The latest Stratos 24: www.trekitt.co.uk/facetresults.aspx?Term=stratos%2024 The latest Stratos 26: www.trekitt.co.uk/facetresults.aspx?Term=stratos%2026
The ice axe bungee cord came assembled wrong from the factory and it took a few replays of your video from @6:28 to work out how it was supposed to be assembled!! Thank you!
Have had a Stratos 24 since 2016. It is still in great shape. Lacks a couple of the features of the newer models but I have used it as a daypack, for travel and even as an urban office bag.. It has functioned flawlessly and I consider it one of the best bang for buck purchases I have ever made. Great review btw. You have got a new subscriber. Best wishes from OK.
Without doubt, the single best backpack i have ever owned and ive probably owned about 50 in my lifetime. up to 10kg, you wont even know you’ve got in on your back.
Very good review, thanks! I bought a Stratos 26 today and it feels like the "Porsche among the backpacks". Very comfortable, great features. Only the rain cover pocket at the bottom could be a bit bigger - I always stored a small first aid kit there too - and the opening at the top is a bit fiddly (cord mechanism) but okay. The Peak Design Camera Clip also fits perfectly onto the straps! (I had a Salewa Alp Trainer 25 first and it wasn't very comfortable with load over 5 kilo - but the Salewa looks gorgeous!)
I agree, it does feel high end once you get your hands on it. Also good to hear the camera clip fits onto the shoulder straps as I've been considering one! Harry.
Good review. A word of warning though. I have a few Osprey packs but I've also sent two back because of the AirSpeed back panel. Both developed mind numbing squeaks early on. Doesn't seem happen with all of them but it's a pretty common complaint. And both times Osprey pretty much said 'deal with it.' On the other hand, I've sent packs that were beat to hell in for repair and they've replaced them with new packs.
I've found the "stow on the go" feature to be so convenient on short but steep rock climbs where you need to use your hands and that are often found in three thousand peaks in the Pyrenees. Not having to take off your pack to strap them to the front, or worst, leave them hanging from your wrists while they get on your way climbing (which is very common and potentially a hazard) it feels amazing.
Having watched a few dozen of your reviews, you have become my most trusted source of hiking gear information. Clear, detailed, but you still managed to be concise and interesting. Not bad for a bloody Brit. :) And after overcoming a neurological disorder, I just went for my first hike in 3 years. Looking forward to using my new "cracking piece of kit". Whatever the hell that means in actual English. :) Love what you do.
Thanks for a great detailed review. I'm very interested in this pack for h Day hiking with small children and day trips around to parks, zoos and anywhere.else. I think I just need to try one out to make sure it's a good fit
Thanks - useful comparison and good feature lists. Interesting about back length too - assumed that taller = longer back length but not necessarily the case is it! All the best.
Great job w/ the review. Osprey has some awesome features for their small day packs unlike other packs of similar size. I just saw the 24 for $130 shipped.
Just one way I'm afraid. From memory, I can't remember which ones have two exits. I can check our stock in the shop, but I wouldn't be able to do this until Friday. Harry
I have one and used for day walks. Personally I found it too small for all my bits and bobs. Great back system but over engineered for the weight. Gone back to my exos 48 at 1kg.only my opinion. I would say it is good value for money.
Hi Peter, thanks for your feedback. The Exos is certainly a much lighter pack and intended for those wishing to keep the weight to an absolute minimum. Thanks for watching.
I made a mispurchase and got myself a Deuter Futura Vario 50+10, which is too heavy (2080g) for dayhikes. Now I'm looking at the Stratos 26 weighing in at 1260g for 26 liters and the Talon 18 weighing in at only 630g. The question is: are the 820g difference between the Deuter and the Stratos 26 enough of a difference to make a purchase? Or should I go the other extreme and get the Talon 18? (It'll also make the decision easier, which pack to take for a specific hike, ha!)
Wow, you've got some very different sizes there! We've used the Stratos extensively and have never found it too heavy. We'd recommend looking at the size of the bag comparative to the amount of kit you take on a walk rather than the overall weight, as the Talon 18 won't be enough for winter walking if you're out all day. The Stratos 26 is by far the best all-rounder out of the options above.
@@trekitt I already have the Futura Vario and I'd probably use the Stratos 26 most of the time, since it's so similar to the Futura Vario, whereas with the Talon 18, I'd use that for the summer and the Futura Vario for the winter.
Hi, I am looking to get one of these for a gift so learning as I’m going. I read these two models have the internal hydration sleeve. From what you’ve said here do I have to purchase the bladder to go into the sleeve separately and is there a model that it comes with. Thank you in advance for any help you may provide. Many thanks, Sharon.
Hi Sharon. Both Stratos packs have an internal hydration sleeve. They are not supplied with a bladder, that's down to your personal preference regarding capacity and brand etc. Have a look at our range here - www.trekitt.co.uk/hydration-systems Personally I have used both Source and Osprey bladders, I particularly like the wide opening so you can clean and refill really easily. For most users a 2/2.5 litre bladder is perfect for day hikes. Top-tip, empty your bladder and hose completely and then store them in the freezer, this will stop any nasty bacterial growth inside. When you want to use it, simply fill it with cold water and any internal ice build up will defrost quickly. Thanks for watching. Paul.
