According to the manufacturer the Osprey Stratos 26 is a day hike rucksack. I personally use it for almost everything from mountain biking to trekking and shopping light camping. It’s a good medium size pack with many useful features and very few drawbacks. I will discuss it in more detail in the Osprey Stratos 26 review below.
The number 26 refers to its approximate capacity – 26 litres. Why approximate? Because it comes in three men’s sizes: small (24 litres), medium (26 litres) and large (28 litres). The backpacks weigh 1.11, 1.16 and 1.22 kg respectively. Recommended maximum load is about 11 kg regardless of size.
The harness, the hip and chest belts and the ‘InsideOut’ compression straps are absolutely fantastic! I’ve had many opportunities to find out how important it is to have a well-balanced and adjusted backpack. A badly fitting backpack will soon remind you of the weight you’re carrying. In fact, it’ll become yet another obstacle on your way to the destination.
I suffer with a sweaty back from most rucksacks so I chose the Osprey Stratos 26 because of the mesh that promises to stop this. At first I worried this was just another gimmick to convince me to part with more cash than I normally would.
My initial doubts regarding it’s real-life performance turned out to be unfounded. I’ve put the mesh to the test on multiple occasions. Temperatures were often reaching 35 degrees Celsius. I can honestly say that this is not just another fad or waste of money. It makes a huge difference when compared to a regular backpacks I have used in the past.
The backpack comes equipped with a detachable red rain cover. This is normally tucked away in its own little pocket. Like all covers of this type, it performs well in light or moderate rain. A good thing about this cover is that it’s red so it makes me stand out while cycling in rain and poor light. It can also be used for signalling for help.
There are a few features I don’t use or have not used yet. The backpack has a pocket for hydration reservoir on the back wall. I have never used it and haven’t had the need to do so thus far. However, it doesn’t take any space and I often use the pocket for other things. Also, I haven’t had a chance to use the emergency whistle yet but I’m sure it would do its job if necessary.
Overall, it’s a great little backpack with many useful pockets, straps and loops. A first it may seem fragile and not suitable for some more demanding applications. Nevertheless, it has stood up to the job and I am nothing but impressed by its performance.
Of course, this backpack wasn’t made to be ‘bulletproof’, it was made to be a functional and comfortable day hike rucksack. My final opinion in this Osprey Stratos 26 review is that it does the job it is made for very well plus its great for mountain biking, light camping and everyday use.
Find out more here: www.ospreypacks.com
