This is a review of the Osprey Kyte 36 backpack. The Kyte 36 is especially made for women, and comes in small and medium sizes. The features that are included with this backpack are very rich. Almost every feature offered by Osprey is included in the Kyte 36.
The Kyte 36 holds enough volume for an entire weekend’s worth of hiking or mountaineering. It has plenty of attachment loops for various external gear components. Read on for more information.
- Women's-specific sizing and fit
- Breathable AirScape ridged foam backpanel with adjustable torso length
- Dual tuckaway ice tool attachments
Holds your gear in place
If you are going on a hiking trip, it is important for your gear load to be stable. There is nothing worse than swaying back and forth while walking over rocks because the weight of your backpack is too loose.
This is why the Kyte 36 has a straightjacket compression system that allows you to tighten up the compression straps to compress your gear. Along with the compression straps, you have material flaps that do some of the work. The compression straps on the Kyte 36 also act as external gear straps. You can put longer items inside of the side mesh pockets and run them under the compression straps to secure them in place.
Backpanel design
The backpanel is padded it is lined with ventilation mesh. The Lightwire peripheral frame that makes up the backpanel helps to transfer the load from the back to the hips. Customers have noted how this helps with stabilizing the backpack and making it feel much lighter.
Always stay hydrated
Osprey’s higher end backpack tend to include an external hydration pack sleeve. The stands in contrast with the internal ones that can leak into the contents of the backpack when punctured. The external hydration sleeve within the Kyte 36 is separated from any contents of the backpack. If a leak happens, your gear is completely protected.
Plenty of useful pockets
The Kyte 36 has a very large front mesh pocket that stretches to hold larger items. The large mesh pocket is often not seen in other Osprey backpacks with different designs. But we love the large mesh pocket, as you can save space in your main compartment for other things that need to be zippered up.
As with most other Osprey backpacks, the Kyte 36 has side mesh pockets where you can place your water bottles and snacks. Above the side pockets are side zipper access to the main compartment of the backpack.
There is also a zippered sleeping bag compartment at the bottom. This helps to keep your sleeping bag nice and dry throughout the day. Above the sleeping bag compartment are straps that you can use to secure your sleeping pad.
Convenient gear attachments
Need to secure your bicycle helmet or some trekking poles? The Kyte 36 has bungee tie-offs that you can use for this purpose. Apart from these tie-offs, the front panel has a daisy chain for extra attachment points.
There are also special trekking pole attachments at the bottom of the backpack. Using these attachments, you don’t even need to take off the backpack to put away your trekking poles.
Waterproofing
The material of the Kyte 36 is durable and thick. It is slightly water resistant, but the Kyte 36 also has an integrated rain cover in a pocket at the bottom of the backpack. This keeps you from needing to use those annoying garbage bags to protect your gear.
Specifications
Gender: Made for women
Weight: 3.09 pounds (s) and 3.2 pounds (m)
Dimensions: 25 x 12 x 12 inches (s) and 27 x 12 x 12 inches (m)
Volume Capacity: 34 liters (s) and 36 liters (m)
Materials:
- Main: 210D Nylon Double Diamond Ripstop
- Accent: 420HD Nylon Packcloth
- Bottom: 420HD Nylon Packcloth
Features:
- Integrated rain cover
- Trekking pole attachments
- Sleeping bag compartment
- Sleeping pad straps
- Padded mesh backpanel
- Large stretch front pocket
- Two side mesh pockets
- Straightjacket compression system
- External hydration pack
Pros
- High-volume capacity for several days worth of hiking
- Material is durable
- Hydration pack sleeve is separate from the main compartment
- Backpanel weight transfers to hip belt
- Compression straps double as external gear carries
- Has daisy chain and bungee tie offs for extra gear attachments
Cons
- Side mesh pockets are not very big. Can only hold a small water bottle.
- Hip belt pockets not easy to access while hiking
Customer Reviews
The Verdict
We love the Kyte 36 for the fact that it is fully featured with most of Osprey’s designs. Although it is a long-range backpack for several days worth of hiking, it comes at a relatively low cost compared to other Osprey backpacks. This one is definitely a bargain. There are many attachment points on this backpack, and the large front stretch panel just gives it that extra oomph.
- Women's-specific sizing and fit
- Breathable AirScape ridged foam backpanel with adjustable torso length
- Dual tuckaway ice tool attachments
This one comes with a hydration pack sleeve that is external from the main compartment to prevent from leak damage. Overall, we give this backpack two thumbs up!
Osprey also makes a larger backpack called the Kyte 46. Is very similar to the Kyte 36, but with a few design differences. For a comparison between the two, please you our Kyte 36 vs Kyte 46 review.
