What is the Kestrel 58?
The Osprey Kestrel is one of those packs that just gets on with the job with minimal fuss and maximum performance. This really is a workhorse of a pack that can cope with long days out, extended backpacking adventures and world travel; the 58 litre size provides room for all your kit and carries it in breathable comfort.
What is it made of?
The majority of the pack is made from a super tough 210D nylon with a water-resistant coating. Nylon quickly overtook canvas in the world of technical rucksacks due to its incredible strength to weight ratio, making it perfect for the Kyte range. A heavier 420D Nylon is used to strengthen key areas and a super-tough 500D Nylon Packcloth is used across the base where the pack gets the most abuse. Together these fabrics ensure your pack is designed to last a lifetime.
What is the backsystem?
The Kestrel’s backsystem is all about comfort and stability and is made up of three main components
1. Lightwire Suspension. A lightweight 3.5mm peripheral frame provides support and transfers the weight of the load to the hip-belt, whilst maintaining flexibility for freedom of movement. An “Atilon” flexible frame-sheet spreads the load across the entire backpanel to the peripheral frame.
2. AirScape Backpanel. The ever reliable and comfortable AirScape back-panel features vented and ridged foam sections, overlaid with a breathable, lightweight mesh for maximum comfort and breathability.
3. Spacermesh Harness and hipbelt. The shoulder harness and hip belt are made with a soft, edgeless breathable contact material with a large load bearing surface area for maximum comfort and efficient weight transfer.
Even though the Kestrel 58 is available in two back lengths, the AirScape back system is adjustable to ensure the perfect fit using a simple, yet highly effective, Velcro pad on the shoulder harness that can be easily set to various heights depending on the user. Please remember that your torso length and not your height will determine the back length. For example, I’m 191cm tall, yet only have a 47cm torso length. For more advice on pack fitting have a look at our video below.
What are the features?
The Kestrel 58 features a traditional lid access into the pack that also allows some downward compression if the pack is partially loaded, and you can you can also get in through a huge U-zip opening on the front that makes it super easy to get at your stuff, even if you’ve hidden it right at the bottom. There’s also a zipped lower sleeping bag compartment with a removable divider.
Storage options won’t be a problem with the Kestrel 58, you get twin hip belt pockets, a front stretch stash pocket, top lid zipped pocket and internal mesh security pocket that features a handy key-clip. The side stretch-mesh pockets are worth a special mention as they will swallow 1 litre water bottles or spare clothing and they feature dual entry points; there’s a forward-facing entrance at the base and a regular opening at the top. This means that you can easily load and unload water bottles whilst wearing the pack without having to dislocate your shoulder.
The Kestrel 58 is fully hydration compatible with a clever external sleeve making replenishing your bladder quick and easy. If you are a fan of trekking poles you'll love the Stow-On-The-Go storage system, this allows you to quickly and easily stash the poles when they are not required; collapse them and tuck them away without having to remove the pack or pester your walking buddies to strap them on for you.
Side compression straps pull the weight closer to your back, increasing comfort and carrying efficiency; they also stop gear from rolling about in a half full pack. The top straps have “Reverse StraightJacket Function”, offering additional attachment points if you need to carry extra gear on the outside of your pack; simply thread the side compression straps through the top loop of the daisy chain and then cross the straps over the top loop and across the front of the pack. Buckle the straps together, creating a compression system to hold gear on the front of the pack.
The compression straps at the base of the pack are particularly good for stabilizing and locking the load as they attach directly to the hip belt. When you tighten them up it really locks the load to your hips providing fantastic stability.
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 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.
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15mm side compression straps
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Adjustable torso length
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AirScape backpanel with foam ridges for comfort and fit
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Dual access fabric side pockets
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Integrated & detachable raincover
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Internal hydration sleeve
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Internal top load compression strap
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Removable sleeping pad straps
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Side compression straps
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Sleeping bag base compartment with internal divider
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Sternum strap with emergency whistle
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Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment
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Stowable twin ice axe loops
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Stretch front pocket
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Top lid access
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Twin zippered hip belt pockets
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U-Zip suitcase opening on front panel
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Zip pocket in top lid
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
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.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.