Kestrel 68

Just back from 2 weeks trekking in the Pyrenees. I was using it as a day pack and it worked brilliantly. It's light, comfortable and can pack down small. Works well with 2 ltr hydration bladder. Best pack I've owned.

I took the risk of getting a slightly smaller one than my last, which I think may have been a wrong move; but I cannot fault the backpack, it’s absolutly superb and I love the changes osprey has made since I bought my first backpack from them a few years ago. Great job.

As a member of Search and Rescue/ mountain rescue UK I need a good backpack. Something that I can carry helmets, rope, clothing, food, emergency equipment in all weather through (I mean through) and over various mixed terrains. I frequently find myself on hilltops, in woodlands, on moorland-generally in rain (living in Cornwall does have benefits honest) and always always wading through head-height Brambles and nettles. They will make and leave their mark on you. Full review www.kernowoutdoors.com

For years Ive been using a cheap Regatta pack. Something I didn’t mind abusing. I hated it but it was pretty fantastic in a weird tough reliable way. We had a long relationship, the Regatta and I but alas it was time at last to surge forward. The Osprey Kestrel 68L was where I ended up. I looked and looked at packs. Module systems, military. All seem good but get expensive and complicated. The Kestrel by Osprey appeared but I ignored it at first, thinking it almost identical to my Atmos-not as good even as it had no AG system. Anyway I re-considered it and decided I liked it. First impressions were that its is simple. Less ‘highly strung’ perhaps. The nylon felt way thicker than the Atmos. Perhaps heavier-but I need, I want something tough. Something thorns and brambles will simply bounce from.




24 hours worth of Longlife food
hot drink
water
helmet
goggles
harness
set of spare clothing
warm jacket
gloves
hat
waterproof trousers
waterproof shell
radio
map
gps
compass
glow sticks
emergency shelter
spare socks
spare laces
medical gloves
first aid kit
cascard(medical recording form)
Headtorch
torch
batteries
pens
map
What’s in my pack?

I’ll be packing this with some sort of ordering. Stuff that isn’t used much will be pushed further down the pack. Stuff that’s always in and out will be near the top/near an opening.

Whilst packing the bag I thought I would try the big “U” opening on their front. In the past front opening bags were a pain to open. The storm flaps would get jammed, there were straps in, through, under and over where you needed to be and in all they were a massive pain. The Kestrel was refreshing. It had a few clips that could be undone easily. Zips were big and chunks, and smooth. It opened easily, and more importantly it closed easily. I loaded up my bag with loads of gear and simply zipped it all away.

Osprey kestrel rain cover
A photograph of Osprey Kestrel drainage hole
Osprey kestrel lashing eyes
Osprey kestrel hood pocket
Osprey kestrel interior instructions
I put the pack on and always considered it a poor mans Atmos (With AG). In wearing it I discovered it was a simpler pack than the AG, not a poor equivalent. I enjoyed the simplistic air-speed back, the no nonsense-ness of it. It initially appears to be a good pack.

Used the pack at this moment just two times but it feels just right. Pretty comfortable, good adjustable and a lot of nice features. Found out after delivery that its a front loader, didn't know that but I think it's pretty helpful in organising and reaching gear. The quality seems to be good but will see how it holds during the coming years. All of this with a nice weight of less than 2kg.
Finally I can say that I'm really satisfied by the price vs quality of the product.

Very professional looking, build. Made to last a lifetime. If your serious about travel this is THE ONE.

(This review was left for a previous version of this product)

This is a great looking pack. Overall a really solid bag - some critique down below.

-Big stretch mesh pockets on the sides are well sized for carrying water bottles. Could of been sewn with a bit of an angled hole for easier access to water bottle.
-I can appreciate that some people find the side pocket useful due to faster access to stuff but since it just ends up pushing the stuff taking volume from the inside the bag. The top pocket and the other pockets are plenty for me.
-The top part was a bit to small when the bag was fully packed. More of a cosmetic problem though.
-The straps on the bottom on the pack works good for tiny cell foam sleeping pads but for normal sized ones they where a bit too short.
-Since mobile phones are getting bigger and are being used as cameras I would have liked one of the pockets on the hip belt to be bigger.
-I prefer just keeping my stuff in plastic bags so the rain cover and pocket for that was unnecessary.
-Seems to be good quality material and well made.

Reasons for not getting 5 stars:
-The padded part of the hip belt could have been a bit longer - about 2 cm on each side. Ended up being a bit uncomfortable at times. I think you should err on the bigger side when you can't exchange it. Not fat or unusually large hips.
-Even though this bag is not in the heavy weight division it's still a bit to heavy for my taste.

(This review was left for a previous version of this product)

Davvero uno zaino di qualità. Usato per un lungo viaggio in Sudamerica di un mese compreso un trekking in Patagonia di oltre 10 giorni. Leggero, robusto, versatile, eccellente qualità dei materiali. Altamente raccomandato!

(This review was left for a previous version of this product)

I have the M/L I am 6,2 I find it very comfortable, fits very good

Great pack tons off space and its built like a rock !!!
Amazing roll system waterproof cover, you just role it over your bag in seconds, and when dried just roll it back in its pocket, as its attached inside the pocket. Also the rain cover is detachable.
The access to the sleeping compartment is a big plus, so you don't have to take all your kit out to access your sleeping bag
I usually use it for multi day wild camping but it will compress reasonably smaller with the straps, for day hikes
Only thing I don't like are the side long pockets, instead of going outwards they stretch inside using up part of the main compartment

I own Momentum 30 and Kestrel 68.

(This review was left for a previous version of this product)