REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Review: A Versatile Travel and Hiking Pack
I am of the opinion that you can never have too many backpacks. I use them in so many different situations that having a good variety is worthwhile.
One of Kim’s more recent purchases is the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28. This backpack works well for short hikes, airline travel, and camping. As with most backpacks, one of the biggest considerations is how well it carries our camera equipment and how easily it can be reached that gear. A pack needs to hold everything safely without making me dig through the entire bag whenever I want my camera.
The Ruckpack works especially well with Kim’s setup because it has a large top opening and is wide enough to hold a Timbuk2 Snoop camera insert. The insert carries a DSLR and an extra lens, or a film SLR easily. Even with the camera insert inside, there is still room for snacks, a book, a jacket, and other essentials.
REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 Features
28-Liter Capacity
This is a useful size for a multipurpose backpack. It compresses well when I am not carrying much, but the large main compartment can hold a surprising amount of gear when I need the extra space.
Hydration and Laptop Compartment
The pack has a sleeve that fits a hydration reservoir, with hose ports on both sides. When I am traveling instead of hiking, the same compartment can hold a laptop.
Mesh Back Panel and Padded Straps
The mesh back panel and well-padded shoulder straps make the Ruckpack comfortable for the way I use it. It does not have the more substantial suspension system found on a backpacking pack, but it is supportive enough for lighter loads and shorter distances.
Removable Waist Belt
The Ruckpack includes a simple nylon waist belt that can be removed. I generally do not like this style of belt, so I appreciate being able to take it off. Since the pack is not designed for especially heavy loads, I do not find the belt necessary. It is there for anyone who prefers the extra stability.
Stowable Rain Cover
A rain cover is tucked into the pack and ready when the weather changes. It is a particularly useful addition for travel and hiking, when leaving the backpack somewhere dry is not always an option.
Large Top Pocket
The top pocket provides quick access to smaller items without taking up much room inside the main compartment. I use it for trail snacks, along with a beanie and gloves when we are hiking in colder weather.
Two Side Pockets
There is a water bottle pocket on each side of the pack. Compression straps help keep bottles and other items from shifting or falling out.
Side Access to the Main Compartment
One of my favorite features is hidden beneath an exterior side pocket. A zipper opens directly into the lower half of the main compartment, allowing me to reach something near the bottom without unloading everything packed above it.
Small Side Accessory Pocket
A zipper beneath the other side pocket opens into a separate accessory compartment. Sometimes the side of a backpack is easier to reach than the top, especially while traveling. This soft-lined pocket is a convenient place for a wallet or phone.
Exterior Attachment Points
Several attachment points on the outside of the pack can hold trekking poles or other equipment. Additional daisy chains are concealed beneath a flap, which keeps the exterior looking clean when I am not using them.
Color Options
The colors available for this pack are excellent. I chose green, but it also comes in black, blue, orange, and brown. I like all of them, and each color looks sharp in person.
A Useful Pack for Travel, Camping, and Short Hikes
Overall, I highly recommend the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 for the types of trips it is designed to handle. It does not have an abundance of small interior pockets, so most of its 28-liter capacity is available in the main compartment. That open space gives me the flexibility to arrange my camera insert, clothing, and other gear in whatever way works for a particular outing.
It is a great travel pack when air travel and outdoor activities are part of the same trip. It is also my go-to backpack for car camping, where it keeps my personal items and camera easy to reach at the campground, in the car, and on any short hikes we decide to take.
