Camino Backpack Gear Review: REI Stoke vs. Traverse

In my quest for a Camino backpack, I recently tried nine different styles at the REI store in Berkeley, CA. In this video, I compare two styles: REI Stoke 29 and REI Traverse 48.

YouTube Video: REI Backpack Comparison: Stoke 29 vs. Traverse 48

REI Stoke 29 Pack – 2013 Special Buy

Specification	M	L
Best use	Hiking	Hiking
Frame type	Frameless	Frameless
Ultralight	Yes	Yes
Gear capacity (L)	29 liter	31 liter
Gear capacity (cu. in.)	1,769 cubic inches	1,892 cubic inches
Weight	1 lb. 8 oz.	1 lb. 8 oz.
Fits torso	17 – 19 inches	18 – 20 inches
Fits waist/hips	28 – 44 inches	30 – 46 inches
Material(s)	Ripstop nylon	Ripstop nylon
Suspended mesh back panel	No	No
Pack loading	Top	Top
Pack access	Top	Top
Number of exterior pockets	6 + main compartment	6 + main compartment
Dimensions	19 x 10 x 9 inches	19 x 10 x 9 inches
Gender	Unisex	Unisex

REI Traverse 48 Pack – Women’s

Specification	S	M
Best use	Backpacking	Backpacking
Frame type	Internal	Internal
Gear capacity (L)	46	48 liters
Gear capacity (cu. in.)	2,807	2,929 cubic inches
Weight	3 lbs. 9 oz.	3 lbs. 11 oz.
Weight – metric	1,620 grams	1,670 grams
Fits torso	16 – 18 inches	17 – 19 inches
Fits waist/hips	28 – 40 inches	32 – 44 inches
Material(s)	Nylon	Nylon
Frame material	ABS plastic sheet	ABS plastic sheet
Number of stays	0	0
Suspended mesh back panel	Yes	Yes
Pack loading	Top	Top
Pack access	Panel	Panel
Number of exterior pockets	7	7
Raincover included	Yes	Yes
Gender	Women’s	Women’s

The Traverse also comes in a gorgeous orange that they call Red Rock.

Click here to view.

As I mentioned in a previous post and my comparison in the YouTube video, I’m not crazy about the REI Stoke, so I will return it to REI. I look forward to testing the Traverse on a 5-10 mile trail hike, loaded with about 15 pounds. I will write a follow-up blog post with a full field report.

UPDATE: See Camino Backpack Trail Test: REI Traverse

Please let me know if you’d like to see more Camino gear and product reviews on this blog and YouTube. Gracias, y buen Camino!

3 thoughts on “Camino Backpack Gear Review: REI Stoke vs. Traverse”

Hello Laurie! Thanks for the review. I was just checking at the same backpack but couldn’t decide since it has no reviews yet. This one was very useful and even more now that you showed it opens completely, since that is what I am looking for. Looking forward for your review after using it!

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Laurie A. Ferris

August 23, 2015 at 5:00 am

You are most welcome! Glad it helped shed some light. I will test the traverse on some hikes in Sept.
I too rely on reviews for big purchases. Come to think of it, I should add a review on the REI site. 🙂

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