Why the Osprey Sirrus is the Perfect Hiking Backpack for Outdoorsy Mums

Why I Swapped My Walking Backpack: A Lesson in Comfort and Functionality

If you’re anything like me, you know how much the right gear can make or break an adventure. I’ve spent countless hours walking with my trusty old backpack, but over time, I realised that it wasn’t quite as “trusty” as I thought. In fact, it became a bit of a burden – literally. So, after what seemed like hours of research, I finally committed to buying a new backpack, and after around 80 miles of walks testing it, I’m here to tell you why it was the best decision.

Quick heads-up: This isn’t sponsored and I’m not working with Osprey in any way. I paid full price for my bag, and every opinion here is based on my own experience of lugging it around on family walks, day trips, and general life chaos. If I love it, I’ll tell you. If it’s a pain in the backside, I’ll tell you that too!

The Issues with My Old Backpack

My old backpack was an unusually rushed and un-researched decision. This isn’t like me. I usually research things until I’m sick of hearing about them, but on this day, a day before we were due to drive to Orkney for a weeks holiday, we had all decided we needed new coats, walking boots and backpacks! (That was the first time we decided that we were “going to walk more“)! After a casual once over, I grabbed a bag that “looked the right size” for my small stature, it felt light, and it was within my budget – that’s all I needed to know, right?

WRONG! From being a casual walking to becoming a regular hiker, I soon came to realise that not any old bag would do! First off, let’s talk discomfort. My old backpack, though it had served me well for a while, started to feel like a chore to carry. The absence of hip straps meant all the weight hung from my shoulders, leading to painful pressure points and sore shoulders, becoming more and more pronounced as our family walks were getting longer. Without the proper weight distribution, I often found myself stopping just to readjust, which took away from the joy of the walk.

Then there was the pocket situation – there just weren’t enough of them. With only one compartment, 2 shallow side bottle pockets, and one small pocket at the top of the main compartments “lid”, I was constantly rummaging through one giant compartment, practically emptying it out every time I needed something small like my map or a snack. This became a particular nightmare when I needed to make a rush for the first aid kit and had to launch everything out onto the path to get to it! The main pocket had this irritating habit of flopping down when the top pocket has anything in it, due to the weight, making it a right pain to use. Oh, and then there was the handle! It’s a silly little thing, but it kept sticking into my neck, adding yet another layer of frustration on our walks.

What I Was Looking For in a New Backpack

After dealing with those issues for far too long, I knew I needed to find a backpack that not only solved these problems but also made my walks more enjoyable. Here’s what I set out to find:

• More Pockets: I wanted a backpack with plenty of pockets – on the outside – so I wouldn’t have to play hide-and-seek with my essentials. A place for everything, everything in its place!
• Water Bottle Holder: Easy access to hydration was a must – it needed to have deep water bottle pockets to ensure my bottle wouldn’t fall out if I leant over a stile, as it often did with my other bag. (I’m a weird germaphobe when it comes to water bladders – don’t ask!)
• Trekking Pole Holder: As a lover of longer hikes, a place to stash my poles was important.
• Hip Straps: I craved the weight distribution that proper hip straps would offer.
• Ventilation: Sweaty backs are a universal walking annoyance, so I needed something with a design that allowed for airflow. I should probably have listed this first as it exempted about 90% of the bags I looked at!

Enter: My New Backpack

After hunting around and comparing features, I found my new backpack: the Osprey Sirrus, and it’s been a game-changer. This bag is everything my old one wasn’t. It’s got pockets for days – seriously, there’s a place for everything now. I can keep my first aid kit, snacks, map, and water all within easy reach, all in separate locations, and with no more unnecessary unpacking.

The hip straps make a world of difference in comfort. As a Mum, I usually end up carrying a lot – just in case. Now, the weight is evenly distributed, which means longer, more enjoyable walks with less strain on my shoulders. I’ve never used a bag with hip straps before and I had no idea how much difference it makes to the weight distribution! Honestly, it’s made a world of difference, I had no idea how much lighter it would make the bag feel!

It also has 2 water bottle holders that are nice and deep, and even a trekking pole attachment, so I’m ready for more serious hikes too. I quite like that the Sirrus has a “in use” trekking pole system, so you can fling it to your side attaching them to your left shoulder strap, ideal if you don’t need them temporarily, saving you having to get them onto the back of your bag.

