So, hey! I bought a new light backpacking/day hiking pack.

Several years ago, I bought an Osprey Stratos 24 Pack after having used a Gregory Crux backpack for nearly 20 years. The Gregory pack was essentially just a rucksack and not terribly comfortable when loaded up with gear. And it made my back super sweaty on just about any hike. I was in the local outfitting store one day, and saw the Osprey packs with their super cool “Air Speed” suspension system. Essentially, the pack frame curves and keeps the pack off your back with space for air to flow through so you don’t get sweaty (or as sweaty as you would with a normal pack). I feel in love and bought the smallest one they offer.

The trusty Osprey Stratos 24 …

Compared to my old pack, the Stratos 24 was a Cadillac. Super comfy to wear and it barely felt like you had a pack on. That was awesome. I tend to over pack on day hikes, and quickly discovered that the 24 size would barely hold all the gear I like to carry. That was a bummer. But, I made do and figured out ways to strap things to the outside and what gear I could really leave behind. The Stratos 24 ended up being a great bag for the last three years.

Before Christmas I bought a hammock. I knew I wanted to carry this on hikes as well and that the 24 just couldn’t handle carrying any more gear. Thankfully, Christmas cash came to the rescue and I ended up buying a Stratos 36 (the largest in the Stratos line). I tested out loading gear and it’s the prefect size. Now if the damn temps would warm up just a little, I can get out and test the pack and hammock on the trail. Yes!

This has been your overly long post … the gist of which is simply “I bought a new backpack!”