Thread: Osprey Kestrel 68L

Considering one of these in the quest for the Unicorn Pack. I have a Spika Drover, a One Planet McMillan and a Macpac 40l - so a range of bags
Not really sold on a specialist hunting pack as don’t enjoy ordering online without trying on.
The Ketrel looks like a good option for an overnighter pack to carry gear and hopefully meat. Anyone use these? Opinions/observations?

I have a Macpac pursuit, the older version mines 25 years old the best overnight pack I have ever used. Their new packs are cheaply made though. For longer trips just bought a big drover. I looked at the Ospreys that everyone raves about but for my style of carrying far to many compartments.

Have the Atmos AG 65l and love it for overnight or 2-3 day trips if packing light (fly only, lightweight sleeping kit etc).

Only possible drawback may be the load rating isn't that huge. Aside from that it's the best pack I have ever had for what I need.

It is a funny thing with packs that with more choice than ever before, it is harder than ever to settle on a pack!
I have the 40L Drover and it does tick most boxes but heavier than I want as material, straps and buckles etc are way over engineered - whereas the top of the pack seems poorly constructed and made to fit a 10L pack to my mind anyway. It is comfortable with a heavy load though. Will put it up for sale soon.
I agree with the too many compartments which puts me off most hunting packs that I have looked at, although as I get older I am getting better at putting everything in its ‘home’ and makes it easier to use a pack with options.
Re. Load ratings hard to know what to think of these as I (and many others I and sure) have exceeded the load ratings of every pack I have owned. My favourite daypack for hunting is a Macpac NZAT Pursuit 40l at about 850gm and with a Cactus scabbard on the side. I have carried plenty of back legs and back steaks in that comfortable with no gear damage in 4-5yrs of regular use.

Just to throw a ‘non hunting’ option in the mix. I use Aarn packs and favourite is featherlight freedom. Comfort is next level, top of pack sits low on shoulders so scrambling under scrub you don’t get tangled easily. Love access to front pockets. Drop the front pockets and use as a day pack from my camp site. Waterproof liners.
I mainly hunt alpine, but would be good across the board. One bit of kit I would never change and been using them from their inception.

I used an Aarn for a while, love the concept but when fully loaded it didn't quite sit how I wanted for comfort and I tried plenty of options to get it sitting right and just couldn't.

"Re. Load ratings hard to know what to think of these as I (and many others I and sure) have exceeded the load ratings of every pack I have owned".

Yeah agreed, in my experience I have massively exceeded load "suggestions" on maybe 10-12 trips now, pack still looks pretty much new (2+ years old) and maybe 30 hunts.

Bear in mind a lifetime no questions asked warranty from osprey. Can't comment on the customer service as I am yet to need it.

IMO most modern "hiking" packs shit on the dedicated "hunting" stuff in similar $ range.

But there is always a "BUT...."

I got an Exped.
I think the brand bit is not the be all and end all as there are a lot of good packs around.
The best thing about it to be honest is the guy at Bivouac in Hamilton set it up for me.
Fits like a glove and very comfortable.
I think there is more to getting these packs fitting right than mugs like me know.
The old packs we had were killers, had a waist belt but that was about it.
Just grunted, suffered our way through the pain, but maybe if tweaked a bit might have been a bit better.

Totally agree about getting a pack fitted or at least trying it on. Ordered a K2 Pack through E Hayes & Sons years ago, I really thought it would be great - friends raved about, etc. Probably the worst pack I have had for fitting me, after an hour of wear it would cause me neck/shoulder pain. I wanted it to work so I put up with it until I have it to a mate after a trip - he still loves it.