REI Trail 40 Review
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The REI Trail 40 is my go-to backpack for day hikes and weekend overnights. Finding the right daypack was tough; there were a lot of options to check out. In the end, the REI Trail 40’s many positives outweighed a few minor downsides. The REI Trail 40 is as light as packs half its size, has plenty of room to store gear and is well thought out with tons of practical features for anyone hitting the trail. Oh, and it works great as a carry-on bag for travel too. Here’s why I love the REI Trail 40 after months of testing.
REI has updated this pack (Sep 2018) and I’m using a different pack now. You can see which pack that I’m using now on my gear page.
My New Hiking Backpack
Why The REI Trail 40?
I went on the hunt for a new daypack after my old goto pack, the Camelback Fourteener 24, got discontinued. My criteria for a great daypack is:
- It can carry all the gear I would need for any day hike, whether a short jaunt or a 20 mile+ hike in harsh conditions like Cactus to Clouds.
- It can hold a 3L hydration bladder and at least two more 1.5L water bottles (like the ones you can pick up at any gas station) for a total of 6L of water storage.
- It’s light and comfortable.
- It has outside pockets for easy access to snacks, a GPS, etc.
The REI Trail 40 is the best daypack I’ve ever owned. – REI Reviewer
Other Daypacks That I Tested
Here are the other packs that I tested and how they compare to the REI Trail 40.
- Camelbak Fourteener – I had the old version of this pack and loved it. The new version is a little beefier and has double hip belts. It wasn’t as comfortable as the first version for me, and it has only half the capacity of the REI Trail 40.
- Camelbak MULE – This used to be a great hiking daypack years ago, but they’ve shrunk the carrying capacity to cater to mountain biking, so it’s not a good option anymore.
- Osprey Stratos 24 – This was one of my first daypacks when I got into hiking and the new model is excellent. It’s comfortable and well thought out. The downside was the size. Even though the published capacity is 24L, I had trouble getting everything for a long day hike in here. And it didn’t have as many outside pockets as I usually like. If you’re doing shorter hikes, this is a good option.
- Osprey Talon 22 – Another good option from Osprey, but had similar problems to the Stratos. There wasn’t enough room for a long hike. I also had a hard time accessing some of the pockets. On the REI Trail 40 I can reach into a good portion of the pockets with the pack on, with the Talon, I had to remove the pack to access the hip belt pockets. The Talon is a decent light-duty pack for short hikes.
- Osprey Stratos 36 – The closest I came to the REI Trail 40 was the Osprey Talon 36, the Stratos 36 was a solid pack. I chose the REI pack over this one because the external pockets worked better for me, especially the mesh pocket that let me put wet gear in it (more on that later). It was also just a little too small for overnight trips.
I’ve used the REI Trail 40 on extensive trips. Though it is only a 40L I can pack enough on the inside and outside pouches to last me 5 days on trail. Very durable for the long haul, extremely comfortable. I’ve used a lot of packs in the military and from other brands, these are the best. – REI Reviewer
REI Gear Is Getting Better and Better
REI gear has been around for a while, but it wasn’t always that great (and depending on what you were looking at). However, in the last few years, REI has been dramatically improving its product line. They evolved the traditional product development process to include people who use the products. REI recruited their 12,000 employees and thousands of REI members to help them decide what to make and how to make it, working with them to see how they used the gear, what was good, and what could be better.
REI products have such great features. They combine all the best from other brands and still manage to include more of their own design! – REI Reviewer
And the results have been excellent. I’ve been testing other gear like sleeping bags, tents, clothing, and larger packs, and the REI options have often been top contenders, if not the best. And they’re generally less expensive than other options (but not necessarily inexpensive). For example, the REI Trail 40 is about 60-70% of the cost of the Osprey Stratos 36.
The REI Trail 40 Is a Roomy Pack
Most daypacks have between 20-35 liters of capacity. The REI Trail 40 has 40 liters and weights as much as a 20-liter pack. So there’s a lot of room. What this means for my everyday hikes is that I never have to get clever about fitting gear in the pack, never have to jam gear in, and don’t have to clip a bunch of gear on the outside when I do a longer (or winter) hike. There is always enough room for whatever I needed.