Hi Paul, thank you for taking the time to give me so much information. After reading through all the information provided on the webpage combined with your advice I feel I can now make an educated purchase and as I know nothing about these products it will be very much appreciated by my husband. Kind regards, Sharon.
Hello! :) I’m trying to decide between stratos 24 and talon 22..! I usually dayhike and carry around a lot of camera gear. Which one would you recommend? In what way? Many thanks!!
Great review thank you. I am currently looking to get this or the skarab 30 as both fit in carry-on luggage. The main difference is the skarab doesn't have the same support system which keeps the pack away from your back. I am going for a 6 day hike, but carrying only clothes, my 3l hydration pack and valuables so both are big enough. Would you say the support system is a major plus here or would the skarab do just fine? Unfortunately I can't try in store due to covid etc.
Hi, both packs would be suitable for your needs. However, the trampoline back system on the Stratos will provide far more ventilation to your back, making a major advantage in warmer conditions. Thanks for watching.
Paul is 6ft 3", but has a fairly short back relative to his height. Both bags are one-size-fits-all, so it's just a case of adjusting the back length to suit you. We have a good video on how to do this here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Sl1yJakKp-4.html
Do you (or does anyone!) find the stratos works up your back a bit? I keep having to pull my jacket/top down with it... love the bag but it's frustrating having to hoik it down all the time.. even after adjustment. It's rubbed around the base of my insulated jacket and started to work some of the down out of the stitching as a result.
I have the Stratos 24 as my filming bag for shorter trips and I've not personally found this. It might just be that the lower of the frame is sitting slightly differently on you, unfortunately causing some discomfort. Packs are a difficult thing to get right so I definitely empathise.
Great review! I am tossing between the two. According to the specs I saw, 26 height is 64cm and 24 is 50cm is that right? That's a lot of difference in size.
According to Osprey's website, the 24 is 56cm tall and the 26 is 64cm tall. The 24 is shorter and wider, whereas the 26 is taller and narrower due to its top-loading design. Kind regards, Harry.
Hi, have you tried the Lowe alpine trail 30 and how would you rate the airzone vent system against the stratos system for ventilation and sweat. Thanks
Both systems are incredibly similar and offer huge amounts of ventilation. You won’t go far wrong with either. Your choice will be determined by the packs features, or even colour! Thanks for watching. Paul.
Theoretically they should both work as carry-on luggage without any issues, but it's worth checking the dimensions of your chosen airline first as the 26 is taller (64cm(h) x 30cm(w) x 31cm(d). Kind regards, Harry.
Did anyone use a Jack Wolfskin ACS 26 / Orbit 26? How do they compare with the Stratos 26? I've rented an ACS 26 before and found it very comfortable, but I wonder if I should opt for the stratos instead. Sadly both are out of stock at most places, cannot compare them directly on my back anymore.
Hi Alex, I'm afraid that we have no direct experience of the Jack Wolfskin pack that you mention and are therefore unable to compare. We have the 24 currently in stock and have a delivery due any day of the other sizes - www.trekitt.co.uk/33291/products/osprey-stratos-24-eclipse-blue.aspx.
Great review, thanks! Looking at differences between these and the talon range which offers best support for your back? Love the feel of the talon's and worried the trampoline has pressure points at the bottom...or am I worrying about nothing?
The Stratos range will offer greater support and stability, however the Talon is lighter and more flexible. In regard to the pressure points, as long as you get the size correct, you should be fine! We'd recommend trying both sizes on to make sure you're happy with the fit before purchasing.
@@trekitt thanks for that. I don't suppose you have any experience or feedback from other people on the durability of the talon? The light weight nature standing up to spiky branches and what not for example?
@@MrPGFH Several members of staff here at Trekitt have had the Talon for upwards of 8 years and have found them to be suitably durable for almost all outdoor use.
It's more technical than a Hikelite and will carry slightly heavier loads more effectively. The Hikelite is more suitable for commuting and light walking, whereas the Stratos is better as a daypack in the mountains/countryside.
The Stratos 26 retails at £100 and the 24 retails at £95, however we offer 10% off both, making them £90 and £85.50 on our website. You can find them here: www.trekitt.co.uk/rucksacks/21-30l?Term=stratos
I'm looking for a daypack for hiking Annapurna trails in Nepal. I'm stuck between the Hikelike 26 (hás airspeed but lacks hip support), the Talon 22 (has hip support, but nót airspeed) and this one. Any advice on this one? Is there a lot of difference in back ventilation between the talon and the stratos? I think i do want the hip support so the hikelite is on the botton, although the back ventilated pocket is better than the other two… aargh, choices :P
We'd say it was between the Talon and Stratos. Talon is a more versatile bag which can be used for walking, climbing, scrambling, biking etc, so if you're planning to carry out a series of activities then choose that. The Stratos will be far more comfortable as a walking pack though, as it has a suspended backsystem, a thicker padding on the shoulder straps and a more supportive hipbelt. We would recommending using the hipbelt as it will take the weight off your shoulders and places it through your legs, meaning you'll feel less achy and fatigued at the end of the day. Kind regards, Harry.
@@trekitt Thank you! Went for the Stratos and used it on a 10 mile hike in Germany last weekend; absolute top notch bag on the comfort side! Roomy enough for a day pack. It rained all day; the cover kept everything dry
@@Moneyalmenial Personally I'd go for the Talon as it'll move with your back a little more when running. The Hikelite is fantastic for cycling and walking, but tends to bounce when running.
