REASONS TO BUY
Handles heavy loads well
Robust construction
Great comfort
REASONS TO AVOID
Less mobility than others
Higher weight-to-volume
REI Co-op Traverse 35 Review
Top-tier comfort and stability make this pack the right fit for hauling your gear on any outdoor excursion
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 23, 2025
Contributions From: Trevor Everts
RELATED: The Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026
Our Verdict
The REI Co-op Traverse 35 is the latest and greatest version of REI's well-loved Traverse model. This design brings the best of large backpack attributes and combines them with the size and versatility of a smaller daypack to give us this adaptable, multipurpose option. From the design of the padded hip belt to the supportive steel wire frame, this pack offers the necessary features to handle larger loads. With well-thought-out back ventilation and load management, the Traverse 35 can keep you going strong across many activities, from a summertime hike with a lighter load to a long winter day packed full of gear. This update was a big win from REI, fixing three of our main complaints with the Traverse 32: they made a more mobile hipbelt, improved the sternum strap attachment, and made the bag width/capacity slightly greater for ease of packing.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
REI Co-op Traverse 35 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Big Days |  Most Comfortable Daypack | Best for Trail to Town | Most Versatile Daypack |  Best Bang for Your Buck |
| Price | $179 List Check Price at REI | $180 List Check Price at Amazon | $100 List Check Price at REI | $130 List Check Price at REI | $60 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Top-tier comfort and stability make this pack the right fit for hauling your gear on any outdoor excursion | With well-thought-out features, excellent ventilation, and unparalleled comfort, this pack is a top choice for hiking enthusiasts | A comfortable daypack that’s at home on a hike or on a work commute | This lightweight, minimalist pack outperformed more expensive packs, thanks to its comfort, versatility, and great storage pockets | This pack is an excellent value, providing all-around performance for light and fast activities at a bargain price |
| Rating Categories | REI Co-op Traverse 35 | Gregory Zulu 24 LT | REI Co-op Trail 25 | Osprey Sportlite 25 | REI Co-op Flash 22 |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Versatility (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight-to-Volume Ratio (15%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | REI Co-op Traverse 35 | Gregory Zulu 24 LT | REI Co-op Trail 25 | Osprey Sportlite 25 | REI Co-op Flash 22 |
| Advertised Volume | 35L | 24 L | 25 L | 25 L | 22 L |
| Measured Weight | 52.0 oz | 36.8oz | 30.9 oz | 27.2oz | 17 oz |
| Weight per Liter | 1.49 oz/L | 1.53oz/L | 1.24 oz/L | 1.09oz/L | 0.77 oz/L |
| Back Construction | Contured, foam pad | VaporSpan ventilated back panel | Contured, foam pad | AirScaper Atilon foam framesheet | Removable foam pad |
| Hydration Compatibility | Internal hydration sleeve, hook and loop attachment point | Interior hydration sleeve with Speedclip | Internal hydration sleeve | Direct access external sleeve | Internal hydration sleeve |
| Hip Belt | 1 3/8" webbing, countoured padding, ventilated outer layer | Broad, padded, with pockets | 3/4" webbing | Broad, padded, with pockets | Broad, ventilated but not padded. |
| Number of Pockets | 7 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 5 |
| Description of Pockets | 1 main combo top-loader/side panel zip, 1 internal mesh w/ overlap closure (inside of lid), 1 external zip on top of lid, 2 mesh side bottle w/ button closure/expansion, 2 oversized hipbelt zip | 1 main zippered, hydration sleeve, 2 side mesh, 2 front, 2 zippered hip belt | 3 stretchy mesh side, 1 top zippered, 1 main compartment zippered, 1 bottom zippered for rain cover | 1 main zippered, one middle zippered, 2 mesh interior, one top zippered, 1 front mesh stow, 2 mesh side, 2 hip belt (one zippered, one open) | 1 main zippered, 2 mesh side pockets, 1 side zippered pocket, 1 top pouch |
| Materials | 210-denier ripstop nylon and 400-denier recycled nylon (shell), 200-denier recycled polyester (lining) | 40% Recycled 400D Polyester Ripstop | 210-denier ripstop nylon | 100D recycled bird eye nylon | 70D nylon, polyurethane coating |
| Outside Carry Options | Trekking pole lash points, ice axe attachments, daisy chains,attachment loops, compression straps | Ice axe/trekking pole loop with bungee, mesh side pockets, 4 webbing tabs, side compression straps | Daisy chain, ice axe, pole loops, sleeping pad straps (bottom and top) | Trekking pole tip strap, side compression straps, 2 webbing tabs, three external mesh pockets | Ice axe loop and bungee holder, 10 loops for additional straps or attachments |
| Whistle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Key Clip | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other Notable Features | Steel frame w/ 1 internal stay, hydration tube holder on shoulder strap, included rain cover, water bottle pockets angled forward to allow on the go access | Light/bell tab built into lower fabric | None | Light/bell tab built into lower fabric | Removeable foam back panel doubles as sit pad, removeable sternum, removeable Packmod bungee, Water bottle pocket, hydration port + tubing, trekking pole attachments, side zipper pocket, sunglass loop |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The REI Co-op Traverse 35 brings a lot to the table. Built with the same ideas behind the existing Traverse line of packs, the Traverse 35 takes a tried and true piece of equipment and adds some upgrades, making this an easy choice for a hiking backpack. The newest model is designed with big-pack features in a small, well-balanced package. It is well thought out for handling hardy loads and staying comfortable and ergonomic during any number of activities and movements, just like its larger predecessor. Still, it manages to do all this in a smaller, more streamlined package. Lead tester Zach Lovell reports, “I took this everywhere — on short backpacking trips, winter treks with snowshoes and crampons, huge day hikes, and even tossed in some commutes and beach trips — and found the Traverse to be a versatile pack that could be used for all.”
