Osprey Stratos 36 Review: Is this Hiking Backpack Big Enough?

This Osprey Stratos 36 review is for those who love hiking but need a little extra space for their things. The Stratos 36 is perfect for overnight backpacking. It holds a large volume and comes with a zippered sleeping bag compartment, along with sleeping pad straps.

Osprey Stratos 36 Specifications

Preview
Osprey Stratos 36
Osprey Stratos 36 Men's Hiking Backpack, Black, Medium/Large
Title
Osprey Stratos 36 Men's Hiking Backpack, Black, Medium/Large
Price
Price not available
Capacity
36 L
Weight
3.17 lbs
Stow-On-The-Go Pole Attachment
Yes
Backpanel
Airspeed
Sleeping Bag Compartment
Yes
Integrated Raincover
Yes
More Information
Osprey Stratos 36
Preview
Osprey Stratos 36 Men's Hiking Backpack, Black, Medium/Large
Title
Osprey Stratos 36 Men's Hiking Backpack, Black, Medium/Large
Price
Price not available
Capacity
36 L
Weight
3.17 lbs
Stow-On-The-Go Pole Attachment
Yes
Backpanel
Airspeed
Sleeping Bag Compartment
Yes
Integrated Raincover
Yes
More Information

Osprey Stratos 36 Features:

  • Integrated protection from the rain
  • Zippered sleeping bag compartment
  • Sleeping pad straps that double as gear attachments
  • Mesh side pockets
  • Upper and lower compression straps
  • Sternum straps on the shoulder harness
  • Ventilated mesh on back panel
  • ErgoPull comfort hip belt
  • Trekking pole attachment
  • Bungee tie-off attachment
  • Drawstring closure to top for the main compartment
  • Airspeed suspension harness or even weight transfer

Osprey Stratos Review

What Osprey Stratos 36 is Made For

The Osprey Stratos 36 holds a volume capacity of about 36 liters. The most voluminous Osprey backpacks hold about 70 liters. This makes it only half the size of week-long hiking back. It is not even quite the size of a weekend backpack, which is larger than a one-day hiking backpack.

Since it does include the sleeping bag compartment, you can use it for overnight stays.

Organization for your Gear

The main compartment of the backpack is accessible through a large panel zippered access. You can open the panel completely to expose all of the contents. But you can also access the main compartment through a drawstring at the top.

Perhaps one of the best features of the Stratos 36 is the removable top lid. The top lid has its own pocket compartment that you can use to store extra items. But you can remove this completely to make the backpack later. This, along with the compression straps, can reduce its footprint.

Osprey Stratos 36 M/L Pack Gator Green (36 Liter)

The Stratos 36, like most Osprey backpacks, has mesh side pockets where you can store your water bottles. Since this backpack does not have an external hydration compartment, this is key in order to keep yourself hydrated.

Separated from the main compartment is a zippered sleeping that compartment. This way, you can have a sleeping bag that is nice and dry at night. But a sleeping bag would not be complete without a sleeping pad. The Stratos 36 comes with sleeping pad straps. If you will not be using the straps for a sleeping pad, you can use them instead for attaching ski poles and other equipment such as knives.

Comfort and Flexibility

Comfort is key when it comes to a full day of hiking. You would not want to be stuck with an achy back. The Stratos 36 has a back panel that is made with AirSpeed suspension, a trademark design of Osprey. The special suspension helps to transfer the weight evenly from your back to the hip belt. This way, your hips do some of the work and relieve your back from a lot of pressure.

Osprey Stratos 36 Hiking Backpack Small/Medium Black

So that your backpack does not slide off of your shoulders as you are moving, the shoulder straps come connected with a sternum strap. The sternum strap also has a whistle buckle you can use as a safety feature. Whistles keep bears away. Making plenty of noise on a hiking path is essential to letting bears know that there are humans around and that they should stay away.

The back panel has a ventilated mesh to help prevent sweat build-up. It makes it feel super comfortable on the back as it does not stick to your skin and has low friction.

The hip belt closure is an ErgoPull design of Osprey’s. This means that, unlike other hip belts that are not very adjustable, this one can be adjusted within 3 inches of its original size. While some other backpack hip belts are difficult to close if wearing lots of layers, ErgoPull hip belts are far easier to adjust and have lots of compromises.

Attachment loops for your external gear

Apart from the sleeping pad straps that double as attachment loops, the Stratos 36 also has bungee tie-offs around its front panel. Attach some ski poles or some machettes onto this bungee cord. If you do not want to use up the space in your main compartment, you can attach a heavy parka to this using rope.

Osprey Stratos 36 S/M Pack Black (33 Liter)

The Stratos 36 is also made with trekking pole attachments. Trekking as a sport that has gained popularity over the past few years, and most grade backpacks include this feature.

Rain Protection

Instead of using garbage bags to protect your gear, the Stratos 36 comes with an integrated rain cover. This is a very important feature, and not to be taken lightly. It does rain quite often on a hike, and getting your gear wet or moist is just a pain. Keep your gear completely dry and pull this rain cover over the entirety of your backpack.

Osprey Stratos 36 Pros and Cons

Pros

  • A very comfortable hip belt fit that has a lot of slack
  • Great for external gear with trekking pole attachment and bungee tie-offs
  • Two access points to the main compartment
  • Comes with an integrated rain cover

Cons

  • Does not have a front stretch mesh pocket
  • Does not come with an external hydration sleeve

Where to Buy the Osprey Stratos 36

Go to Amazon to view the latest price of the Osprey Stratos 36L hiking backpack.

Osprey Stratos 36 Men's Hiking Backpack, Black,...
  • Internal hydration sleeve accommodates up to a 3L reservoir (sold separately)

Osprey Stratos 36 Review: The Verdict

Is Osprey Stratos 36L Backpack Big Enough for Your Next Hike?

The Osprey Stratos 36 comes with all the features that you would need for a day-long hike. Or, use it as an overnight backpack with the sleeping bag compartment and sleeping pad straps. It does not come with every bell and whistle from Osprey, but this keeps it nice and light. It is semi-minimalistic but with the extra oomph that gives it enough appeal for those who love comfort.

The Stratos 36 is very much like the Stratos 34 in most of its features. The main difference is that the Stratos 36 has a removable top lid. We like the Stratos 34, but prefer the Stratos 36 for the fact that when the tablet is removed, and the footprint is just as small as the 34. To see the differences, please see our Stratos 34 vs Stratos 36 review.

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