REI Co-op Trailmade 60 Review

The Trailmade 60 is a great option for anyone looking for a backpack that actually fits. It adjusts lengthwise to fit torsos measuring 17 to 21 inches, and it's also available in two widths: M-XL and XXL-4XL. This is very unique for a backpacking pack; there aren't many options available that can accommodate a 58-inch waist besides this one.

Comfort

The Trailmade 60 is very comfortable, especially compared to other inexpensive backpacking packs. It doesn't cause any chafing or hot spots, even when wearing it all day. And while a heavy backpack does wear you out, we never felt like we needed to take this pack off immediately when taking a break. We can't say the same about most other backpacks in this price range.

The Trailmade 60 has generously padded shoulder straps that contour around your shoulders and sweep down along your back, distributing pressure across a wider surface area than many other packs. The hip belt is equally well-constructed, with dense foam padding that wraps around the lumbar region. The hip belt is stiff enough that, even when not clipped together, the two sides still press against your hips. The shoulder straps, hip belt, and every other touchpoint on the suspension system are covered in breathable mesh.

It has an internal aluminum frame that efficiently distributes weight between your hips, shoulders, and back. To test how well the frame works, we disconnected the hip belt and immediately felt more weight on our shoulders. And when we loosened the load lifters, more weight was immediately noticeable on the hip belt. This easy test shows that these two straps are doing what they should: take a bit of weight off your shoulders.

The back panel allows for great airflow along your spine, which keeps your back from getting as sweaty in hot conditions. While it isn't particularly uncomfortable, the movable shoulder harness doesn't sit flush with the rest of the back panel, and you can feel the drop-off when wearing the pack. This didn't cause us any issues, but it's noticeable that it may be annoying to some folks.

Ease of Use

This pack has enough pockets for your gear in order, but not so many that you're always second-guessing where you put that other granola bar – and not being able to find a snack when you need it is even harder when you've been walking all day.

The Trailmade 60 has a separate sleeping-bag compartment accessible via a large U-shaped zipper. If you don't want to store your sleeping bag separately, you can remove the divider to create one giant internal compartment. And the U-shaped zipper extends to the top of the pack, so you can easily access more than just your sleeping bag.

The angled side pockets let you grab a water bottle on the move without taking off the pack or asking your hiking partner to grab it for you. The hip belt pockets are roomy enough for a full-sized smartphone and zip securely. The top lid's zippered pocket has enough capacity for a rain jacket, maps, snacks, and other small essentials.

It has an outside front pocket you can tighten with a cinch cord. This pocket has mesh side panels that let air flow through and make it easier to see what's buried inside. It also has straps with side-release buckles along the bottom to lash more gear outside the pack.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

Even though it's comfortable and well organized, the Trailmade 60 is not a lightweight backpack. It may be lightweight compared to some full-frame packs, but relative to more modern designs, it's not particularly lightweight. Pack weight makes a difference because every few pounds you save on your pack is another few pounds of food, or another liter of water you can carry.

However, when we look at the pack weight relative to its size, the Trailmade 60 is much more reasonable – even competitive among the packs we tested. The pack body is made with 100% recycled nylon with a PFAS-free DWR finish that sheds light precipitation reasonably well. This material is very durable, and even after fighting our way through brushy, thorny sections of trail, it doesn't have any tears or holes.

Adjustability

The Trailmade 60 is the only pack we tested that comes in two different widths, S-L and XL-3XL. These different sizes have longer and shorter hip-belt and harness proportions but identical torso-adjustment ranges. The S-L hip belt fits a circumference of 31 to 41 inches; the larger size fits 40 to 53 inches, making this one of the most size-inclusive packs on the market.

The torso easily adjusts from 17 to 21 inches. To adjust the torso size, the Velcro-mounted shoulder harness slides up and down and fits through webbing loops on the back of the pack. This is one of the easiest torso length adjustment systems we've used, and it makes it easy to share the pack among a group of people. It's also great for rapidly growing kids because the pack can grow with them.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Trailmade 60?

The Trailmade 60 is a stellar deal for a high-quality backpacking pack. It performs significantly better than most packs in this price range and only seems lacking when compared to packs priced at $100 or more. It's comfortable, durable, and has plenty of useful organizational features – including easy-to-access pockets. It's an especially good choice for anyone who wants a pack that fits precisely, can be shared among friends, or passed down to a growing kid.

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