Osprey Stratos 24 / Sirrus 24 Daypack Review

Bottom Line

The Osprey Stratos 24 and Sirrus 24 are very comfortable, durable, and well-organized daypacks. You’ll be hard pressed to find daypacks with more supportive back panels or better ventilation. The thick padded mesh shoulder straps and waistbelt lend excellent comfort even when loaded down. Osprey also included a total of seven pockets, a rain cover, load lifters, trekking pole attachments, and water reservoir compatibility. Plus, the Stratos and Sirrus are among the most durable packs we’ve ever tested. The Stratos is one of Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favorites for challenging, technical hiking days.

Of all the models on our best daypacks for hiking guide, these bags are a great choice for big miles and technical terrain. So why do we rank them lower on our list? We find casual hikers, minimalists, and ultralighters often don’t need such aggressive support or so many features. Plus, these packs don’t have a mesh pocket or lash points, and they’re also some of the most expensive packs we’ve tested. However, if you’re a serious hiker and want a do-it-all daypack that will last for years of brutal use, the Stratos and Sirrus set a high bar.

Comfort

The Osprey Stratos 24 and Sirrus 24 lead the pack when it comes to comfort – at least on long hikes with heavier loads. The waist belt is especially plush and wide, distributing weight evenly to the hips to reduce fatigue and increase comfort. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has done some of the longest, most difficult mountain climbs of his climbing career in the Stratos, including a 44-mile, 22-hour summer day in Colorado’s Sangre De Cristo Range, where the Stratos kept his back from feeling achey as he summited 11 peaks over 13,000 feet. He’s an especially big fan of Osprey’s Airspeed suspension system – a flexible mesh back panel that puts nearly 2 inches of air between his back and the backpack. This ventilation effectively kept his back cool and dry.

The pack’s adjustable torso length helps dial in a precise fit for better comfort. Ian is 5’6 and fairly slender, but this pack fit him like a glove once he shortened the torso length. The sternum straps and load lifters further enhance the pack’s fit. 

However, the sturdy hip belt and aluminum internal frame can feel excessive, especially for minimalists or casual hikers. CleverHiker Founder Dave Collins and Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer agree that we usually don’t need this backpack for day hiking. But, if you’re looking for comfort over anything else, the Stratos and Sirrus may be exactly what you want.

Organization

These packs have considerable internal and external storage for those who prefer packs with spots for all your hiking essentials. In addition to the main compartment and dedicated hydration sleeve, the Stratos/Sirrus include a wide external pocket, large mesh internal pocket with a key clip, dedicated raincover pocket (raincover included), two side bottle pockets, and a scratch-free top zippered pocket for our sunglasses or phones. Ian especially liked the two spacious hipbelt pockets – which made it easy to snag his headlamp and chapstick on the go. These packs are also his favorites to holster his trekking poles and free up his hands for some scrambling. Even so, he would have appreciated more external attachments to lash extra gear. 

There are a ton of storage options on these bags. However, many of these compartments go unused on mellow day hikes, and minimalists would prefer lighter, simpler packs. That said, if you want a feature-forward day pack to organize a lot of gear, these bags are the best of the best.

User-Friendliness

We found the Stratos 24 and Sirrus 24 reasonably simple to use. The sheer number of features will be a turnoff for folks who prefer a more minimalist approach. Still, the pack’s layout is intuitive since the pockets serve clear purposes. For instance, the hipbelt pockets were large enough for our phone, and the easy-to-reach mesh side pockets were perfect fits for water bottles. The adjustable torso length and load-lifting straps made these packs easy to adjust. We like how we didn’t need to take off our backpack to stuff or retrieve our trekking poles – Osprey’s stash points on the shoulder straps are made for stow-on-the-go access. It’s user friendly for a feature-rich day pack.

Weight and Compressibility

The Stratos 24 and Sirrus 24 tip the scales at 2 pounds, 12 ounces, making them some of the heaviest in the daypacks category. The reasons these weigh more are their durable materials, aluminum frames, pockets, and other extra. At nearly three pounds, they’re not ideal for quick side trips or casual outings. 

If you don’t mind a bulkier bag, don’t let this deter you – these are some of the comfiest you’ll ever wear. Despite their bulk, these packs have such impressive load-lifting and support systems, you’ll barely notice the added weight. Ian once used this pack to tackle a 30-mile route in Utah’s famous Canyonloands National Park, where the bit of added weight was well worth the trade off for excellent comfort. 

These bags do have two sets of compression straps to slim them down a bit. However, they are not compressible compared to frameless day packs. They don’t fold or roll up and won’t fit in other backpacks. If you’re looking for a lightweight option for shorter trips or a packable day pack for traveling, this isn’t the day pack you’re looking for.

Durability

If you want a single bag that will last for years – if not decades – the Stratos and Sirrus are great choices. These bags’ hefty components and materials earn top marks for longevity. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has trudged through thunderstorms, snow squalls, brutal desert heat, and thickest forests with the Stratos 24 – and his pack barely has a mark after 3 years. 

With heavy-duty zippers, reinforced stitching, and thick, durable nylon textiles, these packs are ready for whatever the backcountry throws at them. The mesh panels, clips, and components are all made with premium materials, offering a level of toughness that keeps the pack intact for peace of mind. The only major damage we’ve seen in our packs was when we accidentally closed a car door on a waist strap clip, causing it to break. However, these are easily replaceable, and it was from negligence – not on-trail use.

If you want a long-lasting pack, these are at the top of the list. The Stratos and Sirrus are wise investments for season after season of challenging hikes.

Should you buy the Osprey STratos/Sirrus 24 Pack?

The Osprey Stratos 24 and Sirrus 24 are for hikers who want the best of the best when it comes to comfort, support, and durability on extended day hikes. These are burly, top-quality daypacks with outstanding back ventilation, wide waist straps, and smart weight distribution. They have all the technical features we look for in a daypack like trekking pole attachments, a rain cover, and an adjustable torso length for a perfect fit. That said, the Stratos and Sirrus are not our first pick for casual or short hikes, especially for those who prefer traveling light. They’re among the heaviest and most structured daypacks we’ve tested due to their framing and thick materials. Additionally, folks looking for a simpler setup may find the many pockets and the long list of features are too excessive for short trips. And, there’s no way around it – the price point is steep. That said, when it comes to premium, long-lasting, all-in one daypacks, the Stratos and Sirrus 24 are top choices.

What other day packs should you consider for hiking?

If the Osprey Stratos 24 and Sirrus 24 haven’t caught your eye, pop over to our guide to the Best Daypacks for Hiking to see our other top picks. 

Osprey Talon 22 / Tempest 20 Review: We prefer these bags for shorter outings and smaller adventures where you need a more streamlined pack, but still want top-tier support and comfort.

Gregory Citro 24 H20 / Juno 24 H20 Review: These packs are our top pick when it comes to hydration because they include our favorite reservoir on the market. They’re as comfy as the Stratos and Sirrus – but cost less, even with the bladder included.

REI Trail 25 Review: This bag is a better option if you’re looking to save weight and money, although it’s not quite as comfortable and uses a nylon strap instead of a wide hip belt.