review: osprey kestrel 38 backpack.

[JV3]

mine is size m/l so it's 38 liters/2,319 cubic inches...i held off from buying this pack for a long time until they released this talus gray color, close enough to black for me

for 2012 they changed the logo to a round shape...the 2011 model had a semi-circle shape to it.

i'm a machete guy so any hiking pack i buy should be able to carry my 18" lite machete inside - perfect fit.

the wire frame is inside unlike my osprey manta 20...i placed the orange paracord there to highlight the wire, it's not part of the frame.

the bottom compression strap doesn't really compress the bottom though, it's just a sleeping pad/jacket/etc. strap. that zippered compartment is for a sleeping bag so the bottom straps can serve as a support as well to prevent the zippers from getting stressed too much and blowing out.

someone at osprey fell asleep on this one - the bottom straps aren't long enough to strap a commonly used thermarest foam pad.

the bushcraftusa's 10'x10' multicam tarp fits fine though (it's randomly stuffed inside it's stuff sack rather than folded neatly in this case) .

the 10'x10' tarp is too bulky to fit inside the sleeping bag compartment though.

but my o.p.s.e.c. multicam poncho and enough cordage for an a-frame shelter fits perfectly.

there's a semi-removable divider that separates the sleeping bag compartment (bottom of the pack) from the rest of the main compartment.

this is where the divider's straps is attached - one on each side.

the top lid also fits my multicam poncho and cordage with room to spare.

there's also a hidden key-hook inside the top lid.

the top lid with my poncho/shelter kit inside.

there's also lashing points on top.

the bottom side of the lid can also fit a couple of clif bars depending how full the other compartment is.

aside from being able to fit a machete inside, my other criteria is a wide waist strap. i believe the kestrel is the smallest pack with a wide belt...everything else is either 50+ liters or with a very narrow belt.

it's a pull forward design rather than away from your sides to tighten the waist belt.

perfect stitching throughout and reinforced in the stress points.

the belt is perfect for hanging my fenix pd20 flashlight and it's rigid enough that it doesn't flop around.

where i looped the belt through - it's not going anywhere.

for size reference, the belt pouches can fit about three full-sized clif bars each. also, it's actually easy to open/close it one-handed...my manta 20 requires both hands since the fabric/zippers aren't rigid enough.

the waist belt is nicely padded and vented - i used an orange paracord to show the foam and venting.

 

[JV3]

"airscape" back but most of the mesh is touching the foam back whereas the "airspeed" on the manta 20 there's a huge gap between the two materials, providing much better ventilation.

the shoulder straps is adjustable for torso length - the birds and pointer helps to line things up.

no aluminum stays or anything like that, just one giant velcro.

once everything is adjusted properly, the top straps bears the load though, not the velcro.

behind the velcro patch - nice stitching too, they didn't cut any corners here even though most people would probably never look.

hydration bladder goes behind the shoulder straps. my complaint is the manta 20 came with a bladder but this one didn't even though it's $30 more...and the kestrel isn't any more complicated to make, at least in my eyes comparing them side by side.

anyway, another look at the hydration bladder inside the compartment and the nylon loop and buckle suspending it.

the sternum strap has a built-in whistle.

the four side compression straps have alternating male/female buckles too so you can use it in front.

...and fits a thermarest pad.

easy routing for the bladder hose.

the top layer one is made of stretchy material and a rigid one underneath. the rigid one is meant for routing the hose through and the stretchy one is for keeping the top shoulder strap in place.

the bottom one is just a single layer of rigid strap.

nice thick shoulder straps.

there's even a keeper for the cord lock - nice attention to detail.

one thing i noticed is this is the only black buckle in the whole pack...i'm not sure if it's just mine or the rest of the lineup is like that.

notice the nicely ergonomic curving back/spine.

unlike the manta 20's well designed rigid frame though, if you stuff the kestrel with bulky items the back turns into a barrel shape making it completely uncomfortable

another complaint is the side bottle holders - they don't really go up high enough for my liking and i feel that the water bottle can fall off too easily. not a big deal since i prefer a bladder anyway but still.

the front has a mesh compartment...that's mors kochanski's book, "bushcraft", for size reference.

