Got a new backpack

**2coastcamper** · 06-11-2009, 12:16 AM

We're going on a kayak/camping trip this weekend (three days off, woot!), and I got a new backpack for the trip.

I'm excited to try it out. It's the REI Flash 65.

I'll offer my thoughts after the weekend if anyone is interested and looking for a new pack.

Stephen · 06-11-2009, 08:19 AM

cool pack..........

jason · 06-11-2009, 11:33 AM

Nice pack. I'm going to have to get one for the wife soon. I am the lucky one who gets to carry the kid. I don't know how she will do carrying a pack. The hikes I have taken the wife on are short so we really do not carry much. Once I can get her kid used to hiking, I want to try some overnight trips.

justontime · 06-11-2009, 04:30 PM

The backpack looks great, I will be interested to hear how you get on with it. I hope you have a really great trip.

**2coastcamper** · 06-15-2009, 07:11 PM

Update.
I'd have to say I highly recommend this pack. After using it for a two-location camping/kayak trip, it carried everything I needed it to.

I packed it the night before, and I was surprised at how little room the "essentials" took up. I started to load in some extra things that I usually pack in a separate bag. In all, I loaded it down with about 45 pounds of gear. When I put it on, it felt like all the weight was on my hips, which was great for moving around. It felt amazingly light. The shoulder straps at that point felt like they were just stabilizing the pack -- which is how a good pack is meant to be worn.

It has a place for a water sack, but I didn't use one this time. I'm old fashioned ... I prefer the old round canteen with the strap you throw over your shoulder. I might get a hydration sack to go in it one day, Who knows.

Another great thing was the amount of storage on the outside. It has, of course, the top pocket (which removes), and a nicely sized outside pocked on the back (or front, depending on which way you're holding the pack). There are also four mesh pockets (two on either side), where you can store a few items you need ready access to on the trails (like a water bottle, powerbar or something like that). There is also a small zipper pocket on the waist belt that I didn't even use because I'd already found a home for all my other gear and gadgets. It's a good place to put your keys I guess if you're just doing a park-n-hike for an afternoon. If my multi-tool didn't have a belt clip, I'd probably put it in there.

There are also plenty of tie-downs, straps and clips to secure some of your more bulky gear to the outside of the pack. There are two straps on the bottom that are perfect for a sleeping pad or a bag if you just roll it up without folding it length-wize down the center. I have a therma-rest trail-lite, and if I roll the sleeping back and pad together without folding, the straps still go all the way around.

I can't wait to take in on my next trip. I'm doing a solo hike-in. So I'll need to carry everything on my back. No partner to split the gear with, and no running back to the car. Can't wait! Actually, I haven't decided yet whether I'm doing a hike-in or a boat-in. But either way, the pack will really be put to the test that weekend!

In all for the price, I'd definitely recommend this pack. It's at REI for about $150. Good deal.

Newanderthal · 07-20-2009, 05:07 PM

Nice pack. I've been backpacking for years and it's amazing how much difference a good frame pack makes.

06-11-2009, 12:16 AM	#1
2coastcamper Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 359 Blog Entries: 6	Got a new backpack We're going on a kayak/camping trip this weekend (three days off, woot!), and I got a new backpack for the trip. I'm excited to try it out. It's the REI Flash 65. I'll offer my thoughts after the weekend if anyone is interested and looking for a new pack.

06-11-2009, 08:19 AM	#2
Stephen Wilderness Guide Join Date: May 2009 Location: Great lake's Posts: 4	cool pack.......... Sleep in the weed's

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06-11-2009, 11:33 AM	#3
jason Look 2x Safe a life Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 1,053	Nice pack. I'm going to have to get one for the wife soon. I am the lucky one who gets to carry the kid. I don't know how she will do carrying a pack. The hikes I have taken the wife on are short so we really do not carry much. Once I can get her kid used to hiking, I want to try some overnight trips.

06-11-2009, 04:30 PM	#4
justontime Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 167	The backpack looks great, I will be interested to hear how you get on with it. I hope you have a really great trip.

06-15-2009, 07:11 PM	#5
2coastcamper Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 359 Blog Entries: 6	Update. I'd have to say I highly recommend this pack. After using it for a two-location camping/kayak trip, it carried everything I needed it to. I packed it the night before, and I was surprised at how little room the "essentials" took up. I started to load in some extra things that I usually pack in a separate bag. In all, I loaded it down with about 45 pounds of gear. When I put it on, it felt like all the weight was on my hips, which was great for moving around. It felt amazingly light. The shoulder straps at that point felt like they were just stabilizing the pack -- which is how a good pack is meant to be worn. It has a place for a water sack, but I didn't use one this time. I'm old fashioned ... I prefer the old round canteen with the strap you throw over your shoulder. I might get a hydration sack to go in it one day, Who knows. Another great thing was the amount of storage on the outside. It has, of course, the top pocket (which removes), and a nicely sized outside pocked on the back (or front, depending on which way you're holding the pack). There are also four mesh pockets (two on either side), where you can store a few items you need ready access to on the trails (like a water bottle, powerbar or something like that). There is also a small zipper pocket on the waist belt that I didn't even use because I'd already found a home for all my other gear and gadgets. It's a good place to put your keys I guess if you're just doing a park-n-hike for an afternoon. If my multi-tool didn't have a belt clip, I'd probably put it in there. There are also plenty of tie-downs, straps and clips to secure some of your more bulky gear to the outside of the pack. There are two straps on the bottom that are perfect for a sleeping pad or a bag if you just roll it up without folding it length-wize down the center. I have a therma-rest trail-lite, and if I roll the sleeping back and pad together without folding, the straps still go all the way around. I can't wait to take in on my next trip. I'm doing a solo hike-in. So I'll need to carry everything on my back. No partner to split the gear with, and no running back to the car. Can't wait! Actually, I haven't decided yet whether I'm doing a hike-in or a boat-in. But either way, the pack will really be put to the test that weekend! In all for the price, I'd definitely recommend this pack. It's at REI for about $150. Good deal.

07-20-2009, 05:07 PM	#6
Newanderthal Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 98	Nice pack. I've been backpacking for years and it's amazing how much difference a good frame pack makes.