And unlike some other packs that didn’t have a lot of pockets, there is a good mix of inside and outside pockets on the Trail 40. In general, I end up organizing my gear like this:
- Extra layers and emergency gear in the main pack compartment
- Snacks and gear that I access several times on a hike in one of the outer pockets
- Extra water bottles in the side pockets (they can hold 1.5L bottles)
- Wet or stinky gear in the outer mesh pocket
If you have minimal gear the pack can be pretty empty, with the heavy stuff accumulating on the bottom of the pack. There’s a school of thought that you should distribute your heavier gear along the back or on the top of the pack. What I do is pack my heavier gear in stuff-sack and put it in the bungee cord along the back of the back. I also put some heavier gear in the top inside pocket. This helps balance the pack out.
I also use a different pack for really short or easy hikes. If you’re going out for a 2-miler in the local park, this pack will be overkill. In that case, I just used my Flash 22 pack, which is minimal and small.
I recently purchased the REI Trail 40 from REI in Anchorage AK. After completing a one day 23 mile hike on Crow Pass Trail, I realize that it can’t get any better than this. I had 32lbs worth of gear and water and don’t have anything bad to say about the fit. It felt just as good as 30lbs can without causing any unusual discomfort. The full zipper proved to be convenient when I needed to get things out of the bottom of the bag and it’s easy to adjust the weight by tightening and loosening the various points of adjustment. The hiking pole inserts and straps worked flawlessly and came in handy throughout the day. Packing and organizing this bag was a breeze because of the full zipper and the cost is unbelievably cheaper than other major brand names. If your looking for a great day pack that’s durable and won’t cost you an arm & a leg then look no further. I would recommend this to anyone doing day hikes or light pack camping trips. – REI Reviewer
The REI Trail 40 For Backpacking
I mentioned that this was a daypack review, and I primarily do day hikes with this pack. But the Trail 40 big enough to do overnight trips as well. It’s not huge, but you can fit a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and cooking gear inside or inside and outside of the pack. The sweet spot for this pack was a weekend backpacking trip. I had enough room to fit everything I needed. I tend to pack on the light side, so if you carry a ton of stuff with you, you might want to get a bigger pack for overnight trips.
This pack is incredible! I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and I needed a new pack about halfway through my trip. I got this pack because it was exactly the size I needed for my summer gear setup, and it looked like it was a well thought out design. I couldn’t be happier! This pack has already made it 600 miles and still feels as comfortable as ever. Whoever thought of the design with the fully opening main pocket and the brain attached to the main body of the pack is brilliant. I literally cannot think of anything bad to say about this pack. I definitely recommend this pack for both day hikes and anything longer. It is perfect for my thru-hike! – REI Reviewer
Oh, And It Works As a Carry-On Bag Too
The REI Trail 40 is also a great travel pack. It’s sized to be an approved carryon pack, and there’s a sleeve (not padded) that fits a laptop up to 15 inches. It fits enough clothes and gear for a week of travel, and I used it on a few (non-hiking) trips. I’ve also used it as a carry-on for hiking trips that I needed to fly to. I just pack the Trail 40, bring it on the plane, and then hit the trail with it when I get there. If you do that, just remember to remove any blades or goodies that won’t pass through security.If you hike and travel, using the Trail 40 saves you from having to get two different packs.
I use this pack everywhere I go. I take it with me when if I am on a day hike or just a day around town. – REI Reviewer
If you’re only looking for a pack to travel with, you might be better served by a travel-specific pack like the Osprey Farpoint 40.
REI Trail 40 Video
REI Trail 40 Feature Walkthrough
Straps and Fit
Overall, the REI Trail 40 feels like a bigger pack, but much lighter. The padding on the hip belt and shoulder straps is beefy and comfortable. When I first started using the pack, I thought it might be overkill, but after wearing it for a while, it’s been great, especially when it’s really loaded with gear.
It weighs 2 lbs 14oz, which is roughly the same (if not lighter) than most of the daypacks that are half its size. It’s light, and this helps to make it comfortable It has a 3mm spring-steel perimeter frame to give the pack structure and rigidity.
