REI Co-op Trailmade 60 Backpack Review

REI Co-op’s Trailmade 60 Pack initially caught our team's interest with its $179 price tag and has since won me over with its performance on a range of multi-day treks across the western United States. Over the past summer, I carried this pack on hikes through Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness, Wyoming’s Cirque of the Towers, and deep into remote backcountry, all with minimal issues. Its intuitive organization makes packing heavy loads easy, while generous padding and a fully adjustable fit ensure a comfortable carry. And despite its budget designation, the Trailmade 60 has no signs of wear and tear to show for the rough use it’s endured. While premium backpacking packs offer better ventilation and higher-end materials, the Trailmade holds its own in a competitive market. Below, I share my experiences with the women's REI Trailmade 60 Pack. For a broader market comparison, check out our articles on the best backpacking backpacks—which has picks for both men and women—and best women's backpacking backpacks.
 

Table of Contents

• Carrying Comfort
• Weight
• Organization
• Ventilation
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• Sustainability
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Carrying Comfort

After hauling the REI Trailmade 60 on 40 miles of rolling hills in the Pasayten Wilderness, I was impressed with its ability to carry heavy loads. My partner and I went in with the intention of climbing Cathedral Peak and split our climbing and overnight gear between our two packs—at the start of the trip, the Trailmade weighed about 40 pounds. Despite this, the generous hipbelt and backpanel padding—especially around the lower back—provided enough cushioning to prevent major discomfort. By the trip’s end, I noticed some soreness on my right hip bone and shoulders, but not enough to deter me from using the pack again.
 

Several features contribute to the Trailmade’s comfortable carry. The adjustable frame and side compression straps distribute weight effectively, and I rarely felt off-balance while crossing creeks or logs. The lack of a suspended mesh panel did leave my back quite sweaty after long days on the trail, but it wasn’t a deal breaker, either. Overall, the Trailmade is a comfortable option, well-suited for hauling an average backpacker’s load over multiple days.
 

Weight

The women’s Trailmade 60 weighs 3 pounds 4 ounces (3 lb. 6 oz. for the men’s), slotting itself midpack for its class. To be sure, you can save a lot of weight by going with a minimalist ultralight design like Hyperlite’s Southwest 55 (1 lb. 15.7 oz.), but you’ll miss out on many comfort-first details such as load lifters, back panel and strap padding, and water bottle pockets. Other fully-featured packs range from just under three pounds to well over four—such as Osprey’s Eja 58 pack at 2 pounds 13 ounces and Aura AG 65 pack at 4 pounds 10 ounces (medium to large sizes for both)—leaving the Trailmade squarely in the middle. 
 

Organization

The Trailmade 60 is easy to pack, thanks to its well-thought-out assortment of exterior and interior pockets. The spacious main compartment has a drawstring closure, a dedicated bladder sleeve, and a fabric divider that can separate the sleeping bag compartment at the bottom. This lower compartment, accessible via an external zipper, fit my sleeping bag (in a stuff sack), sleeping pad, and pillow with room to spare. Additional storage includes a generously sized top brain pocket, two hipbelt pockets, dual water bottle pockets positioned behind the hips, and a front stuff pouch for quick-access items like a rain jacket or water filter. Two bottom straps easily carried a foam pad, and I secured my Birkenstocks using the compression straps on the sides. A helpful packing guide is printed on the underside of the brain, offering tips on weight distribution.
 

That said, I have a few nitpicks. First, I prefer that the brain has an underside mesh pocket with a key clip for securing valuables—I didn’t feel comfortable stashing my keys in the exterior brain pocket. It’s also non-removable, limiting versatility and preventing weight savings. The compression straps don’t have buckles, making it tricky to secure bulkier items to the sides. Lastly, the hipbelt pockets, though useful for small essentials like a notebook and inhaler, were too tight for snacks or my iPhone.
 

Ventilation

Ventilation is one of the Trailmade 60’s weakest areas. Besides the bit of airflow between the padding along the backpanel, the pack offers little breathability. I consistently came away from long days on the trail with a sweaty back and hips, especially where the padding made contact with my body. Most premium backpacking packs—like Osprey’s Aura AG 65— feature a suspended mesh back panel that allows for better airflow. Even the Aura’s shoulder straps incorporate mesh to reduce sweat buildup. While the Trailmade’s padding has perforations, they don’t promote meaningful ventilation.
 

