REI Co-op Flash Pack 22 vs. Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite)
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
REI Co-op Flash Pack 22
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×28×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $60 |
Feature by feature
| REI Co-op Flash Pack 22 | Feature | Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled nylon (bluesign®;-approved) | 1000D Black + 210D Ripstop Nylon, Gray |
Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite)
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×31×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $175 |
Key differences between the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22 and Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite)
- Compression straps: No on the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22; 2 on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite).
- Opening: Top flap on the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22; Clamshell on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite).
- Passport pocket: Top on the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22; Front on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite).
- Hip belt: Yes on the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22; No on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite).
- Water resistant: No on the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22; Yes on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite).
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 174 accept both. 2 accept only the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22, and 3 accept only the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite).
Only the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22 fits
Air Niugini, Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) fits
American Eagle, easyJet, Ravn Alaska.
REI Co-op Flash Pack 22 vs. Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite): which should you pack?
The REI Co-op Flash Pack 22 carries 1L more than the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) (22L vs. 21L), while the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22 is the lighter pack at 0.4kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22; if you want to travel lighter, the REI Co-op Flash Pack 22 is the better call.