REI Co-op Flash 22 Daypack - Full Review - 2019

[@kathleen3756]

I just bought my second Flash 22 today after having my first one for over a year and which is still in excellent shape, mostly because of the taller side pockets. I found your review and learned a few things, including there's a thin foam pad in the water bladder pocket, there's a key clip, and how to open and close the top of the main bag without yanking. I have no trouble staying organized with my gear, because I use 2 mesh vegetable bags I bought at a grocery store. One is my "warm and dry" bag for rain jacket, rain pants, gloves, fleece shirt, and buff, and the other is my "disaster" bag for the first aid kit, repair kit, fire starter kit, and Garmin in reach mini. Food gets its own little bag. I subscribed because I like your calm style of presentation with no obnoxious personality and extraneous chit chat. Keep up the good work!

[@taylorluker1]

Best review ever. This is how ALL reviews should be. Please make more. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[@learnshareevolve1842]

I use a clean canteen wide mouth bottle & the cap has a loop that you can slip the trekking pole bungee thru for retention, or get a 'CanbleCuff' from H. Depot, etc. & feed it thru the gear loops.

[@samghanma5994]

Best review I have seen on this pack, thank you! Subscribed

[@wewhoroam8180]

Hey thanks Sam! Your feedback means a lot to us. Hope you enjoy our future content. =]

[@Tacti021]

Bought my original Flash 18L in '13 - your review was SUPER helpful. Going w/ the 22L b/c of your video (more zippers, easier access, more organization)

[@GhettoDefendant]

Nice review. I like my Flash, but why only one hiking pole loop on the bottom? The weight of two poles on one side makes it hang off the pack awkwardly.

[@jknight526]

There are a couple of small organizational slots/pockets on the inside, against the water bladder sleeve that you failed to mention. Unless my version of this pack differs from yours. Otherwise, a helpful review. Some people want to know about all storage options though. I use the small internal pockets every time I carry this bag.

[@wewhoroam8180]

Hi Joshua, you're right! I did miss the 2 internal pockets as well as the handful of gear loops along the front of the pack. For an ultralight daypack, it has more features than I could recall during this review. We appreciate your constructive feedback and happy you found this review helpful, overall. What's your primary use for this bag?

[@elisaa.8892]

Awesome review!! I just bought one and I love it so far. Perfect for a long day hike or a day of field work

[@nopejoeandangie]

Bought one of these and it's pretty cool. Way more storage options than the Flash 22 which just had like a daisy chain of ribbon loops down the middle and a single small slash pocket. The dual zippered pockets are great for storing items. And the side mesh pockets kept my 48 oz tall Nalgene bottle and a 500 ml bottle of local stout secure during a 3 mile hike. Not many issues. Plus the straps are more padded than the old Flash 18. Not sure why they only have trekking pole storage on one side but I guess it's a minimal pack

[@jameshallfishing3377]

Pretty cool day pack. Im actually shopping now for one. I have an ascend 55ltr. With the same draw string opening as 5:20 . I love that feature.

[@wewhoroam8180]

Isn't it great? How'd you like the ascend overall?

[@jameshallfishing3377]

@@wewhoroam8180 the load straps over the shoulders could be longer. I'm finding im having to run paracord through the strap to make it long enough to pull. (Little tweeks). Could be lighter in weight 5.5pds It has plenty of cushioning. I used it in a 10 mile 2 day hike in Virginia. It held up pretty good.

[@jordanstaley96]

Great review. 18 oz yeti falls right out of side pockets if you bend over though. Got mine Christmas 2019. Maybe lighter bottles don't fall out.

[@Lemoncholy7]

Awesome! I was trying to figure out if I wanted to get it! I think I will now ☺️😊 thanks so much for this!

[@ExposedRoot]

Great review for this back. You are correct. The previous version side pockets were shorter so the bottles would fall out. This is a great lite bag I have had for a few years. The thing is is is a typical black hole. On a hike last week I had to twice tak evrything out to find what I needed. I can't take it anymore. I bought the REI trail 25 on sale for 55. Campartments galore. No night as lite weight but better organozation. Still, love this 22 but not for hikes where you have a few things in the back that you need access to.

[@wewhoroam8180]

I (nathan) am an organizational and compartment freak. Haha The issue for me is I tend to pack more than I need when I have deceral pockets available. This pack serves us well for super short day hikes and as an edc (everyday carry) pack for work and city. I do use a few organizational pouches with this pack to tidy things up. Thanks for sharing your experience and great deal on another awesome pack! We love REI's competitive offerings.

