REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 Adventure Travel Backpack Review
A reliable, affordable travel pack to take you from town to trail
November 7th, 2025
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Our verdict
The REI Co-op Ruckpack 30L backpack is a well-organized, reliable adventure pack with travel-friendly features at an affordable price. This pack offers just the right amount of space to pack your life up for a weekend or pack around a laptop for a coffee shop work session.
We named the 40L version Best Affordable in our Best Adventure Travel Backpacks guide, though the 30L also offers plenty of space for weekend adventures.
This pack has a more neutral appearance than other travel or hiking packs, even though the webbing on the outside is a bit of a giveaway of its outdoorsy tendencies (my carabiners don’t help either). A sizing option of XXL-4XL with modifications to the shoulder straps and a longer waistbelt extends the potential audience of the pack.
This pack might not be for people who prefer a more specialized option than this multipurpose option. If you’re traveling for more than a couple of days out of a single backpack, frequently carry large quantities or weights of gear, or need a more professional/formal option, the REI Ruckpack 30 probably isn’t for you.
However, with great organization options and an even better value, this is a pack you can reach for on almost any occasion. I lived out of this backpack plus a carry-on suitcase for a month in the Eastern Sierra, packing either clothing or gear to fulfill my hiking, day trip, and travel needs. It’s also been my trustworthy companion for many adventures and school weeks during the first half of my semester abroad in Seville, Spain.
If you’re looking for a little more space, the Ruckpack is also available in men’s 40L and women’s 40L versions.
The REI Ruckpack 30 performs very well as a hybrid option, with versatile capacity to function for hiking, travel, and school. It’s a great option for students looking for a budget-friendly backpack that can take them from campus to the great outdoors, eco-conscious consumers, and adventurers who want one pack that can do it all just like they can.
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REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 Pack Specifications
Capacity: 30 liters (1,831 cubic inches)
Weight: 1 lb 13 oz
Dimensions: 19.5" x 10.5" x 8.5"
Laptop Compartment: Yes, fits 15-inch laptop
Carry-On: Yes, meets most airline restrictions
Raincover: Yes, included and stowable
Materials: 100% recycled nylon shell, recycled polyester lining
Frame: PE and EVA foam framesheet
Torso Fit: 16-20 inches
Waist Belt Fit: XS-XL: 28-46", XXL-4XL: 42-58"
External Pockets: 4 plus main compartment
Price: $109
Comparison table
| TRAVEL PACK | CARRY ON? | AVAILABLE VOLUMES | WEIGHT | WATER RESISTANT? | SHOULDER STRAPS STOWABLE? | HIPBELT STOWABLE? | EXTERIOR POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 Pack | Yes | 30, 40 | 1 lb. 13 oz | Yes + rain cover | No | Yes | 4+ |
| REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Pack (women's) | No | 18, 30, 40 L | 2.69 lb. | Yes + rain cover | Yes | Yes | 4 |
| REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Pack (men's) | No | 18, 30, 40 L | 2.81 lb. | Yes + rain cover | Yes | Yes | 4 |
| Cotopaxi Allpa 42 L Travel Pack | Yes* | 28, 35, 42 L | 3.13 lb. | Yes + rain cover | Yes | Yes | 4 |
| NEMO Vantage 30 L Pack | Yes | 20, 26, 30, 40 L | 3.06 lb. | Yes | No | No hipbelt | 3 |
Who is it for?
Multi-use adventurers wanting one pack for hiking, travel, and campus use
Airline travelers seeking carry-on compliance with hiking pack comfort
Day hikers who also need a laptop compartment and urban organization
Budget-conscious folks wanting REI quality without premium pricing
Eco-conscious buyers prioritizing 100% recycled materials and sustainability
Students needing a rugged pack for both outdoor adventures and daily campus use
Weekend warriors combining city breaks with outdoor activities
Study-abroad students looking for a bag that works for travel and everyday use
People flying to extended outdoors trips
What we liked
Affordability, especially with REI member sales
Abundance of places to attach things to the outside
Water bottle pockets big enough to fit a Nalgene
Easy-access laptop pocket–big enough for a laptop and iPad to fit at once, and the side zipper is super convenient for airport security without having to unpack the whole bag
Whistle–a comforting safety feature as a female traveler and hiker
Clip in the small top outside pocket for securing keys
Color! Sargasso Sea is beautiful and goes with just about anything. Three other currently-available color options include Jasper Green, Iron Oxide, and Raisin. Black is also available.
