table of contents
A masterpiece with everything you need for a comfortable day hike
Osprey has been making products with the same unchanging spirit of custom-made products since its founding, and has a clear concept every time, and many practical products that incorporate a variety of functions that can be reached in the itchy areas of the target, making it a pack-specific manufacturer that I personally love. This time, I would like to review Osprey and the Stratos 36-liter backpack for day hiking with ventilation on the back.
Comparative evaluations of backpacks including Stratos 36 can be found 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
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 210D Hi-Tenna City Twill Nylon, 420HD Nylon RipStop |
| Color | Solar Flare Orange (OR) Harbor Blue (BL) Pine Green (GN) Anthracite Black (BK) |
| size/rear length | S/M=40-48cm, M/L=46-53cm |
| capacity | S/M=34L, M/L=36L |
| Recommended packing weights | 7-14kg |
| weight | S/M=1.31kg, M/L=1.36kg |
| Variations | 26/36L *Model without canopy, 24/34L available |
| Rain cover | Standard equipment |
| Comfort (20 points) |
19 |
| Stability (15 points) |
12 |
| Storage capacity (20 items) |
18 |
| Ease of use (20 points) |
17 |
| Versatility (15 points) |
11 |
| Design (5 pieces) |
2 |
| Price (5 items) |
4 |
| Overall score | 83 |
This is amazing!
It's just as comfortable to carry
First of all, it has excellent ventilation, including the mesh structure (Air Speed suspension) on the back . This is because durable wires surround the pack, and by placing elastic mesh fabric like a trampoline, it creates a space between the back and the pack, creating a path for air (see photo). This mechanism, which is now used by many manufacturers, is proven to be comfortable, allowing sweat to escape. The mesh fit seems to have been steadily improving since its introduction, and now the back feels just right. The holes and mesh on the shoulder and hip belts also provide even more breathability in the already comfortable back (see photo).
Air Speed suspension dramatically improves the airflow on the back.
Air Speed suspension and shoulder hip belts will keep you cool no matter how much you sweat.
However, what is often said is that the creation of space on the back causes the center of gravity to rise back, making it easier for your body to be shaken and more tired. Since it is a structural problem with meshes, this may not be a mistake, but it is not a factor in the first place, but it is probably within the acceptable range of capacity, even if it is a burden that is enough to be thrown. Personally, I didn't feel that bad.
light!
It's surprisingly easy to forget, but backpacks are one of the top three things to bring on hiking. For example, the weight of Kalimer's ridge 30 is 1.6kg, while this one weighs 1.36kg despite being 36 liters, so it is over 200g lighter. While we have made various differences of 10g with rainwear, the lightness of the pack, which can easily be over 100g, will have a subtle effect on the longer the distance, the more it becomes.
High storage capacity
Most mesh-structured packs have a narrow back, so the capacity seems to be smaller than the displayed pack, but this pack has the impression that it fits more than the number 36 liters. And when it comes to storage , the most impressive feature of this pack is the incredible access to the contents. The top of the pack is a strap to hold the canopy, but the entire front surface can be opened smoothly, allowing you to take out anything without opening the canopy. This really feels good. Incidentally, since it is a two-chamber structure, you can also place a sleeping bag or something similar at the bottom to separate the room. In that case, remove the separate items from the zipper at the bottom.
Front access is open almost entirely with a zipper. It's easy to use, nothing at all.
What I love is the practical canopy pocket. It is divided into two parts, so you can organize and store many small items.
The top is thin and wide, while the bottom is uneven, making it easy for large accessories to fit in.
Pole attachment
The final feature is a unique feature that is typical of Osprey, with users in mind. It comes with a special attachment that allows you to easily store trekking poles in packs while you are on the move Even if you descend the mountain and start walking on the forest road, it's a hassle to put down the packs and put away the poles. This attachment is useful in such cases.
Trekking pole attachment. In the photo, they mistakenly think of it as a samurai sword, but the correct answer is to fold it shortly and insert it like a side door.
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 and stream climbing, you'll need more attachments to store gear such as helmets, crampons, hammers, and ropes, so even when considering backcountry, it's hard to say that skis are easy to attach. If you are purchasing this pack, it is best to subtract them and be prepared to use them in detail.
hip belt size
It's partly because my waist is much thinner than others, but in fact, my hip belt is an American size, so even at the shortest time it was loose (by the way, my waist is 75cm, and the pack is M/L). And there are no variations in size. So, in order to make it shorter than the shortest size, I removed the buckle and replaced it with a buckle I bought myself (the product below), making the belt a few millimeters shorter, and somehow managed to get it done. I'm sure most people will be fine, but men with small waist sizes should be careful.
![[Can be mailed] Rear-equipped (repair) Side release buckle for 38mm width tape (one piece) Special buckle...](https://hbb.afl.rakuten.co.jp/hgb/?pc=http%3a%2f%2fthumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp%2f%400_mall%2fc-sunshine%2fcabinet%2fimg56848829.gif%3f_ex%3d128x128&m=http%3a%2f%2fthumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp%2f%400_mall%2fc-sunshine%2fcabinet%2fimg56848829.gif%3f_ex%3d80x80)
Remove the original buckle with a nipper and reinstall the repair buckle. This made it impossible to adjust the length of the right buckle, but the waist size could be shortened to the perfect size.
Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?
This pack comes with many important features for hiking and trekking, including comfortable carrying and smart and convenient features. It is so well-made that you can't find any particular drawbacks for hiking, making it perfect for veterans as well as beginners who are just starting to hikes to walk the trails in a mild climate. However, keep in mind that this may not be the best choice if you are considering variation routes such as rocks and streams, or winter.
By the way, there are variations of Stratos, such as the female model (Sirrus), capacity (26 and 36) and panel opening type without canopies (24 and 34), so if you're only thinking about going for a day trip, you might want to use a model with a smaller capacity or a panel opening type.
Anyway, it's sure to be a great help during this humid and unpleasant season. Recommended for hiking enthusiasts of all ages and genders!
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