REI Trail 25 Backpack Review

Philip WernerFebruary 12, 2026

2 3 minutes read

The REI Trail 25 is a multi-purpose panel-loading backpack good for day hiking, urban use, and travel. While it’s easy to dismiss it as a hiking pack, it’s surprisingly functional for that purpose, with lots of strategically placed pockets, trekking pole holders, and a slim, torso-hugging profile that makes it easy to carry when loaded. Add in the included rain cover, and you have a great do-it-all backpack to get out and about with.

RELATED: 10 Best Hiking Daypacks

Pack Access: U-Shaped Zipper (Panel Loader)
Gender: Unisex
Volume: 25 liters
Weight: 32 ounces
Hydration compatible: Yes
Rain cover included: Yes
External Pockets: 5
Hip belt: Removable
Fits torso: 17-19″
Fits waist: 28-44″
Framesheet: HDPE
Dimensions: 19.5 x 13.25 x 7.5 inches
Max recommended load: 20 pounds

The Trail 25 has special hardware for carrying trekking poles

The REI Trail 25 is a panel-loading style backpack with a U-shaped top zipper that lets you look straight into the main compartment so you can see everything inside and easily locate what you need. It has a large hydration pocket inside with a hook to hang a reservoir and a single port over the right-hand shoulder. There are two additional mesh pockets in the interior, one large pocket on the inside of the lid and a pocket along the side that can hold a water bottle or skinny coffee thermos inside the pack.

The right hand side of the pack has two mesh side pockets, one inside the other, so you can carry long objects and a water at the same time — The right-hand side of the pack has two mesh side pockets, one inside the other, so you can carry long objects and a water bottle at the same time

The Trail 25 has an additional five external pockets: two side water bottle pockets made with a stretch mesh, a zippered pocket on the outside of the lid that’s sized for sunglasses, a rain cover pocket near the bottom of the pack, and a second stretch pocket inside the right-hand side water bottle pocket. There’s also a compression strap above each side mesh pocket, so you can secure long, skinny objects like fishing rods or a hiking umbrella.

Straps at the bottom of the pack let you carry a foam pad

The pack has a pair of trekking pole holders on the front, attached to daisy chains you can use to attach gear with carabiners or straps (not included), plus a pair of sleeping bag straps underneath (included) that you can also use to carry a sit pad. There’s a second pair of external straps at the top of the pack that is also good for carrying a jacket when you need to layer off.

REI Trail 25 Backpack

Comfort

Weight

Features

Adjustability

Sizing

Durability

Great Organization

The REI Trail 25 Backpack is a panel-loading daypack with a back hugging fit that makes it great for day hiking, cycling, urban use, or travel. It has lots of internal and external pockets to keep you organized, two pairs of external webbing straps to lash gear like a jacket or sit pad to the outside, and a great carry system for trekking poles. Backpanel ventilation and a removable hip belt will keep you comfortable in warm weather while providing lots of flexibility for different recreational activities.

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The Trail 25 is a has a U-shaped zipper that lets you quickly access the contents of your pack — The Trail 25 has a U-shaped zipper that lets you quickly access the contents of your pack

The Trail 25 has an internal HDPE framesheet, which is soft but helps give the pack a shape so it doesn’t collapse on itself. The back panel is padded with foam and mesh to wick away moisture with a wide air channel to provide ventilation. The hip belt is a simple webbing strap that is used to hold the pack bag close to your torso but can also be removed if you’d rather use the pack as a beltless rucksack. The shoulder straps are also well-padded and come with an adjustable sternum strap that can be easily repositioned on a rail. There are two pairs of elastic hydration hose keeper straps on each shoulder strap, which can also be used to hang an accessory pocket.

The hipbelt is an optional webbing strap that can be removed if you don’t want to use it. — The hip belt is a webbing strap that can be removed if you don’t want to use it.

If you’d like a little more waist storage, you can also connect an REI Waist 2 fanny pack to the hip belt buckles and wear it in front of your belt buckle. That’s a nice application to keep track of your tickets and personal documents when traveling and can even come in handy for hiking.

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Comparable daypacks

Men's Model	Sizing	Women's Model
Osprey Talon 22	Adjustable Torso	Osprey Tempest 20
REI Flash 18	Fixed Length	REI Flash 18
Cotopaxi Batac 24 Del Dia	Fixed Length	Cotopaxi Batac 24 Del Dia
TNF Borealis 28	Fixed Length	TNF Borealis 27
Osprey Stratos 24	Adjustable Torso	Osprey Sirrus 24
Deuter Speed Lite 21	Fixed Length	Deuter Speed Lite 21
REI Trail 25	Fixed Length	REI Trail 25
Gregory Zulu 30	Adjustable Torso	Gregory Jade 28
Mountainsmith Zerk 25	Fixed Length	Mountainsmith Zerk 25
Osprey Daylite Plus	Fixed Length	Osprey Daylite Plus

Bottom Line

The REI Trail 25 stands out as a versatile backpack that performs well across a range of activities, from day hiking and urban commuting to travel. Its thoughtful design features, such as the panel-loading U-shaped zipper, multiple internal and external pockets, trekking pole holders, and included rain cover, combine functionality with convenience. The slim, torso-hugging fit and adjustable straps enhance comfort and load management, while the removable hip belt offers flexibility to suit your needs. Whether you’re heading out on the trail or navigating city streets, the Trail 25 offers a practical and reliable carry solution for everyday adventures.