Osprey Sirrus 24 Day Pack – My Favorite Pack for Hiking 14ers
Osprey Sirrus 24 Day Pack – My Favorite Pack for Hiking 14ers
Three months into the new year, have you thought about the gear you’ll need to start working towards your new goal? Wherever your hike takes you, make sure you have the right gear. Here are some of my favorites among multi-season packs:
Osprey Sirrus 24 Day Pack
Osprey Sirrus 24 (MSRP $140) The Osprey Sirrus 24 is my favorite day pack for hiking 14ers. It holds just enough stuff (puffy jacket, shell, and extra layers) so that I’m prepared for anything Colorado’s inclement weather throws at me, but is neither too large or too small (my worn and much battered Tempest 20 was just a little bit too small). Adjustable torso lengths allow me to customize the fit, and integrated rain cover offers immediate protection and keeps my gear dry from the elements.
My favorite features: seamless hip belt that doesn’t chafe (keeps my chapstick and energy nutrition) within easy reach, airspeed suspension that provides crucial support without weighing me down and prevents moisture from soaking my back, womens-specific straps (perfect for my very narrow shoulders), mesh side pockets (stretchy enough to expand, but not loose to where items fall out) and dual panel zippers for easy access to the main compartment.
SIRRUS® 24- Osprey Packs Official Site
I found the front panel vertical center zippered pocket a bit impractical and unnecessary for a hiking pack (in a work pack, that feature would be useful). I still had to take the pack off and unzip it to access contents, or ask someone to do it for me. Unlike previous Osprey packs I’ve owned, the hydration reservoir was not included, and there was some minor difficulty getting the hydration hose properly situated. Other than those two issues, the Sirrus 24 is a good choice for day hikes.
Other features: Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, ice tool loop with bungee tie-off.