there's also a compartment in the front for the rain cover.

a size medium rain cover is included.

more strapping options.

the large buckles have the itw logo on it and the smaller ones are slick but i'm betting they're made by itw as well.

i'm 5'9", 170 lbs...day hike load (3 liters of water in bladder, altoids tin kit, knife, usgi cup and nalgene bottle, energy bar, first aid kit, and poncho/shelter kit):

maxed out:

overall, i'm not as impressed with this pack as i am with the manta 20 (it's been my mountain biking pack for a long time now and i still love it for that). but there's enough features/pluses there that i'm keeping it for day hikes and stuff and only time will tell if it'll be replaced or not. for my manta 20 and other gear reviews, see this page: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/942193-links-to-my-gear-review.

 

[JV3]

update: i got rid of the 38 and switched to the 28 a few weeks ago (the 38 was too big for my use). feature-wise everything is the same except the 28 doesn't have the bottom zipper/sleeping bag compartment and bottom compression straps. one huge improvement are the side bottle holders - it actually holds a variety of sizes tight!

left to right: 500 ml, gatorade 600 ml, and a liter soda bottle.

i'd say the perfect fit is either the typical 500 ml water bottle size:

or the gatorade 600 ml...i can jump up and down and both bottles are held perfectly tight.

the liter bottle was pushing it though so i wouldn't use a 32 oz nalgene there or you might risk overstretching it and it won't hold the smaller bottles ight anymore down the road.

 

[milani74]

Thanks for the review. I was about to pick one of these up, but now I think I'll pass. What really attracted me to this pack is the side/back pockets with zippers. I really am looking for a similar sized pack that is rigid(intenal frame), seperate pockets for organization, and light(ish) weight that doesnt cost 700 dollars. (Which I love the look of the Mystery Ranch Alpha Wolf).

 

[JV3]

I really am looking for a similar sized pack that is rigid(intenal frame)...

you're welcome! yeah, it beats me why they didn't duplicate the rigid frame from the manta series - it would've made this a much better pack.

 

[The Warrior]

Very nice review. Was thinking about getting a new pack that looks less military than my large ALICE. Would have liked to see a photo, with the pack filled, on your back, to get an idea of size.

 

[JV3]

Very nice review. Was thinking about getting a new pack that looks less military than my large ALICE. Would have liked to see a photo, with the pack filled, on your back, to get an idea of size.

thanks! i'll try to get a pic by this weekend if not sooner.

 

[The Warrior]

thanks! i'll try to get a pic by this weekend if not sooner.

Thanks, appreciated.

 

[JV3]

Thanks, appreciated.

anytime! updated with on-the-back pics above.

 

[The Warrior]

Thanks for doing that. Makes it much easier to judge the size.

 

[Cutshaw]

Outstanding review! One of the best I've seen for a backpack and features. I only wish manufacturers would provide as complete of a visual feature list. I was recently (~12 months ago) in the market for the same size pack and went with the Arc'Teryx Arrakis 40 (48) Tall, though Osprey was a consideration. Much of this was based on my experience with my now-ten-year-old Arro 22. Pluses and minuses with this one, to be sure, but an exhaustive review like you've done would have been nice.

Thanks for taking the time.

 

[JV3]

Outstanding review! One of the best I've seen for a backpack and features. I only wish manufacturers would provide as complete of a visual feature list. I was recently (~12 months ago) in the market for the same size pack and went with the Arc'Teryx Arrakis 40 (48) Tall, though Osprey was a consideration. Much of this was based on my experience with my now-ten-year-old Arro 22. Pluses and minuses with this one, to be sure, but an exhaustive review like you've done would have been nice.

Thanks for taking the time.

thanks and you're welcome!

 

[HikingMano]

I've been seriously tempted by the Kestrel 28. I have reason to believe you have one How do you like the 28? I have used an older version of the 38 and liked it well enough before I sold it (too big for the intended application), and I'm wondering if the 28 will fill a daypack role for me. In particular, I'd like to know if you can tell me how the side bottle pockets handle 1L water bottles (squat Gatorade or slim SmartWater shapes). I was a bladder person for a time, but I've moved back to bottles and don't think I'll be returning to bladders.

