The Osprey Stratos 34 is the perfect day hike backpack for the weekend hike. Innovative and quality build ventilated day hike pack.
Osprey Stratos 34 Review
Innovative and quality build ventilated day hike pack. Is the Stratos 34 the best backpack for day hikes and light overnight trips?
I’ve been loving Osprey’s backpacks for a long time now. Their constant excellent improvements in terms of features, design, and build quality is what I appreciate about the brand. With the new Osprey Stratos 34, they might have well hit my sweet spot. The essence of this all-around hiking pack is the trampoline-style suspended mesh back panel for ventilation. This back panel design is based on the Osprey’s own AntiGravity system and it seamlessly joins the padded hip belt to provide a wrap-around feeling for an extra supportive fit. In addition to this, the adjustable back length provides great comfort.
Who Is This Backpack Best For?
Who Is This Backpack Not For?
Osprey Stratos 34 Review: At-A-Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the subjects that we’ll be covering in this backpack review. Click the links in the table of contents to jump to the appropriate section in this review.
Table of Contents
1. Review Summary
2. Size Guide
3. Specifications
4. Main Features
5. How We Got the Results
5.1 Comfort & Support
5.2 Weights
5.3 Versatility
5.4 Durability & Design
6. FAQ – Stratos 34
7. Testimonials
Price: $160 List | $159.00 at Osprey Official
Pros: Great built designed pack with handy features. Fair price.
Cons: Tight side mesh pockets. Not the most versatile pack.
Manufacturer: Osprey
By Stephen John · Owner, Editor & Tester · July 21st, 2020
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Osprey Stratos 34 – Rating
OVERALL RATING
76
Review Summary & Conclusion
This front loader backpack comes with plenty of great pockets— all with big pullers for the days you’ve got your gloves on— including two large and easy to access belt pockets big enough to store your smartphone or snacks and stretch mesh side pockets for carrying bottles. The main body has a separate lower compartment with independent access designed to store away your sleeping bag, when not used the internal mesh separating it can be opened to make the main compartment bigger.
Osprey Stratos 34 Summary
It comes with an integrated rain cover, which is smartly attached to the backpack itself to make sure that you won’t lose it even in extremely windy conditions. There’s an internal hydration compatible sleeve that can accommodate up to a 3l reservoir. A feature that pole users will love is the Osprey Stow-on-the-Go attachment system; shock-cords on the shoulder strap allows you to quickly put the poles away or take them back out without any struggle.
High-performance backpack
If you’re after a backpack for a weekend after weekend of all sorts of trails, capable to store all your hiking gear, the Osprey Stratos 34 is the pack for you. The ventilation and support system works well on both long and short hikes and you can stuff it or lighten the load as required and the backpack’s volume will hold what you need while staying snugly with you.
Great back ventilation system
Ortovox Peak 42 Size Guide
| Gender | Pack Size | Pack Dimensions (In) | Pack Dimensions (Cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unisex | S/M | 22.4h x 11.8w x 12.2d in | 57h x 30w x 31d cm |
| Unisex | M/L | 24.4h x 11.8w x 12.2d in | 62h x 30w x 31d cm |
Specifications
Main Features
Comfort – Osprey Stratos 34
The Osprey Stratos 34 sits quite high on my back, giving a balanced weight distribution. The adjustable back panel is great to find your perfect fit and adapt the backpack to different load necessities. The chest strap is completely adjustable too and the dual compression straps keep the pack nice and tight.
Adjustable for maximum comfort
The ventilated AirSpeed back panel is really my favourite feature on the Osprey Stratos 34, it works very well on keeping the pack away from your body and not have a sweaty back, while providing extra freedom of movement for shoulder and arms. Both the shoulder straps and the adjustable hip belt are very well padded making this pack an extremely comfortable companion on long day hikes and light overnight trips.
Weight – Osprey Stratos 34
The downside of having so many pockets can result in a higher weight— I prefer having these pockets, to be honest. The Osprey Stratos 34 is not the lightest pack in its category, but it’s exactly the extra materials and the rigid suspension system delivering comfort and venting that contributes to the greater weight.
If you’re a dedicated day hiker like me you will love the organizational and usability features of this backpack, even though they may add some weight.
Great organizational options
Versatility – Ortovox Peak 42 S
The Osprey Stratos 34 is a panel loader backpack designed for day hikes and light overnight trips, that’s where it performs its best. It can be used for carrying your climbing gear to the local crag and even to ride your mountain bike if necessary, but considering the rigid bulk and weight, the concessions to other sports or activities other than hiking are very little. It’s definitely not a backpack for commuting or going to work with— it’s not designed to accommodate a laptop, plus everyone will ask if you’re about to go hiking.
Great storage options for your sleeping bag
If you’re an organizer like me, you will love the abundance of pockets on the Osprey Stratos 34. I really like the separate sleeping bag compartment at the bottom and the zippered pocket on the front of the pack, this one might look like a shallow flat pocket only good for maps but it’s actually stretchable and can easily accommodate a light down or rain jacket.
Osprey Stratos 34 has a key chain loop
Pros
Cons
Build Quality & Durability – Osprey Stratos 34
The construction of this backpack is really solid, and with Osprey’s warranty and return policy being one of the strongest out there, the Stratos 34 won’t show any wear for years of normal use. In the few months I’ve had it has followed me on long tough hikes, I’ve dropped it, scratched it, and rubbed it on sharp rocks and bushes and didn’t show any sign of premature degradation.
