Osprey Kestrel 48 vs. Osprey Talon 33
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Kestrel 48 | Feature | Osprey Talon 33 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 6 | Compression | 6 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 3 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| ecycled 420D nylon, DWR treatments made without PFAS | bluesign® APPROVED, 100% recycled 100D high-tenacity nylon w/ dobby check ripstop, DWR treatment made without PFAS |
Key differences between the Osprey Kestrel 48 and Osprey Talon 33
- Opening: Other on the Osprey Kestrel 48; Top flap on the Osprey Talon 33.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Kestrel 48; 2 on the Osprey Talon 33.
- Rain cover: Yes on the Osprey Kestrel 48; No on the Osprey Talon 33.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 1 accept both. 0 accept only the Osprey Kestrel 48, and 1 accept only the Osprey Talon 33.
Only the Osprey Talon 33 fits
Virgin America.
Osprey Kestrel 48 vs. Osprey Talon 33: which should you pack?
The Osprey Kestrel 48 carries 15L more than the Osprey Talon 33 (48L vs. 33L), while the Osprey Talon 33 is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Osprey Kestrel 48 fits 1% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Osprey Kestrel 48; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Talon 33 is the better call.