Here at In4Adventure we try to talk about a full range of backpacks – from daypacks to full-blown expedition bags. It's also important to look at a variety of price points that will work for different demographics and experience levels. Osprey Kestrel 48L pack is a great example of something that can serve new and/or casual backpackers. All this without blowing a huge portion of the adventure nest egg. So let's unpack the ins and outs and pros and cons in this Kestrel 48L pack review.
Osprey Kestrel 48L Backpack Tech Specs
Price: $199.95 (USD)
Weight: 4.6 LBS / 2.1 KG
Volume Capacity: 48 Liters / 2,929 cu-ins
Weight Capacity: 25 – 40 LBS (11 – 18 KG)
The Design (Wins and Fails) of the Osprey Kestrel 48L
For a $200 (USD) backpack (even cheaper online), this is a pretty feature-rich option. The category where it excels the most is the back panel airflow. The pack has multiple, well-designed and thoroughly perforated pads that do a great job of minimizing back sweat.
I took this one with me on a sunny spring day in Arizona's Superstition Mountains, as Kristi was doing her Osprey Aura 65L backpack review. We were both pleased with the airflow performance. The Kestrel's system isn't quite as ambitious as the ones Osprey uses on their higher-end backpacks. That makes total sense since they are trying to capture the entry-level market with the Kestrel.
Osprey Kestrel 48L Yoke System
This backpack also has a simple strap-based yoke system. Again, it isn't my favorite approach, but it is very easy to adjust. So that's a win – especially for people just getting used to the wide world of backpacking.
Something that caused me a bit of annoyance on the trail was the nature of the side mesh pockets. When the bag is empty, they appear to be generously sized (the depth, in particular, is great). Once I was all packed, there was too much pressure on them for me to get my Nalgene in or out. I had to recruit Kristi every time I wanted a drink on the fly. Even with two free arms, she had a hard time too. The same was true for my trekking poles and tripod on the other side.
Side Access
I really appreciated the side access zipper on the Kestrel 48. It was an easy way to get at the internal goods, without having to dump everything out. On the other side, there was a similar-looking side zipper, but rather than open to the main chamber of the bag. This provided a small side storage pocket.
In theory, I like this concept. When that interior volume is used up, there's almost no stretch left for this side pocket to work. I tried putting some of my toilet items in there, but I couldn't get the zipper over the modest bulk of my gear. The resulting bulk then pressed into the water bottle pocket even more, making it a larger chore to use than it already is. So that was a disappointment.
Top Loading on the Osprey Kestrel 48L Pack
Another feature I did enjoy was the bag's top loader. I'm a fan of a simple, straight zipper. I don't much care for the fancy U-zippers that I've been seeing incorporated into a lot of packs these days. With the Kestrel's straight zipper, you can open it without a bunch of stuff dropping out onto the ground.
Plus, it has plenty of room for all those classic top loader items: sunscreen, sunglasses, trail mix, headlamp, chapstick, map, etc. And while focusing on this area, I also want to mention that I liked the clean compression strap and drawcord closure at the top of the pack. Two thumbs up!
Pockets on Kestrel Belt
Osprey also deserves some credit for their use of deep pockets on both sides of the hip belt. These are my go-to places for the phone, lighters, a pocket knife, more snacks, and all that good stuff that is nice to have on hand. And, the hip belt itself was comfortable – which is a big difference-maker when shopping around for a backpack.
Unfortunately, the shoulder straps weren't as comfortable as the hip belt. I was carrying about a 32-pound load (right in the middle of the Kestrel's 25 – 40-pound capacity), and I could feel that the shoulder straps were overloaded. About 4-miles in, I noticed how much they were digging into my muscles. If you had a chance to read Kristi's review of the Aura 65, then you'll know that she had the opposite problem – comfy shoulder straps but a harsh hip belt.
Jumping back to the pro column, I quite liked the front stash pocket. It had plenty of volume (that wasn't impacted by the internal goods), and I thought it was cool how the buckles integrated into the side compression straps. So I was able to secure my stuff and reduce the puffiness of the pack at the same time.
Remember the kudos I gave for the Kestrel's straight zipper on the top? Well, unfortunately the U-shaped zipper does make an appearance on the bottom sleeping bag storage compartment. I'm just not a fan of these zippers. They're awkward, they always get caught on the bend, and they tend to fail over time because of the asymmetrical stress that a fully tensioned bag creates.
But, Osprey keeps the good times rolling by including an integrated rain cover with the Kestrel. This is an easy piece to overlook when picking out a pack, but sooner or later, you're going to regret not having one. Though this is a simple enough add-on purchase, the fact that it's included here boosts the overall value for prospective customers.
Osprey Kestrel 48L Backpack: Who is it for?
So overall, I think that the Osprey Kestrel 48L backpack is well designed – especially when calibrated to that sub-$200 (USD) price point. I just wish it could have carried moderate loads better across the shoulders. That's a tough trade off to make peace with, and it makes it clear that this is far from Osprey's best work.
I wouldn't be excited to take this on a multi-day thru-hike but I do think it can get new, shoestring-budget adventurers started on their journey. It will give you something to grow into and learn the ins and outs of hiking and backcountry camping (though for the latter activity, something in the 55 liter range might be better equipped to handle the additional food requirements).
Osprey's Lifetime Guarantee
Last but certainly not least, Osprey packs always win extra popularity with their lifetime guarantee. If something breaks or comes out defective, you can send it back and Osprey will make it right. That makes an already high-value pack even juicer! Allllllthough… I must say that in my anecdotal experience, Osprey backpacks tend to need the most repairs. So this is a sweet deal, don't get me wrong, but there might still be some frustration if a buckle or strap fails in the field.
I hope this honest review gives you a sense of the pros and cons of the Kestrel 48L Backpack. For more run downs on a range of backpacks, check out the reviews below.
Gear used in this review includes:
Backpack: Osprey Kestrel 48L
Sunglasses: Wiley X
