34 or 38 L pack

[AndyBorba]

I am wondering on personal preference out there.
For the full Francés route next summer, I will either buy the Osprey Stratos 34L or the Osprey Exos 38L.
Would you prefer 34 or 38L?
Anyone have experience with these packs?
My budget maxes out at $225, if there are other ideas.
In case it matters, I am 6'3"/1.90m and 195lb/88kg.

 

[trecile]

Load them both up with your gear and choose the one that's more comfortable. If neither is comfortable keep looking.

 

[henrythedog]

I am wondering on personal preference out there.
For the full Francés route next summer, I will either buy the Osprey Stratos 34L or the Osprey Exos 38L.
Would you prefer 34 or 38L?
Anyone have experience with these packs?
My budget maxes out at $225, if there are other ideas.
In case it matters, I am 6'3"/1.90m and 195lb/88kg.

Both are good - although someone will be along shortly to point out that they’re not ‘lightweight’ packs.

Load either up with 10kg and go with whichever is most comfortable.

+/- 4 litres is neither here nor there. Just because you have the space doesn’t mean you have to fill it. I habitually use a Kestrel 38, about 2/3 full.

 

[Robo]

Very different packs.
I use the Stratos 34L. Have done since 2015.
Love it. Very comfortable.
I originally planned to buy the Exos 38L, but didn’t find it as comfortable,
The straps etc were quite thin. And I don’t think it has the ‘trampoline’ back.

 

[AndyBorba]

Both are good - although someone will be along shortly to point out that they’re not ‘lightweight’ packs.

Load either up with 10kg and go with whichever is most comfortable.

+/- 4 litres is neither here nor there. Just because you have the space doesn’t mean you have to fill it. I habitually use a Kestrel 38, about 2/3 full.

I will check that one out as well. Thank you!

 

[Osterman]

I would not worry about 4 litres but I would look at how comfortable I am.
Exos is lighter, but you have to add the weight of the raincover (wich is not included).
Stratos doesn't have the big mesh pocket; it has a zipped pocket instead.
Anyway, both are very good backpacks.

 

[AndyBorba]

I would not worry about 4 litres but I would look at how comfortable I am.
Exos is lighter, but you have to add the weight of the raincover (wich is not included).
Stratos doesn't have the big mesh pocket; it has a zipped pocket instead.
Anyway, both are very good backpacks.

Without the storage mesh pocket, I would have to use a water bladder rather than bottles, correct?

 

[Osterman]

Without the storage mesh pocket, I would have to use a water bladder rather than bottles, correct?

No, no, I am talking about the big mesh pocket on the back, not the two on both sides, where usually are bottles.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Comfort is King, whether it's shoe/sock combo or backpack.

Sizing wise, presumably you can fit all of your gear in either. So what is your back telling you?

As to alternatives, personally I have a Dueter Futura 32. Everything fits and I still have plenty of room for snacks/fruit etc.
Definitely within your budget, a quick check shows from $130/ $175.

Osprey is a great brand, but personally I found the Deuter more comfortable (remember fit is very individual). Has a similar trampoline back system.

 

[dreaming]

I use womens Eja Osprey 38 Litre. I am happy with the size and pack however the stretchy pockets had holes after two caminos. The down side is it is too long for budget airlines for carry-on.

 

[dougfitz]

In case it matters, I am 6'3"/1.90m and 195lb/88kg.

It might. As a rule of thumb, your from the skin out (FSO) maximum weight target for comfortable walking would be be 17.6 kg. This includes your pack, its base weight contents, consumables like water and snacks, all your clothing and anything else you choose to carry. That's normally not difficult for a summer camino with a pack base weight around 10% of your body weight (another rule of thumb!). Packing that much in a smaller pack might just be a bit difficult!!

Load them both up with your gear and choose the one that's more comfortable. If neither is comfortable keep looking.

This is good advice, but I would suggest a slight variation. Get your gear together, and take it with you. Find a pack that works without it being so tight that you are stretching the seams. If that's more than about 45 li, come back here and share your packing list. You will get plenty of help sorting out what you might and might not need.

 

[Donna Sch]

I am wondering on personal preference out there.
For the full Francés route next summer, I will either buy the Osprey Stratos 34L or the Osprey Exos 38L.
Would you prefer 34 or 38L?
Anyone have experience with these packs?
My budget maxes out at $225, if there are other ideas.
In case it matters, I am 6'3"/1.90m and 195lb/88kg.

In summer the 34 should be fine.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

but I would suggest a slight variation. Get your gear together, and take it with you. Find a pack that works without it being so tight that you are stretching the seams.

Excellent advice. Although @AndyBorba rather than checking in with your packing list if you're exceeding 45 liters I would say exceeding 35 - many of us report comfortably walking with a 25 litre backpack in summer (which is when you say you're walking) myself included. I am not an ultra light hiker. I carry several comfort items plus my GoPro etc.

My 32 works very well in the shoulder seasons, it's only a bit tight in winter because of the bulk of my winter sleeping bag.

I would only suggest a larger one if you had some special need such as large quantities of medication or a CPAP machine, etc.

That said you don't have to fill it of course, so if you plan on doing other hiking then that's a different story. Future proofing is always a good strategy.