Osprey has a lot of backpack models you can choose from. They have been making high-quality hiking backpacks for quite some time now. Part of their line includes backpacks specially made for women. Unlike men’s backpacks which are designed for square hips, Osprey has designed theirs, especially for women’s figures. And for so many reasons, it is important for a woman to have a backpack especially made for her.
We have created this Osprey Kyte vs Sirrus comparison because many people don’t understand the differences between them. We want to inform you of their differences so that you can make a better decision on which one to get.
You may like to read:
- Osprey Backpacks for Women: Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide
- The Ultimate Guide to the Best Waterproof Backpacks for Women
Osprey Kyte vs Sirrus
Why They Look-Alike
These backpacks definitely have a lot in common. What else can you expect with two backpacks that look almost identical? Before we get into the differences between the Kyte and the Sirrus, let’s take a look at why they look so much the same.
The features listed below are found in both the Kyte and the Sirrus.
- Made for women: As you might have guessed, these backpacks are specially made for women. They come in a design that is conforming to a woman’s form, and in a more feminine shape.
- Top lid mesh pockets: These backpacks come with top lids that have mesh pockets inside of them. This serves to store your smaller items without making you have to search your main compartment for them.
- Side mesh pockets: As with many Osprey backpacks, the Kyte and the Sirrus come with side stretch mesh pockets. Although these backpacks have hydration sleeves, you can also store water bottles inside of these side pockets.
- Sleeping bag compartment: There are sleeping bag compartments that have a divider to keep the sitting back separate from the rest of your gear.
- Removable sleeping pad straps: We love the fact that you could remove the sleeping pad straps if you’re not using them. This eliminates a bit of the weight and removes the burden of carrying straps that are not being used.
- Integrated rain cover: In case of a surprise downpour, pull the integrated rain cover out of its bottom pocket. If you do not expect it to rain, you can actually remove the rain cover from both of these backpacks to make them lighter.
- Tool loops and bungee tie-offs: You can attach some external gear to the loops provided on the size of these backpacks. There are also some bungee tie-off for extra gear.
Comparing Osprey Kyte vs Sirrus
Now that we have covered what these backpacks are known for, we can go over what each of them has that is different from one another.
Unique Kyte Features
Sizing and comfort: Generally speaking, customers have said that the Kyte has better sizing options with fine adjustments. You can adjust the back panel to the size of your torso as it has an adjustable harness. Some may also find the Kyte more comfortable if they have a straight-ish back. This is because the Sirrus has a ‘trampoline’ back panel. When the Kyte is filled with gear, it will rest on the middle of your back more than the Sirrus. Which is most comfortable to you will depend on the shape of your back.- External hydration sleeve: External hydration sleeves are better than internal ones in the sense that any leaks will not interfere with the rest of your gear. We like the Kyte for the fact that the hydration sleeve rests externally instead of internally.
- Stretch mesh front pocket: We love mesh from pockets that allow us to put large items such as jackets inside of them without interfering with the main compartment space. You can also put your wet gear without interfering with your dry gear.
- Front daisy chain: We prefer daisy chains over bungee tie-off. Daisy chains provide more stability when it comes to attaching gear to your backpack. There is a daisy chain along the front panel of the Kyte backpacks.
Related: Osprey Kyte 36 vs 46: Are They Really Different?
Unique Sirrus Features
- Curved back: This may or may not be comfortable to you, but the Sirrus backpacks have more of a curved back in the Kyte. This means that if your back does not have a lot of curving, the Kyte may be the most comfortable.
- Front panel pockets: Instead of a large stretch mesh pocket like the Kyte, the Sirrus backpack has front panel storage pockets. So instead of storing large gear in the front panel, you can organize your smaller gear in these pockets.
- Internal hydration sleeve: Instead of an external hydration sleeve like with the Kyte, the Sirrus backpacks have an internal hydration sleeve.
- Side panel access to the main compartment: The main compartment of the Sirrus is accessible through the side panel. This is a great feature for backpacks that are large and will have large main compartments. Being able to access your gear from the side saves you the headache of opening up the top lid.
Related: Osprey Sirrus 36 vs Kyte 36: For The Big Hikes
Osprey Kyte vs Sirrus: Price Comparison
Generally speaking, the Kyte backpacks are slightly more expensive than the Sirrus backpacks. This is because the Kyte has a few more features than the Sirrus. Nevertheless, this does not mean that prices will be the same with all merchants. If you would like to see what they cost on Amazon, please see below.
The Verdict
We like the Kyte backpack for various reasons. We generally tend to like straighter backpanels instead of the curved backs of some of the Osprey models. Sometimes, they can be hit or miss.
We also love the fact that the Kyte’s hydration sleeve is external instead of internal. This means that any leaks will not interfere with the rest of your gear.
We want to mention the fact that the Kyte tends to have more sizing options than the Sirrus. Either way, both of these backpacks are very nice and will suit most people.
