Osprey Kestrel 32 Review: A Versatile Pack for Hiking and Photography
Note: This review covers the redesigned 2017 Osprey Kestrel 32. Osprey has since discontinued this version and redesigned the Kestrel line, so the features on current packs are different.
In my seemingly endless search for the perfect backpack, I came across the Osprey Kestrel 32. The pack had recently been redesigned, and I liked its new shape and bright green color immediately.
I prefer panel-loading backpacks and am not a big fan of top loaders, so the Kestrel 32 stood out among the larger, top-loading packs in the Kestrel line. It offers plenty of organization, a comfortable adjustable harness, and a roomy main compartment that compresses neatly when I do not fill it.
The pack looks distinctly outdoorsy, but that has not stopped me from carrying it around cities or taking it onto airplanes. It works just as well for weekend travel as it does for day hikes with camera gear.
Adjustable Fit and AirScape Back Panel
The bright Osprey green was the first thing I loved, but the adjustable torso length is one of the pack’s most useful features. Osprey is one of my favorite backpack brands partly because its packs allow me to fine-tune the fit instead of settling for straps that sit slightly too high or low.
The AirScape back panel provides some airflow while covering the hook-and-loop adjustment system beneath it. I can reposition the shoulder harness until the pack sits comfortably against my back and transfers the weight properly to the hip belt.
That adjustability makes a noticeable difference once I load the Kestrel with water, camera equipment, and everything else I carry for a full day outside.
A Large Panel-Loading Compartment
Panel access was my first requirement when I began shopping for this pack. The Kestrel’s main zipper opens about halfway down both sides, creating a wide opening into the central compartment.
I carry my camera equipment in a padded insert placed at the bottom of the pack. Even with clothing and other gear stacked above it, I can open the large zipper far enough to reach the insert without unloading everything onto the trail.
The main compartment holds an impressive amount of equipment. When I do not need all 32 liters, the side compression straps pull everything closer to my back and keep the partially filled pack from feeling loose or bulky.
Pockets and Trail Features
The Kestrel offers plenty of places to organize smaller items. It has zippered hip-belt pockets, stretch bottle pockets on both sides, a large stretch-mesh pocket across the front, and a small internal pocket for loose essentials.
A separate hydration sleeve easily holds my two-liter reservoir. The integrated rain cover lives in its own pocket at the bottom of the pack, ready for sudden rain or snow.
The pack also includes Osprey’s Stow-on-the-Go trekking-pole attachment, which allows me to secure my poles without removing the pack. It is especially useful when I want both hands free for my camera.
The stretch pocket across the front is one of my favorite features. It expands enough to hold a jacket, snacks, or nearly anything else I want to reach without opening the main compartment. It even carried a little coyote friend on one hike.
Hiking and Traveling with the Kestrel 32
The Kestrel is a useful pack for both day hiking and photography. It easily holds my camera and a lens, a jacket or sweatshirt, snacks, first-aid supplies, plenty of water, and all the little extras that inevitably find their way into my bag.
I have also carried it on several flights. It fits beneath the airplane seat and holds enough clothing and equipment for a weekend trip, although its structured harness makes it look more like a trail pack than a traditional travel bag.
The materials have held up beautifully. I have placed the pack in dirt, carried it through snow and rain, and set it on more than a few unpleasant airport floors. Even after plenty of use, it still looks almost new.
Who This Pack Works For
The Osprey Kestrel 32 is an excellent option for hikers who carry a camera and enough gear to fill a substantial daypack. Its wide panel opening gives me better access than a top-loading pack, especially when my padded camera insert sits at the bottom.
Its adjustable fit, integrated rain cover, trekking-pole attachment, and seemingly bottomless front pocket make it practical on the trail. At the same time, it carries enough clothing for a short trip and fits beneath an airplane seat.
The Kestrel 32 is not a sleek urban travel pack, and the hip belt can be cumbersome when I am not hiking. For the way I use it, those are relatively small compromises. It holds a surprising amount, gives me quick access to my camera gear, and remains comfortable through long days of wandering with a fully loaded pack.
