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REI Trail 25 Review | CleverHiker
Bottom Line
The REI Trail 25 stands out on our Best Daypacks for Hiking guide as a versatile, budget-friendly option with excellent durability. Its sturdy nylon construction, reinforced side pockets, and high-quality components ensure it will last for years of rugged use. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer tested this pack for 150+ miles in Colorado’s Front Range and Gore Range. He likes it best for carrying more gear in unpredictable weather – thanks to smart technical features like double trekking pole attachments, accessory straps, and an included rain cover for trail-readiness.
But this pack is bulkier than some we’ve tested, and its 2-pound weight may feel excessive for casual hikes. The thin hip belt struggles to distribute heavy loads effectively, and the internal organization is also limited with a cavernous main compartment that requires careful packing to avoid a loose feel. Still, for hikers needing durability, a user-friendly design, and lots space on a budget, the Trail 25 delivers.
Quick Specs
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REI Trail 25
Roomy Pack That’s Great for Travel & Long Hikes
Price:
$100
Weight:
2 lb.
Capacity:
25 L
Frame:
Internal
Pros
- Sturdy
- Durable
- Good price
- Lots of external lash points
- Built-in rain cover
Cons
- Heavy
- Only one external zippered pocket
- Main storage compartment can be awkward
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Comfort
The REI Trail 25 has generous, thick padding on both the shoulder straps and back panel, offering an ultra-cushioned fit and immediate comfort. The curved, ergonomic design of the shoulder straps helped distribute weight evenly across our back, reducing pressure points during long outings. Mesh overlays make these areas breathable, which kept us cooler on warm, sweaty hikes. The lightweight frame sheet adds just enough structure for support without being stiff, which made the pack feel flexible and adaptable for different body types. The highly adjustable sternum strap has an 8-inch track on each side, which let us dial in the fit with precision.
Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has used this pack for snowy winter adventures to carry heavier gear such as a power bank, insulated water bottles, hiking poles, and extra layers. When packed carefully, the Trail 25 was comfortable all day in the outdoors. However, the thin nylon waist belt fell short when the pack is fully loaded. We’ve felt pressure from the nylon waist strap more than a backpack with wide mesh instead. That said, these are small issues – we’ve covered up to 20 miles in a day with this model and found it cushy from sunrise to sunset, and July heat to January ice.
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Organization
The Trail 25 is a testament to REI’s focus on practical features. We appreciated how the massive U-shaped zipper opened ⅔ of the way down the bag, making it easy to access our gear. However, the main compartment doesn’t have dividers, which made it a bit tricky to organize our gear efficiently. Additional organization features include an internal zippered mesh pocket with a small key clip, an external zippered pocket, a bottom rainfly pocket, double trekking pole attachments, and a whopping 16 total attachment points.
Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer especially loved the bottom accessory straps on this bag – the only model on our list with this feature. That’s a great solution for carrying bulky gear like sit pads, camping chair, a tripod, or a collapsible fishing pole. He also found the hydration system on the Trail 25 particularly clever. It uses dual routing loops on each shoulder strap, plus a clip on the sternum strap for easy tube management. If you don’t use a water bladder, the deep side mesh pockets easily accommodate large water bottles.
However, the zippered storage pockets aren’t our favorite. They’re located high on the main compartment flap, which creates an awkward, top-heavy design which leads to the main lid flopping. The pack’s organization also limits options for spreading out the heavier smaller items like a phone, power bank, and headlamp, forcing everything into one concentrated area. We also missed a stretchy mesh stuff pocket for quick-access storage. That said, this pack is intuitive and has plenty of storage for most adventures.
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User-Friendliness
The REI Trail’s simple yet thoughtful design makes every trail task a little easier. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer found the 25-liter capacity perfect for multi-season use: we had tons of space for bulky winter layers and photography gear on a snowy February trek in Rocky Mountain National Park. The hydration reservoir pocket is enormous, easily accommodating a 3-liter reservoir or a 12-inch laptop or tablet. Plus, plenty of external lash points help de-clutter the interior. If you want to focus on your hike – not your pack – the Trail 25 is a great choice.
That said, some design choices complicate quick access. The zippered pockets on the flap sit awkwardly high, making it tricky to retrieve small essentials. The lack of shoulder strap pockets and waist belt pockets means it’s not as convenient to access smaller items like snacks without removing the pack. But these are small complaints – we’ve put this pack to the test in all kinds of places, and it hasn’t disappointed.
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Weight and Compressibility
The REI Trail 25 strikes a balance between larger capacity and compactness. Weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces, the Trail 25 is in the bottom half of the day packs we tested, so it may deter ultralight hikers, minimalists, and those who want a slimmer profile. The biggest con is it’s a bit bulky for the size. 25 liters is at the higher end of what we use most often for dayhikes.
Compared with frameless options, the added structure feels like a bit much when you’re taking on shorter hikes. However, its design allows for compression. This pack’s flexible internal frame can still be bent, twisted, or even removed. The lack of hip belt pockets means it doesn’t take up as much room as other models, making it more packable to stuff in our luggage. Thanks to two side compression straps, the bag cinches down to a slimmer profile, a win for hikers who need one pack for various conditions.
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Durability
The REI Trail 25 feels nearly indestructible thanks to its burly nylon and polyester construction that’s built to handle years of rugged use. The bottom of the mesh side pockets are reinforced with durable nylon, offering extra strength. REI uses robust stitching at key stress points like the nylon straps, bottom panels, and shoulder straps to hold up under heavy loads. Even the zippers and buckles are beefy and reliable, built to withstand constant abuse in wet, muddy, and cold environments. Ian has used this pack often when bushwhacking off-trail or scrambling on shoulder seasons over challenging rocky terrain, where its endurance has really shined.
During testing, we found the color leached off of these bags when wet. After three separate day hikes in brutal winter conditions, the Trail 25 left a bright, orange-colored stain on the snow. After these few instances, the color leaching stopped. That said, we highly recommend using the rain cover in wet weather just in case.
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Should you buy the REI Trail 25 pack?
The REI Trail 25 is a great choice for hikers and travelers who need a durable, versatile daypack with room to spare. Its 25-liter capacity, built-in rain cover, and many external lash points make it a hole-in-one for long hikes, travel, and carrying extra gear in shoulder seasons. The cushioned back panel and shoulder straps offer all-day comfort, while the internal frame provides just enough structure without rigidity. However, this pack may not be the best choice for minimalist hikers or those looking for a lightweight option. Plus, the lack of internal dividers can make packing tricky, and we find the zippered pocket design can be awkward and make the bag feel a bit top-heavy. Still, if you need a tough and adaptable daypack for your next adventure, the Trail 25 is a great price point for a high-performing bag.
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What other day packs should you consider for hiking?
For additional options, please see our full guide to the Best Daypacks for Hiking.
Gregory Citro 24 H20 / Juno 24 H20 Review: For hikes where organization and support are top of mind, we prefer these Gregory models, though they cost significantly more.
Osprey Stratos 24 / Sirrus 24 Review: If you like the user-friendly design and cushy padding of the Trail 25, the Stratos and Sirrus 24 are a premium upgrade when it comes to organization and durability.
Mystery Ranch Gallagator Review: The Gallagator doesn’t have a hip belt or a frame, but we like it for days when organization and gear access are top priorities.
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