In my years of travel and hiking, it’s no surprise that more than a few backpacks have found their way into my possession. We’ve got a few HUGE packs suitable for round-the-world treks, a few kids-size overnight/travel packs, and plenty of daypacks and bookbags.

Ironically, one glaring omission in my collection was a good adult-size overnight hiking pack. A bag that’ll last me a couple nights and a few dozen miles on the trail. And it was finally time to fix that oversight.

Stop #1 whenever I’m in the market for outdoor gear is REI. Granted, they might not be the cheapest game in town (not gonna lie, outdoor gear can be pricey!), but the selection is unsurpassed and if you’re lucky enough to have an REI retail store nearby, their staff has proven time and again to truly be their best resource.

Hit them with any question and they’ve got the right answer. They know exactly what you need. And there’s never any judgment or condescension if you skew toward the “beginner” end of the spectrum.

My hunt for a reliable (and affordable!) overnight bag ended with the REI Co-op Traverse 35 pack. And I almost immediately took it out for a 20-mile jaunt along the C&O Canal towpath from Harper’s Ferry, WV, to Mercersville, MD. (I’m hiking the entire 184.5 miles of the towpath in stages, and this was miles 60-81.)

As implied by its name, the pack has an internal capacity of 35 liters and weighs a shade over 3 pounds. The bag comes in two sizes – M and L – appropriate for slightly different torso lengths and waist sizes. (There’s also a women’s version.) The specs are a tad different between the two sizes, but since I tested out a men’s medium pack, that’s what I’ll focus on.

My first impression was that, empty, the bag felt small. Admittedly, I’m used to my ancient (but wonderful) Kelty pack with 90+ liters of space. I was left wondering how I would be able to fit in everything I needed, even thought it was just one night.

Surprisingly, the Traverse 35 can really pack it in.

To give you some idea of what I was able to fit into the pack for an overnight 20-mile hike, here it is – all spread out and organized-like.

And here’s what the pack looked like stuffed to the gills…

I was able to find a place for my tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cook stove, and everything else I needed (plus, inevitably, a few things I didn’t).

My biggest complaint about this bag was really the first thing I experienced – the main compartment isn’t overly spacious, and there wasn’t anywhere else to put the sleeping bag. With the sleeping bag shoved in, the bag already felt maxed out. OK, I’ll grant you: my sleeping bag is bulky and I should really make a more economically sized one my next purchase, but it’s what I have. And without separate access to the bottom of the pack, the only way the sleeping bag can get in and out is through the top opening.

Still, the Traverse has lots of storage options outside the main compartment (including a couple super-convenient hipbelt pockets), which is a big positive and a huge selling feature. And in addition to actual zippered compartments, the bag also has a bunch of tool keepers and lash points if you’re the type of hiker who doesn’t mind stuff dangling off the outside of your pack.

The Traverse is hydration compatible, but I opted not to use a reservoir, which would’ve only limited the main compartment size even more. However, the pack has two “on the go” water bottle pockets on either side that are angled forward and EASILY accessible while wearing the pack. Which, oddly, is NOT a feature of every hiking backpack. Strangely.

I had no trouble at all pulling out (and putting back!) 32-oz water bottles while… on the go. No need to take the pack off to get to the water. And truly, that was lovely to do.

The Traverse also fits snugly and comfortably. The back provides lumbar support and breathability, which is a nice combo that – again – not every bag can claim, especially at this price point. Several straps secure the bag and make it fit even more snugly, including two that incorporate REI’s UpLift™ Compression technology, which pulls the pack load up and in, closer to your center of gravity, to improve balance and stability.

Over the course of the 20 miles, the bag never felt unstable or wobbly. It was always snug to my back, and it didn’t create a sauna back there, either. Thankfully.

I will say that toward the end of the hike, the hipbelts (which are 3D contoured with sculpted foam padding) began to dig in and grow uncomfortable. I’m inclined to think that might’ve been a factor of the clothing I was wearing, however, so I’m hesitant to give the Traverse a strike for that.

All told, the Traverse 35 is exactly what I was looking for. It’s a solid hiking backpack that’s ideally sized for a one- or two-night trip yet still small enough to serve double duty as a daypack. It’s comfortable, convenient, attractive, and affordable. REI scores another win in my book.

The Traverse 35 retails for $139 at REI and is available online and in stores. At that price point, you really can’t go wrong.