When I was looking for a pack, I knew I wanted a multi-purpose bag that would work for unpredictable day hikes, travel, and longer, lightweight overnighters. This pack fits each of these categories so well: the body cinches down on day hikes and doesn't flop around, fits easily in a (larger) overhead bin on a plane, and have used during warm overnight backpacking trips. It's not the lightest pack around, but what you get in return in hearty fabric. This pack is tough. Had to bushwhack through a section of trail and barely a scratch was left on the pack, save for a snag on the water bottle holders. The integrated raincover is great (and removable!) and fits over this pack and over any gear you might have stowed externally. I've carried around 30lbs comfortably, and the suspension keeps everything nice and centered over my hips. This is a great pack. However, there are two things that would take this pack to a perfect 5-star to me. 1) Larger water bottle pockets and 2) a stretch mesh external pocket. I can barely fit a standard nalgene in the side pockets, the elastic up top is cinched almost flush with the pack and does not expand much at all. I use these primarily now for tent poles and maybe a slim water bottle. This would be such an easy fix. And another easy fix would be to remove the silly front zipper. This compartment does not get much use from me, besides holding a map. The zipper is chunky, the fabric seems chunkier here as well, and the center position makes putting anything else inside a chore. Unlike many of their other popular packs (the Exos and Atmos come to mind) that have this FANTASTIC strechy mesh that doubles as a perfect stash pocket surrounding the front, this pack lacks it. With this fix, a puffy, hat and gloves, and rain jacket are immediately removed from the main compartment to the outside, making this a serviceable long-distance pack.

PackPacker

Oregon

I just wrapped up a long walk from Barcelona, Spain to the start point of the Camino de Santiago in France. There's enough to worry about on such a trek and prior experience has taught me that if you're thinking about your pack, you have the wrong pack. Not once did I ever second guess, fret and wonder about the Stratos 36. It rode like a dream. As with my other Ospreys, it's built well and held up without a single issue. But the on-trail vote seemed to favor Ospreys, too: my guess is at least half of all hikers shouldered an Osprey. That's probably all you need to know.

Dave

Charlotte, NC

I bought the Stratos 36 to replace a well-worn and retired 1st generation Exos 34. Like my old Exos this pack is a tad oversized for most of my gallivants. However, the extra room is perfect when I'm carrying camera gear (extra lenses, tripod, etc.) or I'm hiking to a remote location for a day of fly fishing. The suspension handles the occasional 25-pound load just fine. Note: I just returned from a guided day-hiking tour of Glacier National Park. We had three guides and 25 clients. Osprey packs abounded in the group. One of the guides, the only woman, was carrying a Sirrus 36. Over half of the clients were carrying various Osprey day packs.

RevNeal

Wasatch Front, Utah

I was looking for a pack that I could use for long day hikes or an over night campout. This pack holds everything I need for either. Have not used overnight but so far so good on training hikes. Looking forward to using this pack for many years. I also own the Talon 22. Love that one as well. I have used it for several years on many hikes without a complaint. Just needed something a little larger for extended trips.

An aging hiker

Texas

My 20 years-old 42 litres Lafuma finally died completely and it needed a replacement as I now had a large gap in my pack stable: I have a 14 L Osprey Raptor for mountain biking and light summer hikes, then an Arc Teryx Bora 60 and 80L. I did not want to buy other dedicated packs (i.e. a light one for summer, and an alpine type pack for winter), so I wanted one that could do it all, and I had a lot of requirements: enough attachments to carry xc skis, snowshoes, and Microspikes, between 35 and 42 L to carry enough warm layers and food for day winter outings, have a ventilated mesh back for summer hikes, be very lightweight, be compatible with hydration bladders, sturdy and comfortable hip belts with large pockets for snacks and cell phone, sturdy pack material, side or bottom access (my old one was only top load and I kept having to search for everything). have a rain cover or be water resistant, have some way of attaching trekking poles... I was headed to a weekend in the Adirondaks and put all my gear in my Bora60 as I did not have a day pack. I stopped on the way to the mountains and picked the Statos and I am so glad I did: it ticked all the boxes and with all the same gear in it, it really felt like the weight dropped by 30-50% (to be fair the bora 60 is a heavier pack)! The trekking pole stow and go is really handy and works well. There are a bunch of small details that are great about this pack - key clip holders inside the top part are easy to use, there are holes in the side pockets to have the compression straps run inside or outside of the pocket. IMPROVEMENTS: It would be nice if the pack came with a magnet to attach the hose from an Osprey hydration bladder. I have only used the pack for 3 days and I can see that everything white will be an ugly and dirty brownish color in a few years; grey would have been more practical. I would have liked the bottom compression straps to clip instead of being inserts.

Fujisan

Ottawa, ON

I've never been more excited. It is like this new bag was custom built for my happiness. Can't wait to see just how perfect it really is.

BFar

Oregon