Osprey Stratos 24 Review: A 24-Litre Hiking Pack Built for Warm-Weather Days

Introduction

Osprey builds an unusually broad range of backpacks, and the Stratos 24 sits in the middle of it as a 24-litre pack designed specifically for walking and hiking. It arrives with a detachable rain cover, a suspended mesh back panel and a pocket layout aimed at full days on the trail rather than commuting or travel. This review covers what the pack does well, where it asks for a small compromise, and which hikers will get the most out of it.

Who This Backpack Is For

The Stratos 24 is a day pack. At 24 litres it holds a waterproof layer, food, water, a warm mid layer and a few small extras without becoming a burden on a long walk. The pack measures 56 cm from top to bottom, 30 cm from side to side and 30 cm from front to rear when fully packed.

At 1.3 kg it is not the lightest option in the 24-litre class, and it is not trying to be. The frame, the suspended back panel and the padding on the shoulder straps and hip belt are all part of the structure, and they are the reason the pack carries comfortably rather than simply carrying little.

It suits walkers and hikers who want one pack for regular day routes, from lowland paths to hill days, and who value organisation over the absolute minimum weight. Because the Osprey range is so large, and choosing between models can be genuinely difficult, the fact that this one is purpose-built for walking and hiking removes some of the guesswork.

Main Strengths

The most useful inclusion is the detachable rain cover. Comparable packs in the same range may not ship with one, which means buying it separately, so having it supplied is a real practical advantage: it keeps your belongings dry and removes the need to carry a separate dry bag for the pack itself.

Storage is generous for the capacity. There is a large main compartment, a hydration sleeve with a hose port, a mesh pocket accessed from the top of the pack, a zipped pocket for a phone and wallet, a stash pocket for a waterproof jacket, and two fully zipped side pockets that stay within easy reach while you walk.

Attachment points cover the usual hiking needs, including an ice axe loop and a walking pole carry for anyone who uses poles.

The AirSpeed Back System

The feature that defines the Stratos 24 is its AirSpeed back panel. A frame tensions a mesh panel so the pack body is held away from your back and the two never touch. In warm weather this makes a noticeable difference, reducing the sweat that builds up against a conventional flat back panel, and it also keeps the pack comfortable over long stretches.

The padding matches that approach. The shoulder straps and hip pads are thick and airy rather than thin and minimal, which spreads the load and keeps pressure points to a minimum. The back length is fully adjustable as well, so the pack can be tuned to your torso and to how heavily you load it.

Storage and Organisation

The main compartment is larger than the 24-litre figure might suggest, and it closes with two clips at the top. The hydration sleeve sits inside it, with a port for the hose so you can route the tube down and clip it to a shoulder strap. If you are used to loading a bladder from the top of a pack, this is a slightly different routine worth knowing about before you buy.

The top-access mesh pocket is one of the more practical touches. Because it opens from above rather than from inside the main body, sunglasses or small items can be stashed and retrieved without unpacking anything else. A second zipped pocket handles valuables, a phone or a wallet, and a third stash pocket takes a folded waterproof. Two fully zipped side pockets sit within easy reach for snacks on the move.

Comfort, Padding and Adjustment

Comfort is where the Stratos 24 justifies its weight. The suspended panel, the padded shoulder straps and the padded hip belt work together, and the fully adjustable back means the fit can be dialled in rather than simply accepted as it comes out of the box.

That combination is most valuable on long days and in warm conditions, when a pack that presses flat against your back becomes uncomfortable well before the walk is over. Loaded sensibly for a day out, the Stratos 24 stays stable and keeps the weight on the hips.

Things to Consider Before Buying

At 1.3 kg, this is not the lightest 24-litre pack available. The weight buys the frame, the suspended back and the padding, so the trade-off is deliberate, but anyone counting grams should weigh it against the comfort on offer.

Capacity is the other consideration. Twenty-four litres is a day-pack figure and it is not intended for multi-day trips with camping gear. It is best treated as a pack for full day walks rather than overnight loads.

The rain cover is detachable, which is convenient but also means it can be left behind or mislaid between trips. The hydration bladder loads through the main compartment rather than from the top of the pack, which some hikers prefer and others do not. Finally, the Osprey range is extensive, so it is worth confirming that a hiking-specific design is what you want before comparing it with lighter, more minimal alternatives.

Buying Advice

The Stratos 24 is priced at around £120. That places it at the same price point as the smaller Talon 22 in the same range, which does not include a rain cover, so on a like-for-like basis the Stratos 24 looks like the stronger value of the two.

If your walking is mostly day hikes in mixed weather and you want a pack that carries comfortably in the heat, the Stratos 24 is easy to recommend weighing seriously. If you need to move fast and light over long distances, or you need capacity for overnight trips, the lighter and larger options in the range will suit you better.

Conclusion

The Osprey Stratos 24 is a focused hiking pack: a supplied rain cover, a suspended back panel that keeps you cooler, generous organisation for its size and a fully adjustable fit. Its 1.3 kg weight and 24-litre capacity define exactly what it is for, and for regular day walks it is a well-rounded choice.