Osprey’s overarching approach is to aim to source recycled fabrics and components (from zippers and webbing to labels and thread), aiming to reuse materials rather than using virgin resources as much as possible.

The structure of the Kestrel 38 comes from a 3.5mm LightWire peripheral frame, designed to effectively transfer the load from harness to hipbelt. Meanwhile, a supplementary Atilon (HDPE) framesheet spreads the load across the entire backpanel to the peripheral frame.

When it comes to carrying comfort, the harness and hipbelt are made from padded mesh-covered ridged foam, which allows maximum ventilation while keeping the load close to the body. The mesh has an edgeless design to avoid irritation from stitching seams and offers a soft breathable contact surface.

Features

As you’d expect from an Osprey pack, the Kestrel 38 offers plenty of practical features. Firstly, and arguably most importantly, there is ample on-board storage and a profusion of accessible pockets. It’s a classic top-loading design, so as well as a generous main compartment, you get a top lid with a large, zippered pocket; top panel lash points and an under lid zippered mesh pocket with a secure key clip. That main compartment also incorporates an internal hydration sleeve, fitted with Osprey’s Hydraclip for easier reservoir hanging. The bottom of the pack features a zippered sleeping bag compartment with a floating divider. Externally you also have removable tent/sleeping pad straps. Those features reflect this pack’s versatility – it’s one you could use for overnight camping trips, not just as a large day hiking pack.

The front of the pack has a roomy shove-it pocket with stretch mesh gussets, ideal for stashing wet waterproofs. The front panel also has stitched dual daisy chains, offering configurable lashing points for extra gear.

To cinch in the load, there are dual quick release upper and lower side compression straps. The top set of straps also act as axe/trekking pole holders. Meanwhile, lower webbing loops at the base of the pack keep the sharp ends of such tools securely out of the way.

The hip belt also boasts two zippered pockets, while the shoulder strap incorporates Osprey’s Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment system, providing somewhere to quickly hold your trekking poles while you hop a stile, open a gate or similar.

Otherwise, it has the same mesh-and-foam AirScape back panel as various other packs in the Osprey range, ensuring decent comfort levels and a close, stable but ventilated fit.

Osprey has long paid attention to how packs fit. As such, it actually markets the Kestrel 38 as a men’s pack – the female-specific equivalent is called the Kyte 38. The main differences are in the length of the back panel and the contouring of the shoulder straps – the Kyte is designed to curve and contour comfortably to suit the female body shape. There are also two sizes available in each model, so you can pick the right pack for your torso size, ensuring optimum carrying comfort.

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

I can’t really fault this pack. It’s comfortable, it handles loads well, it has loads of useful details and it’s incredibly versatile. I suppose if I were going to be really picky then I guess I’d say it’s a little on the heavy side, but that’s only looking at it with my ultralight hat on. I’ve tried out the last few iterations of this pack and I’ve liked each one. This latest version isn’t a radical update – all the same useful details are there – but switching to recycled materials is a commendable step by Osprey.