REI Path 25 Overview | CleverHiker

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The REI Path 25 stands out on our Finest Daypacks for Mountain climbing information as a flexible, budget-friendly possibility with glorious sturdiness. Its sturdy nylon development, bolstered facet pockets, and high-quality parts guarantee it’s going to final for years of rugged use. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer examined this pack for 150+ miles in Colorado’s Entrance Vary and Gore Vary. He likes it greatest for carrying extra gear in unpredictable climate – because of sensible technical options like double trekking pole attachments, accent straps, and an included rain cowl for trail-readiness.

However this pack is bulkier than some we’ve examined, and its 2-pound weight could really feel extreme for informal hikes. The skinny hip belt struggles to distribute heavy masses successfully, and the interior group can also be restricted with a cavernous foremost compartment that requires cautious packing to keep away from a unfastened really feel. Nonetheless, for hikers needing sturdiness, a user-friendly design, and plenty house on a finances, the Path 25 delivers.

Consolation

The REI Path 25 has beneficiant, thick padding on each the shoulder straps and again panel, providing an ultra-cushioned match and quick consolation. The curved, ergonomic design of the shoulder straps helped distribute weight evenly throughout our again, lowering stress factors throughout lengthy outings. Mesh overlays make these areas breathable, which stored us cooler on heat, sweaty hikes. The light-weight body sheet provides simply sufficient construction for assist with out being stiff, which made the pack really feel versatile and adaptable for various physique sorts. The extremely adjustable sternum strap has an 8-inch monitor on both sides, which allow us to dial within the match with precision.

Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has used this pack for snowy winter adventures to hold heavier gear resembling an influence financial institution, insulated water bottles, climbing poles, and additional layers. When packed fastidiously, the Path 25 was snug all day within the outside. Nevertheless, the skinny nylon waist belt fell brief when the pack is totally loaded. We’ve felt stress from the nylon waist strap greater than a backpack with broad mesh as an alternative. That stated, these are small points – we’ve lined as much as 20 miles in a day with this mannequin and located it soft from dawn to sundown, and July warmth to January ice.

Group

The Path 25 is a testomony to REI’s deal with sensible options. We appreciated how the huge U-shaped zipper opened ⅔ of the way in which down the bag, making it straightforward to entry our gear. Nevertheless, the principle compartment doesn’t have dividers, which made it a bit tough to arrange our gear effectively. Further group options embody an inner zippered mesh pocket with a small key clip, an exterior zippered pocket, a backside rainfly pocket, double trekking pole attachments, and a whopping 16 complete attachment factors.

Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer particularly beloved the underside accent straps on this bag – the one mannequin on our checklist with this characteristic. That’s an incredible answer for carrying cumbersome gear like sit pads, tenting chair, a tripod, or a collapsible fishing pole. He additionally discovered the hydration system on the Path 25 notably intelligent. It makes use of twin routing loops on every shoulder strap, plus a clip on the sternum strap for straightforward tube administration. In the event you don’t use a water bladder, the deep facet mesh pockets simply accommodate giant water bottles. 

Nevertheless, the zippered storage pockets aren’t our favourite. They’re situated excessive on the principle compartment flap, which creates a clumsy, top-heavy design which results in the principle lid flopping. The pack’s group additionally limits choices for spreading out the heavier smaller objects like a telephone, energy financial institution, and headlamp, forcing every thing into one concentrated space. We additionally missed a stretchy mesh stuff pocket for quick-access storage. That stated, this pack is intuitive and has loads of storage for many adventures.

Consumer-Friendliness

The REI Path’s easy but considerate design makes each path activity a little bit simpler. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer discovered the 25-liter capability excellent for multi-season use: we had tons of house for cumbersome winter layers and images gear on a snowy February trek in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. The hydration reservoir pocket is big, simply accommodating a 3-liter reservoir or a 12-inch laptop computer or pill. Plus, loads of exterior lash factors assist de-clutter the inside. If you wish to focus in your hike – not your pack – the Path 25 is a good alternative.

That stated, some design decisions complicate fast entry. The zippered pockets on the flap sit awkwardly excessive, making it tough to retrieve small necessities. The dearth of shoulder strap pockets and waist belt pockets means it’s not as handy to entry smaller objects like snacks with out eradicating the pack. However these are small complaints – we’ve put this pack to the check in every kind of locations, and it hasn’t disillusioned.

Weight and Compressibility

The REI Path 25 strikes a steadiness between bigger capability and compactness. Weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces, the Path 25 is within the backside half of the day packs we examined, so it might deter ultralight hikers, minimalists, and those that need a slimmer profile. The largest con is it’s a bit cumbersome for the dimensions. 25 liters is on the increased finish of what we use most frequently for dayhikes.

In contrast with frameless choices, the added construction looks like a bit a lot whenever you’re taking up shorter hikes. Nevertheless, its design permits for compression. This pack’s versatile inner body can nonetheless be bent, twisted, and even eliminated. The dearth of hip belt pockets means it doesn’t take up as a lot room as different fashions, making it extra packable to stuff in our baggage. Thanks to 2 facet compression straps, the bag cinches all the way down to a slimmer profile, a win for hikers who want one pack for numerous circumstances.

Sturdiness

The REI Path 25 feels almost indestructible because of its burly nylon and polyester development that’s constructed to deal with years of rugged use. The underside of the mesh facet pockets are bolstered with sturdy nylon, providing additional power. REI makes use of sturdy stitching at key stress factors just like the nylon straps, backside panels, and shoulder straps to carry up beneath heavy masses. Even the zippers and buckles are beefy and dependable, constructed to face up to fixed abuse in moist, muddy, and chilly environments. Ian has used this pack typically when bushwhacking off-trail or scrambling on shoulder seasons over difficult rocky terrain, the place its  endurance has actually shined. 

Throughout testing, we discovered the colour leached off of those luggage when moist. After three separate day hikes in brutal winter circumstances, the Path 25 left a vibrant, orange-colored stain on the snow. After these few situations, the colour leaching stopped. That stated, we extremely advocate utilizing the rain cowl in moist climate simply in case.

Must you purchase the REI Path 25 pack?

The REI Path 25 is a good alternative for hikers and vacationers who want a sturdy, versatile daypack with room to spare. Its 25-liter capability, built-in rain cowl, and plenty of exterior lash factors make it a hole-in-one for lengthy hikes, journey, and carrying additional gear in shoulder seasons. The cushioned again panel and shoulder straps provide all-day consolation, whereas the interior body offers simply sufficient construction with out rigidity. Nevertheless, this pack will not be your best option for minimalist hikers or these searching for a light-weight possibility. Plus, the shortage of inner dividers could make packing tough, and we discover the zippered pocket design may be awkward and make the bag really feel a bit top-heavy. Nonetheless, for those who want a troublesome and adaptable daypack in your subsequent journey, the Path 25 is a good value level for a high-performing bag.

What different day packs do you have to contemplate for climbing?

For extra choices, please see our full information to the Finest Daypacks for Mountain climbing.

Gregory Citro 24 H20 / Juno 24 H20 Overview: For hikes the place group and assist are prime of thoughts, we favor these Gregory fashions, although they value considerably extra. 

Osprey Stratos 24 / Sirrus 24 Overview: In the event you just like the user-friendly design and soft padding of the Path 25, the Stratos and Sirrus 24 are a premium improve with regards to group and sturdiness.

Thriller Ranch Gallagator Overview: The Gallagator doesn’t have a hip belt or a body, however we prefer it for days when group and equipment entry are prime priorities.