Build Quality and Durability

For a sub-$200 pack, it comes as no surprise that the Trailmade 60 makes a few build-quality sacrifices in an effort to stay cheap. Most notably, its non-fluorinated DWR coating wets out quickly in consistent rain. Unlike higher-end packs, the Trailmade doesn’t come with a rain fly (though you can get REI’s medium Duck’s Back Rain Cover for $35). The pack’s material quality also looks and feels quite cheap. That said, it’s so far held up well: The exterior has resisted abrasions from rocks and brush, and the buckles and straps remain functional despite frequent overpacking and rough handling. Even the padding has withstood repeated use without noticeable compression. While it’s not the most rugged pack on the market, I have no major concerns about its long-term durability.
 

Fit and Sizing

REI is known for inclusive sizing across its gear, and the Trailmade 60 follows suit. The fully adjustable frame allows for a customizable fit—just undo the Velcro flap and slide the shoulder straps to your desired torso length. My S-XL size adjusts from 15 to 19 inches, and the 1X-4X size has the same range. The pack also includes an adjustable hipbelt and load lifters, along with a fit guide printed inside the brain to help fine-tune adjustments. For more information on how your backpack should fit, check out our backpack fit and sizing guide.
 

Sustainability

REI continues to push sustainability forward in the outdoor market, and the Trailmade 60 incorporates several eco-friendly measures. The shell, lining, and backpanel are made from 100% recycled nylon and polyester, all of which meet bluesign’s environmental and worker-safety standards. REI also uses a non-fluorinated DWR finish, which doesn’t persist in the environment like traditional water repellents. Additionally, as a Climate Neutral Certified brand, REI actively works to reduce its carbon footprint.
 

Other Versions of the REI Trailmade

I tested the women’s specific version of the Trailmade 60, but REI makes a men’s version as well. While the features remain the same across the gendered models, there are a few fit differences. The men’s pack comes in an M-XL size and an XXL-4XL size. Its torso length has a minimum of 17 inches and a max of 21. REI’s Trailmade line extends beyond packs and includes other backpacking gear, such as tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads, as well as hiking-specific apparel. 
 

What We Like

• Comfortably carried 40 pounds of climbing and backpacking gear over multiple days with little soreness to show for it. 
• Generous organization options include hipbelt pockets, dual water bottle pockets, front stuff pouch, water bladder sleeve, and an optional sleeping bag compartment divider. 
• Fully adjustable torso (15-19 in.), hipbelt, and load lifters allow for a dialed-in fit and easy sharing between partners. 
• Sustainable, recycled shell and straps have held up well to well over 100 miles of rough use.
• Affordable $179 price for a long-lasting, comfortable, and fully featured backpacking pack—great for beginners or budget-conscious hikers.

What We Don’t

• Non-fluorinated DWR coating doesn’t hold up to consistent rain, and a rain fly isn’t included in the initial purchase. 
• Lack of back ventilation— such as a suspended mesh panel— limits airflow and leads to sweaty days on the trail.
• The brain lacks an underside pocket and key clip for securing valuables and isn’t removable.
• Compression straps can’t be unbuckled and hip pockets are too small to hold an iPhone.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

REI’s Trailmade 60 strikes an excellent balance of carrying comfort, storage, durability, and price, but there are plenty of similar models to consider. For a step up in quality, Osprey’s Aura AG 65 ($340) features premium details such as a suspended mesh backpanel and hardwearing fabrics. Osprey’s Eja 58 pack ($260) is even lighter than the Trailmade at 2 pounds 13 ounces, though it does come at the cost of a couple liters. Granite Gear’s Blaze 60 is an all-around step-up from the Trailmade with a sturdier frame, substantial padding, and plethora of customization options, but it is pricier at $300. If you want to keep costs low, REI’s own Flash 55 is a lightweight (2 lb. 12 oz.) and more feature-rich option for just $20 more than the Trailmade 60. To be sure, the Trailmade undercuts all of these options when it comes to price, but backpackers who are looking to push the limits will get more out of a more premium design.
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