I bought this pack and really like it! The suspension is great for hiking when it is warmer, and it really helps keep you cool! It has lots of pockets and adjustments to help you size it just for your body. If you have never owned a pack like this, I recommend going to a good sporting goods store (like REI) to have them show you how to size it and work all of the straps and belts. The only downside I have seen is when hiking in the winter, it can be almost too small if you want to carry or stash extra layers. I can usually fit extra gloves, a hat, neck gaiter, a fleece, and a rain jacket in addition to some smaller accessories. Again, it can be kind of tight with all of this, but so far it hasn't been an issue. If you are looking to carry any more than what you might need for a couple hour hike in cold conditions, I would suggest getting a larger size and possibly a pack that has a draw string top closure. My husband has the Stratos 36 and that seems to be perfect for his needs (as well as anything I don't want to shove in my pack)!

Awesome pack for a thru R2R hike across the Grand Canyon. 3L bladder fit great and held just the right amount of water to get me to the next water stop. The pack still had plenty of room for change of clothes, med supplies, accessories and food, food, food!

Fit comfortable enough to run with when I hit the flat grounds. Didn't even move or feel it on my back when climbing the rocks over the waterfalls.

Only issue; I am an organizational nut so I would have loved to have another chest strap pouch or another small pouch on the back, similar to the one where the Osprey logo is imprinted.

Perfect pack for a long hike and then some!

I bought this pack to facilitate running to work (4.5 miles one way) on the weeks that I am on call and have to take my laptop home with me. My requirements were that I needed a pack that would allow me to strap my laptop securely to my body to minimize bouncing and yet allow me to run relatively comfortably.

We are a single-car family. My normal mode of operation is to have my wife drop me off at work on Monday with clothing and food for the week. Then, I run to and from work during the week and on Friday she picks me up after work so that I can take home my dirty clothes and empty food containers to prepare for the next week. For normal weeks, I only carry a small fanny pack to and from work -- enough to hold my ID badge and one or two small items. My job requirements recently changed such that one week out of five I will be on call and will need to take my laptop computer home with me each night. I purchased this pack after my running consistency was wrecked during the first week that I was on call. Though I have yet to have a turn in the pager rotation since I bought the pack, I have used it twice to commute and once just as a test running from home.

For running, I find that trying to fit the pack as recommended does not work for me. With the hip belt resting on my hips, there was too much bouncing and after I adjusted the shoulder straps to reduce the bouncing, the hip belt was resting well above my hips. I just snugged it up where it rested and it seems to work well. My pack is a medium. I thought of returning it for a large sized pack, but I think that I would still have the hip belt pulled up off of my hips and this one should be sized appropriately if I ever use it for hiking.

Positives:

* It works. I am able to run the 4.5 miles between work and home with my laptop with minimal bouncing once I get the straps adjusted. I do sometimes have to readjust straps while en route, but that is easy to do. It is great that I won't have my training disrupted so much the next time that I'm carrying the pager and that I won't need to get a ride home when I occasionally have to bring my laptop home for some after-hours work.

* Compression straps. The compression straps hold the laptop securely to prevent bouncing.

* AirSpeed suspension. I really like this. Though I do get warmer wearing the pack, I sometimes feel a refreshing breeze blow across my back. Very nice.

* Rain cover. Though I have not used it, I appreciate the fact that it has an integrated rain cover in the event that I get caught in the rain between home and work.

Negatives:

* The Stow on the Go trekking pole attachment on the left shoulder strap rubbed the inside of my arm a couple of times when I was reaching to adjust straps or wipe sweat from my brow. It seemed like something that could cause chafing if I ever did decide to run farther than 4.5 miles. Since I will never be using trekking poles, I cut it off. Problem solved.

This pack definitely allows me to do what I want to do even though "running commute" is not listed among the recommended uses. Personally, I would recommend that a person try to avoid running with a backpack if possible because it is simply nicer to run without one. If, however, you cannot avoid it, I think that this pack can work well.

