Was looking for a proper day-hiking pack, and the Osprey Sirrus 24 fit the bill. My first "real" backpack after suffering too much shoulder pain with a Walmart special for a year (started hiking July 2010), I bought this site unseen based on reviews and videos from all the major trekking websites. Amazon had the cheapest price by a couple bucks so I ordered here. I chose the Medium size for my 5'6" tall, short waisted torso. It fits very well although I keep wanting to shift it up higher to clear my lower back. But the abundant adjustment straps have really helped to give me a near-perfect, comfortable custom fit. Maybe a small would have been better? Definitely follow the measuring guides and get someone to measure you. Go here:I like that this pack is made specifically for a woman. The shoulder pain is gone!!!
The front straps have three zipper compartments, two on the lower belt and one on the shoulder strap at chest height. The chest compartment just fits my Razor cell phone perfectly. If you have anything larger, like an IPhone, forget fitting it in there! In the two lower belt compartments I keep my Nikon Coolpix, tissues, trekking pole tips and lip balm. Wish they were larger as I feel like I'm going to loose things when fishing for something inside them. I have to fight with them to get the camera in and out which is a problem if I want to take a quick pic. Again, a glove-tight fit. They are located at the pelvic side front which is somewhat hard to reach. I would have liked to be able to adjust them to be more toward the front, but Osprey must have designed them this way to keep them out of the way when bending the legs up a steep incline, which is good. The Zipper pulls are ring-shaped and easily grasped. Having the belt compartments zipping closed from front to back (rather than from back to front) would have been more to my liking, as the plastic rings stick out and rub on my arms when hiking sleeveless in the summer. Go twelve miles with this and you have a red welt.
There are three back compartments which vary in size from large to small. The large fully unzipper-able compartment is perfect size for a first aid kit, headlamp, notebook, extra clothes and jacket, everything you need for a fun day, but is not be adequate for overnighters. I like that I can cinch down the load with the attached clasp tabs. In the medium size compartment, I put snacks, sunscreen and insect repellant. It's good for quick access supplies. It has a small license-sized mesh pocket. The small fixed compartment on top is not as easy to access with the pack on, as they advertise. It takes a little acrobatics to get to. But, it has a sewn-in bright orange key hook which is great. This pack needs more pockets inside the compartments!! I scavenged one off my old pack and sewed it into the large compartment, where small things seem to sink down and get lost, never to be found again. The side mesh pockets are good, easy access to water bottles, maps, gloves, etc. but too small for all the sundries I want at my fingertips. The trekking pole holder was one major reason I bought this pack. The how-to video shows a quick, easy process of stowing the poles, but it is not so easy reaching back with poles in hand to get them through the lower elastic cord, then through the front cord, hold the poles, press the toggle release button and pull the cord to tighten it around them. If I had three hands it would be no problem. Also, if you are sleeveless, the whole thing rubs against the tender upper arm area. I have to wrap a bandana around the top of my poles on summer treks to cover them and the protruding cord end. It's still great to put them away and have the hands free though.
One other big reason for purchasing this pack is the stow-away rain cover which I have used more than once so far -no worries about stuff getting wet. The cover is red, good for visibility on a dark day during hunting season. There is also a handy ice pick clasp at the back. You can retrofit it with a camelback too. The 3D tensioned mesh back panel really adds ventilation and comfort, but sheds off some of the surface of my fleece over-jacket.
The colors are beautiful and the look of this pack is so cool. Overall, I love it and would highly recommend it for any day hiker, nubie or veteran.
This is a great backpack for hiking, and decent for city use too. I love the mesh back (no more sweaty back that makes you suddenly chilly when you take a break) and the frame is really amazing. With my old backpack, the same load felt about twice as heavy. The pack (in particular the waist strap) is really well-fitted to the female body. I've 5'4" and small build but I got the medium size because I'll be wearing heavy winter coats for a lot of the year. It cinched down to fit fine for summer hiking in only a tank top, but will definitely be big enough once it's puffy coat season too. A key for day-to-day use, my 17" laptop fits inside (even in a very hefty foam case) without straining the seams. The side mesh pockets are really great with their additional compression straps, although too narrow for a big nalgene which some might find unfortunate. Great for the aluminum type water bottles though. The only major problem is that the pockets are not very well suited for work/school use. For example, the bottom front pocket opens from the bottom of the pack. This is a handy pocket made much less easy to access because of this. This isn't super annoying if you're using the pack for hiking since I usually just toss the pack on its back when I'm getting things out, but in a work or especially in a school setting you're likely to be propping the pack up on its bottom and accessing it from the top, which makes this pocket impossible to get to. I also find the compression straps on the top to be a bit gratuitous. I never end up actually hooking them. But despite this I love the pack, and I think it's a good pack if you need something that works for both going to work/school, and going hiking on the weekends. I would purchase it again.
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I love this pack. The hip pockets fit my camera and my GPS perfectly so that they are easily accessible without removing the pack, while the chest pocket fits my cell phone (an admittedly old LG Banter) snugly. Be sure to try this pack on somewhere before you buy it to ensure that you're getting the right size. When you get the right one, this pack fits like a dream. Hiking, I feel like I'm carrying nothing. The hip and chest belts distribute the weight so well that the pack and everything in it feel like they're part of me. It moves with me as I turn and scramble, and keeps my back from getting that big sweat spot that you get with normal packs.
It can be a bit of a struggle to get a full 3 liter reservoir in the designated pocket. It takes a bit of finagling because of the structure of the frame holding the middle of the pack off your back. I imagine a smaller reservoir would be easier, but I haven't tried it. Once the reservoir is in the pack, though, it easily stays in place and is easily removed later.
I also haven't tried out the grab and go pole system, as I don't generally hike with poles, so unfortunately I can't comment on that. I actually like to keep the end of my water tube in the front loop.
Overall, I don't think I would change anything on this pack. It's comfortable, versatile, and functional. Plus, the purple is gorgeous. I could live in this pack.
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Just like my Stratus, only angled at the hips to shape a woman. Excellent frame and venitilation...suspension away from your back keeps your back cool and sweat free, plus is just plain more comfy. Love their easy to grasp zipper pulls and convenient hip pockets. Great day pack.
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I'm using this as a school backpack. It's great for heavy premed textbooks and the weight is evenly distributed, which is a huge plus since i walk a lot and commute by bike. Mesh backing is great for keeping my back sweat-free. It's a little on the small side but manageable if you pack smart. Side pocketsare great for oatmeal/lunch sack and a water bottle. Rain fly comes in handy when it's drizzling outside.
Like the subject says I'm a guy so looks are not important but it's not pink or purple so it works. The functionality is important to me. So lots of pockets, also has a small fold out hanging pad which was pretty cool. Mainly though, if you are a person who likes to go out with you infant or toddler then this is a must. Comfortable on your back and frees up a hand. Plus you don't look like your holding a Vera Wang man bag that's can hold an entire box of diapers and wipes. Overall it is what it is, an alternative that is functionally superior then a regular diaper bag.
