Osprey Stratos 24

Summary

A lot of people seem to hate on this pack because of some of its design features. I love it. I think it's one of those things where you either hate it or you love it.

It has very nice features and I especially enjoy the ventillated back panel. The stow n go trekking pole storage is great too. The shape is a bit awkward, but once you get used to it and as long as you use this pack as intended, a day pack, it's a great one.

Some also claim this pack isn't comfortable to them. I just don't see it. I was fitted for mine at a local sports store and proper adjustment and whatnot and I think it's one of the best day packs I've had. It compresses well and I have no problem using any of the features.

Summary

This is a quality pack that will last for a long time.

This is a great durable pack for those day long hikes as you would expect since it is a day pack. Its air flow back is very comfortable in the summer but it does push the pack a few inches off your back which can cause some back pain by the end of a hike if you're carrying a heavier load.  

It isn't too big of a problem since I usually don't carry too much with me, but it is something to think about if you carry things for a child or something like that. If you're looking for something to just throw some food, water, and a jacket in for a 5-6 hour hike though, then this pack is great.

Although the pack has a number of features not found on other packs in this price range, it has been a disappointment.

There is a flimsy wire stay in the back under the mesh designed to hold the frame rails apart. When using an Osprey branded water bladder in the pack, this stay would consistently pop out. This stay is one of the only attachment points keeping the midsection of the bag to the frame.

We returned the pack to Osprey, were shipped a new pack, and the same thing happened within a week. I can dislodge this important piece of the frame with no more than a tap of my finger.

Wow...this is an awful bag for hiking, if you want it for school maybe decent. The curve is way too big!

The vent is super nice, but causes a pulling feeling on your back. Nothing sits on your bag or shoulders and kinda feels like it is dragging. Not enough storage really for anything but a super light day hike (bladder, layer, first aid and or snack).

I love the color a lot!

Not something I would recommend though for anyone looking for something serious.

I commute 10 mile to work on my Trek 7300 and I need a change of clothes once I get to work, especially in the summer. (I take advantage of the showers at my facility.) Previously I would keep clothes at work, but this limited my wardrobe since I didn't want to keep all my clothes there. I needed a quality backpack, so I went to a quality outdoor outfitter. They recommended the Osprey Status 24; I fell in love!!

Extremely light-weight made with double ripstop nylon; durable (Osprey offers a guarantee where they will repair for any reason, free of charge, any damage or defect - as the put it "whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday." The pack is roomy with too many compartments to count, plus you can expand or contract the pack as deemed fit. The Osprey Airspeed Suspension system really works noticeably well in keeping you back nice and cool. I could see me using this pack on a nice hike.

I'm 5' 10" 185 lbs and I would recomment the L size for someone of similar stature (they come S, M, L). The Osprey on-line site has a formula to measure yourself, but just to be sure, I would go to a reputable dealer and have them properly fit you.

I recently bought an Osprey Stratos 24 backpack for day hikes. When I was looking at it in the store I was very skeptical. I have been hiking with an old army backpack from an army navy, shop, you know one of the canvas indestructible packs... so being used to that I didn't think the Osprey would hold up. I didn't think it could hold a first aid kit, water, coat, snacks or much else. I was wrong!

I loaded it with the first aid kit, a good weight jacket, three bottles of water (I haven't bought a 2 L bladder, yet) a shirt, phone, camera, and some snacks. This hadn't filled it to the half way point. Realizing this I think if the weather were nice, and you pack intelligently you could definitely load this pack up and stay the night in the woods. Those who find it necessary to bring a mini-mall with them camping, would not agree.

So my girlfriend and I went on a dayhike with our new backpacks. I was impressed the aircore in back was amazing. After hours of hiking, my back was still cool. Anyone who has used a canvas bag knows how hot your back gets after hours of carrying the thing. Not with this bag. Every now and then a strong enough breeze would blow, and I would actually feel the air on my back!

The straps are great. With the right adjustments it sits comfortably on your shoulders and hips. Sure we pack light, but we still have all the ponchos, blankets, lights, and random "I hope I dont need this, but if I do then it's here" stuff. And this pack held up great.

