REI Co-op Traverse 32 Review

REI's Traverse daypacks are beloved for a reason, and the newest iteration, the REI Co-op Traverse 32, is yet another win. It offers much of what we love in bigger packs, but squeezes those favorite features into a much smaller pack body that's more adaptable to everyday trail use. Now, with an even more streamlined design and a few key upgrades, it's an even easier choice for your next hike. This well-balanced, ergonomic package is equipped to handle bigger loads over long miles or even short backpacking trips, and will keep you comfortable on your feet throughout.

Performance comparison

Comfort

The Traverse 32 is one of the most comfortable, stable daypacks we've tested. Its strong, lightweight wire frame is paired with an internal perimeter hoop and plenty of padding to ensure you will move comfortably, even with a full load, all day long.

The Traverse 32 evolves on its previous design into an increasingly functional and well-streamlined pack. With this update, REI replaced the mesh suspension back panel with a padded and shaped foam system. While this might sound like old styling in a new tech world, it does wonders for the pack's comfort. The well-planned placement of the vented padding allows much of the pack to rest off the back, even leaving open channels and spacing between the padding sections on the shoulders and in the lumbar, creating airflow and reducing hotspots.

This pack hugs the body and moves with you, keeping everything stable. When you get into sketchy terrain, you can feel fully confident as you bend and shift that the pack will make those same movements with you. Handling moderate to heavy loads easily, you can push it on your excursions, no matter where they take you.

Versatility

Daypacks that are designed as great all-arounders are often not the best choices when it comes to more specialized use. With its rigid frame, the Traverse 32 is unlikely to be the pack you'll want to grab for a long day of climbing, bike riding, or even traveling the city by subway, when more targeted pack options are available. Yet it may well become your favorite pack for day hikes and overnight treks.

But what we love about the Traverse 32 is the versatility it adds to your gear closet. A separation in the center of the hip belt means each side can swing separately as you move, while a roomy shoulder harness allows unrestricted movement up top. So, while this may not be the dream pack for your cycling, climbing, or commuting needs, it is a great choice for those who don't want to buy a unique pack for each and every activity, and it still offers a surprising range of motion for its size and build. Still, this pack is best for carrying those medium to heavy gear loads. And while it can be used for many purposes, it's unlikely to be ideally suited for anything beyond straightforward seasonal trekking, except in a limited capacity.

Ease of Use

REI seems to have found the perfect balance with the Traverse 32, offering just enough useful, easy-to-access features in an ergonomic design to feel great on the trail even when loaded up with all the extras for a long day.

The features of the Traverse work smoothly as a system, unencumbered by one another, and straightforward to operate. This has pick-up-and-go practicality that makes it a pleasure to use. Smaller features like a clip for a hydration bladder tube on the shoulder harness are nice perks for minimally added weight that make you realize REI truly thought this one through for the end-user in their design process. While this pack does have top loader access and functionality, it also adds a full side zip for the main compartment. On fully loaded outings, the little bonus makes getting in and out of your gear a smooth process on the go, never having to fully unpack to get to something you may need. If extra external zippers are a concern for water resistance, there is no need to fret. REI includes a very effective rain cover that is smartly designed with elastic loops to attach over each side of the hip belt and a back pad strap, all of which combine to keep your rain cover perfectly in place while still allowing lip and top loader access when needed.

The stretch side pockets are one of our favorite features that stayed with the Traverse as it transformed anew from the previous model. Forward-facing at an easily accessible angle, these pockets allow for on-the-go reach to water bottles on either side. The luxury of not having to remove your pack or struggle to reach your arm at an inhuman angle for your water while on an excursion added big points to this pack's scores in this metric. These two pockets also have a snap button partial closure, which secures a larger 32-ounce bottle in place or allows for a nice snug fit of a small or soft-sided bottle.

The hip belt pockets have an outer stretch mesh that is a very generous size. You can fit a ton in there, including many larger smartphones and GPS units, allowing you to have some of your most important small gear or snacks right there on the fly.

With boatloads of attachment points, the Traverse allows for a wide array of gear to come along for the ride. While you may want a mountaineering-specific pack for serious alpine outings, the pack can still hang for more casual summits. An ice axe loop doubles as a holder for trekking poles when coupled with an elastic hook closure higher up on the pack.

Daisy chains along both sides, an ample external stretch pocket, a traditional lid with straps connecting to the body, and the remaining modular straps let you add what you need where you need it, making the Traverse an easily customizable and easy-to-use pack.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

Although it's heavier than other options we've tested, that fact was easy to overlook, even when fully loaded, due to its excellent weight distribution and stability.

The 300-Denier recycled ripstop nylon used to build the Traverse 32 might be heavier than the more minimalist designs of other contenders, but with that strength in construction comes peace of mind that this pack can take a beating and will come back swinging another day.

Construction Quality

The Traverse 32 is a tough bag. Time and time again, its nylon shell has proven it can withstand whatever demands we may throw at it. It keeps things simple, with 300-Denier recycled ripstop nylon made to last. We also noted that REI is utilizing recycled materials, but it should be mentioned that these are also bluesign® approved materials.

We took the Traverse through snow, ice, and heavy rain to evaluate its strength and water resistance. With the rain cover on, it performed well when packed with smaller and fuller loads. Without the cover, the main compartment kept gear fairly protected. Only the equipment or clothes stashed near the side zip experienced any moisture. While top loaders tend to offer better rain protection, a hybrid design with an easy-access zipper like this offers some welcome convenience. However, that zipper is a weak point, vulnerable to liquid, even if we still found it surprisingly effective. The most significant setback we experienced in construction quality was the sternum strap. One part fell off during testing, and we could never find it again. This is a problem that some REI packs are beginning to develop a reputation for, though we didn't have any problems with other REI packs we tested firsthand.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Traverse 32?

If you want a bag that delivers durability and features, is perfect for a wide variety of outings, and has enough space to carry all you'll need for a full day out, the Traverse 32 is a great choice. And what's better is you won't have to empty your wallet to take one on your next adventure.

What Other Daypacks Should You Consider?