REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack

The REI Flash 22 exists to answer the question: what's the best hiking daypack under $100? The answer is this. It's not ventilated, it doesn't have an elaborate suspension system, and the hipbelt is a stabilizer rather than a true load-transfer system. But it's well-made, the compression straps work, the water bottle pockets are deep enough to be useful, and the hydration sleeve fits a 3L reservoir. For new hikers or anyone who doesn't yet know how often they'll use a pack, it's the right starting point.