Great daypack.

By seattlesetters Ranked #196 - Daypacks - Technical November 4, 2009

Now that I've got over 100 miles on this little workhorse, I can safely say this is what Webster had in mind when the word "daypack" was added to the dictionary. It has everything you need for a comfortable day on the trail and plenty of space for all but the largest winter load.The design is terrific if you like a bit of organization. The hipbelt pockets are among the best I've seen and the top pocket is useful for storing frequently-needed items. I really like a panel loading daypack and this one has the great access you'd expect of that configuration.The trekking pole storage feature seemed a bit superfluous at first inspection, but it works brilliantly and doesn't add much weight. If your hikes have ups and downs and long flats, it's a must-have.The hydration pocket holds my 70 oz. Platy perfectly between the back panel and the interior of the bag. I don't even know it's there and this design means that no pack space is eaten up by your bladder.The included rain cover is a great thing to have up here in the PNW, even if it is impossible to re-fold the way it comes from the factory. The small amount of added weight is completely offset by the convenience of not having to rely on bringing a detached cover or having to line your pack every trip with a garbage bag.I previously had the Kestrel 28 which I actually liked better in terms of the way it was designed but the 28 does not have the wire frame of the 32 (and larger Kestrels) and its unsupported back panel would get an uncomfortable lump down low when the pack was loaded over about half-full. The 32, with its wire frame, eliminates this issue and carries with supreme comfort with ultralght, 1/4-full loads or stuffed to the gills with 20 lbs.The AirScape back panel is comfortable, although it doesn't offer quite the ventilation that Osprey's AirSpeed packs (Atmos, Exos and Stratos) do. Same can be said for the Kestrel's foam harness vs. the the others' ventilated harnesses.If you like a panel loading daypack, it would be hard to beat the Kestrel 32 at its price point. If you need to carry gear for a winter day trip, however, you may want to move up to the Kestrel 38 or Talon 33.All-in-all, I'd say the Kestrel 32 is as close to perfect as an all-around daypack can be. Sure, it could be lighter, but there are plenty of minimalist bags out there for the gram weenies. They just don't offer the convenience or comfort of the Kestrel.

View Details: Osprey Packs Kestrel 32 Daypack - 1800-2000cu in

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