REI Ruckpack 28 Review (2023)- Best Budget Travel Bag?

The REI Ruckpack 28 (Listed as “REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack”) blends the line between mountain adventures and travel, both abroad and local. For those who want a small-sized bag with loads of features, look no further.

After spending a long time with the Topo Designs Mountain Pack 28 L I wanted to branch out and try a new bag. Through many hours spent researching and countless recommendations through Reddit and YouTube, I landed on the Ruckpack. The Ruckpack, on paper, would solve most of the issues (small load awkwardness, laptop compartment padding, no use of top loading feature, g-hook coming loose with small loads) I had with the Mountain Pack, so I was excited to put it through its paces.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Perfect size for ultra-minimalist travel.
• Hidden outdoor features like daisy chains and ice tools/ trekking pole loops.
• Suspended laptop/ hydration compartment.
• Incredible harness system (padding, ventilation, support, frame) for its price.
• Comes with a stowable rain cover.

Cons

• Feels tight for a 28-litre volume.
• Side zipper access to the main compartment can be a security flaw.
• Non-padded laptop/ hydration compartment.
• Does not stand on its own.

Technical Details

Price: USD 99.95
Capacity: 28L
Weight: 1 lb. 12 oz.
Denier: 210D (for the previous model)
Dimensions: 19.5" x 11" x 9"
Carry-On-Compliance: Yes
Notable Materials: Recycled ripstop nylon (bluesign® approved)
Manufacturing Country: Indonesia
Laptop Compartment Size: 15"
Warranty Information: REI Warranty

Full Review

Nowadays, people want a bag that can do as much as possible. In this pursuit, the REI Ruckpack serves as a multi-purpose bag with features both great for adventuring outdoors and used as a minimalist travel and everyday carry bag.

Some remarkable features of this pack are the hidden outdoors-focused features while still looking clean, the incredible harness system for its price, and the thoughtful travel features that are nice to have abroad.

While the ruckpack suits many people's needs, it comes with some flaws that might be a deal breaker for you. The bag has a lockable side access zipper into the main compartment, which might be seen as a security flaw if you're especially conscious of such things. Additionally, the pack's stated volume isn't as forgiving as some other packs. I've found it harder to pack my travel gear into this 28-litre bag than some others.

With that being said, I've been using this bag for outdoor adventures, EDC, and some multi-night travels without a fuss. It's held up nicely through all the activities, and no specific feature has been turning me away from sticking with it as opposed to exploring different bags.

Materials And Aesthetics

Outdoors

Coming from an outdoors company, this backpack excels for outdoor adventures. The materials are adequately rugged to handle some mistreatment; rubbing against rocks, trees and some inclement weather with the included rain cover.

The DWR coating sheds light precipitation, whereas the included rain cover is best used for a downpour. The material is made of robust rip-stop material on the most high-impact area (front) and tightly woven nylon throughout the remainder of the bag (bottom, side). The inside materials feature a thinner denier nylon of grey colour to ease your searches when digging through the pack.

The bag has a water bottle compartment on both sides, which is partly made from a tightly woven nylon, and partly comprised of a stretchy mesh. They lay pretty much flat when not in use. They accommodate Nalgenes best, but for something taller, you can also use the nylon compression straps for added security.

While all the features you'd expect from a hiking day bag can be hidden, this bag looks like it would fit in the outdoors. The overall shape gives away its outdoor vibes, but it's not too in your face.

The ruckpack proves to look and feel like a bag that belongs in the outdoors.

Urban

With the bag's sleek look and subdued branding in black, this bag is well-suited for urban environments. It doesn't scream "I'm a hiker", but looks like it has a bit more functionality than an airplane personal item bag.

While features like the daisy chains and gear loops are great for the outdoors, they are hidden and stowable to maximize this bags presentation on a plane, at the office, or even in a coffee shop.

With a tan (terra firma) and black colourway for men, and a black and blue (stone blue) for women, you have a few different colours to choose from. Unlike some similar bags in this category, this material is mostly matte. Dirt can be brushed off easily, and the materials do not attract dust or animal hair.

The bag claims to be made from bluesign fabrics, so you know that the item was created with the highest environmental standards for textiles.

While ideal for the outdoors, the style and construction of this pack works well in urban environments too!

External Compartments

Outdoors

The bag comprises YKK zippers throughout. None of them are Aquaguard, but that's to be expected in a budget-friendly pack that offers much more. All zippers move with ease, and the main compartment has lockable zippers built into the metal.

There is a sizable top slash pocket, a large opening for the main compartment, a side access pocket that leads to the main compartment and one other external pocket for storage. Additionally, two water bottle pockets can accommodate a standard 32 oz. Nalgene water bottles and a hydration tube port at the top.

As mentioned above, there are two rows of daisy chains that are hidden when not in use, as well as two gear loops at the bottom that can be tucked away. To shave weight, it seems REI has modified the gear loops to work in conjunction with the two compression straps that exist on either side of the pack.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the bag is the harness system. With the internal frame sheet, comfortable formed foam, and mesh liner, it's perhaps the most luxurious aspect of the pack. The harness's comfort and ventilation are great for hot days when you can't necessarily avoid sweating while trudging uphill.

More on the harness system. This bag has comfortable shoulder straps with adequate padding and mesh for maximum airflow. The included whistle on the easily adjustable sternum strap is a safety essential. Lastly, a minimal removable waist belt provides some additional stability as opposed to weight-bearing purposes. However, it's not really required with a pack this size.

