Gear Review: Osprey Kyte 46 Backpack
Value Rating: 8.5
Durability Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 9
Location of Test: Internationally
Duration of Test: 4 years
Product Name: Kyte 46 Backpack
Product Brand: Osprey
Best Use: Trekking
The Full Review:
Osprey is an incredibly well known and well-liked backpack brand. Not only are their packs well-constructed and full of innovative technologies, but they also come with a burly lifetime warranty that covers more than just manufacturers defects, but customer caused defects as well.
I originally bought my Osprey Kyte 46 for the Camino de Santiago, a 500+mile pilgrimage from the French-Spanish border to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Its features suited me very well on this trek: its many pockets and top and bottom openings were very convenient. I found that no matter the stress I put the pack under, it performed incredibly well due to its sturdy suspension system and durable construction.
I went on to use this pack for many other purposes, from traveling around Europe to going to the crag. I've lived out of this bag for months at a time. I have found the size of it to be incredibly convenient for long hikes, traveling, and equipment-heavy sports like climbing. It's certainly too big for your average day hiking pack but is the perfect middle ground between a 20 to 30-liter daypack and a 60+ liter backcountry multi-day backpacking bag.
My most recent trip with my Kyte 46 was sport climbing at French's Dome on Mt. Hood. As soon as my climbing partner and I grabbed our bags out of our cars we realized we'd both brought the Kyte 46, so naturally, I questioned her as to how she liked the bag. She loved it and had already had it for a year and planned to have it for many more. Upon comparing my 4-year-old Kyte 46 to her 1-year-old one and the current model carried at Next Adventure, I did find some advances that have been made over the years. It now comes with an external hydration pack (keeps condensation away from your stuff), the Airscape suspension system, and larger water bottle pockets. All great upgrades!
The Good
The Osprey Kyte 46 has a huge number of zippered compartments and pockets. I've found these to be very helpful in organizing my gear. It also comes with an integrated rain cover which not only saves you at least another $20 but means you have a rain cover that will fit your pack perfectly. Its suspension system is strong enough that this bag doesn't have to be packed with ultralight gear or packed perfectly to properly distribute the weight on your body. The mesh pocket outside allows for a quick stash area, and the many bits and bobs, like stash straps for poles, allows for awesome organization of items on the outside of the pack. Through many years of heavy use, the only wear you can see on my Osprey Kyte 46 is a small tear in the mesh pocket, which since hasn't grown at all.
The Bad:
It doesn't have a side opening - I personally have found that I really like packs with a side or full zip opening in addition to top and bottom loading, it makes them easier for travelling. This bag doesn't have one which certainly isn't the end of the world but is something I will for in the next pack I buy. I also was displeased with the small water bottle pockets on my bag, but good news: Osprey has changed this and the Kyte 46 now comes equipped with very generously sized water bottle pockets on both sides.
My main complaint with the Osprey was that the hip belt just simply didn't get small enough. When I lost weight on my pilgrimage it came to the point that the hip belt no longer got small enough for my waist, despite the fact it was a small and I am not an extremely small person. I've found this to be true for others as well: Osprey hip belts don't tend to get small enough for those of us with very slim waists. Take this as a cautionary tale: when buying a pack, prioritize how it fits you and make sure the waist belt has another 2-3" of tightening left.
The Bottom Line:
If it fits, go for it. The Osprey Kyte 46 is a versatile, medium sized bag that can be used for a large variety of activities. With many compartments for organization and a sturdy suspension system, it is a great option for trekkers, climbers, or anyone else who wants to carry a lot of stuff outside.
The Full Review:
Osprey is an incredibly well known and well-liked backpack brand. Not only are their packs well-constructed and full of innovative technologies, but they also come with a burly lifetime warranty that covers more than just manufacturers defects, but customer caused defects as well.
I originally bought my Osprey Kyte 46 for the Camino de Santiago, a 500+mile pilgrimage from the French-Spanish border to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Its features suited me very well on this trek: its many pockets and top and bottom openings were very convenient. I found that no matter the stress I put the pack under, it performed incredibly well due to its sturdy suspension system and durable construction.
I went on to use this pack for many other purposes, from traveling around Europe to going to the crag. I've lived out of this bag for months at a time. I have found the size of it to be incredibly convenient for long hikes, traveling, and equipment-heavy sports like climbing. It's certainly too big for your average day hiking pack but is the perfect middle ground between a 20 to 30-liter daypack and a 60+ liter backcountry multi-day backpacking bag.
My most recent trip with my Kyte 46 was sport climbing at French's Dome on Mt. Hood. As soon as my climbing partner and I grabbed our bags out of our cars we realized we'd both brought the Kyte 46, so naturally, I questioned her as to how she liked the bag. She loved it and had already had it for a year and planned to have it for many more. Upon comparing my 4-year-old Kyte 46 to her 1-year-old one and the current model carried at Next Adventure, I did find some advances that have been made over the years. It now comes with an external hydration pack (keeps condensation away from your stuff), the Airscape suspension system, and larger water bottle pockets. All great upgrades!
The Good
The Osprey Kyte 46 has a huge number of zippered compartments and pockets. I've found these to be very helpful in organizing my gear. It also comes with an integrated rain cover which not only saves you at least another $20 but means you have a rain cover that will fit your pack perfectly. Its suspension system is strong enough that this bag doesn't have to be packed with ultralight gear or packed perfectly to properly distribute the weight on your body. The mesh pocket outside allows for a quick stash area, and the many bits and bobs, like stash straps for poles, allows for awesome organization of items on the outside of the pack. Through many years of heavy use, the only wear you can see on my Osprey Kyte 46 is a small tear in the mesh pocket, which since hasn't grown at all.
The Bad:
It doesn't have a side opening - I personally have found that I really like packs with a side or full zip opening in addition to top and bottom loading, it makes them easier for travelling. This bag doesn't have one which certainly isn't the end of the world but is something I will for in the next pack I buy. I also was displeased with the small water bottle pockets on my bag, but good news: Osprey has changed this and the Kyte 46 now comes equipped with very generously sized water bottle pockets on both sides.
My main complaint with the Osprey was that the hip belt just simply didn't get small enough. When I lost weight on my pilgrimage it came to the point that the hip belt no longer got small enough for my waist, despite the fact it was a small and I am not an extremely small person. I've found this to be true for others as well: Osprey hip belts don't tend to get small enough for those of us with very slim waists. Take this as a cautionary tale: when buying a pack, prioritize how it fits you and make sure the waist belt has another 2-3" of tightening left.
The Bottom Line:
If it fits, go for it. The Osprey Kyte 46 is a versatile, medium sized bag that can be used for a large variety of activities. With many compartments for organization and a sturdy suspension system, it is a great option for trekkers, climbers, or anyone else who wants to carry a lot of stuff outside.