[@elizabethingram9784]

Hey! That was a very helpful video! It is my first ultralight pack (13 oz), 2022, so I have high hopes of enjoying using it. I really like that it fits a water reservoir, and it has plenty of org features, attachments for trekking poles, and plenty of room for my needs--I'm not ready for the PCT just yet. Oh! It's on sale at REI right now for $39.93 - it's been discontinued. :)

[@lisakolisnyk6072]

Subscribed!! I’ll have to look into getting one of these

[@wewhoroam8180]

Hey awesome! Thank you Lisa! Hope you continue to find our content fun and useful. ❤ if you do decide on this pack feel free to follow the link in the description! Helps support our brand. 😁🤙

[@jhonyermo]

Great ass video. Thank you and yes I subscribed ! And yes I have owned a Flash 22 for about a year now. Beyond my expectations actually

[@rameshs876]

Excellent review. Very helpful. Thanks!

[@MrBaltazar1234]

Great review, but what would you say weight wise (lbs) is the heaviest you can fill this day back?

[@no_peace]

Two prints and at least one color are on clearance for half off right now.

[@learnshareevolve1842]

Very good review!

[@derekh1070]

Really thorough review.

[@sheikh1906]

Great, thorough review!

[@nopejoeandangie]

Bro I like that swagger u got

[@wewhoroam8180]

And thanks brutha! I appreciate the kind words. =]

[@bfunirfeyh5822]

🙏

[@jas77450]

Good review

[@br3s3is]

How much space do you lose once the water reservoir is full? Would all the stuff you packed in there still have fit will a full reservoir?

[@nopejoeandangie]

A few questions, I was using the Flash 18 but it's kinda small and I miss pockets. Can I fit a 48 ounce Nalgene bottle (tall) in those pockets? Does it still have loops I can attach random crap / carabiners to on the back? I liked that about the 18, or I can carry my trash,e tc.

[@wewhoroam8180]

Hey there! You can most certainly fit 48oz Nalgene Bottles in the side pockets. Because this pack is so lightweight, it may not be very comfortable to carry just 1 full bottle. Having 1 on each side to balance the weight or having the main compartment rather full will help. This pack has several loops for attaching things. There are 4 on the back of the pack and 4 on the front. I love pockets and having 2 on this pack helps a lot. I reach for things more often out of the 2 pockets than I do in the main compartment.

[@nopejoeandangie]

@@wewhoroam8180 One more question, what are those brown pants you're wearing?

[@wewhoroam8180]

@@nopejoeandangie Rocking the prAna Stretch Zion Pant s! They're my primary hiking pants. =]

[@4partmedia]

Hows the fit? And scraping/chaffing issues anywhere? I'm looking for the most comfortable day/city pack for lightweight photo sessions anywhere. I love the pole straps-- I can attack my mono pod to it. I had the Osprey Daylite Plus and that thing was super comfy! Thinking of either the Daylite or this one. Lightweight and comfort for all day moving is key to me.

[@wewhoroam8180]

Hey there! No scraping or chafing issues here. I'm not sure how heavy your lightweight photography setup is, but I will say between the Flash 22 and Daylite Plus, the Daylite Plus is a bit more rigid, thus more comfortable under load for odd shapes like cameras. Overall, it's a small difference you'd probably not notice if they aren't side to side or if you hadn't had prior experience with a Daylite Plus. If you use a camera bag insert in the Flash 22, I think it'd be just fine! If you follow the link in the description you can read up on the Deuter Speed Lite 20 Pack. Of the 3 packs this one is still under 2lbs and has the comfiest/most padded straps. Hope this helps! =]

[@bella7613]

How good does this hold up in rain?

[@Rombalio]

Great video man. So what do you think overall? Cost effective? Good selection for a first time pack-buyer or is there another one you'd recommend around the same price?

[@wewhoroam8180]

Thank you Manny! I use this daypack as an everyday bag and also on short hikes. It's serving my purposes well. If you're looking for something ultralight then this is a great option. The Osprey Daylite Plus was my runner up pack. I go over this pack, the Flash 22, and 1 other option in in a blog post I wrote. You can find it in the description of this video if you're interested!

[@ricardog8206]

Great video!

[@isabellacardenas3220]

Hey, how big is the water reservoir?

[@MarisolsAdventures]

very detailed review ..thank u

[@trentpechon8667]

I've never watched a whole episode of Stranger Things... Until now!

[@wewhoroam8180]

🤣

[@jthitchens2672]

Nice pinecone

[@blackmamba3437]

i dont like toploader packs

[@brian2990]

it looks sooo small