REI Co-op  Flash 18 Pack

I picked up this pack for a 3-week trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. I was pretty skeptical of the pack because it seemed kind of flimsy, but I knew I'd only need it to carry a few light weight items (sunscreen, hat, water, camera, rain coat) while doing day hikes. It rolls up pretty small so I figured I would just stash it in my bigger back pack and use this one on day trips. I absolutely love this pack! It's light weight, it's comfortable, you can squish a lot of stuff in there, and it's set up to carry a water bladder. It's also got a zippered pocket on the inside to stash lip balm, cell phone, keys, etc., so you don't have to go fishing around in the main part of the pack. And, if you turn it inside out, you can use it as a stuff sack or a pillow if you put some soft items in there. I have a small Black Diamond day pack I have used for years for day hikes and skiing, but I will be retiring that pack and using this one because this pack is so awesome!

I love this pack! My hydration bladder fits perfectly and those few little items I need for my daily walk with my dog are right at hand. Closes easily and with one hand. No annoying zippers to deal with. This will be my go-to pack for any short hike. And love that it comes in so many colors. I may have to get another....

I own 2 versions of this pack. Great pack! However, has anyone thought about increasing the opening diameter 1 more inch? Some of us carry bear canisters and the Flash is almost able to go over a canister. The daisy chaining on the outside(or inside) of the pack would make it possible to strap a empty canister on the outside of my backpack.

Brought it for a two week trip, using it as a day pack. Mostly carrying a bottle of water, small camera and some snacks. The lower shoulder webbing strap start to tear out from the weak mesh/foam part, it definitely not a defect but design problem. One of my coworker have an older version of flash 18 and it was constructed better than the new design. I would not recommend this pack unless you are planning to carry very light items

Just received this in the mail today, and it is a medium to dark grey instead of the light grey "titanium" color that was pictured in the photo. It is going back to REI ASAP. On a tangential note, it looks like REI started sewing the inside pocket so that it lays firm against the pack and added a hard plastic cover where the draw cord attaches, thereby making it slightly less minimalistic than previous versions. Maybe the new whistle feature (integrated into the chest strap buckle) is useful though--assuming you don't already have one.

I bought this to carry my dog in for a 5k because she won't run on her own. It did a great job she was comfortable the whole time and she got to spend time out of the house. It has very few pockets all interior, but plenty of space. The straps could have more padding for heavier loads but still a comfy pack.

Been using this pack for day hikes and on snowboarding trips, and am very happy with it. It's a very straightforward simple pack that does what I need it to do: it holds a reservoir (I think 2L is best fit), packs a few extra light layers for those who don't know how to layer properly to begin with (me), and has a small zippered pocket on the inside to hold a few key things like my phone, ID, medkit, or keys. The daisy chain on the exterior is nice as well to clip on a few light items. Straps, hip belt and chest strap actually pretty comfortable and have no complaints. I am not sure how well it will hold with heavier loads (though we should all learn to not take too much along on a short day hike anyway). I think over time the light nylon fabric will wear and tear quite easily, but have definitely already used my money's worth out of this pack over the past month and is still in great condition. Definitely worth the great price! Especially if you are a light packer.