REI Flash 22

Field Notes: These days, trends in outdoor pursuits are just about being outside or getting to the top of the peak. We’re right in the middle of a quantification and gamification trend of the outdoor experience. Speed records on your local trail networks with help from apps like Strava are now measurable and trackable. Meanwhile pros are setting new records on the country’s most iconic trails from the Appalachian to the Pacific Crest Trail. If this is your cup of tea, then the REI Flash is your pack. Built to help you move quickly, this REI day pack is a stripped-down pack for just the essentials – water, food, a layer or two and your iPhone to track you exploits. 

The backpack features a simple top-load design with hood. Two pull cords, one opening, one cinching, at the top make for super quick access when time is of the essence. Although, the Flash 22 is frameless, the pack has a removable, full-length foam sheet against the back, which provides some structure, if for the sales floor only. The shoulder straps are as minimal and lightweight as they come while still offering carry comfort. On the exterior, the day pack features tool loops for trekking poles, which tuck away into their own garages so as to not snag on errant branches. Stretch side pockets keep a Buff or gloves nearby and easily accessed without removing the pack. Two external pockets, one in the hood and one on the back, keep valuables safely stored. 

Pros: Lightweight build combined with a minimalist aesthetic give the REI Flash 22 a performance design that excels for those looking to move fast. 

Cons: With the minimalist design and materials, the pack is limited in how much weight you can carry comfortably. 

Tester Comments: “We tested the Flash 22 on a fast mission up the Burrow’s Trail on Camel’s Hump in fall with only a puffy layer, hat and gloves, 1 liter of water in a reservoir and some trail fuel. The pack carried perfectly and was comfortable with a small and light load.”

Key Attribute: Carry Comfort