REI Trailmade 60 Backpack Evaluate

Backside Line

The REI Trailmade 60 is likely one of the least expensive packs on our record, so we had been skeptical it will present a great expertise. Nevertheless, we got here away pleasantly stunned. It’s not probably the most premium backpack, nevertheless it focuses on a number of issues and executes them nicely.

Beginning with the positives, the general high quality and sturdiness is superb. This can be a pack that we’d simply give to a newbie backpacker with out concern that they’d rip a it. However regardless of the sturdiness, it’s not a really heavy pack.

This budget-oriented backback does sacrifice a bit in the way in which of consolation. The froth is supportive sufficient and we actually appreciated the hip belt, however you’re getting a really fundamental consolation expertise right here.

It does get overshadowed a bit by another backpacking backpacks we advocate, however that doesn’t detract from how a lot we loved the REI Trailmade. Despite the fact that we’re skilled backpackers, we’d gladly take this on our subsequent journey.

How We Examined

We took the REI Trailmade on some native trails in our native Minnesota for preliminary testing whereas we overhauled our complete backpacking assessment portfolio throughout winter.

Consolation

The Trailmade affords common consolation for its class, not doing something excellent but in addition not making any main stumbles. The help right here is straightforward and easy, with massive items of froth on the again panel, an enormous hipbelt, and fairly thick shoulder straps. Not like many packs on this class of pack, the Trailmade isn’t attempting to extend air flow with a suspended mesh panel or cutouts within the hip belt padding, however for this value we expect these had been sensible design tradeoffs.

Once we loaded up the Trailmade with 30 kilos, we discovered it carried decently nicely. The body didn’t really feel prefer it was on the sting of help, and the hip belt felt actually good, tightening and supporting the burden on our hips with ease. The lumbar padding tries to advertise a little bit of airflow with a spot between the 2 pads, however that is one space we’re just a little involved would possibly generate a sore spot if that lumbar space doesn’t sit proper in your physique.

Options

Not like many price range packs, the Trailmade doesn’t reduce corners in sturdiness, delivering a strong expertise with nice materials that ought to final to some good use on path. We pulled and tugged on the seams to see if we might get the pack to indicate weak point and it held up towards our exams simply superb. The seams had been tight and nicely constructed.

The material feels powerful as nicely. This is likely one of the solely packs we checked out that utterly forgoes mesh of any kind. Though we expect that cautious use of mesh has its place on packs, we expect that the removing of it on this mannequin is wise. It eliminates a weak spot on many packs, and for rookies who would possibly abuse a pack a bit greater than skilled backpackers, this can assist the pack final for much longer. It’s additionally wonderful to see 100% recycled materials, and Bluesign certification.

Sturdiness

Not like many price range packs, the Trailmade doesn’t reduce corners in sturdiness, delivering a strong expertise with nice materials that ought to final to some good use on path. We pulled and tugged on the seams to see if we might get the pack to indicate weak point and it held up towards our exams simply superb. The seams had been tight and nicely constructed.

The material feels powerful as nicely. This is likely one of the solely packs we checked out that utterly forgoes mesh of any kind. Though we expect that cautious use of mesh has its place on packs, we expect that the removing of it on this mannequin is wise. It eliminates a weak spot on many packs, and for rookies who would possibly abuse a pack a bit greater than skilled backpackers, this can assist the pack final for much longer. It’s additionally wonderful to see 100% recycled materials, and Bluesign certification.

Ease of Use

That is such a splendidly easy pack to make use of. Nothing about its development or design is complicated or obfuscated. All of the straps join and cinch as anticipated, the hip belt isn’t irritating to tighten, and fortunately, the water bottles are straightforward to entry.

Despite the fact that the Trailmade isn’t probably the most premium or snug of packs, it delivered such a strong and constant expertise that we discovered ourselves idly dreaming about taking it on our subsequent journey, even above costlier choices. And that’s a great lesson about open air gear that generally is straightforward to overlook when buried in spreadsheets, generally the most effective gear for you personally is the one that you simply simply really feel good utilizing. And the general expertise of the Trailmade is simply quietly pleasant that we are able to think about many individuals falling in love with this pack.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Trailmade 60 Backpack?

The Trailmade is an effective pack. We actually loved utilizing it. However that positivity is sadly overshadowed by the truth that REI is its personal worst competitor. For just a little bit extra, the REI Flash 55 affords a lighter, and arguably extra versatile and full expertise. For most individuals, it is going to be price it to save lots of up that additional bit to spend on the Flash which makes the Trailmade arduous to advocate.

Nevertheless, backpacks are very subjective, and if the Flash doesn’t really feel that nice, the Trailmade is a superb different. We wish to be clear, that is positively a pack geared toward rookies. Skilled backpackers will most likely need one thing lighter or extra function wealthy that helps their use case a bit higher. However for somebody entering into the passion, we expect the Trailmade will provide a pleasant expertise that can enable folks to benefit from the stunning open air with out getting distracted by a cheaply made pack.

What Different Backpacking Packs Ought to You Think about?

When you’re searching for one thing totally different, please see our  full lineup of backpacking backpacks.

REI Flash 55 Evaluate – The Flash is just just a little bit costlier, and it’s lighter with higher air flow, a flexible attachment system, and a roll high, and extra.

Granite Gear Crown 3 Evaluate – When you just like the traditional stylings of the Trailmade however need one thing that’s a bit extra versatile, the Crown 3 is price a glance.

Gregory Paragon 58 Evaluate – When you’re not value constrained and aren’t as involved about weight, the Paragon is a superb pack that climbed to the highest of our rankings.