User Review: Osprey Stratos 24

Osprey Stratos 24
Above: The current Stratos 24, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed April 30, 2008 by Brandon

Rating:

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.