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

Osprey rain covers are top quality. Even in the most torrential rainstorms, my gear has stayed safe and dry within the internal compartment. 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.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-belt Something you should know right out of the gate – one of the best parts about Osprey’s products is their lifetime warranty (called the All Mighty Guarantee!). This design accomplishes two things. First, it saves weight by eliminating a separate compartment. And second, it protects the main cavity from moisture.

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. The versatility of the Osprey Stratos 36 is why it is the ideal candidate for a hiking/ lightweight travel bag. Even if you don’t plan on traveling/hiking with a sleeping bag, I find the compartment diver to be super handy for storing things like shoes, a sleeping pad, or even your dirty laundry. You can easily get a nice hydration reservoir setup going with the Stratos 36. Osprey Stratos 36 Rain Cover: Is it Included? You can fit everything you need for a variety of travel/hiking adventures into the Osprey Stratos 36.I know, it’s a bit confusing. It’s kind of like how you would fold over a burrito to enclose the inside. 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. Going with a small travel bag doesn’t mean you will be walking the streets of Bangkok in a loincloth. The Osprey Stratos 36 may be small, but you can still fit plenty of stuff inside.