Osprey Stratos 24 vs Gregory Zulu 30
Quick take: The Gregory Zulu 30 costs $10 less; the Gregory Zulu 30 carries more (30 vs 24 liters); the Gregory Zulu 30 is lighter (2.4 vs 2.6 lbs).
| Spec | Osprey Stratos 24 | Gregory Zulu 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160 | $150 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (1,400) | 4.6★ (600) |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 24 L | 30 L |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs | 2.4 lbs |
| Max Load | 30 lbs | 30 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable 16-21 in | Adjustable 16-22 in |
| Material | 210D recycled nylon | 210D recycled nylon |
| Back Panel | AirSpeed suspended mesh | FreeFloat suspended mesh |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | Yes | Yes |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) | Gregory lifetime warranty |
Pros & cons
Osprey Stratos 24
- ✓The suspended mesh back is the whole pitch, and it delivers — hot-climate hikers report dramatically drier shirts than any foam-back pack.
- ✓An included raincover at $160 beats the Talon's bring-your-own approach.
- ✓The perimeter frame transfers 25-30 lb loads to the padded hipbelt better than any frameless daypack.
- ✓The adjustable torso plus fixed frame fits a wide range without feeling vague.
- ✓Thick harness and hipbelt padding make it the comfort pick for all-day carries.
- ✓Trekking pole attachment and multiple organization pockets come standard.
- ✓Owners report years of heavy use with minimal wear on the 210D body.
- ✓The lifetime warranty applies as always.
- ✗At 2.6 lbs it's heavy for a daypack — the Talon does 90% of the job at 70% of the weight, as versus threads repeat endlessly.
- ✗The trampoline back bows the packbag, shrinking usable volume noticeably below the stated 24L.
- ✗The rigid frame makes it awkward as a travel/carry-on squish pack.
- ✗The mesh stands the load off your back, which scramblers say hurts balance on technical terrain.
- ✗Bottle pockets angle backward and are hard to reach one-handed.
- ✗The fixed top-zip layout offers less quick outside stash than the Talon's stretch pocket.
- ✗It runs warm everywhere except the back panel itself — the thick padding is a tradeoff.
- ✗Price plus weight make it easy to talk yourself into a full ultralight overnight pack instead.
Gregory Zulu 30
- ✓The 30L size with a real frame bridges day hiking and ultralight overnights — owners call it the most versatile size in the roundup.
- ✓The FreeFloat pivoting hipbelt moves with your hips, which reviewers credit for comfort on 15-mile days.
- ✓Suspended mesh ventilation matches the Stratos while carrying more.
- ✓The adjustable torso plus padded, pocketed hipbelt gives full-size-pack fit features in a daypack.
- ✓An included raincover at $150 completes the ready-out-of-the-box package.
- ✓The clamshell-style main opening makes packing far easier than top-tube rivals.
- ✓Carries 25-30 lbs comfortably, which the 22-26L class can't.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty backs it.
- ✗At 2.4 lbs it's heavy if you only ever carry 10 lbs of day gear.
- ✗Bulky for travel — the frame and mesh don't compress into luggage.
- ✗The mesh trampoline bows into the bag, and 30L packs more like 26-27.
- ✗Bottle pockets angle awkwardly for one-handed grabs, a recurring gripe.
- ✗The suspended back stands the load slightly off your center of gravity on scrambles.
- ✗Overkill (in price and features) for casual walkers versus the Hikelite.
- ✗The hipbelt pockets are on the small side for big phones.
- ✗Fewer US retail touchpoints than Osprey for trying sizes.