Surface is easily cleaned by wiping down with a damp cloth
Removable waist straps are great for campus use when I don’t need them attached
Comfortable to wear while biking around the city
Extended sizing option of XXL-4XL with modifications to shoulder straps and an extended waistbelt
What could be better
The shoulder straps need a lot of adjusting to be comfortable for longer periods of time
Sturdier base–the backpack has a tendency to fall over if not supported by anything
An additional inside pocket for the main pocket of the backpack–the only options for internal organization are the mesh zippered pocket and the laptop sleeve
How we tested
I bought the REI Ruckpack 30 in early June of this year, and it’s already seen a LOT. Its inaugural journey was a trip from my home state of Oregon to the Eastern Sierra in California, where I spent a month using it as my daypack for an environmental science research fellowship. It was full to capacity on the inside and outside on this first trip because I only brought this pack and a carry-on suitcase for the entire month.
While in the Sierra, the pack traveled with me daily on trips and hikes throughout the Mono Basin and to my favorite cafe in Lee Vining for caffeine and WiFi-supported work sessions. In addition, I tested the pack on four day trips in Yosemite National Park.
Back at home in Oregon, the pack got some Pacific Northwest action with a 13-mile hike to Tunnel Falls along the Eagle Creek Trail, and it was perfect for carrying layers, snacks, water, and all the other essentials.
In mid-August, its airplane capacity was tested again as I traveled to Seville, Spain, for a semester abroad. While in Seville, this backpack has been my everyday school option as a college student and my go-to choice for weekend trips to Lisbon, Portugal, and Mallorca, Spain. Most recently in October, the pack endured 20 miles and 5,000 feet of elevation gain with me during two days of incredible hiking in Parque Nacional Ordesa y Monte Perdido in the Spanish Pyrenees. I knew I’d need a versatile backpack to handle all my travel, student, and adventure needs, and the REI Ruckpack 30 has handled everything I’ve thrown at it so far!
Performance in the field
Versatility
Hiking pole loops can be attached together to provide an easy-access place to hang an extra layer.
I’m very impressed with the versatility of the REI Ruckpack 30. This was the primary factor I was prioritizing in my search for a new backpack, and this one transitions very well from hiking to travel to campus and back.
My everyday life as an international student in Seville involves a lot of moving around the city to get between the various department buildings and my program’s building. Whether I’m taking the bus, walking, or biking, the backpack keeps my school supplies secure. I love the laptop sleeve, which I use to store my 14-inch MacBook and my iPad. The rest of the main pouch carries my pencil pouch, notebooks, books, lunch, sweatshirt, or whatever my day requires, while the smaller zippered pocket at the top is for organizing my glasses, keys, chapstick, and other necessities.
The features of this pack are well suited to hiking as well. I haven’t tried this pack with a hydration sleeve yet, but the water bottle sleeves can hold a Nalgene.
I love the ability to attach things to the outside–my speaker, Chacos camp shoes, a Crazy Creek camp chair, and/or a sweatshirt–the daisy chain plus some carabiners or the hiking pole straps attached together provides extra capacity and easy access. I find that it’s often slightly bigger than I need for general day hikes, but it’s perfect for situations where you need extra layers.
For travel, three features stand out. First, the side-access zipper for the laptop pouch is a game-changer. I’ve been so grateful in airport security every time I’ve had to remove my electronics and didn’t have to unzip my carefully-packed main pouch. Second, the small zippered pouch with internal pockets on the side is perfect for a passport and charging cords. Especially when there’s a water bottle in the pocket on that side, it feels much safer than the small top zippered pouch while maintaining accessibility. Lastly, the compression straps helped me so much on a flight when the airline was checking personal bag sizes and I needed to cinch down my very full backpack to get it to fit.
Comfort
The support of this pack is decent but not perfect. The straps and back are comfortable in terms of padding and strap spacing, and I love the adjustable sternum strap for biking and support for heavier loads. However, I have noticed that the weight distribution starts to hurt my shoulders after 20-30 minutes if I don’t have the straps adjusted perfectly (I do have some shoulder instability issues which likely contribute to this problem). On one 13-mile hike I did with this pack, I experienced some discomfort until I changed the shoulder straps a lot and started using the waist belt. This is an issue that varies with weight and distribution, so it’s not something that I notice all the time.
Organization
The presence of internal organization was a feature I liked about this pack when I was deciding whether to purchase it. I am a big fan of pockets and wish there was one more inside the main pouch, but the mesh pocket and the laptop sleeve fulfill my needs the majority of the time. I really like the side pocket for both function and placement–it can keep things like the rain cover and waist straps out of the way or secure a passport and other small items you may need to have at hand.
Airline compatibility
I’ve had mostly good experiences in terms of airline compatibility. For my round-trip from Oregon to California, I had the backpack packed beyond the brim as my personal item with lots of things attached to the outside.
