This is a review of the Osprey Stratos 34 backpack. The Osprey Stratos 34 is made for day hiking, but it’s not quite just a daypack. A daypack would carry less volume than this one. You can use the Osprey Stratos 34 for an entire day of hiking with all of the gear that you would ever need. It also doubles as a light overnight backpack.
Osprey Stratos 34 Specs and Features
- Weight: 2.54 pounds (s/m) and 2.65 pounds (m/l)
- Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 13 inches (s/m) and 24 x 13 x 13 inches (m/l)
- Volume capacity: 32 liters (s/m) and 34 liters (m/l)
Features:
- Separate compartment for your sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad straps that double as external gear attachment
- Zippered hip belt pockets
- Integrated rain cover
- AirSpeed suspension and spacer harness
- Mesh side pockets
- Compression straps
- Sternum straps
- Top and front slash pockets
Built for an Entire Day
The Osprey Stratos 34 was built with enough volume capacity to last for an entire day. With the ability to hold 34 liters worth of gear, you can feel free to stuff it with anything that you might need, including a sleeping bag.
Take this on a trip with you while camping overnight, and you’ll have enough space for it all. We would not recommend that you spend more than 2 days living out of this backpack. This pack was meant to be light.
You may like to read: Osprey Stratos 24 vs 34: It’s Not Just About Size
Pocket Organization
The Osprey Stratos 34 has a main compartment that has a separation between it and the sleeping bag compartment. The sleeping bag compartment is zippered so that no moisture or wetness gets into the sleeping bag.
The main compartment can be accessed through a zippered panel, but not from the top. Even better than accessed from the top is being able to open up the panel completely. This way, review all of your gear. It only requires you to lay the backpack on its back.
For extra storage, the Osprey Stratos 34 has a slash pocket on the top and on the front. These are zippered pockets and serve very well for organizing your smaller items.
This backpack does not have a front slash pocket like many of the other Osprey backpacks. So you must use the main compartment if you are going to be storing your larger items such as large coats and blankets.
Pockets for External Gear
The Osprey Stratos 34 has additional pockets for smaller items. For example, the hip belt features two zippered pockets that you can use to store items that you will need to retrieve quickly as you are hiking.
This backpack has sleeping pad straps that also double as external gear attachment points. If you have trekking poles or ski poles that you would like to attach to it, the sleeping pad straps are perfect.
The mesh side pockets are also pretty great if you want to store your water bottles and your snacks.
Stabilize your Load
This is not just your ordinary backpack. The Osprey Stratos 34 is well-equipped for active hiking. Using the suspension and spacer harness, the gear weight is evenly distributed across your back and hips. The mesh ventilation of the harness prevents sweat build-up.
To further stabilize your load, use the compression straps at the top and bottom of the backpack. After you’ve packed everything up, tighten up the straps so that you hear cannot move as you do.
Clipping the sternum exists on the shoulders, and the backpack will not slide off as you are riding your bicycle or climbing a hill.
Protection from Moisture and Wetness
The Osprey Stratos 34 is made of durable and thick material. Although it is not completely waterproof, it does its job at preventing a lot of wetness from entering the backpack. For complete protection, this backpack has an integrated rain cover that exists at the bottom inside of an external pocket. Retrieve this rain cover anytime you need it and simply slide it back in its compartment when you are done.
Pros
- Has a slim and narrow profile
- Has an integrated rain cover for weather protection
- A day hiking pack that doubles as an overnight pack
Cons
- No front mesh pocket
- Hip belt Pockets are not very big
- Difficult to access the side mesh pockets without stretching your forearms
Osprey Stratos 34 Price
See the latest price of the Osprey 34 directly on Amazon.
- Internal hydration sleeve accommodates up to a 3L reservoir (sold separately)
The Verdict
The Osprey Stratos 34 is simply a solid backpack that serves the purpose intended. It is one of Osprey’s most popular day hiking backpacks. It will protect you from damage from the rain and offers a very comfortable fit. With is padded shoulder harness and weight transfer to the hip belt, this is better than any generic backpack.
Osprey also makes another similar backpack called the Stratos 36. The Stratos 36 has more volume capacity and actually has a removable top. By removing the top, you can make the Stratos 36 just as light as the Stratos 34. If you would like to know more about the differences between these two backpacks, please read our Stratos 34 vs Stratos 36 review.
