Osprey  Kestrel 48 Pack - Men's

Used the Kestrel 48 pack during my 2019 Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, and Annapurna Base Camp Trekking. In addition, I used it in 2022 during my EBC-Gokyo trek, Island Peak Summit, and Mera Peak Summit. I have pics, if you need proof... The Good...it fits great, especially for long treks thru the Himalayas. The padding on the shoulders and hips provided good support...got me thru long, cold, and steep treks up to 5000m-6000meters. I completed EBC, AC, ABC, Island Peak, and Mera Peak treks and summit with Krestel support...The water-pack was well thought out, placed separately from the main inner compartment. The inner compartment has plenty of space to store hiking supplies such as clothes, sleeping bags, shoes, and other hiking materials, and all your goodies. The poles strap was a nice addition as well. Also, the rain cover came in handy when snow turned to rain. The Bad...The zipper system is the worst. The way it is setup makes it difficult to open and close, as the string often catches back and forth...change the zipper system. It is horrible. (I would have definitely taken the Kestrel back for a return because of this reason, but I was on trek) The side zipper that opens to the main compartment...pointless. It should completely open the entire compartment, instead of just letting you peak in to look for your supplies. I found this out when I was on trek... The plastic adjustment chest strap broke to pieces on during my trek thru Annapurna Circuit. Not sure whether it was because of the heat or cold condition, but it was brittle cheap plastic. Backpack material...I thought it was good quality and it felt like good quality material. Until, my backpack took a tumble down a 20 ft slope, which opened a huge gash in the upper compartment... The Ugly...above 5000 meters, in -20 degree snow storm, going thru Thorong La Pass, it is a bwitch to not be able to easily unzip any of the Krestel pockets to get to supplies. And, no one should be fiddling with zippers under any condition. Speaking of severe conditions, it would be nice for backpacks to have some reflexive material so it can be spotted...

731 miles on the Appalachian Trail so far & love this pack, quite literally been through all conditions with Oscar the osprey, highly recommend. On more than one occasion had 45+ pounds either in or strapped on to this pack & never any issues. No worries or complaints with this solid piece of gear.

I traded this pack in twice - the first time I just thought I had a defective unit, but I had the same issue with the second one. The pack fits great, has really good and convenient pockets, and is well-adjustable, but the back ventilation “airscape” design seems like it is supposed to be concave so that your back isn’t in contact with the pack, but both units I tried very quickly became convex to the point where it was pushing into my back. This made it so anytime I wore the pack for more than a few hours, my back was the only part getting hot and sweaty. Unless I just happened to get two defective units, I’d say this is a design flaw and you should look at the Atmos or Exos which have much better ventilation designs.

I used this pack for my Camino Portuguese and was absolutely perfect. Walked all 630 kms with this pack and didn’t have a single problem. Was comfy and held everything I needed for my Camino!

My son and myself have this pack. We have only used them on weekend trips but so far so good. Seems like a solid piece of gear, love the warranty. It carries everything you need. It seems to be comfortable.

Absolute love this bag! Plenty of room for our out and back hikes and multi day trips! Love all the adjustments on the fly!

I traded this pack in twice - the first time I just thought I had a defective unit, but I had the same issue with the second one. The pack fits great, has really good and convenient pockets, and is well-adjustable, but the back ventilation ""airscape"" design seems like it is supposed to be concave so that your back isn't in contact with the pack, but both units I tried very quickly became convex to the point where it was pushing into my back. This made it so anytime I wore the pack for more than a few hours, my back was the only part getting hot and sweaty. Unless I just happened to get two defective units, I'd say this is a design flaw and you should look at the Atmos or Exos which have much better ventilation designs.

Best all round backpack for hiking black colour is very sleek

I bought this pack in 2017 or 18 to upgrade from an old ALICE pack I had used for a couple of decades. I had decided to ease into "normal weight" backpacking, and for a one - or two night trip this thing is great. It's been on several dozen backpacking trips, BWCAW trips, and now is my primary trailworking bag and single day trips when leading groups. It'll hold plenty of extra gear to make sure I have everything I need and what others often forget! I also use it for off trail scouting through dense briars and layout for new trails, and it only has one small tear in the back mesh from my mistake. It usually stays in trail maintenance mode nowadays but still sees use for a couple of backpacking trips a year. It has held up great, except a semi broken buckle that was from me stepping on it at the house. It still latches fine, btw. The outside hydration pocket is great, holds a big boy in the rear side zipper, and a 650 saw in the mesh pocket. PPE, 60v batteries for a saw and weedeater isn't a typical load but holds them well. This thing has been through it all, and still I find myself grsbbing it far more than any of my other dozen packs. It does run a little warm in the back like most say, but there are spacers out now that solve this. But on a long break when you take it off for 15 minutes, it cools down and is a cold shock putting it back on, so I kinda enjoy that!

The design of the bag is overall very good. Plenty of pockets with thoughtful placement prioritising usability. The waist support is supper comfortable and makes load carrying so much easier.