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REI Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack Review (Lightweight Hiking and Travel Backpack)
Cost: $99.95
Capacity: 28 liters
Dimensions:
Style: Top Loading Backpack
Weight: 1.25 lbs (0.57 kg) (1.98lbs weighed)
Laptop: 15”
Materials: Ripstop nylon; YKK zips
Origin: Made in Vietnam
REI Ruckpack 28 Recycled Daypack
I previously reviewed the larger REI Ruckpack 40 in 2019. But as I get more experience traveling with one bag the size of pack I’m comfortable using has been getting smaller and smaller. This smaller bag I have here, the Ruckpack 28, has all the features of a good hiking backpack but it can also definitely be used for minimalist travel.
Dimensions
The dimensions on this pack of 19.5″ x 11″ x 9″ (50 x 28 x 23 cm) will easily fit as a carry on for most airlines. But even though the bag is only 28L the height is a little taller than most airlines allow for a personal item (many are 18 x 14 x 8 cm). Also the back is supported with a plastic frame sheet so, you’re not really able to compress this bag to fit under an airplane seat.
One improvement from the previous version is the addition of a men’s and women’s versions of this pack with some different color options. They both come in black, while men’s also has this tan and women’s version has a stone blue which I think is the best color.
Uually when they do this, they are designed to fit different torso lengths because it’s really more about the body shape, and not the gender. However, both versions are listed as fitting from 17-19” torso, which may be a little tall for some people.
For example comparing the two size options of the Men’s Osprey Farpoint, fit torsos from 16-23. While the women’s fit Fairview goes from 13-20” torsos. The only actual difference I can see from the Men’s and Women’s Ruckpacks are the shoulder strap. With the women’s version being thicker on the top and having a more pronounced curve.
Materials
REI updated the Ruckpack a few years ago to a more sustainable Bluesign recycled ripstop nylon. However, that fabric is only on the front of the pack. They don’t mention the fabric on the back and sides but it feels like a mid-weight polyester.
The weight on this pack is also slightly reduced. The previous 28L Ruckpack was about 2.5 pounds. REI claims that this pack is 1 lb 3 oz., which didn’t feel right. When I weighed it on my scale it comes in at 2.0 or 0.9 kg. Which is just another reason why you can’t trust the specs listed on the website.
Zippers and Buckles
The rest of the hardware on the Ruckpack is decent. They use name brand YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles, but they’re on the smaller side. With a combination of #8’s #5’s with a lockable zipper on the main compartment. The buckles are also good quality, but smallish. With the largest being this 1 ¼ inch hip belt buckle.
Security
One of the features that I criticized the previous version of the Ruckpack was the security. It comes with a lockable zipper on the main compartment; however the bag has a side zipper with no lock that also leads directly into the main compartment. This is great for access, but it’s not great for security and would make me nervous carrying this bag on a crowded bus.
They did make an improvement though by adding a small lockable fabric loop near the top of the zipper pull. This makes it much easier to lock the pocket, but I think also defeats the purpose of having an easy access pocket. And while I think this is an upgrade to the pack, I would prefer to have them just get rid of this side access feature entirely.
External Components
Looking at the rest of the exterior components on the Ruckpack 28 ,it’s definitely designed as a hiking backpack. The other side of the bag has an organizational pocket, top brain pocket, two large water bottle pockets and a great backpack carry system.
Top Slash pocket
This top pocket is smallish, but large enough for snacks, or small electronics.
Side Organizational Pocket
This other side pocket is tall and has some internal organization. It’s easily tall enough for a travel tripod, or umbrella. On the inside are three stretchy loops for pens and pencils, and a fabric sleeve large enough to fit a small notebook. This little internal zipper holds the raincover, which is a nice addition considering the bag isn’t waterproof at all.
Water Bottle
These two side water bottle pockets are huge and can both easily hold a 1L bottle. They’re also nice because even though they aren’t super tall, there are several places to clip your water bottle to prevent it from falling out. Or you could use the side compression strap to help secure taller items
Carry System
Shoulder Straps
The carry system on the Ruckpack is setup very much like a hiking bag. With wide shoulder straps with thick padding, breathable mesh on the back, an adjustable sternum strap, as well as a hip belt.
Hip Belt
28L is right on the edge of where you need a hip belt. On this version it’s just a simple piece of nylon webbing with a buckle. They added an adjustor right near the edge of the pack, which means you can tighten it without the strap hanging in front of you. Or it also allows you to just remove the hip belt if you don’t need it.
If you want a more robust Hip-belt, the 40L version of this pack has the full wide padding on the sides that will offer much better support transferring the weight from your shoulder to your hips.
Stowability
Another difference between the 28 and 40 L versions of this pack is the stowability. This smaller version doesn’t have a way to stow the backpack straps away, which isn’t a necessary feature on smaller packs. The larger 40L size has a zippered fabric panel allowing you to zip the straps behind as well as a large side handle for carrying the bag like a briefcase.
Back Padding
The back padding on the Ruckpack is also very good. Two columns of padding with a large air ventilation channel in the middle. The padding is thicker on the top with thick ridged foam, which gives good padding but also lets air flow through. The thinner padding on the bottom also offers good support.
Interior Design and Organization
Moving to the interior Design and Organization of the Ruckpack 28. It has a large top-opening zipper like the Patagonia Black Hole Pack. On the inside is a large mesh zipper pocket on the top and a combination laptop compartment water bottle bladder on the back.
Laptop compartment
This sleeve is better designed to hold a water bladder rather than a laptop. It’s a thin sleeve with no padding, and a stretchy top with a little top loop for holding the bladder in place. The previous model had a little hook that would work to hold a laptop in place, but it’s gone on this version.
The sleeve holds a 15” laptop well. The bag does have a ridged back panel and thick padding to protect your laptop from this side. There’s also a large false bottom, that keeps your laptop 3” off the bottom of the pack. However the top and front side of the sleeve has no padding and you have to rely on your gear to protect your laptop.
Packing the REI Ruckpack
The packing style between the REI Ruckpack 28 and the Patagonia Black Hole Pack are almost the same. As an example, you can easily fit two medium compression packing cubes in the bottom. With enough room for large bulky jacket, or organizer cubes on the top. The side pocket is good for notebooks, pens, or other small gear you aren’t worried about getting damaged. An additional interior mesh pocket, and top brain pocket good for storing electronics.
Carry Comfort
This is what the REI Ruckpack like on me fully packed with about 9.9 kbs or 4.5 kg. The shoulder straps are very comfortable and offer good support on my back. I didn’t use the hip belt, partly because I didn’t need it. And party because the strap is short, and I can barely get it buckles around my waist.
REI Ruckpack 28 Review Summary
In summary, I think the REI Ruckpack 28 is a great hiking pack that can also be used as a minimalist travel pack. It has great carry comfort, large water bottle pockets, a large main compartment, and good small item organization.
However, they could improve some features if they really wanted to make it a better travel pack. Like the side access zipper pocket which opens a second access point into the main comp. AAnd the interior sleeve works great for holding hydration bladder but not as well for protecting a laptop.
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