Lean, clean and well appointed, the REI Co-op Flash 22 pack is the perfect size for day hikes and done-in-a-day summits. It features a removable sit pad for enjoying those well-earned vistas.
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Features
Recycled ripstop nylon fabric features a nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) finish to help moisture bead up on the surface
Integrated mesh hipbelt offers comfort and breathability and can be tucked away when not in use
Hydration-compatible design includes an internal sleeve with a hang loop for a reservoir (reservoir not included) and exit ports to route the sip tube over either shoulder
Reservoir sleeve dimensions are 16 x 8.5 in.
Mesh back is soft, breathable and lightly padded for comfort; pad slips out for use as a sit pad
Breathable mesh shoulder straps have fold-over padding that softens contact with your neck and shoulders; sternum strap can be detached to save weight
Drawcord closure is covered by a lid with zippered pocket; 2-buckle closure on top lid keeps contents secure and stable
Zippered side-entry pocket for easy access and added security
Tall and deep side pockets hold water bottles (not included) and other trail essentials
Sunglass loop on left shoulder strap lets you hang your shades
2 interior slip pockets
Exterior loops can be used to lash on extra gear or add compression; attached tool loop on bottom of pack can be tucked away when not in use
Removable Packmod Bungee can be moved to any attachment point for personalization
Product meets the bluesign criteria
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
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
(437)437 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars
211 out of 258 (82%) reviewers recommend this product
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Average Customer Ratings
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Most Helpful Favorable Review
5 Reviews 5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
Some good changes, some bad.
AriK
3 years ago
Received free product
First off: This is a great pack and if you are not super discerning, this will almost certainly meet your needs. I would not hesitate in recommending this pack to anyone.
HOWEVER, if you are like me, and a bit of gear nerd, the changes they made to this pack from previous models has me scratching my head. Some of them are good, and some of them are weird.
The Good: I like the material change. It feels thinner and slicker than the previous models but it does not feel fragile. I like the change to the hip belt. It used to be just a 1" removable nylon strap, now they have a stowable hip belt with minimalist "wings" that distribute load a bit better....maybe. The pack is small, so you should not need the waistbelt to carry load, but it will stabilize the pack better I think. Also they added strap keepers which are hard to see in the pictures online. That is unequivocally good. They kept the straps from the last model which are pretty good and reasonably comfortable, and have a removable whistle on the sternum strap. They also switched from a single hose port in the middle, to two hose ports over the shoulder straps. Nice.
The Neutral: They shifted the zipper pocket on the body fo the bag from the front panel to the side. In this pocket they added some organization for smaller items but the pocket is overall about half as big and maybe 1/3rd as useful. Mixed on this one. They changed the closure system by adding a buckle. If you stowed things under the top flap, this may increase how securely it holds things, but it makes the pack 50% more annoying to get into.
The Bad: Side pockets. the side pockets used to be made of a fairly durable mesh that really retained objects well. It grabbed water bottles and other medium items you want to have handy. The mesh also meant that it dried faster if it rained or shed dirt and dust if it fell into the pocket. Instead they are now made with the same material as the body which is probably as durable as you might want, but will no longer be as grabby or as friendly in wet or dirty conditions. This was a mistake. The lid's new shape that accommodates the two buckle closure is smaller than it was in the past. The lid pocket feels less spacious. The new tie in points on the bag are made of a thin cord that really does not inspire confidence. I like the placement of them, I just wish they were using thin webbing instead...like they used on earlier models. Finally, the black model is too dark. You cannot see anything inside the bag. Normally, I love a black bag but this is too much. I've come around on bags being made of a lighter material (at least internally), because it helps you see things inside the bag. This bag is 1 layer of material thick except where pockets and lids overlap, so there is no liner. As such, too dark, even on the washed blue model. They need to offer more and lighter colors for this model.
Again, I still think this bag is one of the better models in the size and price range. However, I would want a word with the design team on this one.
5 Reviews 5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
Some good changes, some bad.
AriK
3 years ago
Received free product
First off: This is a great pack and if you are not super discerning, this will almost certainly meet your needs. I would not hesitate in recommending this pack to anyone.
HOWEVER, if you are like me, and a bit of gear nerd, the changes they made to this pack from previous models has me scratching my head. Some of them are good, and some of them are weird.
The Good: I like the material change. It feels thinner and slicker than the previous models but it does not feel fragile. I like the change to the hip belt. It used to be just a 1" removable nylon strap, now they have a stowable hip belt with minimalist "wings" that distribute load a bit better....maybe. The pack is small, so you should not need the waistbelt to carry load, but it will stabilize the pack better I think. Also they added strap keepers which are hard to see in the pictures online. That is unequivocally good. They kept the straps from the last model which are pretty good and reasonably comfortable, and have a removable whistle on the sternum strap. They also switched from a single hose port in the middle, to two hose ports over the shoulder straps. Nice.
