yes , I recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Anthony
Received free product
Kalamazoo, MI
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, light pack with clamshell access!
4 months ago
I really love the design and fit of this 35L pack. First, the clamshell zipper style is incredibly convenient so that you can fully open the pack without having to dig from top to bottom to find what you're looking for. I haven't seen this feature on many traditional packs and I'm assuming most backpacking packs will convert to this style because it's the best of both worlds!. I also think the padding, organizing pockets, and side straps are all very thoughtfully created for peak functionality. I tried this pack out in our local preserve, loading it with some clothes and camping gear. The strap adjustments were easy to use and the fit felt like a snug battery pack with proper weight distribution.
Age:35–44
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'10"
Yes , I recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Steve
Oregon
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
This pack is the bomb!
3 months ago
I just completed a training hike with 38 lbs for 14 miles and 3500' elevation gain with this pack. The suspension and hip belt handled it like a pro - one of the best carrying packs I've owned as it transferred most of the load to my hips, something other 'name brand' packs I've had have failed to do. Almost everything about this pack is spot-on, very well designed. Easiest harness torso adjustment ever, lots of lash points, nice hip belt pockets, etc. As with everything, not all is perfect, starting with the torso adjustment that doesn't keep its position with loads over 25 lbs. I can count on about 1 inch of slip to a larger torso size when I carry heavy loads. I cannot figure out how to prevent that slippage. A couple of nitpicks: the water bottle pockets are placed such that, theoretically, you can reach a bottle without taking off the pack. It's a struggle for me and there is no hope of placing the bottle back in the pocket once out. Also, when a 1 liter Nalgene is in one of the pockets my arms constantly hit it, not comfortable. A 0.5 liter Nalgene is ok. Because the pockets are slanted forward and shaped to facilitate water bottles they are not useful for storage, including inserting long items (like snow pickets, wands, tent poles) when lashing to the side of the pack, a loss of normal functionality. The other nitpick is the rain cover compartment under the lid, which is the logical place to stow keys and wallet. The compartment doesn't have a closure, just a small elasticized opening meaning it would be fairly easy for keys/wallet to fall out. The opening is rather small as well which makes it awkward to reach items inside the pocket. I'll be adding a velcro closure to mine so at least stuff won't inadvertently fall out. Otherwise this pack is brilliant.
Age:65–74
Weight:150–175 lbs.
Height:5'7"
Yes , I recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Matt T
Received free product
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Well-Built and Comfortable
4 months ago
The REI Co-op Traverse 35 Pack is a well-designed, high-quality pack with great features. The blue color looks fantastic, and the overall build quality feels premium, with sturdy clips and well-placed pockets.
The adjustable torso is a great feature, and the padded waist belt fits well and adds comfort. I especially like the side pockets, which are easy to access while wearing the pack and have button closures to keep small items secure. The included rain cover is a great bonus and stores neatly in the top pocket. There is also a pocket on the bottom that lets you access items at the bottom of the main storage area which is nice.
One small drawback is that the rear outside pocket isn’t that expandable or stretchy. I’ve had other packs where this pocket could fit a bulky jacket, but this one stays fairly fixed in size.
For reference, I’m 6’3” and 220 lbs. While the waist belt fits fine, the torso could be larger, as the shoulder straps sit a little high on my chest. If a larger size were available, I’d consider going up for a better fit. The adjustable feature does allow for a decent fit for me and an excellent fit for my wife though.
I haven’t taken it on a hike yet, but I plan to use it for hiking and skiing in France and Switzerland with my family. Looking forward to seeing how it performs on the trail!
Helpful?
ChuckEBeaver
Cowpens, SC
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Why should I have bought my pack in Asheville?
2 weeks ago
What really sold me on the Pack was the staff member who sized it, showed me how to set it up and took the time to listen to me.
