REI Co-op Flash Air 50 Sustainability Report

The ultralight Flash Air 50 uses thin UHMWPE fabric, which is more durable than nylon for its weight. However, the buckles and attachment points feel fragile, and replacement parts are limited. Added up, the pack will last longest with lightweight loads and gentle treatment.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The REI Co-op Flash Air 50 features a PFAS-free durable water-repellent treatment. All REI-branded textile-based gear and apparel products manufactured after 2025 are treated with a PFAS-free DWR. It has yet to provide an update on cookware products. Additionally, the company has given brands that produce high-altitude gear (think mountaineering boots) until 2026 to phase out PFAS.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

Unlike similar REI products, including other packs, the Flash Air does not incorporate any recycled materials. In 2025, REI used 54% recycled polyester and 45% recycled nylon (up from 9% and 25%, respectively, in 2020, when it first started reporting) across all REI Co-op branded products. In 2021, the company signed on to the Textile Exchange’s 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge, which incentivizes the textile industry to use 45% recycled polyester by 2025. REI has since met and surpassed this goal. Integrating more recycled fabrics has become a significant component of the brand’s greenhouse gas reduction strategy.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

The ripstop nylon used in the REI Co-op Flash Air 50 is Bluesign approved. REI is a Bluesign System Partner, and in 2025, 65% of the fabrics used in REI Co-op brand products were Bluesign approved (down from 71% in 2024).

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 20% Bluesign-approved accessories.

The Flash Air is not made in a Fair Trade Certified Factory. REI is a Fair Trade Certified (FTC) brand partner working with Fair Trade USA. Regardless of whether a particular product is manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified facility, Fair Trade-licensed brands receive a point in this category for all their products, as participation in the Fair Trade system positively influences a brand’s entire supply chain. Fair Trade Certification ensures that factories adhere to rigorous social and environmental standards, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable resource management. In 2025, REI paid a Fair Trade Premium of $770,000, bringing its total contributions to $3.26 million since 2016. The money goes into a fund owned by workers, who collectively choose how to use it to improve their communities.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

REI prioritizes paper-based packaging that is either Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified or made from post-consumer waste. In 2024 and 2025, 99% of paper used in REI Co-op product packaging was FSC-certified. The company has largely phased out plastic poly bags from its branded apparel product packaging. In 2023, REI retail locations eliminated in-store shopping bags. Lastly, REI uses the How2Recycle Label on its packaging to clearly communicate the best way to recycle its packaging.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Unlike many competitors in the outdoor industry, REI does not offer repair services for its apparel, footwear, or other soft goods. However, the brand has extensive care and repair articles on its website. It does offer in-store ski, snowboard, and bike repairs and maintenance services for a fee.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

REI's Re/Supply program is an in-store marketplace for used gear. The brand offers a used gear section in most REI stores, as well as two dedicated brick-and-mortar stores in Oregon and California. REI previously offered an online resale platform, but discontinued it in 2025. By trading in gear you no longer need, you help keep it out of landfills and earn REI credit in return. The brand claims that buying used gear typically avoids 50% or more of the carbon emissions associated with new production.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

REI is certified under the Change Climate Project’s Climate Label (formerly Climate Neutral), a recognition awarded to companies that fund carbon reduction projects equivalent to their annual emissions. To maintain the label, companies must also set and actively pursue ambitious emissions reduction goals. By 2030, REI aims to reduce Scope 1 and 3 emissions by 47% from 2019 levels, with the long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. For the past 13 years, REI has reported zero Scope 2 emissions by purchasing renewable energy credits. In 2025, REI reduced its absolute greenhouse gas footprint by 15% compared to its 2019 baseline.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

REI has published an extensive and data-driven annual impact report since 2006. The report is broken up into sections covering sustainability initiatives, public policy, inclusion in the outdoors, and other relevant topics. In the sustainability section, REI addresses topics including waste management, greenhouse gas emissions, material sourcing, labor practices, and REI’s initiatives to encourage its partner brands to adopt more sustainable practices.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.