While I love my Mountainsmith Lookout 60L bag, I needed something smaller for the summer backpacking trip I took with Jason and one of our other buddies in late July. I wanted something that might even make the stretch for a 2 nighter, as long as I did not need much cold weather gear. After much research of my own, I settled on the REI Co-op Traverse 32L men’s backpack. Ideally I was looking for something closer to 40L, but decided to give it a try. Long story short, I loved it, but let’s dig into the details.

The design:

Much like many backpacking backpacks, the REI Traverse 32L has an adjustable, padded waist belt with TWO (!!!) pockets for storing quick to reach snacks, tools, or whatever else you need in a pinch. I ended up getting the Small version of the pack because of the issues I had with the Mountainsmith fit around the waist. I’m 5’8” with a 31” waist, so I can attest that this version was well suited for me. It had room to work with, so if you are 31” plus or minus a few inches, you should be good to go.

My REI Co-Op Traverse 32L backpack all packed up after a fun trip on “the Rollercoaster” section of the Appalachian Trail

The pack is rated at 32L in storage capacity with dimensions of 25 x 13 x 11 inches for the small version and weighs in at 2 lbs 8 ounces. I felt like I had enough room for my overnight trip and probably could have squeezed in a little more for a 2nd night if I had to. Note that I did load it up with a bear vault, so that takes up quite a bit of real estate. I also did not have a stove and shared one with Jason. While it’s definitely not ultralight with its internal steel frame, I was able to fit everything I needed in the REI Traverse 32L pack without breaking my back. Fully loaded with filled water bottles, my pack was weighing in at just about 25 lbs.

Speaking of that delicious H2O, easily my favorite feature of the bag are the easy to access water bottle holders that are tilted ever so slightly forward. I was able to fit one large (32 Oz.) Nalgene bottle in each of the stretchable water bottle holders on either side of my pack. Better yet, I could easily grab my water bottles without taking off my pack or even slowing my stride. Sliding the bottles back in was a breeze too. Coming from my last trip with the Lookout 60L backpack, it was not so easy to grab my water bottles on the go. Definitely a feature that is critical, especially if you don’t rock a water bladder/Camelbak.

Other great features include the side zipper for easy access to the bottom/middle of the backpack, included rain cover, and padding a plenty. I really cannot say enough good things about the REI Co-Op Traverse 32L backpack. Definitely cannot wait to bring it on more adventures.

What it Fits:

The contents of my REI Co-Op Traverse 32L Backpack. Some odds and ends were in the top and hip pockets, but this is the stuff that takes up the most space.

Well, what can you actually fit into the REI Co-Op Traverse 32L backpack? A lot, actually. Here’s a quick rundown of what camping and backpacking gear I brought along for my two-day, one-night trip:

Durability:

Having only taken this on a few day hikes and this overnighter, I cannot say much about durability at this time. Everything feels solidly constructed and there are no immediate concerns about this pack holding up to many future outdoor adventures. But as always, we will update any reviews when we find a serious durability issue.

Pros:

  • Water bottle pockets are angled to make it easy to retrieve your water bottle without removing your backpack.
  • Includes a rain cover
  • Fairly lightweight
  • The REI Co-Op Traverse 32L is well-built.

Cons:

  • Absolutely none

Rating: 5/5

I can’t say that I found a serious flaw with the REI Co-Op Traverse 32L backpack, If I really had to nitpick, I’d say that it is a little pricey at full-price and it would be nice if they offered it in a slightly larger package (35-40L) so that it would more easily extend to multi-day trips. In any event, I still give it 5 stars because it is a great all around option for your next backpacking trip.

Have you tried out the REI Co-Op Traverse 32L backpack or something similar? What are your thoughts?