The Neutral: They shifted the zipper pocket on the body fo the bag from the front panel to the side. In this pocket they added some organization for smaller items but the pocket is overall about half as big and maybe 1/3rd as useful. Mixed on this one. They changed the closure system by adding a buckle. If you stowed things under the top flap, this may increase how securely it holds things, but it makes the pack 50% more annoying to get into.
The Bad: Side pockets. the side pockets used to be made of a fairly durable mesh that really retained objects well. It grabbed water bottles and other medium items you want to have handy. The mesh also meant that it dried faster if it rained or shed dirt and dust if it fell into the pocket. Instead they are now made with the same material as the body which is probably as durable as you might want, but will no longer be as grabby or as friendly in wet or dirty conditions. This was a mistake. The lid's new shape that accommodates the two buckle closure is smaller than it was in the past. The lid pocket feels less spacious. The new tie in points on the bag are made of a thin cord that really does not inspire confidence. I like the placement of them, I just wish they were using thin webbing instead...like they used on earlier models. Finally, the black model is too dark. You cannot see anything inside the bag. Normally, I love a black bag but this is too much. I've come around on bags being made of a lighter material (at least internally), because it helps you see things inside the bag. This bag is 1 layer of material thick except where pockets and lids overlap, so there is no liner. As such, too dark, even on the washed blue model. They need to offer more and lighter colors for this model.
Again, I still think this bag is one of the better models in the size and price range. However, I would want a word with the design team on this one.
I purchased an older model of these a few years back because the price was insane and I needed something a skosh bigger for winter than the flash 18's I own which have not held up either. I truly love the features, fit and of course weight of this pack, but it simply has not held up. It's tearing along the top zipper, it has already torn on the back panel and the nylon is very worn in spots. What sort of use has it seen? Id say heavy but not daily, bottom line if i'm hiking or skiing i'm wearing this. But thats not every day, some times I bike and sometimes i'm kayaking or other activities, you get the idea. Here is the truth that i'm coming to learn, light weight sometimes means light use or simply not durable. I switched to the Flash packs from my old REI Half Dome day pack which is still in solid shape and holding up fine no tears, no holes because of weight. But in the end there is sometimes a trade off, you may go through four of these or buy a pack made of more durable material not to mention the environmental impact of chucking a petroleum based product and its affect on the climate which if you shop at REI, you probably care about.
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'8"
No, I do not recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Leah K
Hawaii
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
My Advice if your considering this lil gem, buy it
3 years ago
My advice, buy it now. I've had many of these over the years. This version is by far the best in a long time. These Flash bags get better with time, the folks at REI really listen to feedback it seems. This is perfect for packing in your larger bags on trips as it takes up almost no space. That said it really does hold a lot and carrys well for the size. I beat the heck outta these lil guys, but they clean up easy, will fit under the airplane seat and is even small enough for most budget airlines. The hip belt tucks away nicely when not needed and is not just a piece of webbing anymore. Probably the best bang for you buck as far as day pack features go and you can't beat that REI customer service if you were to have any issues. Oh and I love this color option.
Age:35–44
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:5'8"
Yes , I recommend this product
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
PHXGirl
Phoenix, AZ
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars
Not colorfast!
2 years ago
I used my red Flash 22 daily for 3 years and decided to donate it and upgrade. I purchased the deep blue color and quickly discovered it is not colorfast. It bled all over my shirts, skorts, and shirts. Nothing will remove these stains. I am SO disappointed! I loved the pack but returned it. I have another new Flash 22 in black with colorful threads in the fabric. I'll test it wearing these already ruined pieces of clothing.
Age:65–74
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'8"
No, I do not recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Mike Grudic
New York, NY
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
Bring back stretchy sides please
7 months ago
I had the previous version of this pack and loved it, so I replaced it with the new version. Still the same fundamentally-good design, with one exception: the side pockets.
The previous version's mesh side pockets could each hold a Nalgene and a Smartwater if asked to. The current design will only take one bottle each.
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Robert
Seattle
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
great little lightweight pack
3 months ago
Love it. Especially love the light weight. Used my black Flash 22 for two weeks trekking in September in all kinds of weather and on all kinds of terrain with poles and other stuff attached to the outside. Worked great. Left the pad at home, to more easily stick it in my carry-on. When hiking, replaced the pad with an extra piece of clothing. The smallest size of the REI Duck's Back pack-cover worked well, too.
