Backside Line
The REI Trailmade 60 is among the least expensive packs on our listing, so we have been skeptical it might present a very good expertise. Nonetheless, we got here away pleasantly stunned. It’s not essentially the most premium backpack, nevertheless it focuses on a couple of issues and executes them nicely.
Beginning with the positives, the general high quality and sturdiness is great. It is a pack that we might simply give to a newbie backpacker with out concern that they’d rip a it. However regardless of the sturdiness, it’s not a really heavy pack.
This budget-oriented backback does sacrifice a bit in the way in which of consolation. The froth is supportive sufficient and we actually appreciated the hip belt, however you’re getting a really primary consolation expertise right here.
It does get overshadowed a bit by another backpacking backpacks we suggest, however that doesn’t detract from how a lot we loved the REI Trailmade. Although we’re skilled backpackers, we might gladly take this on our subsequent journey.
How We Examined
We took the REI Trailmade on some native trails in our native Minnesota for preliminary testing whereas we overhauled our complete backpacking assessment portfolio throughout winter.
Fast Specs
REI Trailmade 60
Backpacking Backpack with Basic Styling & Nice Value
CleverHiker Score:
4.4/5.0
Value:
$180
Weight:
3 lb. 5 oz.
Quantity:
60 L
Max Weight Rec.:
40 lb
Execs
- Sturdy materials choice and building
- Good water bottle entry
- Nice function set for newbies
Cons
- Too shut in worth to lighter and extra featured packs
- Common consolation
Consolation
The Trailmade gives common consolation for its class, not doing something excellent but in addition not making any main stumbles. The help right here is straightforward and easy, with giant items of froth on the again panel, a giant hipbelt, and fairly thick shoulder straps. Not like many packs on this class of pack, the Trailmade isn’t attempting to extend air flow with a suspended mesh panel or cutouts within the hip belt padding, however for this worth we predict these have been good design tradeoffs.
After we loaded up the Trailmade with 30 kilos, we discovered it carried decently nicely. The body didn’t really feel prefer it was on the sting of help, and the hip belt felt actually good, tightening and supporting the load on our hips with ease. The lumbar padding tries to advertise a little bit of airflow with a niche between the 2 pads, however that is one space we’re a bit of involved may generate a sore spot if that lumbar space doesn’t sit proper in your physique.
Options
Not like many funds packs, the Trailmade doesn’t minimize corners in sturdiness, delivering a stable expertise with nice materials that ought to final to some good use on path. We pulled and tugged on the seams to see if we might get the pack to point out weak point and it held up towards our assessments simply advantageous. The seams have been tight and nicely constructed.
The material feels robust as nicely. This is among the solely packs we checked out that fully forgoes mesh of any kind. Though we predict that cautious use of mesh has its place on packs, we predict that the elimination of it on this mannequin is sensible. It eliminates a weak spot on many packs, and for newbies who may abuse a pack a bit greater than skilled backpackers, it will assist the pack final for much longer. It’s additionally wonderful to see 100% recycled materials, and Bluesign certification.
Sturdiness
Not like many funds packs, the Trailmade doesn’t minimize corners in sturdiness, delivering a stable expertise with nice materials that ought to final to some good use on path. We pulled and tugged on the seams to see if we might get the pack to point out weak point and it held up towards our assessments simply advantageous. The seams have been tight and nicely constructed.
The material feels robust as nicely. This is among the solely packs we checked out that fully forgoes mesh of any kind. Though we predict that cautious use of mesh has its place on packs, we predict that the elimination of it on this mannequin is sensible. It eliminates a weak spot on many packs, and for newbies who may abuse a pack a bit greater than skilled backpackers, it will assist the pack final for much longer. It’s additionally wonderful to see 100% recycled materials, and Bluesign certification.
Ease of Use
That is such a splendidly easy pack to make use of. Nothing about its building or design is complicated or obfuscated. All of the straps join and cinch as anticipated, the hip belt isn’t irritating to tighten, and fortunately, the water bottles are straightforward to entry.
Although the Trailmade isn’t essentially the most premium or snug of packs, it delivered such a stable and constant expertise that we discovered ourselves idly dreaming about taking it on our subsequent journey, even above dearer choices. And that’s a very good lesson about outside gear that generally is simple to overlook when buried in spreadsheets, generally the very best gear for you personally is the one that you simply simply really feel good utilizing. And the general expertise of the Trailmade is simply quietly pleasant that we will think about many individuals falling in love with this pack.
Ought to You Purchase the REI Trailmade 60 Backpack?
The Trailmade is an efficient pack. We actually loved utilizing it. However that positivity is sadly overshadowed by the truth that REI is its personal worst competitor. For a bit of bit extra, the REI Flash 55 gives a lighter, and arguably extra versatile and full expertise. For most individuals, it is going to be value it to avoid wasting up that further bit to spend on the Flash which makes the Trailmade onerous to suggest.
Nonetheless, backpacks are very subjective, and if the Flash doesn’t really feel that nice, the Trailmade is a superb various. We need to be clear, that is positively a pack aimed toward newbies. Skilled backpackers will most likely need one thing lighter or extra function wealthy that helps their use case a bit higher. However for somebody entering into the pastime, we predict the Trailmade will supply a pleasant expertise that can permit individuals to benefit from the stunning outside with out getting distracted by a cheaply made pack.
What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Contemplate?
When you’re on the lookout for one thing completely different, please see our full lineup of backpacking backpacks.
REI Flash 55 Evaluation – The Flash is just a bit of bit dearer, and it’s lighter with higher air flow, a flexible attachment system, and a roll high, and extra.
Granite Gear Crown 3 Evaluation – When you just like the basic stylings of the Trailmade however need one thing that’s a bit extra versatile, the Crown 3 is value a glance.
Gregory Paragon 58 Evaluation – When you’re not worth constrained and aren’t as involved about weight, the Paragon is a superb pack that climbed to the highest of our rankings.