One of the biggest highlights? The back panel. It’s designed to allow airflow, keeping me much cooler during those long, hot walks. No more arriving at my destination with a drenched back! I was genuinely pleased at how well this worked. Whilst the bottom of my back still got warm (the only part that really rests on me) I can honestly say that my back wasn’t sweaty anywhere. This is an amazing feature because on long hikes away from home, I can just jump back in the car after the walk and not feel all icky sitting back on the seat with a sweaty top 🙈

Buying Through Amazon

For me, the price for the Osprey Sirrus is, quite frankly, eye-watering. This is coming from someone who isn’t particularly girly and has never paid much more than £30 for any bag in my life! That said, I do also believe that some things are worth the investment if they will solve all my listed problems and are of a quality that will last – I don’t want to be buying any more bags anytime soon! Osprey have a wonderful reputation for quality, so I’m sure this bag will be a keeper and see us through hundreds of miles. I was fully intending on saving a small amount each month where I could, until I had the money (and also hoping for a black Friday or similar deal), however, after adding the bag to my Amazon basket (to ensure I didn’t miss any deals), I was delighted to see it offered pay-in-5 (interest free) payments, making it feasible for me to buy right now. If you can’t afford to pay for it in one go, and don’t like using credit cards, then this could be a great option for you too!

Final Thoughts

Switching to the Osprey Sirrus has made me realise just how important the right gear is when you’re out walking regularly. I had completely underestimated what a hip strap could do for heavier loads! So, if you’re dealing with discomfort or frustration on your walks, take it from me – it might be time to rethink your backpack. Your back (and your mood) will thank you!

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More about the Osprey Sirrus and why I think it’s great for Mum’s (or any women!)

The Osprey Sirrus comes in 4 beautiful colours: Muted Space Blue, Succulent Green, Tunnel Vision Grey and Elderberry Purple/Chiru Tan – I went for the latter, adding a nice feminine feel amongst all the blues and greens my husband and boys usually go for! There are also 5 sizes – a 24l, 26l, 34l, 36l and 44l. I went for the 34l because it was in the middle and described as ideal for all day hiking – the smaller ones being more suited for shorter walks and the larger ones for more serious hikes/overnighters. I feel the 34l is perfect to carry all my gear, including first aid kit, food, waterproof clothing and everything else you tend to lug around as a Mum – and even has space for more if I needed! I love that there is a good selection of capacities to suit every family’s needs!

1. Designed to Fit Women Properly (Finally!)

The Sirrus is made specifically for women – which means narrower shoulder straps, a shaped hip belt, and a torso length that doesn’t make you feel like you’re wearing your partner’s gear. It fits comfortably and stays put, even when you’re bending down to tie a child’s shoelace for the third time in five minutes. (If your other half wants one, he can check out the Osprey Stratos — same great features, but built for men – I bought one for my husband and he loves it!)

2. No More Sweaty Back Syndrome

One of my favourite features? The ventilated back panel. Osprey’s AirSpeed™ suspension system keeps the bag slightly away from your back, so there’s airflow while you’re hiking. Translation: you stay cooler, even when the children are asking how much longer for the 87th time.

3. It Actually Adjusts to Your Shape

The Sirrus has an adjustable torso length, so whether you’re tall, petite, or somewhere in between, you can tweak the fit to suit your shape. It makes a big difference on longer walks, where an ill-fitting pack can ruin your shoulders and your mood.

4. A Hip Belt That Works

The padded hip belt is wide, supportive, and shaped for comfort – no digging in, no awkward pressure points. It helps take the weight off your shoulders and spreads it across your hips, which makes longer walks with a full pack feel surprisingly manageable (even if you’ve packed for every possible scenario, like I do).

5. Storage That Makes Sense

It’s not just a big empty sack – the Sirrus has plenty of pockets, compartments, and even a hydration sleeve. I love that I can stash snacks, tissues, gloves, and even a tiny emergency hot wheels car without needing to rummage through the whole bag. It’s like it was designed by someone who’s actually been on a walk with small children!

6. Trekking Pole Attachments = Hands Free

If you like to hike with poles (or sometimes just want your hands free to catch a child or wave away a bramble), the trekking pole attachment system is brilliant. You don’t even have to take the bag off to use it. Game-changer.

7. Lightweight but Built to Last

Osprey bags are known for being lightweight and durable, and the Sirrus is no exception. It feels sturdy and tough, without weighing you down – perfect if you’re already carrying water bottles, extra coats, and whatever rock your child insists on keeping “forever.”

8. Built-In Rain Cover (Because… Britain)

Let’s face it, if you’re walking in the UK, you need a rain cover. The Sirrus comes with one built-in, and it’s super easy to whip out when the skies inevitably open. Plus, it’s a nice bright colour – great for visibility when things get a bit gloomy out.

Conclusion

The Osprey Sirrus is hands down the best hiking backpack I’ve owned. It’s comfortable, practical, and clearly designed with women in mind – not an afterthought. Whether you’re climbing hills, strolling through woodland, or just doing the school run with a scenic detour, it’s a brilliant choice for outdoorsy mums (or anyone who loves a good walk).

Have you got a favourite hiking backpack? I’d love to know what works for you – especially if it also fits snacks, spare gloves, and the entire contents of a child’s pocket.