REI Co-op Traverse 60 - Women's Review

REI impresses us yet again with a solid backpack. The Traverse 60 - Women's has a women's-specific fit and even comes in a size that short, curvy women will appreciate - XS torso and M hip belt. The Traverse is made from 300-Denier recycled ripstop nylon and most of the mesh on this pack has been removed to make it even more durable.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Suspension

The REI Traverse 60's back panel is made up of four dense foam pads, which our testers found to be uncomfortable. We found that the padding is placed such that it digs into the mid-back, especially when bent over to climb over a log in the trail or while scrambling on your hands. While this type of padding does allow some airflow, it is not nearly as ventilated as the more modern trampoline-style back panel. The Traverse rests closely against your back, which is good for comfortable weight distribution if you are carrying a heavy load, but it's not so good if you have things poking into your back. However, comfort is subjective, and you may find that this system works well for your body. While we weren't impressed by the back panel, we did love the comfortable, soft hip belt. Our hips felt cradled and supported all day long.

Organizational Systems

With many great organizational features that you didn't even know you wanted, this metric is where the Traverse 60 shines. One of our favorite features is that it has two water bottle holsters - both of which are adjustable in size. We loved how easily we could grab our water bottles (or even bear spray) out of the angled holsters compared to regular pockets. The Traverse's top lid also quickly detaches to become its own little daypack, complete with slightly-padded shoulder straps stowed inside the lid, which we thought was very cool. On top of it all, the hip belt pockets are among the largest we've ever used, which was great for carrying a map, phone, and snacks.

Weight

Weighing in at 4.2 lbs, the Traverse isn't the lightest pack we've tested, nor is it the heaviest. It is on the heavier end of the spectrum though, but that's no surprise given the advanced feature set and also the durable materials it's made out of. Heavier, more built packs are generally able to handle heavier loads, which is something to think about when picking out the right pack for you.

Adjustability

The Traverse comes in three torso sizes and in addition, each pack size has two inches of torso adjustment within each size. A unique sizing feature of this pack is that REI offers an XS torso and M waistbelt size specifically designed for short, curvy women. The way the torso adjusts is by moving the shoulder straps to one of three set placements. Lots of other packs use a velcro system which allows for a wider range of adjustments, and many micro-adjustments. However, because the Traverse has three set adjustment points, it is even more important to be fit properly for your size.

Value

For a durable, feature-filled, thoughtfully designed pack, the REI Traverse 60 is quite a good value. While we love a good pack that is easy on the wallet, the most important consideration is how the pack feels on your body. Therefore, we recommend trying packs on before committing to taking them out on a trip.

Conclusion

If you are a backpacker looking for a do-it-all pack with useful features (and none that aren't), look no further. While we weren't impressed by the Traverse's foam back panel, we were impressed by the two water bottle holsters, included rain cover, and the removable daypack. If this pack is comfy on your body, then you've hit the jackpot for a budget-friendly, awesome pack.