Alaska Airlines didn’t question my ability to fit the bag under the seat, which I was very grateful for. I got lucky and had either an empty seat next to me or extra legroom and didn’t have to test whether it would fit, but I had a similarly good experience on my three-flight journey to Seville when my backpack was nearly as full. I did manage to successfully fit the bag under the seat in front of me on the American and Iberia flights.
Ryanair, on the other hand, was much more picky. I had to take out some food and cinch the pack way down on my flight to Mallorca to get the backpack to fit in their sizing tool, but the bag fit with more than enough room under the seat itself. For that trip, I’d packed 3.5 days worth of stuff in just this backpack.
I haven’t tested the bag as a carry-on in the overhead compartment, but I’m certain that it would be carry-on compliant based on my assessment of its size and the specs provided on REI’s website.
Durability
I’ve found this pack to be very durable. I haven’t noticed any signs of wear so far, and the surfaces are easily cleaned, helping the pack look like new even after long days on the trail or in the airport.
Value
This pack is a fantastic value. The pack costs $109, which is much less than other adventure travel packs we’ve tested. I was even able to get the pack for $76.29 thanks to a 30% REI member discount. Considering how much I’ve used it already, what I’m planning to use it for in the future, and the versatility, I think the value is one of the things that really stands out to me about this REI Ruckpack 30.
Features
Hybrid design for multiple use cases
This backpack has a go-anywhere design ideal for go-getters. Its modern, streamlined silhouette allows for a smooth transition from the mountains to the classroom. It also meets most airlines’ requirements for carry-on compliance. A hiking pack harness system provides support for a day on the trail, while campus-friendly organization provides support for the student lifestyle.
Sustainable construction and materials
The sustainable construction and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices behind the REI Ruckpack 30 are an important selling point for outdoor enthusiasts hoping to preserve a healthy, green planet for future generations of adventurers.
As a Climate Label certified brand, REI Co-op has successfully demonstrated a serious commitment to emissions tracking and greenhouse gas reductions throughout their production process. The proof is in this backpack’s 100% recycled nylon shell and polyester lining, nonfluorinated DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, and bluesign-approved materials. The durable construction of the bag is a bonus for both sustainability and value, allowing for long-term use and reduced future consumption.
Comprehensive organization system
The organizational systems of this backpack are as multi-purpose as the pack itself. A laptop sleeve inside the main large pouch doubles as a hydration sleeve for a water reservoir, complete with a hook to hold the reservoir and a hydration port at the top of the pack. This sleeve can be accessed through the top zippered pocket and through an easy-access long zipper along the side that allows for quick laptop removal.
A zippered pocket on the opposite side has a hidden zippered security compartment for stowing small valuables like a passport or wallet. Dual stretch bottle pockets are big enough to comfortably fit a Nalgene. The front of the pack features two lines of split-webbing daisy chains, making it easy to attach items to the outside of the pack with knots or carabiners.
Comfort-focused carrying system
The REI Ruckpack 30 boasts a variety of comfort features, like padded shoulder straps and a foam back panel. The back panel is also ventilated with air mesh to make hot adventure days and commutes a bit more bearable. An adjustable sternum strap and removable waistbelt take some weight off the shoulders. The pack is available in two inclusive sizing options, including the extended sizing option of XXL-4XL, which features a longer waistbelt and shoulder straps.
Weather protection and durability
What’s an adventure backpack without the ability to withstand the questionable weather that features so frequently in type-two fun? This backpack has weather protection covered with an included raincover that stows neatly in the side pocket. The raincover has a polyurethane coating and taped seams, adding to the protection from the nonfluorinated DWR finish on the pack itself. The rugged nylon construction ensures durability and security for your stuff even in tough conditions.
Travel-specific convenience features
Travel days can be stressful and complicated, so the travel-specific convenience features of the REI Ruckpack 30 seek to ease the stress in simple yet helpful ways. A top handle lets you carry the pack in one hand if your back is already occupied.
If this pack is your airline companion, you can choose whether to stow it in the overhead compartment or under the seat because it meets carry-on size restrictions. Side zipper access is critical in security lines for pulling out big electronics from the laptop sleeve without disturbing the rest of the main pouch’s contents.
Lockable zippers offer peace of mind in crowded settings that your belongings are safe and sound. Compression straps serve dual purposes, cinching down a large load for better back stability and keeping water bottles secure. Trekking pole loops can also be multipurpose when hooked to one another, providing a space to hang anything from a sweatshirt to a travel pillow. Last but certainly not least, the light-colored interior makes searching for misplaced items easier.
