Customer Reviews Osprey Kestrel 38

I used this backpack for my recent Camino Frances. I walked for 33 days in Spain and this pack was perfect. My daily loadout was about 15 to 20 lbs with a 2 liter water bladder. The numerous pockets and compartments made it very easy to organized and locate items. When you are livng out of a backpack for 30 plus days it helps that there is a place for everything. The external hydration sleeve was very practical especially when I had packed my bag but forgot to refill my bladder. The built in rain cover came in handy a few times and having it's own storage pocket is a plus. The pack is very adjustable and I was able to fine tune it by day 2. I had not worn the pack at all before travelling to Spain, but I do own a few other Osprey packs. The hip pockets were easy to open and close an I was actually able to remove and replace a water bottle from the side pouch. Overall a great bag for fit, comfort and carry. Perfect for a Camino or a long weekend in the woods.

Bought this Kestrel 38 for an upcoming walk on the Camino de Santiago, great build, perfect size. I have not worn it yet (tomorrow) but it reminds me of a 1/2 size Aether out of the box. I did want to say that the 38 does in fact have the side access zipper as there seems to be some debate on that.

Extremely comfortable. Back ventilation excellent, but the pack still hugs your body and feels like an extension of your person. Superb construction and durability. Excellent features. Hip belt pockets easily fit an iPhone 8. Obviously designed by people who know hiking and actually go hiking. Easy to adjust to make the fit perfect. I purchased this to replace an Osprey Kestrel 32 pack that had lasted me over 10 years and many, many hundreds of miles. I used that pack everywhere from the North Cascades to Antarctica. It held up beautifully. I researched extensively to find a pack from a different manufacturer with more features just to have some variety in my life. I guess I had already found the best because I ended up buying another Osprey Kestrel.

I've had two previous generation Kestrels (both a 38 and a 48), and have loved them!! This new version of the 38 pack (2020) has a number of small, but important improvements: - First, the new version DOES still include the vertical side access zipper into the main pocket (I've read elsewhere that it doesn't). - The zippers have been improved -- with bigger pulls (that now you actually can get your finger thru!) and one size larger sliders on: sleeping bag compartment; main compartment side access; top outside pocket; both waist belt pockets. - The two waist belt pockets, in addition to having the bigger zippers, have been redesigned. This has made them MUCH easier to open/close/access than with the previous version of the Kestrel -- now the pockets open and close like budder!! - Personally, I don't like the new "daisy chain" attachment points on the front of the pack -- I prefer those of the previous generation Kestrel. That said, the new design, along with the new "straightjacket" compression strap feature, will make it easier to carry things like snowshoes on the back of the pack. - IMO they should not have changed the aux strap attachments on the top of the pack -- those found on the previous Kestrel were much more useful in practice (the new ones are 90 degrees off). - The front stash pocket is made of more durable material in the new version. The overall packbag material is different in the new version -- but I don't see it as being better or worse. All in all, I think Osprey really got it right with the new generation of the Kestrel 38. Nice job, Osprey!!! (Full disclosure -- I've been a long-time Osprey fan, and have owned -- and own -- many of their packs.)

Fish's review is not correct. On the Kestrel 38 the vertical main access zipper is still there. Just got the Rouge Red which is new color and the zipper is there. Love everything about this pack and almost did not purchase because of the incorrect info in his / her review.

Really like the versatility of this pack. Just the right size for long day hikes or weekend trips. I've used it several times just traveling as well. I did not have the same issue with the belt pockets as the previous poster but I would try it on 1st as you may. I Construction is great! I'm not a gentle hiker and this has held up well against rocks, mud and gravel.

I've had this pack (Kestrel 38) for over a decade now, hunted elk, backpacked (50 lbs once), untold hundreds upon hundreds of miles of day hikes/fishing/archaeology trips in the NW mtn's of Wyoming and still going strong. No torn straps or anything broken yet. This has been my best buy ever in a backpack. I'm former VN era Recon Marine, humped my share of packs around the globe and have 2 other Ospreys (Kestrel28, Atmos65), but this is my go to pack, always hanging in my Jeep ready to go again.

We used this pack to carry a moose antler,Pistol,Ammunition,Gear,Radios.It held up to what we needed and more.Great pack,Only things are it does get a little heavy but that's because we put a lot in it.Only real thing is it's a little hard to load and unload

I have been using this as my main Climbing pack for about a year. The material used on this pack is great- it is heavy duty and can take a serious beating without thinking twice about damage from puncture or abrasion. The mesh pouch on the front has a solid piece of fabric that will also protect whatever you stuff in it- puffy jackets or other. My only complaint is the fixed lid. This makes carrying a rope or other items sandwiched by the brain a lot more awkward.

The older version of this pack was so much better. The material used on the older version shoulder and hip padded straps were much better. Also on the 38 they got rid of the vertical quick access zipper to main compartment. Please don't fix what was already amazing about your packs. If you haven't noticed the older Kestrel 28L and 38Ls are selling online as used packs for high prices because the older design was so much better. I wish you kept the higher quality materials in your older models and didn't take options like vertical quick access zippers out of the 38L pack.

Bought at MEC - comfortable, material and workmanship look excellent. But, had to return. The side pockets on the hipbelt are absolutely impossible to use with one hand - they just will not close. You must take the pack off to close the zipper, or dislocate a shoulder trying to use two hands to try and close the zipper. Too frustrating, so ended up returning the pack.