REASONS TO BUY
Useful features
Easy to pack
Very comfy
REASONS TO AVOID
Less ideal weight-to-volume
Not as breathable
Skinny hip straps
REI Co-op Trail 25 Review
A comfortable daypack that’s at home on a hike or on a work commute
Credit: Zach Lovell
RELATED: Best Daypacks of 2024
Our Verdict
The REI Trail 25 is an excellent backpack for day hikes and around-town commutes to work or the coffee shop. Thanks to the generously sized main compartment, our testers were easily able to fit a laptop and related work equipment into the Trail 25, though we still recommend utilizing a laptop case. When we wanted to hit the trail, the pocket layout and overall design allowed for easy packing and organization of our hiking gear. The semi-rigid back structure struck an excellent balance between support and mobility, though it's less ideal for sustained climbing. While this pack doesn't boast the greatest weight-to-volume, it includes many features, such as 2 trekking pole/ice axe attachments and includes a rain cover. The Trail 25 is worthy of your consideration if you're in need of a commuter bag and a day hiking pack. To see how this option stacks up against the competition, check out our full article on daypack review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
REI Co-op Trail 25 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Trail to Town |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Best Buy on a Tight Budget | ||
| Price | $100 List $99.95 at REI | $60 List $59.95 at REI | $65.00 at Amazon | $26 List $21.99 at Amazon | $40 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This feature-filled daypack is a great option for outdoors or urban environments | The updated Flash 22 is lighter than ever while still providing excellent performance for many types of activity | This smaller daypack emphasizes movement over durability | A high-volume backpack that boasts a lightweight design at a staggeringly low price | A comfortable daypack for hikes or commutes to work |
| Rating Categories | REI Co-op Trail 25 | REI Co-op Flash 22 | Cotopaxi Batac 16L | Venture Pal 35L | Decathlon Quechua M... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Versatility (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight-to-Volume Ratio (15%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | REI Co-op Trail 25 | REI Co-op Flash 22 | Cotopaxi Batac 16L | Venture Pal 35L | Decathlon Quechua M... |
| Advertised Volume | 25 L | 22 L | 16 L | 35 L | 20 L |
| Measured Weight | 30.9 oz | 14.0 oz | 11.6 oz | 10.5 oz | 26.9 oz |
| Weight per Liter | 1.24 oz/L | 0.64 oz/L | 0.73 oz/L | 0.30 oz/L | 1.35 oz/L |
| Back Construction | Contured, foam pad | Removable foam pad | Nylon and polyester, no support | Nylon, no foam or structure | Contoured plastic sheet with a removeable rod, foam outer with ventilation |
| Hydration Compatibility | Internal hydration sleeve | Internal hydration sleeve | Internal sleeve that can be used for hydration, but no pathway for the hose | Internal sleeve that can be used for hydration, but no pathway for the hose | Interal hydration sleeve, holds up to 3L |
| Hip Belt | 3/4" webbing | Broad, ventilated but not padded. | None | None | Broad, padded, with pockets |
| Number of Pockets | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Description of Pockets | 3 stretchy mesh side, 1 top zippered, 1 main compartment zippered, 1 bottom zippered for rain cover | 1 main zippered, 2 mesh side pockets, 1 side zippered pocket, 1 top pouch | 1 main zippered, 1 internal mesh zippered, 1 exterior side zippered, 2 mesh side pockets | 1 main zippered, 2 external zippered, 2 mesh side pocketed | 1 zippered outside pocket, 1 main zippered, 1 small inside pocket, 2 mesh side pockets, 1 hip belt pocket |
| Materials | 210-denier ripstop nylon | 70D nylon, polyurethane coating | Ripstop nylon and polyester | Nylon | Polyester, polyamide, elastane, polyurethan coating |
| Outside Carry Options | Daisy chain, ice axe, pole loops, sleeping pad straps (bottom and top) | Ice axe loop and bungee holder, 10 loops for additional straps or attachments | 6 daisy chain loops | 2 exterior straps | 1 trekking pole/ice axe holder, 5 additional daisy chain loops that can accept more straps or attachments |
| Whistle | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Key Clip | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Other Notable Features | None | Removeable foam back panel doubles as sit pad, removeable sternum, removeable Packmod bungee | Unique color schemes | Incredibly lightweight for its capacity, folds up into its own pocket, reflective tape on exterior | Very wide opening for easy packing, removeable hip pocket, breathable padded back |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The REI Trail 25 offers durability and functionality in a comfortable and user-friendly package. It also comes in at an approachable price point, boasting excellent value. Throughout testing, we pushed the Trail 25 in many environments to ensure no stone was left unturned.