I'm using a Talon 44 right now, in everything from day-hikes to 4 day trips (I'm pretty sure I can squeeze a week-long non-bear-canister trip out of it). But with my dayhike gear, the bag gets sort of floppy and everything settles to the bottom of the pack due to the lack of adequate compression for a nearly empty pack. I could rig up straps/paracord to deal with that, but I would rather just pick up another smaller bag to keep things clean and uncluttered.... A pack in the 25L range would help solve this problem. I always liked the "straight-jacket" compression feature on the Kestrel Series as well, it really works in cinching down an un-stuffed pack.

And hell yeah, I'm loving the Talus grey color :thumbup:

ETA: I decided to just go ahead and give it a go. I should receive the Kestrel 28 in a few days. In the meantime, still feel free to share any insights

 

[JV3]

I've been seriously tempted by the Kestrel 28. I have reason to believe you have one How do you like the 28? I have used an older version of the 38 and liked it well enough before I sold it (too big for the intended application), and I'm wondering if the 28 will fill a daypack role for me. In particular, I'd like to know if you can tell me how the side bottle pockets handle 1L water bottles (squat Gatorade or slim SmartWater shapes). I was a bladder person for a time, but I've moved back to bottles and don't think I'll be returning to bladders.

that's funny, i actually got rid of the 38 and switched to the 28 a few weeks ago (the 38 was too big for my use) feature-wise everything is the same except the 28 doesn't have the bottom zipper/sleeping bag compartment and bottom compression straps. one huge improvement are the side bottle holders - it actually holds a variety of sizes tight!

left to right: 500 ml, gatorade 600 ml, and a liter soda bottle.

i'd say the perfect fit is either the typical 500 ml water bottle size:

or the gatorade 600 ml...i can jump up and down and both bottles are held perfectly tight.

the liter bottle was pushing it though so i wouldn't use a 32 oz nalgene there or you might risk overstretching it and it won't hold the smaller bottles tight anymore down the road. the 1 liter gatorade is even fatter (but shorter) than the nalgene so although it fits you have to really jam it there to stretch the fabric enough...the smartwater should fit better.

 

[HikingMano]

You da man

Thanks JV3, I can always count on you for thorough info :thumbup: I'm eagerly awaiting the Kestrel's arrival. Worst case scenario with the bottle pockets, I just use 0.5 liter bottles in the pockets and my 2L Platypus bottle in the pack.

 

[tknife]

This is the most thorough pack review I have seen, very nicely done with tons of helpful pics. It really makes me want this pack now, lol. Even though I don't need it.

 

[street soldier]

Any chance you can post a pic of the 28 with you wearing it? I'm in the market for a new daypack and this has got my interest piqued. I don't want anything too big, and I'm not sure how this one wears. I plan on using it for short dayhikes and such, not long trips. I have a general picture in my mind of what I'd like; it's just a matter of finding it.

Thanks.

John

 

[JV3]

i tinkered with my kestrel 28...added two straps to the top lid:

this is why i hate stretchy materials on backpacks - in this case one of the side bottle holders has a tear. i haven't even taken this particular pack out to the woods all that much (maybe 3 times tops)...used mostly for edc and biking around town uses

a few seconds with the scissors and problem solved

also, i found that the kifaru long pocket docks perfectly to the front of it using the existing buckles on the osprey's side compression straps as anchor points:

so for now that stretchy front panel is safe from my scissors.

 

[ROCK6]

Great pictorial review as usual JV3! I've had the older green one for a few years and I love for a day pack. The hydration slot is nice...especially in the humid summers here in the South. As much as I like this size of pack, the lack of a rigid frame (like you mentioned regarding the Manta) really limits the amount of weight it can carry comfortably. I really can't load it up for a short over-nighter or weekend if I plan to hike any significant amount of distance. As a day pack or "emergency 72-hour" kit, it works fine if I keep the weight down. I use it often in colder weather where I carry bulky layers that just take of space, but don't add that much weight.

ROCK6

 

[LikeHike]

I am interested in the Kestrel 32. How well does the Airscape actually work on a warm day???