Osprey Stratos 34 Side Pocket
Each component reflects Osprey’s dedication to quality and durability. However, considering the many buckles, straps, and components there’s more room for failure. My only real doubt is on the two stretch mesh side-pockets, in the long-term they don’t look like they will love rock and abrasion, but Osprey has minimized impact by using solid fabric for the lower half. Simpler backpacks will experience fewer problems of this kind, but that’s a risk I’m happy to take to benefit of all the features of the Stratos 34; and with Osprey’s solid warranty this really is a minor worry.
3 liter water bladder
The rain cover is attached to the bottom of the backpack and covers the back of the pack but not the hip belt. I’ve tested in pouring rain conditions here in the Swiss Alps and it performed exactly as designed; even when the weather was just starting to turn and I didn’t put the rain cover on yet, the pack didn’t let much water in thanks to the big flaps over the zippers.
Osprey Stratos 34 rain cover
FAQ – Osprey Stratos 34
| What’s the difference between S/M and M/L sizes? | The size difference is in reference to the torso length that the pack fits. The S/M size fits torso lengths of 15 - 20 in // 38 - 51 cm. While the M/L size is for torso length of 18 - 24 in // 46 - 60 cm. I’m 6’0”, 165 lb // 183 cm, 75 kg, and the size M/L fits perfectly. |
| Could this bag be used as a carry-on for flying? | It would hardly fit and I would not recommend it. Pick a water bottle that has a thinner shape than e.g. the 32.oz Nalgenes water bottle. |
| Are the bottles stored in the mesh side-pockets easy to access? | Yes, they are— if there’s someone there to help you get them. Otherwise, it can be a little tricky, but not impossible. |
| Will this pack fit a 3 l water reservoir? | Yes, the Stratos 34 can accommodate up to a 3 l water reservoir, which is sold separately |
| Does it have a laptop sleeve? | No it doesn’t. The internal sleeve is there to accommodate the water reservoir, given the arched nature of this pack is not recommended to store a laptop in it. |
Testimonials – Osprey Stratos 34
– IS THE STRATOS 34 GREAT? IT DEPENDS….
We purchased this backpack after hours of testing in a local outdoor outfitter with lots of help from the Shops staff. We asked for a day-trip backback and I ended up with the Stratos 34. For me it’s exactly between two worlds because it’s really on the low side when it comes to capacity. For a day-tour I allways like to have some extra clothing-layers that I can store in my backpack and when it’s colder it is very very tight insight the backback: 2x 1L bottles of water, 1x rain jacket, 1x wind-jacket, 1x merino-hoody (or sometimes a Isolation-jacket in a compression-bag), 1x rain-trousers (all packed in zip-packs) 1x small lunch-box, some energy bars and some Little peaces in the upper case of the backpack. And with all this stuff there is no space left in the big case – and even worse: when the main case is completely full: you will have a hard time to put a lot of things in the front case because this case fills towards the inside of the backpack. It’s a great backpack with a lot of cases and nice options, but it could be a bit more bigger inside. My Stratos 34 is the L version with a long back-part and it’s not possible to carry it as hand-luggage on flights.
– Taken from: https://www.bergfreunde.eu
– WELL MADE RUCKSACK
Purchased the Stratos 34 after looking at the specifications and reviews. The pack looks well made and sturdy. Although not used it on any long hikes yet. Fully loaded (about 10 kg) the rucksack was very comfortable.The rucksack was delivered quickly and in good condition. Not sure if l will get in on an airplane as hand luggage due to decreasing size restrictions.
Two little gripes, although rectified.
Loose strap ends, annoying in windy weather. Sorted with Velcro one wrap ties.
Hiking pole fastening. I like many hikers carry a pole just in case of difficult terrain. The bag has a ‘stow on the go option’ but that is not suitable if you just want to carry the walking pole all day.
The customer service stated to use the ‘stow on the go’. The bag is stated to be for hikers, not sure what most hikers want an ice axe for, the loop could be used for poles.
Purchased the rucksack at the wrong time, as a short time after purchasing, a free Hydraulics reservoir on offer. Never mind, looking forward to trying the Stratos out on a long hike.
– Taken from: https://www.ospreyeurope.com
– Highly recommend the Stratos lineSince I have bought this backpack, I have been on 2 -3 day hikes with it and a 1 day hike. Once I got it adjusted, I am very happy with it. The mesh back panel makes a huge difference in how much your back sweats. My previous backpack had a solid back, and my back sweat soaked my t-shirt. The first day I hiked with this pack, It was a hot summer day. I could feel the air passing behind my back, keeping it cool with very little sweat that day. The next 2 trips were in cooler weather in the mountains around Ponca, Arkansas. The weather was in the 50’s. I could still feel the air passing through the back. No back sweats. Love the airspeed suspension. My only regret was that I wish I would have bought the Stratos 50. I like to take plenty of stuff with me. On the cooler trips I had extra, bulky clothes and they take up a lot of the room in this pack. No fault of this pack. Fine in warmer weather, but not enough space in cool weather in my opinion.
– Taken from: https://www.amazon.com
Author
Stephen John
Founder, Tester & Editor
Stephen is the founder of Backpackfanatic. Besides managing daily operations he also edits, designs & tests products.