As far as things that bugged me about the pack... at first I thought it was dinky inside, but I found out it stretches, and is purely deceptive.

Otherwise nothing. I think it was a great investment for day hikes, and in the future hopefully for weekend camping as well. I recommend it to anyone interested in outdoor wandering.

Just completed a tour of the South Dakota Badlands and Black Hills. This pack performed flawlessly. It is very comfortable for loads up to about 18 pounds (the maximum I carried on this trip). The Air Core back panel is great for ventilation, and the shoulder straps and hipbelt are very comfy. I did notice the suspension creaking once in a while, but it was minor and not an irritant. The pack itself is not ultra-light (2 lbs, 12 oz. in large), but that's not a concern for short hikes anyway.

When the pack first arrived I was concerned that it was far too small (the curved back panel makes it look that way), but it stretches and swallows much more than you'd think. I like the dual-hydration option (one in the pack, one in the mesh backpanel), since I do a fair amount of hot-weather and desert hiking. Obviously using the interior hydration sleeve uses up pack space, but even then I still find plenty of room for a tarp, softshell jacket, first aid kit, and assorted sundries. In fact, I managed to fit enough for an overnight or even two-day trip in it. The small zippered pouch uses up main pack space but is very handy for small stuff. Speaking of small stuff, the hipbelt pockets are big enough for a small GPS, knife, and maybe a pocket digital camera, but not much more.

The external compression system is excellent (I used it to carry a lightweight tripod) as are the little looped zipper pulls (great idea). The curved side pockets look shallow but hold a 16 to 20-ounce bottle securely. The front stretch pocket is quite handy as well, and deep enough that I don't worry about things falling out.

I wish the shoulder straps were perforated like the Atmos series, but otherwise I can't find anything to nitpick. I can't comment on its durability yet, but based on Osprey's reputation and the excellent build quality of this pack, I expect it to last a long, long time.

A note on sizing: I tried the medium but found that the shoulder straps pinched in too far and felt constricting (I have a 45 to 46-inch chest). The large is a bit "tall" feeling but overall is a much better fit. Big and barrel-chested guys might find this useful especially if you're ordering on-line.

I have only recently purchased this pack, so I will have to write another review after it gets some more use. However, I also had the same experience with the medium being too small. I have an 18 inch torso and according to the sizing chart from Osprey, I was well within the range for the medium. When I got the pack, I was disappointed with the sizing. I could get the hipbelt snug on my waist, but, when I cinched up the shoulder straps, the bag shifted up and the hipbelt dug into my sides. So, this weekend I went to a local outdoor store and tried the large with about 15 lbs of weight. It felt awesome. The length was perfect. I've sent the medium back and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the large.

I work at an outdoor outfitter store and have seen many technical daypacks, but I must say that the technology and thought that Osprey puts into their products is truly impresssive. I am really impressed with the amazing flexibility and venting ability of the Aircore suspension. The Ergo-Pull hipbelt demonstrates how every detail matters in each pack Osprey produces and carries 25 pounds very comfortably in conjunction with the StraightJacket compression system. The stretch woven pockets on the outside of the pack beat the hell out of mesh, too.

The Stratos 24 doesn't carry books particularly well, but when packed correctly it's not a problem (I can manage to fit my 17" Apple MacBook in there with no problem if I need to).

I compared this to the Gregory Halo technical daypack but this was much more flexible, vented much more easily, and carried loads much better.

This pack goes everywhere with me. From work to taking the dog for a hike, I have used and abused this pack.

My only complaint is when the pack is overloaded with weight (around 25+ pounds) the back panel supports will dig into my lower hips causing discomfort after a long hike.

As the other reviews have stated, the back venting is just amazing. The padding is perfect and once you get used to the layout there is a plenty of space for any activity.

The large mesh back is amazing at venting. The whole pack flexes with my back perfectly. Great daypack.

I found the inside design to be poor when carrying books because of the aircore design.