This is a fully featured pack with a supportive harness at a good price. It’s heavy, though – the only real disadvantage. The open mesh-covered back panel and hipbelt allow some moisture to escape and dry quickly. The shaped hipbelt supports loads of 12-15kg without problem. The fabric and components are quite substantial and should last okay. I like the many pockets, which give good access to gear, but not the lower compartment, which I think unnecessary in packs this size. The long, vertical side pockets can hold a great deal but do impinge on the volume of the main compartment if stuff ed full. Despite the truncated length, the front pouch is still quite useful for wet gear and there’s a rain cover in its base. The Kestrel 58 isn’t a bad pack but I think Osprey make better ones in this size range, namely the Exos 58, which is much lighter, and the Atmos 50, which is a little lighter.
Osprey Kestrel 58
Chris Townsend tests a selection of versatile rucksacks ideal for backpacking or hut-to-hut trips
Specifications
Details
CAPACITY: 56, 58 litres depending on size RECOMMENDED MAX.LOAD: not given MATERIALS: 420D nylon packcloth/210 double diamond nylon CLOSURES: lid with 2 buckles COMPARTMENTS: 2 BACK: adjustable, internal frame, moulded foam panel SIZES: S/M, M/L HIPBELT: slotted EVA foam POCKETS: 2 external lid, 1 internal lid, 2 bellows side, 2 hipbelt, 2 stretch side, stretch front, external hydration FEATURES: rain cover, side compression straps, trekking pole attachment, twin ice axe straps, lower compartment straps STATED WEIGHT: 1720g (M/L) TGO WEIGHT: 1815 (M/L) VOLUME-TO-WEIGHT RATIO: 16/500 PRICE: Ј120 WEBSITE: www.ospreypacks.com