Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

I got this pack to replace my old Kelty Redwing 3100. The Redwing is probably the best pack that I've ever had and is still in great condition. But I've had it for a few years and wanted to try something different. I use the Osprey Kestrel 48 everyday for work. It's very comfortable and the internal frame keeps the backside of the pack from sitting directly on your back. I was initially apprehensive about the size of the pack but have found that it is a great size.

The pros: internal frame, side pockets, two pockets on the lid, and the easy-access bottom pocket (good for a small sleeping bag or for separating gym clothes from the rest of your stuff).

The cons: the adjustable suspension is adjusted using a huge piece of velcro (hopefully that holds up over the long-term), the waist strap isn't removable (you can strap it to itself to stay out of the way for when your not hiking, but it makes for a big bulge on the bottom of the pack), the side pockets are flat and anything that does into them will push to the inside of the pack.

All-in-all, it's a great pack and I would recommend it to a friend.

Service and delivery comments:

As usual, REI delivered outstanding customer service and delivery. I purchased the Osprey Kestrel 48 the week before Memorial Day, forgetting about the annual sale. Once I got the e-mail about the sale, I contacted customer service and asked if they would give me a price adjustment for the twenty percent that I would have saved had I been patient for another few days. Within hours, they responded to my e-mail and a refund check was in my mailbox in about a week. The customer service at REI continues to be the best in the industry and is why I use REI almost exclusively for my outdoor needs.

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

The Kestrel 48 is a superbly comfortable pack with lots of great, easy-to-access places to store items. As a backpack, it's almost perfect. The one potential issue is its size. At 48L, it's a bit large for a day hike, but arguably a hair small for an overnight hike. Unless you're going mid-summer and don't need to take any outerwear or rainfly, you will likely need to strap the tent or pad to the outside of the pack. We have very compact gear, brought just enough for an overnight hike, and were surprised how tight it all was. It's a wonderful pack, but an extra inch in each direction could have made it perfect.

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

The Kestrel has an excellent suspension system for weights upto about 35 pounds. The pack is comfortable and the built in rain cover delivers peace of mind. The sleeping bag compartment is great when backpacking and when used for day hiking it allows you to keep your emergency clothing (for winter hiking) easily accessible. The pack is very well built, workmanship is excellent with no shortcuts taken.

The only negative about the pack is the side pockets for water bottles are not deep enough and for a Nalgene or other 1 liter bottle you have to tie the bottle so it does not slip out - this of course makes it difficult to use without taking the pack off. If you use a bladder then this is not really a problem.

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

This is a great quality backpack, I love it so much that purchased another for my wife.

Really light weight. Great for backpacking.

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

For the price this is a great pack. The size was perfect for my 4 day trip. It was very comfy to wear for hours of hiking. The pack material was very quality. The sleeping bag compartment made accessing the bottom of the pack very easy in a hurry. The only thing I didn't like about this pack was that it does not have a floating brain. If you try and overstuff the main compartment a bit too much, good luck pulling the top flap all the way over without some major stuffing. I endured up returning this pack to my local REI for just that reason. I wanted a pack with the floating brain. If you can deal without that one detail then this is a terrific pack. Also the sleeping pad straps that are at the bottom of the pack are too small to fit my sleeping pad. Maybe i just have a really fat sleeping pad. Had to get replacement straps but that wasn't a big deal. Overall great pack.

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

Great pack if it fits you and your needs. Durable construction, good comfort under appropriate loads, decent organization, and an unbeatable warranty.

Osprey makes many great packs, and I would highly suggest checking them out at the store first to ensure you pick one that fits you and your needs. Osprey's volume ratings seem a little overstated compared to other pack makers. This takes nothing away from their product, just make sure you are getting one big enough to hold your gear.

My mountain hardware ultralamina 15 sleeping bag compresses to 10X7 and I had trouble fitting it in the sleeping bag compartment. However there are many warm weather down bags that will fit. The divider is also removable if you are willing to give up space in the rest of the pack. Ultimately I ended up getting a larger version and using this one for day hikes, minimalist overnights, and field work.

I like being able to separate and have quick access to certain gear. The belt pockets are a little more generaous than most packs and great for carrying small items like a spare magazine or headlamp.

The belt, when worn appropriately up around the hip bones, is low profile enough not to impede waist carry of my service handgun. With many packs I'm forced to use a drop leg holster.

I appreciate the "conifer" color scheme. In general I don't like bright colored gear. When doing population counts, Earthy tones are necessary for getting close to certain species unnoticed. In that regard, the rain cover is a nice bonus, but I wish it wasn't red.

This pack rides tight to the body and is stable during vigorous activity such as mountain biking. Ventilation is still fair. If you require more, packs like the Atmos offer excellent air flow.

This pack serves me well. Is a appropriate for you? Not for me to say, but certainly worth checking out.

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

This pack is only 48 liters, but I can definitely fit everything in it for a 3-4 day trip. It has plenty of creative loops and pockets to help attach everything you need. It's also extremely comfortable - the most comfy pack I tried on, and I was pretty thorough. The hydration pocket is also outside the main compartment and really easy to get to - nice!

One gripe (and the reason I took off a star) - REI markets this as a unisex pack. I am a tall, slim girl (5'8, 123lbs), and I had difficulty with the sizing. I have the frame on this extended all the way and the belt tightened all the way down - it was the only way I could get it to fit properly in both length and in the hip belt. Thinking of changing out the hip belt and getting a smaller one.

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

I bought this backpack after Christmas and finally got to use it on a backpacking trip this February. I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with every part of this backpack. The side zip pockets make stashing extra things you just can't get in the main compartment a breeze, it has a fully zippered sleeping bag compartment which is awesome. I really like the adjustable straps and how you can adjust the height of the pack; another thing that is really awesome are the pockets on the hip belt, these allow you to stash energy bars and you can keep you compass or other things you need handy. The one thing that really sold me on this backpack was the built in rainfly. All in all I personally recommend this backpack to anyone wanting to take short backpacking trips.

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

I got this pack at the REI garage sale. I was looking for an affordable, women specific backpack, so I was a bit reluctant when my partner showed me the treasure he had found for me. I was really lucky since it fits me like a glove. I just returned from a two week road trip. We backpacked at Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks during the Texas winter. In the first this meant very steep climbing, the second not as steep but with 50 mph chilly winds. I was so grateful for this backpack which felt light and rested nicely on my hip! I"m specially happy about the many places where I can put a carabiner. The only thing I don;t like about my pack is that I have to pack my water reservoir (I have a 3 litter camelback) before everything else, or it won't go all the way down its pocket. This means also, that I need to take everything out if I want to refill it. Besides that , its perfect for me!

Comments about Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack:

Bought this pack the summer before working as a trail guide in Colorado, where it was used most every day for eight weeks and it held up great. I used it mostly for day hikes where I needed to carry safety supplies for the group, but managed several overnight hikes, a two night and a three night expedition with this pack.

I love the top and bottom access points, as well as the multiple compartments on the outside of the pack. It makes it easy to pack in a way that you can get to what you need quickly. The rain cover that comes with it is great, spent several afternoons in the rain and all of my stuff stayed dry. Really a solid pack that held up to a lot of beatings.

My only complaints are the holders on the sides are not designed for liter bottles and can cause your bottle to pop out. I always put my bottles in the holders then clip them onto the pack.

Great pack, especially if you can get it on sale.