REI Co-op Trailmade 60 (2026) Backpack Review
Updated:
Apr 24, 2026The REI Co-op Trailmade 60 ($189) is a solid starter pack that covers the basics—practical storage, simple organization, and easy adjustability—at nearly half the price of many flagship models. We tested the updated 2026 model backpacking in Utah’s canyon country, often carrying loads pushing 50 pounds due to long water hauls, and found its suspension underbuilt for that kind of weight. Durability also starts to show its limits under heavier use, but that’s in line with its budget-friendly design. For first-time backpackers, casual users, or anyone heading out on occasional weekend trips with moderate loads, the Trailmade 60 is a capable and cost-effective option.
Comfort
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
Weight
3 lb. 5 oz.
Stated Load Limit
35 lb.
Fabric(s)
100D & 400D nylon
Adjustable Torso
Yes
# of Pockets
6
Access
Top/front
Capacities
60L
Included rain cover
No
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op Trailmade 60
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Backpacking Backpacks.
My first impression of the REI Co-op Trailmade 60 was positive—it felt comfortable right away and dialed in easily to my body. The adjustable frame settled in well on my 19-inch torso, and the hipbelt cinched securely around my 32-inch hips. It also conformed nicely to my back, giving the impression that it would transfer weight effectively to the hips.
But after just a few minutes wearing the REI Co-op Trailmade 60, it became clear that the design leans heavily on soft padding rather than a more structured, supportive suspension. That raised some concerns about how it would perform under heavier loads, which proved valid on a multi-day trip through Utah’s Grand Gulch, where I was hauling 40 to 50 pounds due to long water carries. At that weight, the pack really started to struggle. I found myself constantly adjusting the shoulder straps and load lifters to relieve pressure, but it was tough to find a sweet spot—too much weight on the shoulders led to fatigue, while shifting more to the hips caused discomfort there instead.
All told, the Trailmade 60’s undertooled suspension lacks the structure to keep loads above about 35 pounds stable and properly distributed. Expect this to leave you with a sore body by the end of long days: hips, shoulders, core—you name it. For lighter loads, the Trailmade 60 is comfortable enough, but once you start pushing into heavier backpacking territory, its limitations become pretty clear.
The Trailmade 60 doesn’t go overboard on pockets or compartments, and that works in its favor. Whether it’s a budget-driven decision or not, the simpler layout keeps weight down and avoids the constant “where did I put that?” shuffle. Overall, it leans more toward the minimalist backpacker than the lux-minded hiker.
The primary access point to the main compartment is at the top, but there’s also a generous curved zipper running down both sides and across the bottom. You can lay the pack on its back and essentially filet it open, exposing the entire main compartment. I’ve gotten used to managing well without this feature on ultralight packs, but I found it genuinely useful while testing the Trailmade—especially when my snack bag ended up buried, and I was able to avoid a full trailside yard sale.
As for pockets, the top lid is simple, with a single zippered compartment where I kept essentials like a hat, gloves, headlamp, snacks, a small notebook, and my keys (there’s also a key clip). I didn’t miss having an underside pocket, but I did miss being able to remove the lid: On other backpacking packs, I’ll usually unclip the lid once at camp and use it to organize my essentials (headlamp, toothbrush, book, etc.). Unfortunately, this isn’t an option here—a small thing, but it disrupted my usual routine.
The rest of the pocket layout is practical and easy to use. The rear stash pocket is mostly solid nylon with some mesh along the sides for drainage, plus an elastic drawcord to keep items secure—ideal for layers like a windbreaker, rain shell, or insulation. The side pockets fit one-liter Nalgene bottles and are accessible while wearing the pack. Finally, the zippered hipbelt pockets are generously sized and great for quick-access items like snacks, earbuds, a knife, or a phone.
At 3 pounds 5 ounces for the M-XL size I tested, the REI Co-op Trailmade 60 lands in a very reasonable weight class. For reference, Osprey’s budget-friendly Rook 65 comes in slightly heavier at 3 pounds 11.2 ounces, while popular mainstream models like the Osprey Atmos AG, Gregory Paragon, and REI’s own Traverse all push past 4 pounds. Ultralight designs, on the other hand, often dip into the 2–3-pound range or even lighter, thanks to more stripped-down builds.
That said, there’s a reason for the weight differences. Heavier packs in this category typically use more robust frames and suspension systems designed to handle bigger loads. With the Trailmade, the lighter build comes at the expense of load-carrying support. In practice, it’s best to think about weight in terms of performance, not just ounces on a scale. Packs like the Gregory Baltoro may weigh closer to 5 pounds, but they can comfortably haul much heavier loads. By comparison, the Trailmade 60 feels best capped around 35 pounds—beyond that, the lighter design starts to show its limitations.
My first impression of the materials and hardware on the Trailmade 60 was “standard.” The nylon pack body doesn’t feel especially premium or especially cheap—just a solid fabric that can take some abuse without falling apart. The drawcords and zippers are appropriately sized, with nothing that feels overly delicate or prone to failure, and the buckles follow suit with a more robust-than-refined feel. My biggest concern is the foam in the shoulder straps and hipbelt, which is soft out of the box and likely to pack out over time, reducing both comfort and load-carrying support.
Some competing backpacking packs in this category use higher-end materials that are lighter and stronger, often paired with more streamlined hardware. Those builds are undeniably nicer, but they also come at a steep cost—often double the Trailmade’s $189 retail price. Compared to other budget options, Osprey’s Rook 65 gets the edge with its thick 600-denier polyester shell, but for casual use at this price point, the Trailmade’s construction feels like a reasonable tradeoff. Especially when it’s on sale for closer to $100, the overall build represents solid value.
