Gregory Stout 70 vs Osprey Kestrel 48
Quick take: The Gregory Stout 70 carries more (70 vs 48 liters); the Gregory Stout 70 is lighter (3.77 vs 4.6 lbs).
Which one to buy
At $240 each, both come with a rain cover, hipbelt pockets, a hydration sleeve and a foam back, but the Stout 70 gives you 22 L more, a stated 50 lb rating and 0.83 lb less weight. On paper that's a clear win for Gregory.
The Kestrel 48's answer is durability and fit. Its 420D recycled nylon body and 500D base are much heavier-wearing than the Stout's 210D body, which suits trail work and rough use. Its torso adjusts across two sizes, S/M (16-20 in) and L/XL (19-23 in), where the Stout uses a one-size quick-adjust harness with a Plus version for larger bodies. It also has a zippered sleeping-bag compartment and ice tool loops. Osprey publishes no load rating, and its lid is fixed.
For multi-day trips with real loads, the Stout is the better buy. The Kestrel makes sense if you're hard on gear, want the finer fit of two frame sizes, or prefer a smaller pack, noting that the S/M size holds 46 L rather than 48. Both carry lifetime warranties.
Gregory Stout 70
For multi-day trips with heavy loads up to 50 lb, if the one-size harness or its Plus version fits you.
Osprey Kestrel 48
Best for weekend trips and trail work where tough 420D fabric matters more than weight, and you want two torso sizes to choose from.
| Spec | Gregory Stout 70 | Osprey Kestrel 48 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $240 | $240 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 70 L | 48 L |
| Weight | 3.77 lbs | 4.6 lbs |
| Max Load | 50 lbs (22.7 kg) | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | One size with quick-adjust torso; Stout 70 Plus extended fit also sold | Adjustable, 16-20 in (S/M) / 19-23 in (L/XL) |
| Material | 210D 40% recycled nylon with 420D nylon, C0 DWR | bluesign-approved 100% recycled 420D nylon, recycled 500D high-tenacity nylon bottom, PFAS-free DWR |
| Back Panel | Breathable foam contact back panel | AirScape injection-molded framesheet with ridged mesh foam |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | Yes | Yes |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Gregory lifetime warranty | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) |
Pros & cons
Gregory Stout 70
- ✓3.77 lb for 70 L is more than a pound under the Baltoro 65 in the same brand, at about two-thirds of its price.
- ✓Gregory states a 50 lb maximum carry weight, which puts the Stout in genuine expedition-load territory rather than the 30-35 lb most mid-price packs admit to.
- ✓The alloy steel frame gets a fiberglass anti-barreling cross stay and an HDPE sheet, so a full load does not round the pack off your back.
- ✓Quick-adjust torso on a one-size harness, plus a Plus version with an extended-fit harness and hipbelt for larger bodies.
- ✓Large zippered hipbelt pockets and an internal hydration sleeve come standard.
- ✓Gregory's lifetime warranty covers it like the rest of the line.
- ✗A foam contact back panel rather than suspended mesh, so it runs warmer than the Zulu or Paragon lines.
- ✗210D body fabric is lighter-duty than the 400D-class cloth Gregory uses on its Zulu and Jade packs.
- ✗Lid removability and bear-canister fit are not stated.
Osprey Kestrel 48
- ✓420D body and 500D base are much heavier-wearing than Osprey's 100D-210D hiking fabrics
- ✓Raincover included, stowed in a dedicated base pocket
- ✓Adjustable torso spans 16-23 in across two sizes
- ✓Zippered sleeping-bag compartment with a floating divider
- ✓$240 is $25 less than the Exos 48
- ✓Internal reservoir sleeve with Hydraclip
- ✗4.6 lbs is nearly 2 lbs heavier than the Exos 48 (2.8 lbs)
- ✗Top lid is fixed, so there is no lidless mode
- ✗Osprey publishes no load rating
- ✗Foam framesheet back panel traps more heat than suspended mesh
- ✗S/M size is 46 L, not 48
Gregory Stout 70 vs Osprey Kestrel 48: common questions
Why is the 48 L Kestrel heavier than the 70 L Stout?▾
Fabric and build. The Kestrel uses 420D recycled nylon with a 500D base and an AirScape framesheet, while the Stout's body is 210D nylon. The Kestrel trades weight for durability.
Which one carries more weight and volume?▾
The Stout 70, rated to 50 lb on an alloy steel frame with a fiberglass cross stay. Osprey publishes no load rating for the Kestrel 48, which also has 22 L less room.