REI Co-op  Flash 18 Pack

I've been buying these packs (4 and counting) for the past 5 years. I've taken mine on all day hikes (Crow Pass) as well as on a multitude of smaller day hikes. This is the first pack each of my kids get when they turn 8 and start going to summer camps. I'm pleased to see the integrated back panel pad. I made one out of a blue closed cell sleeping pad for the first two I bought. I was skeptical about the comfort of this rig, but have been pleasantly surprised. Below are some pics from a Crow Pass hike (26 miles, a mountain and a river)

This product is functional and useful I have 3 of them. The quality is good and the size is great for day trips. It is also light weight. The drawbacks are they keep putting more stuff in to this bag. Like a back pad (removable), zipper pouch, and a hydration sleeve. The beauty of this pack when it came out was that it was simple and light weight with very little bulk. Great to take on a long back packing trip packed in my large pack and then when at camp use it as a day pack. But now its getting big and heavy with more bulk. Over all great product, I just hope next year it does not have GPS, a battery charger, and a built in umbrella.

Bought this to use for hauling essentials up with me for a day climb. Perfect size to fit what you need for the day: 1) 1.5 L water bottle; 2) lunch; 3) rock shoes while approaching or rap-down/approach shoes up the wall; 4) light layer; and still a little room for anything else needed e.g. hat, etc. Snug enough to your back to be comfortable while climbing cracks or walls. I use a BD Burn Pack to carry more gear on the approach but to leave at the bottom. This pack is perfect for wearing while climbing. Inexpensive but I haven't used it long enough to see how it will endure wear and tear. I would recommend and would buy again.

Great pack. Nice variety of colors suitable for both genders. Spans all ages from the very youngest (gave to a 4 year old who uses it on family day trips and just to carry possessions in general) to the very oldest (a great grandmother who used it for recent air travel) and everyone in between. Have given one to all family members, each in their own color, and each has their own use for it, from using with a hydration pack for day hikes, to a carryall for day trips, to transport small tools and necessary items for field work, to an overnight bag, to a sport sac, to a commuting bag for work. Each was satisfied in its function for their own purpose. Reasonably priced and well constructed. Regardless of its small size and light weight, it holds plenty -- an all-around perfect pack.

It's supposed to be ultralight, but it has an unnecessary inner mesh pocket and zipper, a sleeve for a thin and useless pad, another sleeve for a hydration system (which ULers use those?), and pointless straps. Take some scissors and cut all of that away, and this pack becomes a proper ultralight pack. 7.2 ounces. Not super strong, but pretty light for not spending a gazillion bucks on exotic materials. And, a compressible enough down sleeping bag, and an air mattress (not a rolled pad), will actually fit in here with room to spare, meaning you could set off on a short backpacking trip with this thing for under 10 pounds including consumables. That's way ultralight!

I love this pack. I bought it to replace a very packable little daypack from a competing outdoor store, which was made of pretty thin dyneema and very quickly wore through. This one strikes a good balance between being light, compact, and packable, and being comfortable and (I hope and believe) durable. I immediately took out the foam stiffener pad, and with that gone, it packs down small enough. I stuff it in my luggage whenever I travel, unless I'm actively using it en route. The waist strap is sort of pointless, but easily removed. Very happy with my purchase, so far, and I expect to remain so as long as it lasts well.

I have an older version of this pack (circa 2009) and got another for one of my boys. Unfortunately the "upgrades" don't do much for me. The beauty of this little pack was that it was light, simple and would stash away in my backpack for side hikes to carry basics - water, rain jacket, camera and lunch/snacks. It now weighs 3 oz more than my 2009 version or 30% more. It is not "stashable" with the foam pad inside which makes it bulky, and some of the new straps are unnecessary. (It is a plus that the straps can be removed.) The only thing it lacked was a simple cover on the top. The new cover tab is not too effective. A simple flap like what is found on a stuff sack would have done the job. I hope REI will return to a more simple and lighter design. We returned the pack to get the REI Stuff Travel Pack which is a great little pack and lighter than this pack with straps and foam pad removed.

I am not happy with the new closure system. I was looking at buying one and then I saw it! I has, what I describe, as a cardboard flap to cover the small hole at the top once you synch down the rope. This is such a horrible and ugly looking design that I simply will not buy the new flash pack because of it. Ya, some will bark at this, but I was more then happy with the old design. Simple, effective and clean looking. I understand the need to develop and design new products, but when something as simple as the closure system gets all blinded out, on an already highly simple and wonderful pack, it frustrates me. I see a over zealous design team or stubborn upper management. Either way, I think REI dropped the ball big time on this design.

For me, this backpack is perfect. It's still very lightweight and I love that there is the option of removing the back padding, which I don't need since my camelback sits nicely inside. I haven't had any issues with the closure yet, and think it's actually easier than zippered closures. The mesh on the straps is great for hot hikes too. I noticed some reviewers complaining about the colors but I love them! I think they're even better in person-young and fresh!! I ended up getting the lighter green one and couldn't be happier. Might get the Indian Ocean color for my husband too since the price is so reasonable too.

I have the 2012 model of this bag and have loved it. My 5 year old has been wanting his own for a while and I just recently bought him his own. The new version has a better closure which is the only thing I would have changed about the old version. The bag is super light, just the right size for a daypack, has a small pocket for keys, camera batteries and other small items, and a larger interior pocket great for a hydration pack. The emergency whistle on the chest buckle is a nice bonus.