Been using the REI Trail 40 as my crag bag for 2 years now. This beefy pack has been overloaded and thrown in the dirt, but its still fighting. I usually have over 30lbs of climbing gear in the pack. I’ve never had issues with comfort or fit, no matter how long the approach. – REI Reviewer
Pockets and Storage
The main compartment is pretty massive and big enough for everything from a day hike to a multi-day hike. I’ve found that 30 lbs is about as high as I go with gear in here before it feels like it’s starting to strain (and gets uncomfortable). REI lists the maximum gear weight at 35 lbs.
Gear will collect at the bottom of your back, and there are no compression straps inside, but it does have a bungee cord where you can jam your heavier gear in.
As I mentioned earlier, there’s a ton of outside storage on this pack. The key to packing it is keeping the things you need handy in these outer pockets.
I love the outer stretch mesh to quickly get to rain or windproof items, the side pocket to access your valuables, and the 4 different ways you can open the pack and quickly get to anything. – REI Reviewer
This pack will become a cult classic. This bag is just perfect. For a shopping trip in the city or hiking up a peak. It looks great and has all the features you need and nothing that you don’t. It’s very comfortable to wear with heavy loads and when it’s empty it’s still comfortable, some packs float around annoyingly when they don’t have much weight in them but this bag stays put. The zip system is genius and makes the pack a joy to use; no more unpacking the bag to get to stuff on the bottom. It has just enough pockets to be useful and not so many that you have to keep loosing stuff in them. – REI Reviewer
Hip Belt
The hip belts on the REI Trail 40 feel like a bigger pack. This can be great for support, but usually, I don’t have so much gear in a daypack that I really need the support of a hip belt. So I had mixed feelings here. If you don’t want to use the hip belt, you can’t take it off (or tie it off underneath). So you have to use the hip belt. I did get used to always using it, and it’s fine.
I like the big hip belt pockets that are openable while you have the pack on. You’d be surprised at how many packs I tried that had the hip belt too far back to open when you had it on. I also really liked the way the belt tightens, which is by pulling outward, not inward. This motion was much easier and gave me a snug fit. And remember, don’t make your belt too tight, you might get bad chafe of your hips.
Hydration Pack
The only bone I have to pick with this pack is the hydration pocket. The opening for the top is tight, and when your pack is full and you are putting 3L of water in, it can be tough to get the bladder in. I did figure out how to make it easier, but it took me a while. Just lift up (or reverse) the shoulder straps and push back against the pack frame and back panel, which will open the gap up enough for the bladder. You might have to squeeze it in a bit, but it works. Once you get the bottom of the bladder in, just shake the pack and let the weight of the water bring it down. There’s a hook at the top to hold the bladder in place. One the bladder is in, there are clips on the chest strap to keep the tube close.
The good news is that it fits any 3L bladder. I’ve used it with a Camelbak 3L and a Platypus 3L without any issue. It’s really about which bladder you prefer (or which you have laying around). I will say that the Platypus 3L is very easy to fill, open, and close. You don’t have to line up the threads perfectly like you do a Camelbak. The Playtpus also fits on the hook nicely.
External Attachments
I’m not big on having a lot of gear strapped and hooked onto the outside of my pack, but you certainly have the opportunity to attach gear on the REI Trail 40.
Rain Cover
Durability
Not much to say here aside from the fact that it’s durable and I haven’t had any wear problems. It’s made out of 210-denier nylon and has high-quality YKK zippers. I haven’t pampered it and it gets thrown around quite a bit. It’s doing great after 6 months of regular use.
Is the REI Trail 40 Worth It?
Should you get the REI Trail 40? Yes. Unless you only do really short hikes, this pack will serve you well. It’s big enough for all levels of day hikes, whether 5 miles, 20 miles, summer, or winter. You can use it for weekend overnights. Some people even use it for extended through-hikes. Every feature is well thought out and has obviously been tweaked and honed by real-world REI testers. It’s super-light and available in a variety of colors, multiple sizes, and custom versions for women and men. And it’s less expensive than the alternatives. It’s hard to find a downside on the REI Trail 40. I’ve been using it for months and it’s great. Give it a try, I think you’ll love it.
Gets better the more I use it. – REI Reviewer