REI Co-op  Flash 18 Pack

I own a first-generation Flash 18 that I acquired back in 2005. My first impression was that something so light and seemingly flimsy wouldn't last a single trip, but a decade of hard use has proven me wrong. It's nicely sized for short dayhikes, and it's a perfect auxiliary pack that can fit in a suitcase or larger backpack. On longer treks it does double duty as a stuff sack, bear bag, and pack for side hikes. I've carried it through the desert southwest, the mountains of New England, and the West Virginia hills. If it ever wears out, I won't hesitate to buy another one.

I use this backpack when riding my motorcycle in the summer. It's extremely lightweight and the mesh straps allow lots of air to pass through. The chest and waist straps help keep it secure during riding. I added a 1.5 L Playtpus water reservoir and clip the drinking tube onto one of the shoulder straps and tuck the bite valve under the chest harness. Stays put while being easily accessible for quick drinks at stoplights. Obviously, motorcycling isn't the intended use for this pack, but I couldn't find anything this lightweight and roomy in motorcycle-specific backpacks (plus, they cost way more!). This pack meets my needs and my budget, so I'm happy with it.

This is a great little pack. I am just under 5'3" tall, so a lot of packs feel big and bulky. This one fits very comfortably. I've had this pack all of a week, and already it has served me well in three different situations: 1. Daily commute. I walk about 1.5 miles each way to work. This pack is just the right size for my lunch, a sweater or jacket, a book, wallet, etc. 2. Running. Some afternoons, at the end of the workday, I pack the bare essentials in this pack a jog a roundabout route home instead of walking. I am by no means a competitive runner, and this pack is light enough for me to wear while running. 3. Day hikes, usually with a bladder. Again, it holds a fleece, snacks, lunch, map, whatever.

Bought two for my wife and I at the Christmas sale price. We load everything we need for a day hike in it, no problem (snacks and lunch, extra layers, emergency essentials). Some ingenuity and hardware make the daisy chains usable and even give us a place to hang our hiking poles when not in use. Obviously these packs aren't for more than a day hike but for that purpose they excel. I'm a big guy and the waist belt doesn't fit, but even fully loaded the pack really doesn't weigh enough for that to matter. The versatility as a stuff sack/summit pack for longer treks is also a plus. An exterior pocket or two would make it five stars.

This is a great light-weight pack at the sale price. The light foam backing gives the pack its shape and the shoulder, chest and hip straps makes it easy to carry your load. I plan to use it as a stuff sack (turn it inside out) for my sleeping bag and once I arrive at my destination, use it as a daypack. The cross-section of the bag is trapezoidal so it is not the best for carrying angular items like large books...it is much better for carrying crushable things like clothing. My only nits are the daisy chains. Why did REI use such THIN webbing and wimpy stitching? There is no way the thin loop would hold an ice-pick! This is the weakest link for this bag.

I have a couple of these from last season and they were selling cheap on the site so gave them a try. Have Golite, this Flash 18 and found new Osark Trail one… By far the Osark Trail Ultralight comes with more CL and weights the least. And at under $20 it is the best of all three. But this pack is still nice. I dropped more weight off it with a new smaller barrel retainer and changing out some pieces. Has all the same features on similar model but this does seem to have a thinner shoulder straps. At 18CL that is fine thought. You can't get the Golite now but this one is a fine option with the torso belt that the Osark doesn't have so if you want extras like that you add yourself via DIY or by one of the flash packs. Overall I would rate Flash 18 pack at 3.5 out of 5. Osark Trail at 4 of 5 Golite if you can find it 3.0 out of 5.

This is a great bag, when I first got this bag as a gift I wasn't sure what to do with it. At first glance it seems like it wouldn't be great for hiking, biking, etc. What changed my mind is how diverse and utilitarian this bag really is. I initially started using it hiking and carrying clothes back and forth to the gym. I have found that the best use is being hydration bag for biking because it's so light weight. The sternum and waist strap are great to keep the bag in place on your back. It's also big enough to stuff a jacket in there once it gets too hot to wear. The stash pocket is great for phone, keys, etc. If you're looking for a good all around bag for traveling, hiking, biking, etc. this is it.

I am really not a fan of this thing and have contemplated on several occassions on returning it. It is just one little bag made out to be a backpack. Yes it holds water.. and my camera but the no compartments kills me. No outside storage? Really? and I did see one reviewer thankfuly mention about the waiste strap. NOT EVEN close for me. It feels like they made it for a 12 year old. Now I'm not saying it doesn't have some upside... I have kept it, though truly everytime I use it I think...I have GOT to return this thing. I guess it is just handy enough... but not 4-5 stars worth. Big let down for me. HUGE! Now that it is on sale.. MAYbe...?? but be prepared there is nothing to it.

I've used this as a gym bag, a carry-on bag, a daypack, and a running pack, and it has excelled in all categories. I was particularly surprised at how well it did as a running pack, since it really isn't specially designed for that purpose. I rigged it up with a couple bungee "figure 8s" both to let me to carry a shell externally and allow me to cinch down the pack to minimize bounce. I carried about a 12 lb load (including a 2.5L hydration bladder on a 38 mile run in relative comfort. Little bounce, no chafing...couldn't be happier. Great bag for all sorts of uses, and for the price, you can't beat it!

So I was happy with this pack, but after a day hike and a short trail run I'm looking for something else. I think it is one, if not the best ultra-light backpacks in this category; it rolls up small, the pockets where perfect for a bladder/wallet/keys/etc and the pull closure makes for easy access. The quality was to be expected for an ultra-light pack, therefore the weight is great! I can't say anything about the durability, but its equal to anything comparable. What turned me off about this pack was the fit. It rides like a kids pack! I have a 31" waist and the waist belt barley fit. I don't have too broad shoulders, but the straps felt like they where pinching my neck (it's the shoulder straps wouldn't let me up it down far enough). Also with absolutely no ventilation for my back I finished my activities very sweetly. I bought this over the Kompressor, if only the fit was better, I would have been sold! I guess my conclusion is that this would be great for the kids! But like anything my only recommendation is try this out at the store before you buy.