Performance Comparison
We pushed every pack in the field for several weeks, including the REI Co-op Trail 25.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort
We gave this crucial metric 25% of the total score of the REI Trail 25. We tested this metric first by spending weeks with each pack across many activities such as hikes, work commutes, and rock climbs. Then, we carried out a standardized cardio circuit with each pack, sizing up the overall sweat spots on our shirt to investigate breathability. We also performed a series of movements with each option to score mobility. Finally, we took a deep dive into the adjustability of each backpack, also seeing how well each option accommodated multiple torso sizes and shapes. The Trail 25 came in near the top of this metric.
Our testers loved the comfort offered by the REI Trail 25, striking a balance between support and mobility, thanks to its flexible, plastic back sheet. The back padding was effectively designed for comfort, with two large foam pieces running along the right and left sides of the spine. These larger areas of padding did reduce the pack's overall breathability, though our backs got sweaty in every pack on hotter days or outings with prolonged output.
This pack offers excellent comfort whether in the mountains or the city, thanks to noninvasive suspension and generous padding.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The hip belt was a bit too modest for heavier loads, and the lack of padding dug into our skin. While we appreciated the mobility that came with a removable hip belt, it limited the weight-carrying capacity of the pack.
The thin webbing that comprises the hip belt was not as comfortable as we would have liked, but it did improve mobility.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Versatility
It's common for a daypack to be utilized for multiple applications, so we gave this metric 25% of the total score of the REI Trail 25. We tested versatility by utilizing each pack for several different types of outdoor adventures, taking extensive notes along the way. This option landed in the middle of the pack.
The REI Trail 25 offers excellent versatility across the worlds of day hiking and work commuting. The pack shape/compartments offer effective organization and space for work electronics and supplies, while thoughtful features make the Trail 25 a worthy trail companion. This option may not be voluminous enough for larger outings or on trips with heavier gear, with a minimalist hip belt decreasing the overall pack comfort when payloads get beyond approximately 20 pounds.
The Trail 25 easily handled work commutes, whether it was on our packs or in a bike basket.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Ease of Use
We gave this metric 25% of the total score of the Trail 25. We took extensive notes on each pack's ease of use across several weeks of real-world testing, particularly examining the ease of packing and features utilization. This pack came in at the top of the lineup.
This straightforward pack design is intuitive and user-friendly, with features that made sense and didn't require an instructions manual. The Trail 25 includes two trekking pole attachments and an integrated lid design that offers quick and easy access to most of the pack's pockets. The pocket on the bottom side of the pack was less friendly to use for anything other than the rain cover, though if you had any soaked gear, that pocket location would reduce the likelihood of getting other items wet.
From exterior attachment loops to a rain cover, the Trail 25 offers many effective features.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
We gave this metric 15% of the total score of the Trail 25. We weighed each pack and then divided that weight by the total reported volume, unearthing the weight per liter score. We then sized up the feel of each model's volume, also considering external pockets and compartments, to see how true-to-size the Trail 25 was. This wasn't the pack's strongest scoring metric.
At 1.24 oz/liter, the weight-to-volume of the Trail 25 is slightly below average in our lineup. Fortunately, this pack also offers excellent durability, and when considering its features, many will find the Trail 25 to be worth the weight.
While this isn't the lightest pack, it's voluminous dimensions make for easy packing.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Construction Quality
This final metric was awarded 10% of the Trail 25. In addition to weeks of extensive field testing, we loaded each bag up with 20 pounds and drug it on a trail for 25 feet, noting any damage done. Then, we put dry clothes in each bag and soaked the pack for one minute with a hose, examining how much water the clothes sponged up. Finally, we performed a deep dive into the materials and long-term complaints of every pack. This option came in towards the top of the lineup.
The generously thick nylon of the Trail 25 made it a robust and road-worthy daypack. The reinforced front and back sides of the pack handled our field, drag, and hose tests well, giving us conclusive evidence that this pack is dependable for its intended uses. The mesh side pockets aren't as durable as the rest of the pack, though REI likely chose mesh to keep the weight down. This manufacturer's packs have sternum straps that have a tendency to fall or break off the shoulder straps, so we suggest giving extra care to the shoulder and sternum areas of the pack.
After extensive field testing, we drug the Trail 25 across the ground in a standardized drag test. This bag boasts excellent abrasion resistance.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the REI Trail 25?
The Trail 25 offers tremendous value when considering its price point and excellent scores across multiple metrics. If you're seeking a bag that can seamlessly go from a day hike to a work commute, we strongly suggest you put this opinion on your finals list.
What Other Daypacks Should You Consider?
If you're needing a bag that is slightly better geared for work commutes, the Osprey Daylite Plus offers a padded laptop pocket and dependable durability. If you're seeking a lighter
—Zach Lovell
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