Ospreys Customers Service is also pretty awesome and the repair centres’ communication and turnaround times are very commendable. Of course, if you are putting in long hours crushing some trail miles, you are bound to sweat. Having a good ventilation system in place allows you to stay as cool and dry as possible, even when you are working hard. This is another essential feature. Having a rain cover is absolutely crucial for most hiking or travel adventures and you should not set off without one ( OK granted, there are some places on earth where it never rains, but not many!).

The side compression straps are not ideal for attaching equipment in this situation. However, the two vertical straps that close the main compartment of the Osprey Kestrel 58 by securing the head compartment are long enough for this. Although the upper compression strap can be closed at the front, this eliminates the ability to compress the main compartment. Selected for the Outdoor 100 2023/24. Read our full Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60L review. BUY NOW: ULTRALIGHTOUTDOORGEAR.CO.UK Osprey’s lifetime warranty ( dubbed the All Mighty Guarantee!) is pretty unique in the industry and is definitely one of the best things about the Osprey brand. The shoulder straps should be tight, but not putting too much weight on the shoulders. Otherwise, you will feel discomfort and risk injury.When the weather takes a turn for the wetter, you absolutely need to keep your things dry, especially your sleeping bag! ( I slept in a wet sleeping bag in a cave in Pakistan once. It was not fun) All in all, we found this to be a great all-rounder that does the basics well and that has the durability and build quality to last a long time. Full Specifications If truth be told, you can’t put a price on Osprey quality or comfort… Does the Osprey Kestrel 48 Come with a Rain Cover? Selected for the Outdoor 100 2022/23. Read our full Arc’teryx Bora 65 review. BUY NOW: ARCTERYX.COM

An array of webbing and compression straps allow for the carry of larger items such as sleeping pads. An ice axe attachment loop too enables you to carry winter hardware for when venturing into the unknown. I’m an outdoor gear reviewer with over ten years of experience working for various outdoor magazines and judging gear for the likes of ISPO, the Scandinavian Outdoor Awards and the OIA Awards. The Kestrel is also ready for winter duties with twin ice axe loops, an integrated and removable rain cover and multiple lashing points across the front that work well to secure crampons. To set the standard of a modern, all outdoor bag, the Kestrel comes equipped with an integrated/detachable rain cover for those sudden showers on the trail. Stow-on-the-Go allows you to stash walking poles without needing to remove the bag, for those times when you need both hands for a scramble. Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.Did I leave anything out? Do you have something to add to this review from your own experience? Taking your Osprey Kestrel 48 for a test hike? Then let us know by leaving a comment below! Exos 58 features ultralight design materials plus the ability to strip weight by removing sleeping pad straps, compression straps and the top lid. If you actually read all of this, then I think you owe yourself a little treat. How about an Osprey Kestrel 48? The main fabric is made from recycled polyester derived from used PET bottles. As well as reducing the use of petrochemicals that are needed to manufacture virgin polyester, this diverts plastic waste that might otherwise end up in landfill or even worse, the ocean. Top marks. Full Specifications

Durable G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco S / recycled polyester and organic cotton / base and sides in waterproof Bergshell fabric made from recycled nylon / unique wooden frame reduces CO2 emissions by 90% / attachment points for skis and ice axes/poles The Atmos/Aura are very comfortable, but a bit heavy. They’re also not the best for very heavy loads (45+ pounds). Over that weight, the shoulder straps start moving and the suspension system underperforms. For heavier loads, consider the Aether/Ariel AG below. But for loads under 45 pounds however, the Atmos/Aura AG are the most comfortable options on the market. First, fill the bottom compartment. It’s usually advertised as being for the sleeping bag. You can put your sleeping bag in there or anything light and bulky, such as clothes, mittens, gloves, etc. You don’t want something heavy pulling you down. You should also be aware that the Osprey Kestrel comes in a smaller 38l version. When you pit the Osprey Kestrel 38 vs 48 there’s not much difference besides the sizes of the bag… obviously! So when it comes to choosing whether to opt for the Kestrel 38 vs 48, it’s all about which size of bag works best for the type of trip you’re heading off on and how much gear you think you’ll need. Cons of the Osprey Kestrel 48 Let us be clear here about the necessity of the rain cover. The average traveler might not need a rain cover. If you are not planning to do any serious hiking trips, then you could go without the Osprey rain cover. Personally, whether I am hiking or not, I like to always have a rain cover.Lowe Alpine’s Cholatse 42:27 is a tough old bag. With its high denier ripstop nylon throughout, you don’t need to worry about it ripping on a stray branch, that’s for sure. Selected for the Green Gear Guide 2021/22 – Read our full Halti Inari 65 review. BUY NOW: HALTI.COM

You also get sleeping pad straps at the base of the Kestrel 58 that, as the name suggest, are really useful for attaching bulky sleep mats, or they can be completely removed to reduce weight if not required. An adjustable sternum strap helps to equalize the load and features a built-in emergency whistle. The light wire alloy frame offers great support even when carrying loads up to 40 pounds. It is still possible to carrymore than that of course, but that is where the comfort zone limit is. You might say, “Well I want to be able to carry 50 or 60 pounds!” Unless you are doing some serious mountaineering, there is simply no need for you to carry that much!

Not everyone plans to disappear into the wilderness for a week or more, so the award winners above had to be the best in fulfilling the needs of each particular category. Someone plane-hopping from city to city has very different needs than someone hiking the Appalachian Trail, so I took a careful look at the features offered by Osprey’s impressive number of products to make sure we recommended the best fit for you.