REI Ruckpack 40 Travel Backpack Review

Bottom Line

The REI Ruckpack 40 (men’s / women’s) is a top choice for anyone looking for an affordable pack that works just as well on the trail as it does in transit. Its combination of affordability and performance makes it one of our favorite travel backpacks, and it proved itself to be a worthy companion for anyone wanting a capable pack without breaking the bank.

On a week-long trip across the Western United States, the Ruckpack 40 was the perfect companion for one-bag travel. It fit seamlessly in both overhead and underseat storage on the plane, and easily carried all the items we needed for a week on the road. Not wanting to carry another bag for day hikes, the Ruckpack 40 was comfortable on the trail thanks to its supportive waist belt and breathable back panel.

While a strong performer in our lineup, we the Ruckpack 40 fell short in a few minor details. The lack of segmented storage may annoy some travelers, and accessing the main compartment requires undoing the side tensioners. When loaded down, the semi-clamshell design lacks structure and can flop open awkwardly when unzipped. Despite these small shortcomings, the Ruckpack 40 remains near the top of our list and is a place we plan on using for many trips to come.

How We Tested

We tested the REI Ruckpack on a week-long trip across the Western US. We used this pack as our carry-on luggage and also for day hikes. This pack served as our primary bag where we were able to fit everything we needed for a week-long trip.

Organization & Storage

The Ruckpack 40 features a semi-clamshell design, with the main compartment zipping open and the back of the pack remaining open when fully unzipped. Inside, the main compartment is unsegmented except for two zippered mesh pockets on the underside of the lid, and one mesh stuff pocket on the side. Stowing gear more like a day pack than a travel bag, the Ruckpack 40 may not be the best fit for those looking for more segmented storage. However, we appreciated this design for quickly stowing a large amount of gear in its voluminous main compartment.

The outside of the pack has one zippered pocket near the top of the lid that is perfect for quick essentials like electronics or snacks. Two water bottle pockets and a side zippered pocket round out the external access. We loved the simplicity of the Ruckpack 40’s organization and storage, and cube packers will not mind the minimal compartments. At 40 liters, we found this to be more than enough room to stow items for a week-long trip and never felt limited by the lack of segmented storage options.

Features

Despite its streamlined look, the Ruckpack 40 packs a surprising amount of features into a lightweight pack. It is the only pack in our lineup that comes with its own rain cover. This stashes easily in a zippered side pocket for quick access when rain strikes. Even without the rain cover, the nylon and polyester materials have a strong DWR finish that held up against rain longer than we expected. 

Also on the exterior of the pack are trekking pole attachment points and a split webbing daisy chain for attaching additional gear or creating a modular pack system with the REI Ruckpack 18. The laptop compartment unzips along the left side of the pack and is large enough to easily fit a full-size laptop.

Under the bottom of the pack, a cover rolls out and zips over the back panel of the pack to turn it into a duffel. This allows the bag to be stowed or checked with the shoulder and waist straps tucked in.

Comfort & Fit

When loaded down, the REI Ruckpack 40 is one of the most comfortable packs in our lineup. The padded shoulder straps are wide enough to support a heavy pack comfortably, and the padded hip belt distributes the weight more evenly than the hip belts on other travel packs. The shoulder straps also come equipped with load tensiors, perfect for dialing in the fit for longer walks.

The breathable back panel is perfect for running through the airport to make your connection while avoiding the dreaded sweaty back. We also found it more than adequate for day hikes, and it is rigid enough to provide support for longer outings. Two vertical pads run along either side of the spine, and further padding at the lower back is comfortable and supportive.

What’s maybe best of all is that there are lots of size options, and the pack has both women’s and men’s designs.

Durability & Protection

For a budget backpack, we’ve been impressed with the Ruckpack 40’s durability. The recycled nylon and recycled polyester material has withstood scrapes and being dragged and hauled around without showing any scrapes or scuffs. 

The backpanel provides the most structure for the pack, and a padded laptop case keeps fragile electronics safe. While the exterior of the pack lacks the rigid structure found in other travel packs, we did not feel that our items were in jeopardy of being crushed while in transit, and even our bag of precious snacks was kept intact even after being crammed in an overhead bin.

Should You Buy The REI Ruckpack 40?

If price is your number one consideration, it’s hard to beat the REI Ruckpack 40. For less than $200, you get a highly capable pack with enough room for a week’s worth of items, and it is versatile enough for day hikes as well.

While those looking for highly segmented storage may find this pack’s simplicity limiting, its streamlined design is effective for quickly storing a large amount of gear in the main compartment. While some details left us wanting more, like an enlarged laptop compartment, the Ruckpack 40 is a solid budget option that punches above its price point to be a versatile pack that is great for transit or the trail.

What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?

The REI Ruckpack isn’t the only budget travel pack. See our full gear guide for our favorites.

Osprey Nebula 32 Review: Our other Budget Buy, the Nebula 32 is great for shorter commutes or weekday commuting.

Osprey Farpoint 40 Review: The Farpoint 40 is another excellent choice for those looking for a pack that can work for day trip hiking.

Patagonia Black Hole Pack Review: Similarly sized, the Black Hole has increased durability and weather resistance.