In the end, finding the right balance of weight vs. performance is a personal choice. That said, I found the Osprey Stratos 36 to be just the right combination to cover my day hiking, travel, and overnight camping needs. Say F*** You to Airlines and their Baggage Fees liters does have its limits—though it also comes with a certain freedom. Having less stuff is truly a blessing. In addition to your physical body being more able to move with less restrictions, in an age of hyper-consumerism, cutting down on useless shit in your life is a liberating feeling. Having recently come off of 15 months of traveling, I can’t emphasize enough how good it felt to simply own and travel with less.

This presented a problem when carrying any rigid items like a cellphone or bar. As I tightened the waist belt, those objects would dig into my hips and become uncomfortable. That said many of the closest competitors of the Osprey Stratos 36 are either on one side or the other (hiking or travel). You see where I’m going with this… William Lobley is a Deputy Commercial Content Editor and reviewer for Whats The Best, specialising in technology, gaming and the outdoors.The main headline of the Altvia line focuses on sustainability. The full line is made with 100% recycled nylon and features a nonfluorinated (PFC-free) DWR finish.

Under a lid entry, and attached to the main compartment, this extension material offers up some extra protection. The drawcord closure allows the main compartment, and therefore your stored kit, to be sealed off separately from the lid. Hip-beltThis design accomplishes two things. First, it saves weight by eliminating a separate compartment. And second, it protects the main cavity from moisture. If you are the kind of minimalist traveler who enjoys a lightweight travel bag that is ready to hit the trail at a moment’s notice, look no further than the Osprey Stratos 36. Osprey rain covers are top quality. Even in the most torrential rainstorms, my gear has stayed safe and dry within the internal compartment.