For a pack that looked so strange sat on its hook at the outdoor shop, this has turned into an excellent investment.
I bought it for one single reason - the good, zipped pockets on the hip belt that are capable of holding a compass, a decent-sized compact camera and other bits and biscuits. After buying on a whim for such a shallow reason (to keep my biscuits dry and close to hand) its become the pack I take with me when I'm out in the rain and clag on the eastern moors, or walking Hathersage - Edale - Crowden on a 3-day bacpacking trip over Kinder and Bleaklow. Despite its length over narrowness, its easily good enough for short camping trips, and the lower zip allows access to stuff you would normally want to keep at the bottom of your pack such as First Aid kit and Bivvy shelter, which you always have to have close to hand 'just in case'
The pack's light but the fabric is tough, pretty waterproof and easy to clean as its very close-weave and even. The colours are a bit weird, paprika being a bit bright, but the dark blue is muted enough and doesn't scare too much wildlife when you're sneaking up for a picture or two.
As-mentioned, the hip belt pockets are good, and the lid and internal-lid pockets are pretty voluminous and will stretch to accept a waterproof and loads of odds-and-ends. The external water carrier is rubbish - use it to carry wet gear.
The lid is a bit weird - it doesnt seem to achieve a fit, even though it does, and the foam back system is similar to the old Karrimor reinforced foam system which jkeep the pack reasonably rigid and close against the back. The Kestrel does this even more, and on photos it appears to morph around you rather than sitting on your back. This definitely makes for easy stability on rocks and reduces drag when you're being buffeted by high winds.
I'm struggling to see what the original reviewer is talking-about in relation to over-engineering - other packs reviewed here in the same price bracket and size have similar specs, and unlike a lot of them, items such as external bungees can easily be removed without the use of a knife or scissors.
The shoulder straps and hip belt are wide, comfy and do an excellent job - The rubber inserts being surprisingly water-repellant and so preventing too much rub from damp, spongified straps.
Drawbacks? Well the external water carrier should be labelled 'travesty' rather than 'revoluntionary'. The zips on the hip belt pockets are nigh-on impossible to pull closed if you've made the mistake of pulling them all the way open and (this is really picky) all the straps are WAY too long and have to be rolled up and tucked away to avoid some poor soul standing 10 metres away losing an eye or two.
The Kestrel 38 is one of the best big daysacks I've had - Its voluminous, comfy, carrys good weight easily and has enough form and function to satisfy the nerdiest of pack buffs.
Just don't buy the orange one.
(Written by: Requiem)