REVAMPED FOR 2026, Osprey’s Stratos (men’s) and Sirrus (women’s) backpack series offers a little something for just about everyone. Available in 24L, 34L, 36L and 44L volumes (designs and features differ accordingly), the extensive Stratos/Sirrus range caters to various walking pursuits, from short and light daywalks to adventures spanning several days. Given our trips are predominantly 2+ days, sprinkled intermittently with shorter wanderings, my wife and I opted for the versatility of the 36L and 44L variants respectively.
Straight off the bat, the construction and materials of the Stratos/Sirrus show Osprey isn’t messing about, striking an impressive balance of weight, comfort and durability. New for 2026, the Bluesign-approved 210D and 420D recycled-nylon fabrics (which are DWR treated but free from PFC and PFAS) give you the confidence that your new pack won’t get holes in it just by looking at it.
Refined in this latest iteration is what Osprey calls the Airspeed ventilation system, which comprises a suspended-mesh backpanel and powder-coated Lightwire frame. While I can’t guarantee Osprey’s claim that the Airspeed system has up to 40% more breathability than the previous model, I certainly appreciated the air flow, having been almost exclusively using prolifically sweaty, non-suspended backpacks for the last two years. And although I was initially concerned that the injection-moulded torso adjustment—which, on the 36L and 44L models, has a plastic panel with five adjustments for fine tuning of the pack’s fit—would cause a pressure point on my back, once loaded up, I didn’t notice it at all. The die-cut EVA-foam padding, even if a little on the firm side, also hits a comfort sweet spot: not excessively thin or light, nor overly thick and bulky.
In typical Osprey fashion, there’s a multitude of zips, pockets, straps and clips on the Stratos/Sirrus which enable all sorts of access and storage: a zippered front stash pocket; sizeable hip-belt pockets; an internal hydration sleeve; reinforced drink-bottle side pockets; accessory straps on the lower front panel; attachments for trekking poles; and even an ice-axe loop. All but the 24L version of the Stratos/Sirrus have a zippered lower-access compartment with a divider to aid with gear organisation, while the 36L and 44L versions have hidden vertical side zips which provide internal access, although this isn’t overly helpful if using a pack liner. All models come handily equipped with a (removable) rain cover, too, which stashes away in the bottom of the pack.
If I had a gripe with the packs, it’s the fixed nature of their volumes. Unlike many other Osprey packs with floating lids and stretch-mesh external pockets, the Stratos/Sirrus 44/36 hoods are fixed. It means that, although the packs have good storage capacity and all manner of nooks and crannies, you can’t simply lift the lid to increase the capacity a little. Meanwhile, their zippered front pockets for quick-access items—like a jacket—eat a bit into their usable internal spaces. It means the packs’ volumes aren’t expandable in any meaningful way.
All in all, though, the subtle but impactful changes in the 2026 iteration of Osprey’s Stratos/Sirrus lineup make them an ideal choice for environmentally conscious hikers looking for a comfortable, durable and versatile pack.
The Details:
INTENDED USE: Day & multi-day hiking
PPFC/PFAS-free?: Yes
WEIGHT (as tested): Stratos 44: 1.69kg, Sirrus 36: 1.51kg
RRP: Stratos 44: $399, Sirrus 36: $380
For more information ospreyaustralia.com.au
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