Osprey Sirrus 24 Day Pack
A good pack for longer day hikes where you may be carrying more weight. Note: This is a review of the older version of the Sirrus. There is a new version for 2017.
Name: Osprey Sirrus 24 Pack - Women's
Specs:
Size: 24 Liters
Weight: 2 lbs 5 oz (S/M)
Number of Compartments: 3
Access: Top
Tool Attachment Loops: 1
Material: Ripstop Nylon
External Pouch: No
Hydration Sleeve: Yes, Internal
Frame: Aluminum
MSRP: $120
What I Like:
Comfort: This is probably the most comfortable day pack I have ever owned, to date. This pack, like Osprey backpacking packs has the breathable, mesh back panel with ample airflow. The lightly padded hip belt is helpful to have if you're carrying heavier loads, so you can distribute the weight to your hips. The shoulder straps are well padded, though can cause a rash if you're wearing a tank top & sweating.
Integrated Raincover: What's nice about this pack is you don't need to purchase an extra rain cover for this pack, because it's built in to the bottom of the pack! Super easy to deploy, and fits over the pack nicely. Also very easy to stuff back into its pocket! This is obviously really nice so you don't have to always remember to bring a rain cover, and if unexpected weather moves in, your pack is covered!
What I Don't Like:
Space/ Size: I thought that 24 L would be fine for a day hiking backpack, and generally it is. However, the problem I have with this pack is that a full hydration bladder just takes up SO much room in the main compartment. It bulges into the space, making it difficult to fit stuff in there. I am also not a fan of the small pockets on the top of the pack. One is larger than the other, but it's placement is right above the hydration bladder, and the hose winding out of the pack through one of the ports kind of gets in the way of this pocket. The other small top pocket is where the "Osprey" logo is, and its pretty small. You can shove a couple of snacks in it, plus maybe your chapstick & sunscreen. Overall, it just doesn't feel like a lot of space.
The "Extras": There are a fews things on here that I don't use and just kind of get in the way. One is the compression straps at the top/ on the sides that buckle to the front of the pack. I don't use them, because I'm not carrying enough weight that I need to stabilize the pack. So I never buckle them because then they just get in the way of unzipping the pack. Now they just dangle around. There's also buckle straps at the bottom that sort of block the rain cover pocket. What are they for? A sit pad maybe? I find them useless.
Lack of a front pouch: I didn't really know I'd want a front pouch until using this pack and not having one. I wanted a front pouch for stashing random things in there: dirty things, snacks, water filter, maps, etc.
Hip belt pockets: They're small, don't fit my phone, and don't fit many snacks either. Honestly, I'm used to small hip belt pockets, but I just wish I could find a pack that fits me & has decent hip belt pockets!
The cons of this pack aren't really that big of a deal. I'm kind of getting over the stuff I've mentioned above, mainly because I've spent money on this and don't have any intention of dropping over $100 on a new daypack for some minor annoyances, when the pack otherwise fits well and is comfortable. But, if I was in the market for a new day pack, I'd probably go in the direction of the Mira AG 26/34 or the Tempest 20, whichever fit better.