The most obvious feature of the Stratos 24 is Osprey's 'AirSpeed' trampoline mesh style back system, which holds the pack away from your back to provide better ventilation as well as giving a very comfortable carry.
This is further aided by wide shoulder straps and waistbelt (with two useful zipped pockets) although we did have a glitch with our model in that the adjustable chest strap sliders were very stiff, but this was a one-off.
A large crescent-shaped zip gives easy access to the main compartment, within which is a hydration sleeve; there are an additional two zipped pockets above and beneath the lid, and two mesh water bottle pockets on the sides which have over or under compression straps alongside.
The base of the pack has removable straps for storing a sleeping pad, and you also get a single ice axe/walking pole loop along with Osprey's unique - and very useful - 'Stow-on-the-Go' walking pole storage system which allows you to stash your poles on the pack without having to take it off.
The Stratos 24 wasn't the lightest pack we tested (it comes in at 1.1kg) but it was a pleasure to use thanks to its raft of good design features, and it also looks great too - just a shame the chest strap adjustment was so stiff, but check this before you buy and you should be okay.
