Osprey Kestrel 28 Mountaineering Backpack

The Kestrel series are great packs with clever and useful features. The 28, however, has two problems that led me to exchange it for the new Manta 25 daypack: the Kestrel 28 is really only big enough for a day hike, but it is designed like a multi-day pack. By this I mean it has few access points (the only zippered pouch is behind the top of the pack (i.e., against the back of your head!)and the main compartment is very long and narrow with a drawstring opening that makes it difficult to get things in-and-out (acceptable if you're just hiking from campsite to campsite, but on day hikes I tend to access the pack quite often). The other problem also concerns the length of the pack -it is very long and has no internal support, so it is essentially a big noodle. I have also read reviews indicating a painful fold develops in the lower back region if the pack isn't fully loaded. If you want a good daypack, look at the Manta series first. These have the innovative features of the Kestrel (sto-&-go trekking pole attachments, integrated raincover, hipbelt pockets, hydration)in a more conventional day pack design. The Kestrel does have twin daisy chain attachments vs a single centered daisy on the Manta, if hanging things on the pack is important to you.

I was looking for a daypack, and I have a small frame. I needed something light, super-compressible, yet able to hold a full day's basic gear like extra clothing, food, lighting, and raingear. Throw in a hydration pack, and it's full up.

Highly recommended. It's durable, has a built-in raincover, and the Osprey hydration pack (1.5L) fits perfectly. I'll never want another small bag.

Also, it's fully adjustable. I was unsure about this at first, I didn't trust the funky velcro, but it's proven to be a solid feature.

I get asked about this bag ALL the time, and always recommend it. Be careful with the straps at the airport though, they have a habit of getting caught in the rolly things at the x-ray.

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Bottom line: I don't recommend this pack. Read on if you want details.

My favorite day pack finally gave up the ghost. I have an Osprey Talon 11 for mountain biking, which is the best bike pack I've ever owned (I've used a ton of day packs & bike packs over the years). It has good features and (remember this point) it easily accommodates a 100 oz. Camelbak bladder. After research & review I bought a Kestrel 28 for backcountry hiking and peak climbs. Have used it on 10 long day hikes so far (15 20 miles / day, usually above tree line). It's comfortable for long hikes, which is a plus. On balance, though, it has some features that offset the comfort. First, it's tough to get a 100 oz. Camelbak bladder into the hydration pack slot. Yes, I know Osprey sells a specially designed bladder for its packs, but I'm not impressed when a gear company expects you to buy everything from them, instead of making their gear compatible with other widely used components & systems. In order to get the non-Osprey bladder to slide in, I basically have to empty out the pack first a PITA if you are working in the dark or in foul weather. Even then, the fit is tight enough that I have concerns that loading the pack to capacity might produce a seam blowout on the Camelbak bladder. Keep that in mind unless you want to buy a special bladder just for this pack. Second, the Kestrel 28 is a top loader, which is fine, but I prefer top loaders with a top pocket large enough to hold several items so that you don't have to dig into the pack every time you want something. This pack actually has two top pockets-but both are very small and don't add up to much. My work-around is to put all my regular top-pocket items into a smallish stuff sack and carry it in the large compartment of the pack. This works ok, but consumes extra time and is just one more thing to manage on the trail or the climb, and could so easily have been designed better by Osprey. Third, the hip belt is really just another narrow chest strap located around your lower abdomen. It doesn't take weight off your shoulders, but it's worth keeping fastened to keep the pack stable on your back. However, the buckle components are not sewn into place at the strap ends, so they slide around and it's hard to close the buckle just by feel. In the store or when you strut around at home with your new pack this is no problem. If you are trying to fasten the hip belt in the dark, or in hail and snow, maybe with a few layers on including gloves and shell mitts, you will be wishing Osprey had eliminated the yards of extra strap material and other useless features in favor of a decent hip buckle. Overall: For the casual, fair-weather day hiker this pack would be just fine (although a bit expensive for that limited purpose imho). If you are more aggressive in the backcountry and expect your gear to work *for* you, though (instead of the other way around), I think you can do better in this price range.

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