So far, the pack has seen two backpacking trips totaling roughly 40 miles in the canyons of Southern Utah, with plenty of squeezing through rock corridors and brushing against sharp, grabby vegetation. It’s held up well, showing only minor cosmetic wear. Overall, it feels capable of handling rough use, which makes sense for a pack aimed at newer backpackers who are likely to put their gear through the wringer while learning the ropes.
My spring test trips took place in the dry, dusty canyons of Southern Utah, but we did get a brief afternoon rain while hiking up Kane Gulch. I didn’t have a rain cover—and the pack doesn’t include one—so it was a good test of the fabric on its own. The light rain beaded on the DWR-treated nylon and didn’t make its way into the main compartment, with the top lid taking most of the exposure and holding up well.
On a second trip deeper into Grand Gulch, we got hit with a morning snow squall. The snow built up on the pack and eventually melted into water, but again, the DWR treatment held up, keeping the interior dry. That said, relying on DWR alone is a short-term solution. Beyond the coated nylon shell, there’s no real weatherproofing here—no taped seams, no sealed zippers, and no included rain cover. In sustained rain, the fabric will eventually wet out, and moisture will make its way inside. If you’re heading out in anything more than occasional light precipitation, it’s worth pairing this pack with a full-coverage rain cover—REI’s Duck’s Back in the size medium fits well—or using waterproof stuff sacks to keep your gear protected.
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Longevity
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PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
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Repair Services
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Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Tester: 5’10”, 19-inch torso
Size tested: Men's M-XL
My torso measures about 19 inches, and with the REI Co-op Trailmade 60 only available in two sizes (M-XL and plus-sized XXL-4XL), it was easy to land on the M-XL. The adjustable torso length ranges from 17 to 21 inches, using a movable shoulder harness secured with Velcro at 1-inch increments. It’s a simple system that was easy to adjust both at home and on the trail, and once set, it stayed firmly in place without feeling flimsy.
The hipbelt on the M–XL is designed to fit waists measuring 32 to 42 inches. At a true 32-inch waist, I had a fair amount of excess strap, which I ended up tying off to keep it out of the way. Even at the very bottom of the size range, the belt felt secure and didn’t slip while hiking, with a bit of adjustability still to spare. It cinched where it should on my hips, and the shoulder straps sat comfortably with some fine-tuning from the load lifters.
REI Co-op Traverse 60 ($269): More Features, Less Value for Beginners
If you’re weighing the Trailmade 60 against REI’s pricier Traverse 60, the decision comes down to priorities. The Traverse is more feature-rich: it adds a convertible top lid that doubles as a daypack, an included rain cover, and a more advanced fit system with broader size coverage and plusher cushioning throughout. However, those upgrades come with added weight (4 lb. 10 oz. vs. 3 lb. 5 oz.) and only marginally better carrying comfort. Most importantly, the Traverse still tops out around 35 pounds in real-world load comfort—roughly the same as the Trailmade—so you’re not getting much extra hauling capability despite the bump in price. For beginners or budget-focused backpackers, the Trailmade is a better value unless you need the added features or anticipate longer trips right away. For more, read our Traverse 60 review.
Osprey Rook 65 ($205): Tougher but Fewer Features
REI’s Trailmade 60 and Osprey’s Rook 65 both target newer backpackers looking to save money, but they diverge in the tradeoffs they make. The Rook is the more durable of the two, with a 600-denier polyester that feels impressively rugged and confidence-inspiring in rough conditions. The Trailmade’s materials, on the other hand, look and feel cheaper, and its thinner fabric makes it less suited for long-term abuse. However, REI pulls ahead in organization: The Trailmade has more useful exterior pockets—including a dorsal shove-it pocket—and a U-shaped zipper access to the main compartment. If you’re harder on gear or often hike in rough, wet terrain, the Rook makes more sense. But for those who value fit adjustability, smart storage, and are mindful of pack weight, the Trailmade is arguably the more user-friendly choice. For more, see our review of the Osprey Rook.
Specifically designed for beginner backpackers, the Trailmade 60 is easy to adjust, offers decent organization, and is comfortable enough for short trips. Its overly squishy foam isn’t supportive enough for heavy loads, but it’s hard to knock the value for occasional users.
Comfort
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
The Traverse 60 is a feature-rich, budget-friendly pack that’s well-suited to newer backpackers. It’s not the lightest, most supportive, or most breathable option out there, but it handles weekend loads at a fair price.
Comfort
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
This pack’s two main calling cards are its extremely durable construction and appealing price. The Rook (women’s Renn) also has a respectable weight, but its below-average padding and carry comfort limit its use to overnights rather than longer outings.
Comfort
Organization
Weight
Durability
Water Resistance
Sustainability
Is the Trailmade 60 for You?
If you’re just getting into backpacking and want a capable, comfort-first pack at a reasonable price, the REI Co-op Trailmade 60 is a great starting point. It carries moderate loads well, offers intuitive adjustments, and includes thoughtful features like large hipbelt pockets, a dorsal shove-it pocket, and secondary access to the main compartment via a U-shaped front zipper. That said, you are making tradeoffs in materials, suspension support, and long-term durability compared to more premium models, and weather protection is minimal without a separate rain cover.
Go for it if you’re a newer backpacker sticking to lighter loads (roughly under 35 pounds) and want a budget-friendly pack that covers the essentials without overcomplicating things.
Pass on it if you regularly carry heavier loads, prioritize long-term durability, or plan to backpack in consistently wet conditions.
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