REI Co-op Flash 22 Daypack Review
An ultralight, packable daypack that disappears in your bag until you need it.
The Flash 22 weighs almost nothing and folds down small enough to forget about until the moment you need a real daypack. For travelers and hikers who hate hauling a bulky bag they'll only use half the time, that's the whole pitch.
What the REI Flash 22 actually is
This is a 22-liter ultralight daypack built around one idea: carry next to nothing until you need to carry something. It weighs roughly a pound, packs down into its own pocket, and runs about $50 to $60 at REI.
It sits in the gap between a flimsy stuff sack with straps and a serious framed hiking pack. There's a padded back panel with removable foam stays, a sternum strap, side mesh pockets, and a bungee compression system on the front. That's it. No frills, and that's the point.
How it performs day to day
For a summit push from a basecamp, a museum day in a new city, or a grocery run you didn't plan for, the Flash 22 punches well above its weight. Owners consistently praise how well it disappears into a larger pack or a suitcase. You forget it's there until it earns its keep.
Loaded with 10 to 15 pounds of water, snacks, and a layer, it carries fine. The foam pad gives the back panel just enough structure to keep gear off your spine. Push past that and the thin straps start to dig, because there's no hip belt to take the load off your shoulders. Treat it as a 15-pound bag and you'll be happy. Treat it as a 30-pound hauler and you'll be sore.
The good and the annoying
On the plus side: it's genuinely light, it stuffs into its own pocket, the price is fair, and REI's return policy backs it. The roll-top-ish drawcord closure plus a buckle keeps things secure, and the side mesh pockets actually hold a Nalgene without a fight.
The annoyances are predictable for the category. The shoulder straps are minimal and unpadded-feeling under heavier loads. There's no rain cover and the fabric isn't fully waterproof, so a liner bag is smart in real weather. And the fabric, while tougher than it looks, is still ultralight nylon. Drag it across granite repeatedly and it'll show wear faster than a burly 1,000-denier pack.
Who should buy it, who should skip it
Buy it if you want a backup daypack that lives in your luggage or your bigger pack for the days you go light. It's our easy pick for travelers, peak-baggers, and anyone who wants a clean, cheap, packable bag for short outings.
Skip it if this is your only pack and you routinely carry heavy loads or do full-day hikes with lots of gear. Step up to something with a real frame and hip belt, like REI's own Trail series or an Osprey Talon. The Flash 22 is a specialist, and asking it to be your everything bag is where people end up disappointed.
The verdict
The Flash 22 does one job and does it well for the money. As a light, packable, around-$55 daypack, it's hard to argue with. Know its limits, keep the loads modest, and it'll quietly become the bag you reach for more than you expected.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the REI Flash 22 waterproof?
- No. The nylon shrugs off light drizzle, but it's not waterproof and there's no rain cover included. Use a dry bag or pack liner if you're carrying anything you can't get wet.
- Can you remove the back panel and stays?
- Yes. The foam back panel pops out, which lets you pack the bag down smaller and shave a bit of weight. Leave it in for everyday carry since it adds structure and keeps gear off your back.
- How much weight can the Flash 22 comfortably carry?
- It's happiest around 15 pounds or less. There's no hip belt, so heavier loads ride entirely on your shoulders and the thin straps start to feel it. For bigger loads, choose a framed pack instead.
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