The outside of this pack gives you a glimpse of how well-suited for the outdoors it is.

Urban

The Ruckpack has a lot of features that make it easy to quickly access what you need while on the move, yet the bag hides what you don't. As described above, the bag features high-quality hardware that doesn't make too much noise or stick out too badly.

What's so impressive with this particular harness system is that it's just as comfortable as the leading brands with the best harness systems, but is in a smaller package that doesn't negatively impact the dimensions of the bag. The back padding ensures you don't have to feel the contents of your pack while wearing it.

The same features that make it great for the outdoors also mean you get superior ventilation that can help keep you cool and dry when you need to be presentable at the office. You can even remove the hip belt when you don't need the added stability while walking around a new city.

The main compartment has lockable zipper pulls to protect its contents. The remaining access points into the bag have a fabric locking mechanism, where you can lock the zipper pulls directly to a loop of fabric using a lock. Some consider the zippered access to the main compartment a security risk.

At the top rear part of the bag is a robust handle that is comfortable to hold. However, it might be uncomfortable to some since it lies so close to the bag.

With all of these features, this pack proves to be a great companion for your travels.

Inside The Pack

Outdoors

The insides of this bag don't scream hyper-organization. However, it gives you enough extra organization to manage your gear.

Starting from the top, we have the slash pocket. Inside is a blank slate for storage that would pair well with a tech pouch or other small organizer. It's a sizable storage space that can accommodate items like snacks, gloves, hats, and a buff. Additionally, this pocket has a key clip so you can easily get your keys out when you return to the trailhead.

The Ruckpack incorporates a hydration sleeve with a centrally located tube pass-through. With a blue hook and loop attachment point, the hydration reservoir remains suspended and close to your back for optimal weight distribution. If you're not the type that enjoys drinking from a hose, you could easily store items like rain pants and a jacket back here to keep them separate from the rest of your pack.

Inside the main compartment is a mesh pocket that runs along most of the front of the bag. With its zippered access, it makes a great pocket to store smaller items that you don't want getting lost inside the bag like a headlamp, or a small first aid kit.

On the opposite side of the zippered access to the main compartment, there exists an admin pocket of sorts. This pocket features some pen holders and an additional smaller pocket to hold a notebook or something similar. This pocket is ideal if you usually take a battery bank and cables on your adventures. Additionally, there is another zippered pocket inside of this pocket that houses the included rain cover.

This pack easily fits what you'd need for a day hike (layers, food, water, safety items, survival items, and other gear like cleats, gaiters, and poles). However, it wouldn't be the best pack for an overnight when you need to include a shelter, a sleep system, and a stove.

Urban

The ruckpack provides a lot of nice internal organization while still allowing you to be in control of where things go.

The top slash pocket is ideal for the things you might not want to carry on your person, but want close by while travelling. This pouch easily fits things like a multi-tool, earbuds, passport, wallet, keys, and phone, and will still have some room to spare. The key clip works great for keys, of course, but it also adds a spot for you to clip your gym pass or key fob so you always have it ready to swipe.

This bag has a suspended hydration/ computer sleeve when you need to keep your computer safe. However, it is not padded, so you might want to add a laptop cover for some additional safety.

The inside mesh pocket is great for smaller items. It fits a towel, cold weather accessories like a beanie and gloves, or other things you don't want becoming lost in your pack. Unfortunately, this pocket is a bit too small for items like sandals, though I wish it was. Additionally, this pocket could be a good spot to put your dirty laundry between washes on the road.

The side admin pocket provides a nice location for your tech gear as well as a pen and small notebook. My typical usage is I simply place my tech pouch in this pocket and largely ignore the pen slots and notebook holder.

The pack easily fits everything needed for it to act as a gym bag (shoes, towel, sandals, a change of clothes, water bottle, earbuds). It liberally fits everything needed for a day at the office (laptop, tech, lunch, puffer jacket, rain jacket, small EDC items). However, it might take someone more comfortable with minimalism to be able to use this pack as a travel bag.

Carry And Comfort

While there are slight differences between the men's and women's construction, this pack comes in a "one size fits all". There are no additional sizing adjustments, so it might be best to try it on in-store before you commit to purchasing it.

The pack's 28-litre volume means you're limited on how much you can actually carry inside. So, while the pack doesn't have load lifters or a hip belt to take the weight from your shoulders, it shouldn't need it. Throughout my experiences with this bag, I've noticed no discomfort while having the pack on my back for prolonged amounts of time and with varying loads.

Additionally, with the pack having a more shallow profile, it means the contents of your bag stay close to your back.

What might make this bag so comfortable to carry is its harness system. With the plush shoulder straps, highly cushioned back padding, ventilation, and sternum strap, this pack carries its weight well for my height of 5'9".

Usage Timeline

Initial Usage
Condition: Excellent
Small and comfortable
Good organization
2 Weeks of Use
Condition: Excellent
The bag proves its usefulness for EDC and outdoor adventures
The volume is tight for those who pack on the heavier side.
6 Months of Use
Condition: Excellent
This bag maintains its shape well. The threads remain tight and the padding remains just as plush as its early usage. The water bottle pockets have loosened a bit, which makes fitting a Nalgene on one side, and a pair of sandals on the other a bit easier.

I'd love to hear from you!

Do you have any questions that I did not answer here? Anything you like or dislike about the bag? Any good substitutions?

Let me know in the comments below!