Age:55–64
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'1"
Yes , I recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Alia Pederson
Austin
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars
What is up with these nylon pockets?
3 months ago
Sigh - it makes me really sad to write this. I’ve had the previous version of the flash 22 since 2019, and it was an incredible pack. It finally started to wear out after nearly 6 years of constant use, so I bought this to replace it. The redesign that happened a few years ago came with some very measurable losses. 1) side stretch mesh pockets were replaced with inflexible nylon. Now it hurts my hand to place items in the pockets, which also hold less in general. I’m not sure what prompted this choice - it’s the most egregious change in my book 2) the front flat zipper pocket was sacrificed for unclear reasons. The side zip pocket added does not replace it by shape or capacity, as any use of that pocket decreases the capacity of the main bag compartment. 3) the lid pocket is smaller. 4) overall the bag seems to hold less stuff. Improvements include the wide hip straps and numerous lash-points for clipping on gear. The yellow color is fun. I believe the 2 buckle lid vs the 1 buckle lid of the previous version was also intended to add more external gear attachment options. That being said, I wanted a bag that focused on what I could put in it, not on it. For those who never had the previous version, this is probably a decent bag. But for me it is just a bummer.
Age:25–34
Weight:125–150 lbs.
Height:5'9"
No, I do not recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Chris
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars
Low durability & build quality
2 years ago
The pack arrived with a lot of loose threads and felt pretty flimsy but given the REI reputation I figured I'd be safe. Unfortunately after four months with very light and infrequent use the strap you would use to hang it on a hook completely came off at one seam. That's especially odd since I never hung it anywhere or even used that to hold the pack very often. The base of the strap on of the shoulder straps is now coming off as well. (Photos included.) My main issue here is that I reached out to customer service and have no recourse. Buyer beware, there is apparently no warranty beyond a 90 day return window for non-members. I figured REI would have a warranty against the bag falling apart after a few months so lesson learned, make sure you check the backup on this kind of item.
Height:6'0"
No, I do not recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Kris
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
This little backpack is a BEAST.
2 years ago
I've used mine for a few years now, and it's managed to do it all: carry several days worth of clothes for a weekend trip out of town, hold everything I need for an all-day hike in the Rocky Mountains, keep my gear dry on a beach in Hawaii. I get as much use out of it on a long car trip as I do on a multi-day camping trip. It's comfortable, sturdy, and can hold far more than you can think. I love it so much I bought another one for my fiance!
Notably, the fit is excellent. When I cinch the waist strap over my hips, most of the weight is lifted off of my shoulders. I've loaded this thing DOWN and not felt like I was carrying too much weight.
Age:25–34
Weight:100–125 lbs.
Height:5'1"
Yes , I recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Edward
New England
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting update to this pack, 1 step forward 1
2 years ago
Interesting update to this pack, 1 step forward 1 step back I also have the previous generation Flash 22, and there are a few updates to the new one. Recently used this updated version on a hike, here are some thoughts. The old version had a single strap top flap closure, which was slightly quicker/easier to use as opposed to the new double top strap, but that wasn't overly annoying and I don't mind the two. The old Flash 22 had a second, LARGE, zip compartment on the font that ran almost the width of the pack, and on this version they've moved it to the side and SIGNIFICANTLY reduced the volume of it, can't fit nearly as much in it. Baffling why, as looking at it, you could have retained the front zipper ouch easily? Makes it less useful and strange to use off to the side. The padded shoulder straps are super nice, but the old thin versions didn't bother me much. The rear back padding is very welcome, the one version had none, it instead had a nice removable thin pad that doubled as a sit pad, which this one removed. I never removed it anyway and used a Thermalite CCF pad anyway so no loss there. Overall, still a great pack just some of the changes are strange to me. I do wish the top accessory loops on the side had a cinch to them, and they're reduced to a single elastic strap on the new one which I am not a fan of, my trekking poles are not nearly as secure feeling with these new loops. However, as I said previously, this Flash 22 is still an excellent light day/overnight pack, recommended for those looking for exactly that.
Age:35–44
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Yes , I recommend this product
Overall Fit Rating
Runs SmallRuns Large
Ease of Use
Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Teah
Ontario
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing bag!
2 years ago
I absolutely love this bag! I have brought this as a personal item to Austria, it has gone hiking all around Ontario with me, and I have most recently brought it to Nova Scotia. It has a small hidden pocket down the side which is where I will keep passport/important documents folded up. I use this bag for my bouldering gear, and basically everything. It holds a a surprising amount, and the two water bottle holders can fit my Nalgene and larger Yeti water bottles. It can fold down if you take the little back piece out, and the whole bag itself is incredibly lightweight.
