reccs.co

REI Co-op Flash 55

$ BudgetTrending Down

tldr; 2.5lb pack carries 35+ lbs comfortably. Great value at $130-140 on sale. Remove brain for 2lb 2oz. XS fits petite hikers.

Check prices

Sentiment Breakdown

44%Positive
Positive
44%
Neutral
50%
Negative
6%
Based on 85 Reddit opinions

Strengths & Weaknesses

Each axis shows what % of Reddit comments are positive about that topic. Higher = more praise.

Key Features

  • Adjustable torso for a fine-tuned fit.
  • 3D contoured hipbelt and ventilated back panel.
  • Roll-top lid provides weather resistance and allows volume adjustment.
  • Removable lid can form a waist pack or be left at home to save weight.
  • Packmod Custom Carry System for customizable attachment points.
  • ⚖️ Under 3 lbs with removable brain
  • 💰 $130-140 on sale, great value
  • 💪 Carries 35-40 lbs well

Sentiment Over Time

50%75%100%Apr '25Jun '25Aug '25Oct '25Dec '25Jan '26100% (Apr '25) - 8 comments90% (May '25) - 6.5 comments100% (Jun '25) - 2.8 comments100% (Jul '25) - 2.8 comments92% (Aug '25) - 5.3 comments100% (Sep '25) - 10.7 comments50% (Oct '25) - 2.5 comments73% (Nov '25) - 4.4 comments100% (Dec '25) - 1.9 comments50% (Jan '26) - 1.3 comments

What Redditors Actually Say

What Redditors Say

Best praise vs top criticism for REI Co-op Flash 55

Best Praise
+59 pts
“Tbh I think you’re overthinking it. Which is super easy to do and very common right before a thru. Back in 2013 I did the pct with a flash 55 and my BW was like 18lbs, had no issues.”
r/Ultralight
View
Top Criticism
+4 pts
“Same. I just bought the Mariposa and it fits vertically. Prior, I had a REI Flash 55 that had to play some serious Tetris with.”
r/Ultralight
View
12 more quotes available below

Related Products

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

1,121 mentions

C+
$$$ Flagship

Sawyer Squeeze

1,037 mentions

B
$ Budget

Durston X-Mid 2

785 mentions

A
$$ Mid-range

Garmin inReach Mini 2

600 mentions

B-
$$$ Flagship

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm

512 mentions

B+
$$$ Flagship

Zpacks Duplex

481 mentions

B+
$$$ Flagship

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the REI Co-op Flash 55 worth buying?
2.5lb pack carries 35+ lbs comfortably. Great value at $130-140 on sale. Remove brain for 2lb 2oz. XS fits petite hikers.
What do Redditors love about the REI Co-op Flash 55?
Redditors highlight: ⚖️ Under 3 lbs with removable brain. 💰 $130-140 on sale, great value. 💪 Carries 35-40 lbs well.
What are the downsides of the REI Co-op Flash 55?
Some criticisms include: "Looks like the flash load limit is 30 lbs :/ and I expect to carry over that during my extended carry"
How accurate are these ratings?
Our sentiment analysis is approximately 80-85% accurate compared to manual review. Products with more mentions (REI Co-op Flash 55 has 85) tend to have more reliable scores.

85 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 4/16/2026

View full Backpacking Gear guideBrowse all guides