REI Flash Air 50 Ultralight Backpack Assessment

Backside Line

The REI Flash Air (males’s / girls’s) is a wonderful crossover pack for these accustomed to a standard pack however able to transition to ultralight backpacking. Otherwise you might need discovered ultralight packs aren’t working to your physique, so that you’re searching for a step up in assist and luxury wants; this is likely to be simply the ticket. The suspension system consists of a stiff inner body, a supportive hipbelt, and an over-padded again panel with airflow channels.

The Flash Air is made out of light-weight nylon with a streamlined, weight-conscious characteristic set. The primary entrance pocket is good for storing rain gear and day by day necessities, though it’s slightly on the small aspect. As a substitute, a lot of the pack’s actual property is taken up by 4 roomy aspect pockets, two of that are extremely straightforward to achieve for on-the-go hydration.

The Flash Air’s building options light-weight sturdiness with a strengthened 210D nylon backside panel. The pack is waterproofed utilizing a DWR coating, which can ultimately put on off, however initially, it performs very nicely. 

General, REI has completed an ideal job filling a distinct segment for people who find themselves on the cusp of ultralight backpacking practices.

For extra of our favorites, head again to our information to the most effective ultralight backpacks.

consolation

The consolation of the REI Flash Air 50 is paying homage to conventional backpacking backpacks. It doesn’t compromise on foam padding and is engineered for optimum airflow.

Throughout testing with about 30 kilos, the interior spring metal body carried out surprisingly nicely at transferring weight to the hips and relieving shoulder stress. 

The load lifters additional stabilized the pack, bringing weight nearer to the physique. Though REI recommends a most load of 25 kilos for this pack, we’re assured it may comfortably deal with extra.

Though the body helps, many of the Flash Air’s consolation is derived from its well-padded again panel, shoulder straps, and hipbelt. The again panel and hipbelt characteristic ultra-thick foam padding complementing with channels for optimum airflow. 

The 3D contoured hipbelt is inflexible and holds its form, widespread on conventional model backpacks. Whereas the hipbelt is safe, some discover its lack of flexibility could cause it to dig into the hip bones.

Performance

The REI Flash Air incorporates considerate and distinctive design options that promote on-trail accessibility and effectivity. Probably the most notable of those is the 4 aspect pockets. The 2 closest to the again panel are slanted and shifted ahead, making them probably the most accessible aspect pockets that we examined. Every is sufficiently big to carry a one-liter Nalgene bottle, so you possibly can simply hydrate on the go. 

The 2 further aspect pockets are very tall and roomy—ideally suited for objects like an umbrella, tent poles, or perhaps a small backpacking tent. Steady webbing daisy chains and an ice axe loop line these aspect pockets for exterior gear storage. The final main exterior pocket is the cinching entrance pocket, which we want was greater and stretchier.

The pack comes with an oblong mesh shoulder strap pocket, which is nice for small objects however is simply too small for bigger smartphones.

Our primary gripe in regards to the options on the Flash Air is the highest and aspect straps. All are made with skinny twine or webbing, which feels flimsy and will get tangled simply.

Water Resistance

The REI Flash Air demonstrated spectacular water resistance throughout our publicity check. After drenching the pack on all sides, we discovered nearly zero moisture inside. Though we love preserving our gear dry, the Flash Air most likely gained’t stay that waterproof endlessly.

The pack’s nylon is just not inherently waterproof, so REI added a DWR waterproof coating. Whereas these coatings have respectable longevity and waterproofing capabilities, they’ll put on off and ultimately must be reapplied.

One other attention-grabbing issue to notice is the froth padding’s response to water. The froth readily absorbs moisture as an alternative of wicking it away, which can contribute to extra pack weight from sweat and precipitation.

General, the pack is usually waterproof early in its life, however we advocate pairing it with a pack liner or cowl.

Building

Though it’s not probably the most sturdy pack in the marketplace, the REI Flash Air 50 blends light-weight building with sturdiness in key areas, making certain it meets the calls for of ultralight backpacking. At simply 0.5 ounces per liter, it’s among the many lightest packs we examined, but its supplies are strong sufficient to deal with some abuse on path.

The primary physique is made out of UHMWPE ripstop nylon, a cloth prized for its distinctive strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to abrasion. This offers the pack a tricky exterior that may stand up to scrapes in opposition to rocks and branches. The underside panel is strengthened with 210-denier nylon, which supplies further sturdiness the place the pack is most weak to put on.

REI sacrifices a big quantity of sturdiness within the aspect straps and prime Y-strap. They’re all skinny and flimsy and will simply be reduce whereas rock scrambling.

Ought to You Purchase The REI Flash Air 50 Ultralight Backpack?

The REI Flash Air 50 is a perfect alternative for backpackers new to the ultralight world and hesitant to surrender their conventional pack. Its ample padded again panel, hipbelt, and shoulder straps present couch-like consolation. Whereas the inflexible hipbelt might not work for everybody, it presents wonderful load switch and safety.

REI incorporates distinctive and considerate trail-oriented options. 4 accessible aspect pockets make hydration and group straightforward, whereas exterior daisy chains and an ice axe loop supply versatility for further gear. 

Constructed with UHMWPE ripstop nylon and a strengthened backside panel, the Flash Air 50 successfully balances sturdiness and weight financial savings. That stated, the highest and aspect straps really feel flimsy, making this pack much less ideally suited for rugged off-trail scrambles or bushwhacking. Though the DWR coating is efficient, we advocate utilizing a pack liner, particularly because the pack ages.

For these prioritizing weight financial savings, consolation, and good design, the Flash Air 50 presents nice worth for thru-hikers and weekend adventurers alike. Seasoned ultralight backpackers, mountaineers, and scramblers would possibly need to look elsewhere.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Contemplate?

If the Flash Air reminds you an excessive amount of of the standard model and also you’re able to dive extra into ultralight backpacking, take a look at our full information to the most effective ultralight backpacks.

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Assessment: Gossamer Gear packs are identified for his or her superior carrying consolation. They’re closely padded, just like the REI Flash Air, however comply with a extra ultralight mentality. 

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Assessment: The Gorilla 50 is identical quantity because the Flash Air, however with totally different distinctive options. It’s additionally very snug with a supportive hipbelt and body however lacks water resistance.

Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60 Assessment: The Arc Haul presents extra everlasting water resistance than the Flash Air, with a bodily moisture barrier as an alternative of a coating. It’s very ultralight-focused and can lack a number of the consolation options discovered within the Flash Air.