Sustainability
I’m a big fan of the eco-friendly materials and processes behind this pack. From the lack of PFAS in the water-repellent coating to the recycled and bluesign-approved materials and REI Co-op’s certification from The Climate Label, it’s clear that this pack was made with a love of the planet in mind. In my travels, outdoor adventures, and studies as an environmental science major, I also spend my days loving our planet. It feels great to make a purchase like this that aligns so well with both my values and my needs.
REI Ruckpack 30 vs. similar packs
Both the Gregory Border 30 and the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L are very travel-focused packs, lacking the versatility for the trail or campus. Additionally, they are twice as expensive as the REI Ruckpack 30 at over $200 each.
Patagonia Refugio 30L
I originally went to REI to try on backpacks convinced that I wanted to buy the Patagonia Refugio 30L based on online specs, but decided to go for the REI Ruckpack 30 for a few reasons. I really liked the daisy chain webbing on the REI pack. It’s much more versatile and secure for attaching things to the outside of the pack than the bungee design of the Patagonia pack. I have a small Gregory daypack with a bungee design, and I definitely prefer the daisy chain webbing over the bungee after testing out the REI Ruckpack 30.
The Patagonia Refugio comes with a removable padded laptop sleeve, but I felt like that was kind of unnecessary and preferred the option with more organization in the pack itself. The REI Ruckpack 30 has a zippered mesh pocket in the main compartment plus the laptop sleeve, while the two big compartments in the Patagonia pack don’t have any other internal organization option.
I liked the color options of the REI Ruckpack 30 better than the Patagonia Refugio. Regarding price, the Patagonia Refugio is a reasonable competitor with the REI Ruckpack 30 at only $20 more expensive for a total of $129.
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L
This is another pack I looked at this in-person at REI, and the price made a big difference here. The Cotopaxi Allpa 28L is $200, almost twice the price of the REI Ruckpack 30 for two liters less capacity. The Cotopaxi Allpa only has one water bottle pocket and also lacks a hydration port. This pack is designed more for travel purposes than for the trail or campus, making it less versatile in addition to more expensive.
REI Flash 22
The REI Flash 22 seems to be much more hiking/day pack focused. It has 8L less capacity than the REI Ruckpack 30, meaning it’s harder to use it as your only bag for a weekend adventure. The REI Flash 22 is also not as neutral from an appearance perspective - it’s pretty clear that it’s a hiking backpack. Price-wise, this is a very affordable option at $59.95.
Where to buy the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30?
The REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 is only sold at REI.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Similar products
Cotopaxi Allpa 42
Capacity: 42 L
Carry-on compliant: Yes
Other volumes available: 28, 35, 42 L
Water-resistant? Yes + rain cover
Shoulder straps stow? Yes
Hipbelt stows? Yes
Exterior pockets: 4
Weight: 3.13 lb
The Cotopaxi Allpa is a versatile, durable, spacious, stylish, and well-organized travel backpack. After taking it on a long road trip to the Midwest and a flight from Colorado to Edinburgh, Scotland for explorations in the city and the Scottish highlands, we found this pack to excel in a variety of weather conditions and travel use cases.
See our in-depth review of the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack to learn more.
Cotopaxi Allpa 42
Capacity: 30 L
Carry-on compliant: Yes
Other volumes available: 20, 26, 30, 40 L
Water-resistant? Yes
Shoulder straps stow? No
Hipbelt stows? No hipbelt
Exterior pockets: 3
Weight: 3.06 lb.
The NEMO Vantage 30L Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack is a gamechanger travel pack, ready for any adventure. With plentiful storage space, useful organization options, and a comfortable and ergonomic design, this pack is great for a week-long adventure abroad, a weekend road trip, a long day in the backcountry, or even as a work-plus-gym bag.
Ultimately, we decided the REI Co-op Ruckpack offered more versatility and more size and color options for more people at a more affordable price.
To learn more, see our in-depth review of the NEMO Vantage 30L Travel Pack.
NEMO Vantage 30 L
Why you should trust us / About the author
I’m a third-year college student who loves the outdoors. However, I’m actually not spending my third year at my normal university in southern California. I chose to do two semesters abroad with programs in Seville, Spain, and Ecuador instead. When I was looking for a backpack at the beginning of the summer, I was looking for an option that would work equally well as a school backpack, airplane personal item, and hiking bag.
As an environmental science student, sustainable materials and design were also on my list of desired features. Since deciding to purchase the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 Adventure Travel Backpack, I’ve tested it through hikes in three countries, multiple plane and bus trips, and daily campus use at the Universidad de Sevilla.
