REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Includes basic features
Adjustable fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Padding digs in between shoulders
Features could be executed better
REI discontinued the Trailbreak 60 as of 2023.
REI Co-op Trailbreak 60 Review
A fair price pack with familiar features that could work for a new backpacker to test the waters
Credit: REI Co-op
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Our Verdict
The REI Trailbreak 60 is an affordable backpacking pack with the standard features you'd expect. It can handle loads around 20 to 30 pounds well and is a good beginner pack. The features included in this pack are nice, but none go above and beyond their standard function. The pack includes two water bottle pockets, a lid, sleeping pad strap, shove-it pocket, and bottom sleeping bag zipper access. If you need a basic pack that is adjustable for more than one family member or a growing youth, then this pack would be a great one to consider.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The REI Trailbreak 60 is a basic pack that will check all of the boxes for your upcoming overnight hike. It has most of the features one might like in a backpack but doesn't offer much of a wow factor. It comes in at a reasonable price, making this pack an option for someone wanting to test the waters of backpacking before making a big financial commitment.
Performance Comparison
The REI Trailbreaker shows that you don't need to break the bank for a decent backpack.
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Suspension and Comfort
This pack is fairly comfortable under light loads, but for its weight, we expected a bit more comfort. The biggest downside of this pack is that it adjusts for height with a rigid foam block right between the shoulder blades. We tried to adjust it to fit better, but no matter what height it was at, we wished it could be a little lower. This foam position led to an uncomfortable ride that relieved us when it was time to put on a different pack.
The padding for the pack is rigid and spaced out creating a less comfortable ride
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Other than the upper padding, the lower padding is also rather stiff and narrow, not adding a glove-like fit but rather a firm pressure. The weight transfer worked rather well but couldn't help this pack over the offsets of the cushioning.
Looking closely, you can see sky through the other side showing how little of the pack actually touches your back
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Weight
Coming in at 3.7 pounds, the Trailbreak 60 is around average for this review lineup. The fabric shove-it pocket and beefy sleeping bag access zipper illustrate the direction this pack is heading. While these features may help the pack last longer, they do add up to a heavier pack.
The bottom opening's zipper teeth and storm flap are thick adding to the weight of this pack
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Features and Ease of Use
With most of the features of a standard pack these days, the best one it has to offer is the slanted water bottle pockets that allow convenience while walking down the trail. On the flip side, most stretch pockets are directly below the side compression straps up on the pack. That isn't the case for this pack, so there is no way to secure tent poles or trekking poles on the side with confidence.
The water pockets are slanted for easy access but there is no catch for tall items like tent poles, so there is a risk they could fall out.
Credit: Bennett Fisher
The pack offers a bottom sleeping bag zipper access with a detachable internal flap to separate the compartment. It comes with a slightly stretchy shove-it front pocket that isn't elastic mesh making it more durable but less useful for large items.
The lid is a great size for all of those need-it-now items like headlamps and toiletries. The hip belt pockets are a good size for a few bars or sun protection items.
Adjustability & Fit
As mentioned in the Comfort section, we found the adjustment feature on this pack to miss the mark. While it can be adjusted to fit torsos 17 to 21 inches in a reasonably simple slide-through design, the padding that moves with the shoulder straps is uncomfortable against the back. This pack does well with its adjustment range, but we enjoy the back-to-pack comfort of others in the review more.
Adjusting the packs torso length is a accomplished by rethreading the padding through webbing straps.
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Value
We found this pack to be okay for the price. It has all of the features one would look for in a backpacking pack these days but lacks extra comfort. If it had one feature like weight or unique pocket structure, we could possibly overlook the firm back padding, but there are better packs in the review at the same price as it stands.
The front semi-stretch pocket is a great place to store those bulkier items.
Credit: Bennett Fisher
Conclusion
The REI Trailbreak 60 could be a good pack for a kid that could outgrow a more expensive pack. It has many features you can find on packs in our main backpack review at half the price, which would be suitable for someone wanting to get into backpacking with the intent to upgrade. When upgrading, most of the features would feel familiar, making it an easy transition.
—
Bennett Fisher
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