Awesome design--breathable and comfortable. I use this on an almost daily basis, whether for bike commutes to work, long walks when I want to carry extra water/insulating layers/camera/etc, and even overnight backpacking excursions (this may seem crazy, but a 22 L pack is a fine amount of room for warm weather backpacking, especially if you're a smaller person and a minimalist packer). The frame is so well-designed the pack feels weightless and the sizing is spot-on for me (I'm about 5'4" and 110# and I have a Small). I don't use hydration bladders, but I love the big mesh pockets on both sides of the Stratos--excellent water bottle storage and access, compared to many packs which sport pockets that seem designed to fit only one particular brand of bottle. Bought this as a do-it-all replacement after my well-loved and well-traveled messenger bag was stolen, and in the time I've had it, the Osprey has done an exceptional job helping me overcome my loss!

I love my backpack. I ride my bike everywhere and this pack, although a little longer (comes up a little past my neck when riding) than i had anticipated its super comfy to walk and ride with and things dont sag or get in your way because of the sweet back support. The mesh back plate also keeps my back relatively sweat free which makes me feel less gross coming into a class room after a hard ride up some hills. Perfect space for laptop and books and acts as a great long day hike pack too.

Just spent a week in Big Bend doing field mapping for a structural geology class, so my needs were fairly broad. Hiking from 9-4 in 90 degree heat while having to carry various mapping supplies. In a nutshell, it provided on all counts. Initially, i was a bit worried to jump on the new version since the older one got such glowing reviews, but this version has a rain cover and it like 30 bucks cheaper, so i went for it. holds a THREE LITER camelback full to capacity with water. Still had room for a bulky digital SLR, bulky clipboard, field notebook, protractor, brunton, ruler, GPS, rain gear, food, and had room to spare. Just perfect, even the elephant skin limestone (notorious for just tearing everything apart) was no match for the stratos at the weeks end.

This pack is boss, enough said.

This was my 3rd Osprey Pack. This pack is perfect for a heavy day hike. If you can afford light weight backpacking gear you can use this as and day/overnight pack. Comfortable, Breathable, and it has a built in rain cover. My back hardly get sweatly when whereing this pack. I would suggest going to Osprey's website for more detailed pictures and descriptions. Only con is that that the very top pocket, for holding snackbar and other things for quick access, is lined with the same mesh netting as the lumbar pockets....it grips pointed objects when you pull them out of there. My 2liter Camelbak Bladder fits it nice also.

I love this pack. It breathes great on the backpanel and the pockets in the waist belt and the shoulder are great
The side pockets actually will hold a 1 liter bottle on each side as well-for those of us that hate camelbacks/water hoses. My only complaint, as with all osprey packs, is that they wear out under the spring frame on the bottom pretty easily and they are not meant for abuse. And i wish there was two ice tool slots for those odd days when you want an ultralight, small, breathable backpanel pack but will be climbing steep couloirs.

I've been day hiking with this pack a lot during the spring thaw in Colorado. I tried on a bunch of packs and this one fits so well since it comes in three sizes. Venting, organization and fit are excellent.

STratos24 is a slightly dumbed-down version of Osprey's top-of-the-line technical daypack, Atmos 25, which is unfortunately not available in the US. The main difference is that Atmos has perforated shoulder straps and hipbelt, two attachment points, so you can cary two ice tools or an ice axe and a piar of trekking poles, and a stretch front shove-it pocket. This is also the second iteration for Stratos series, and it ditches the uncomfortable cross-rod suspension of the original Stratos, and instead borrows the excellent AirSpeed suspension of the Atmos series. This technical daypack is as good as they come. The only other pack worth looking at is the GregoryZ30, which carries just as well, and should be on your list if you cannot live without a traditional top pocket. Otherwise the Stratos is a typical Osprey- flawless fit, top quality build, and well thought-out design.

I use this for school, travel, hikes and bikes. Fits great, venting is great, and serves all of my purposes very well. Got a 2L hydration bladder and it works perfectly with the pack. Great value, I highly recommend.