If you want to compare with other similar-size trekking bags, check out another backpack review, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60.

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. 

If you want to compare with other similar-size trekking bags, check out another backpack review, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60.

The post Osprey Kestrel 48L Pack Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Osprey is a dominant brand in the backcountry, and for good reason. This is their first significant foray into the zippy and minimal thru-hiking arena. If you like to knock off big miles with as little weight as possible on your shoulders. Or are in need of a good “bang for the buck” starter pack, then read on for my thoughts on Osprey's Exos 48.

If you want to compare with other similar-size trekking bags, check out another backpack review, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60.

The Basic Specs for Osprey's Exos 48 Backpack:

Weight: 2.6 LB / 1.2 KG

Volume Capacity: 48 Liters

Retail Price: $240 (USD)

How Comfortable is the Osprey Exos 48?

The first thing that I noticed on the sun-soaked trails of backcountry Arizona was how good the airflow was. Osprey has always excelled in this category, and the Exos 48 is no exception. Especially if you're hustling out there as ultralight thru-hikers are known to do. Anything that can reduce the notorious back sweat is going to be a huge asset and improve comfort level significantly. 

The shoulder straps and hip belt are other key areas of any backpack that translate into comfort (or discomfort). Relative to other Osprey packs that I've tried, I preferred the shoulder straps on the Exos 48.

The most important and reasonable comparison to make is in relation to other lightweight packs. Once you drop to the 2.5-pound threshold, backpacks tend to feature narrower, thinner straps. It's simply a necessary trade off in order to shed weight.

So with that in mind, Osprey's Exos 48 has more cushioning on the shoulders than you might think. The hip belt followed the same trend. Though not as fancy or padded as my standard trekking bags, my hips felt supported and free from any bruising or hot spots with the Exos 48. 

Fitting the Osprey Exos 48 

What's interesting about Osprey is that they deploy different yoke systems across their various lines of backpacks. A lot of brands stick with one method and simply tailor it to the style and size of each SKU. The solution they went with for the Exos 48 is very low-tech, but that also means it's easy to use and saves on weight (the ever-present goal in this genre of packs).

There are only a handful of increments for which to adjust the torso length, but if you buy the right size from the get-go, then you should be able to dial it right in. 

The Design of the Osprey Exos 48

At 2.6 pounds, the design of the Exos 48 is understandably simple. The one way in (and out) of the backpack is to unbuckle the top loader and release the synched drawstring. There are no side access zippers, or even a separate compartment at the bottom for your sleeping bag.

As always, eliminating superfluous zippers, straps, and buckles are great ways to shave weight, and so in that sense, the design is a win for ultralighters. But with that said, in order to get the most out of this bag, you have to be very intentional about how you pack everything. It can be tough to find the right balance between stuffing your bulky/heavy items lower in the bag, while also being able to access things throughout the day without necessarily having to pull out half your stuff. 

The Osprey Exos 48 Buckle Debockle

If you desire to streamline the Exos 48 backpack even further, you can actually detach the top loader. Although, not without some difficulty. For some reason you have to fish the straps out in an awkward way. I was left wishing that there was a simple buckle system, even though (I know) it would tip the scale slightly. With that said, sometimes it just takes a while to get familiarized with new gear, and detaching/reattaching this piece might become second-nature after a few attempts. 

The exterior mesh pocket is a common feature amongst backpacks, and the Exos is well-served by also having one. It's a great place to stuff an extra layer, a map, a couple snacks, etc., and it creates just a bit of separation amongst your gear. 

Side Storage Difficulties

The Osprey Exos 48L backpack also employs an interesting side compression mechanism. It's always nice to be able to condense the volume of a bag that isn't packed to the brim. The Exos has a zig-zagging strap on each side to accomplish this. It does work well, and looks pretty cool, but the main drawback is the lack of a quick-release clip.

I found that getting my trekking poles and tripod in and out of the side water bottle pocket became a bit annoying as the day wore on. Instead, I just left the poles in there (as well as my 1L Nalgene – it could fit both) and carried the tripod in my hand. In fairness, Osprey did provide separate grab n' go trekking pole storage loops. I have yet to find these particularly useful, but some people will get a lot of miles out of them. 

For all you climbers out there, or anyone in need of attaching external goodies, there are some extra gear loops and storage straps at the bottom of the bag. Not to beat a dead horse, but again, a couple of buckles would have gone a long way for practicality here. I'm just not a fan of fumbling with loose, naked straps. 

A couple final features to note; the Exos 48 comes with two hip belt pockets, which are useful for stowing keys, snacks, chapstick, etc., and there is a hydration port, so your water bladder is always accessible. 

Durability of Osprey Backpacks

I've only had a chance to hike a few times with the Exos 48, and so I can't speak to a lifetime of wear and tear, but what I can say about Osprey in general is that they really stand behind their craftsmanship.

One of the boldest and most popular protocols ever put into place is their “All Mighty Guarantee.” Regardless of when the pack (or any of their gear, for that matter) was purchased, Osprey offers free repairs on any damages or defects. If the problem can't be fixed, they will replace the item. Now that inspires confidence! 

Osprey Exos 48

I know that this review is probably sounding rather mixed at the moment, but all of my dings have been in minor areas. It is also important to calibrate expectations when reaching for a lightweight backpack. If the goal is to cut out the bells and whistles in the name of swiftness, then obvious concessions have to be made. Overall, I was actually quite impressed with this backpack. It served me well on a long and hot desert hike. 

I honestly feel like one of the best markets for the Exos would be newer hikers. Hikers who want something simple, functional, reasonably comfortable, and relatively inexpensive that will fuel a lot of fun adventures. If you like what this pack is bringing to the table but need more or less volume, there is also a 38 liter and 58 liter version available. 

If you're in the market for a new backpack, then make sure to tune in regularly because I'm going to be doing a ton of reviews. In the meantime, check out the reviews of other popular backpacks. If you want to compare with other similar-size trekking bags, check out another backpack review, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60.

The post Osprey Exos 48 Review: Osprey’s Run at Ultralight Backpacks appeared first on Hazeadventure.