Performance comparison
We loved that the Traverse 35 could handle big days, allowing our testing team to go much further from the trailhead than many other daypacks. Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort
This pack leads the way in comfort and stability. With a strong and light wire frame, an internal perimeter hoop, and ample but not overdone padding, you can feel confident bringing this one along all day.
The Traverse 35 is the latest and greatest in the Traverse line when it comes to comfort. As previously shared, one of our most significant qualms with the Traverse 32 was the lack of movement, but thanks to the improved hip belt, this is a much less restrictive daypack. REI fortunately kept the ventilation of old Traverse models, with a nice foam suspension keeping the back off some of the frame, allowing a decent amount of airflow. With generous padding and the ability to handle big loads, this is worth checking out if you need a heavier-duty pack built for comfort.
The improved mobility of the Traverse was one of our favorite aspects of this pack update, making for an even more comfy bag. Credit: Zach Lovell
Versatility
While the Traverse 35 has the comfort and capacity to go almost anywhere, it often might not be the best suited for more specialized usages. If you are doing serious climbing, riding a bike, or taking the subway, this may not be your first choice due to its more rigid frame that restricts movement. Fortunately, REI has greatly improved upon the Traverse's mobility from past iterations, with a much more modest hip belt. With the new and improved freedom to move it now offers, the Traverse 35 is a worthy companion for days that take on any number of shapes and sizes.
The Traverse 35 is versatile and handy for any activity where you'll be lugging gear, from long hikes to fishing to overnights on the trail. While the rigid frame may hinder these applications slightly, the other features allow for a far greater range of motion than expected for a pack of this style and size. The hip belt has a separation in the center, allowing each side to swing with your movements separately. In contrast, the shoulder harness allows for good mobility without feeling restricted in the arms or the neck. With its larger size, it's not quite ideal for more casual outings, and many will find the Traverse too much of a bag for their average needs. Then again, some might argue it's better to have too much than too little in a backpack.
Larger packs like the Traverse 35 are great for a larger-scale days, our gear experts loved putting this option to the test. Credit: Zach Lovell
Ease of Use
Integrating a full feature set without becoming too technical or complicated is a fine line to walk for an all-purpose daypack, and the REI team found that sweet spot when making the Traverse 35. Attention to detail and ergonomics make this pack an absolute pleasure to use.
This feature-rich option has improved dimensions from past iterations of the Traverse. With three more liters advertised than the Traverse 32 and a slightly greater circumference, we found this bag easier to pack, whether loading it up with climbing gear, fishing gear, or both. This bag allows both top and side access, thanks to an access zipper towards the bottom.
We loved the access zipper so we didn't have to rummage through our entire bag to grab a layer or a water bottle. Credit: Zach Lovell
Another improvement over past versions of the Traverse was an improved sternum strap, which used to notoriously detach completely from the strap. We're happy to report that the new and improved Traverse has a much more dependable sternum strap.
We were so pleased to see this sternum strap remained attached the entire testing season. The old Traverse 32 lost its sternum strap in the first week. Credit: Zach Lovell
Our team also appreciated the included rain cover for stormy days. We also note that the adjustable frame size (which was also a new addition to the Traverse 35) means this pack will now work for a greater variety of people. Other additions like a large zippered hip belt pocket and double trekking pole/ice axe loops were also appreciated. Simply put, if you need features, the Traverse 35 should be kept on your final list.
The adjustable size was a nice way to fine tune the fit, bumping the score of the Traverse 35 in this metric. Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
The Traverse 35 is a bit heavy compared to some of the other daypacks we've tested. However, a durable bag that can handle heavy loads typically has to come at the cost of a bit more weight, especially when considering the features the Traverse offers.
The Traverse 35 has a slightly larger volume than its previous version and naturally has a slightly worse weight-to-volume ratio of 1.49 ounces per liter, with a total weight of 52 ounces (3.25 pounds). Yes, the latest Traverse 35 is 9 ounces heavier than the Traverse 32, but the Traverse 35 has greater capacity and a more robust nylon construction.
There is no doubt the Traverse 35 is a heavy bag, however, it also can handle more weight than most daypacks in our review. Credit: Zach Lovell
Construction Quality
Tough nylon materials make this a durable, tough-as-nails build. We have tested packs with similar materials over the years, and they can always keep up with whatever we seem to throw at them. The latest version of this pack combines 200 and 400-denier nylon in the shell's construction, inside and out, along with a few other nuanced improvements that bumped up its score for construction quality.
The Traverse 35 is a burly backpack that's likely to handle whatever you throw at it and is among the most robust builds in the lineup. The latest Traverse's biggest improvement is the sternum strap, which is now more dependably attached to the backpack straps. The side buckles/straps of the Traverse function very well, though, as is the case with any lightweight plastic, it's best to baby them, as we had a small piece of a buckle break while strapping down a pair of skis. We could still use the buckle afterwards, and we've seen many buckles break over the years from every manufacturer, so we would not flag this as a problem unique to this design. It's just a common outcome when plastic meets metal or a boot sole.
Besides the side strap buckles, the wear and tear on the Traverse 35 was minimal at the end of the testing season.
Should You Buy the REI Co-op Traverse 35?
The Traverse 35 is a well-built model full of big-pack features for many types of outings. The best part? You won't have to pay an arm and a leg for that versatility and performance. This is worth your hard-earned cash if you need a daypack to handle heavier loads.
What Other Daypacks Should You Consider?
If you need an even more durable option, check out the Nemo Persist 30L All-Adventure, which uses as much as 900 denier fabric. If you need something lighter that offers more mobility, check out the REI Co-Op Flash 22.
—Zach Lovell and Trevor Everts
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