Review: When should I use OSPREY Stratos 36 without using it now? (2016 model)

A masterpiece with everything you need for a comfortable day hike

Osprey has continued to create products with the same spirit of custom-made since its founding, and each product has a clear concept, incorporating a variety of practical features that address the needs of their target audience. This time, I would like to review the Stratos 36, a 36-liter backpack for day hikes with ventilation on the back

, including the Stratos 36, is available on this page.

Detailed review

Item name (price)

OSPREY Stratos 36 (Reference price: 17,280 yen)

Front

Back

Main Specifications and ratings

Click here for a side-by-side comparison of medium-sized 30L backpacks

This is amazing!

Incredibly comfortable to carry

First and foremost, the pack boasts excellent breathability, starting with the mesh structure (AirSpeed ​​Suspension) on the back . This involves a durable wire surrounding the pack, with a trampoline-like elastic mesh stretched across it, creating a space between the back and the pack, allowing air to pass through (see photo). This system, now adopted by many manufacturers, has proven its comfort and allows sweat to escape easily. The fit of the mesh has also been steadily improved since its initial release, and now it feels just right against the back. The holes and mesh on the shoulder and hip belts further enhance the breathability of the already comfortable back (see photo).

Airspeed suspension dramatically improves rear airflow

Airspeed suspension and shoulder and hip belts keep you cool no matter how much you sweat

However, it is often said that the space at the back shifts the center of gravity backward, making the body more likely to swing and cause fatigue. This may not be wrong as it is a structural problem with the mesh, but I think that up to this capacity it is within the acceptable range, unless the load is so heavy that it swings around. Personally I did not feel that it was that much of a disadvantage

light!

It's easy to forget, but a backpack is one of the top three heaviest items you can bring on a hike. For example, the weight of this pack is 1.36kg, despite it being 36 liters, compared to the Karrimor Ridge 30's 1.6kg, making it over 200g lighter. While rainwear and other things can make a difference of 10g, the lightness of a pack can easily make a difference of over 100g, and the longer the distance, the more of a subtle impact it has

High storage capacity

Most mesh packs have a narrow back, so the capacity feels smaller than stated, but this pack feels like it can hold much more than the 36 liters. And speaking of storage capacity , the most impressive thing about this pack is how easy it is to access the contents. The top of the pack is secured with a canopy strap, but the entire front opens wide, so you can take out anything without opening the canopy. It's really nice. Incidentally, since it has a two-chamber structure, you can put a sleeping bag or something in the lower compartment to separate the compartment. In that case, you can access the separated luggage through the lower zipper.

The front access is almost entirely opened with a zipper, making it incredibly easy to use

What I also love is the practical canopy pocket: it's large and divided into two sections, allowing you to store and organize lots of small items.

The top is thin and wide, while the bottom is uneven, making it easy to fit larger items

Pole attachment

Finally, there's a unique, user-friendly feature that's typical of Osprey. a special attachment that allows you to easily store your trekking poles in the pack while you're out and about . Even when you descend the mountain and start walking along a forest trail, it can be a hassle to have to take off your pack and stow your poles. This attachment comes in handy in situations like that.

Trekking pole attachment. In the photo it looks like a samurai sword, but the correct way to attach it is to fold it up short and wear it like a wakizashi

This is not good

Versatility

For better or worse, this pack is specialized for hiking. It's perfect for walking on trails from spring to autumn, but for climbing or river climbing, you'll need more attachments to store gear like a helmet, crampons, hammer, and rope, and even for backcountry skiing, it's not exactly easy to attach skis. If you buy this pack, you should be prepared to limit your use to those things

Hip belt size

One reason is that my waist is much smaller than most people's, but the hip belt is actually an American size, so even at the shortest setting it was still quite loose (my waist is 75cm, and the pack is M/L). There's no size variation, either. So, in order to somehow make it shorter than the shortest setting, I removed the buckle and replaced it with a buckle I purchased myself (product below), shortening the belt by a few millimeters, and I was able to get away with it. I think it'll be fine for most people, but men with smaller waists should be careful

[Ships via mail] Retrofit (Repair) Side Release Buckle for 38mm Wide Tape (One Piece) Special Buckle…

Remove the original buckle with pliers and replace it with the repair buckle. This meant that the right buckle could no longer be adjusted, but I was able to shorten the waist size to just the right size

Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?

This pack has many important features for hiking and trekking, including a comfortable fit and smart, convenient functions. It's so well-made that there aren't any major drawbacks to it when used for mountain hiking, and it's perfect for experienced hikers and beginners alike who want to hike trails in mild weather. However, keep in mind that this may not be the best choice if you're planning on taking on rocky or stream-like routes, or if you're also considering winter

By the way, the Stratos comes in variations such as a women's model (Sirrus), capacity (26 and 36), and panel-opening types without a canopy (24 and 34), so if you're only planning on day trips, a smaller capacity model or a panel-opening type might be a good choice

Above all, it's sure to be a great help during this hot and humid season. Highly recommended for hiking enthusiasts of all ages and genders!

See details on Amazon OSPREY Stratos 36 OS50319 Anthracite Black M/L

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