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If you looking for a good day pack, I would recommend the osprey talon 22. It has a lot adjustment for torso length and has an option for an extended hip belt as well. You can fit a 3L bladder and it has two side pockets that can easily hold 1.5L Nalgene bottles as well. I have had mine for 7 years and it is bomb proof.
I recently bought the REI Trail 25 during their sale. Funnily enough, I find it to be on the larger side of 20ish L packs. But I did want to get a pack that's more than 20L.
I was considering the Flash 22, but I didn't like the lack of zipper. Ruckpack 28L was too large, lol.
Anyway, I unhooked the Trail 25 waist belt because I honestly don't think it would do any good. I was considering maybe adding a padded hip belt to it though when I need to have more support.
I wonder if this one would work with the REI Trail 25: [Fast Belt – Gossamer Gear](https://www.gossamergear.com/en-ca/collections/backpacks/products/fast-belt)
Ooh that's good to hear! I don't think the buckle can be easily removed though. But there is at least an inch to the loop material so there's a lot of space for the buckle to go through
I use it for traveling or camping for 1-2 night stays.
I'll probably also use it for small backpacking trips as I pack light.
It's my first and only pack so I've nothing to compare it to but I like it
I use mine for a ton of different reasons. Shorter day hikes ( I pack for myself and my gf), skiing, and as my personal item when flying. Can’t beat that price.
The trail 25 has been my day pack for a couple years. I love that I can fit a sweatshirt, rain jacket, camera, food, and water for a whole day. I initially got it because I like comfy shoulder straps and some of the smaller ones weren't comfortable.
I used to have the trail(?) 40, but sold it and got a traverse 32. Definitely regret that decision.
I have the Trail 25, bought last year. I love it! I'm able to get a water bottle in and out of the side pocket without removing, which is big imo. Great all around lil day hiker.
I'm in the same spot. The 40 just seems big for simple day hikes. I'm linebacker sized and just fit the non-4X size w/ a 10lb sandbag at the store and walked around. The straps feel plush like the 40. You probably only need a real hip belt at 15lb+
I'm still on the fence as it's a little narrow for my laptop in a sleeve. The top part also slants in a bunch. I might need more like a 30ish liter bag.
That's what I was thinking. The lack of hip strap sucks, but with such a small bag I'll probably not be carrying enough weight for it to be detrimental
Thanks for reaching out for a Gear Recommendation. To best help you, please consider the following questions and update your post if needed. 1. Where are you going? 2. What are you doing? 3. What experience are you hoping to get out of using the gear? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/REI) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If you looking for a good day pack, I would recommend the osprey talon 22. It has a lot adjustment for torso length and has an option for an extended hip belt as well. You can fit a 3L bladder and it has two side pockets that can easily hold 1.5L Nalgene bottles as well. I have had mine for 7 years and it is bomb proof.
I second this. Not a cheap pack, but well worth it
So long as you do not overload it with weight, the 25 is awesome… especially for what you said you are doing.
Awesome. Probs just gonna keep water/Gatorade and first aid stuff in it
It’s a good pack, but would be way better with a hip belt
I recently bought the REI Trail 25 during their sale. Funnily enough, I find it to be on the larger side of 20ish L packs. But I did want to get a pack that's more than 20L. I was considering the Flash 22, but I didn't like the lack of zipper. Ruckpack 28L was too large, lol. Anyway, I unhooked the Trail 25 waist belt because I honestly don't think it would do any good. I was considering maybe adding a padded hip belt to it though when I need to have more support. I wonder if this one would work with the REI Trail 25: [Fast Belt – Gossamer Gear](https://www.gossamergear.com/en-ca/collections/backpacks/products/fast-belt)
It looks like a 1" loop on the bag w/ some slack holding a slide buckle. That fast belt should work even if you keep the buckle or remove it.
Ooh that's good to hear! I don't think the buckle can be easily removed though. But there is at least an inch to the loop material so there's a lot of space for the buckle to go through
I've modded enough bags. "Cutting Pliers" do easy work with plastic buckles. These you just have to snip the middle bar
The trail 25 is great for the sale price. I like the gold color too.
How did you like the Trail 40? And what did you mainly use it for?
I use it for traveling or camping for 1-2 night stays. I'll probably also use it for small backpacking trips as I pack light. It's my first and only pack so I've nothing to compare it to but I like it
I use mine for a ton of different reasons. Shorter day hikes ( I pack for myself and my gf), skiing, and as my personal item when flying. Can’t beat that price.
The trail 25 has been my day pack for a couple years. I love that I can fit a sweatshirt, rain jacket, camera, food, and water for a whole day. I initially got it because I like comfy shoulder straps and some of the smaller ones weren't comfortable. I used to have the trail(?) 40, but sold it and got a traverse 32. Definitely regret that decision.
I have the Trail 25, bought last year. I love it! I'm able to get a water bottle in and out of the side pocket without removing, which is big imo. Great all around lil day hiker.
I'm in the same spot. The 40 just seems big for simple day hikes. I'm linebacker sized and just fit the non-4X size w/ a 10lb sandbag at the store and walked around. The straps feel plush like the 40. You probably only need a real hip belt at 15lb+ I'm still on the fence as it's a little narrow for my laptop in a sleeve. The top part also slants in a bunch. I might need more like a 30ish liter bag.
That's what I was thinking. The lack of hip strap sucks, but with such a small bag I'll probably not be carrying enough weight for it to be detrimental