Osprey Kyte 36l advice

Coo · Feb 4, 2020

Hi everyone

I'm new to this group so please forgive me if this is inappropriate. I'm planning to walk the Portugese Way (central I think) in September...super excited! I have a limited budget and have the opportunity of getting a once used Osprey Kyte 36L pack from Australia, one I see recommended by many, but it's not available in SA. Obviously it would be ill advised if I haven't tried it on at all. Is there anyone in Cape Town who has one and would be prepared to let me try theirs on.

Many thanks

Sjp007 · Feb 4, 2020

Coo said:
Hi everyone

I'm new to this group so please forgive me if this is inappropriate. I'm planning to walk the Portugese Way (central I think) in September...super excited! I have a limited budget and have the opportunity of getting a once used Osprey Kyte 36L pack from Australia, one I see recommended by many, but it's not available in SA. Obviously it would be ill advised if I haven't tried it on at all. Is there anyone in Cape Town who has one and would be prepared to let me try theirs on.

Many thanks

BEST pack I’ve ever owned!!! Been using mine for four years and both my daughters have used it as well

Coo · Feb 4, 2020

Sjp007 said:
BEST pack I’ve ever owned!!! Been using mine for four years and both my daughters have used it as well

Thanks for this, my problem is I can't try it on anywhere and so I'll probably have to pass it up. What kind of build are you and your daughters, I'm medium build but narrow hips and that I guess makes it really critical that I try before I buy!

dougfitz · Feb 4, 2020

Is there an outdoors outfitter selling Osprey packs that you might visit just to try it on?

The Kyte looks like a pretty solid pack, and built to stand up to a lot of use in difficult circumstances. Perhaps not as light as a camino pack might be, where a pack doesn't need to be as robust. But if the price is right and it is big enough for your camino packing list, it would not be an unreasonable option.

Chris Taggart · Feb 4, 2020

Hi Coo,
I am no expert, but from experience, and uncomfortable backpacks, I have learnt that
”torso length” is the most important factor in sizing your pack.
If I may recommend a You tube video by Doug, “Backcountry Pilgrim“, he explains the factors of capacity and sizing very well.
Enjoy the Forum, you will find so much to help your thought process, and to make your Camino the best possible experience.
Buen Camino

dougfitz · Feb 4, 2020

Chris Taggart said:
If I may recommend a You tube video by Doug, “Backcountry Pilgrim“, he explains the factors of capacity and sizing very well.

The URL for Backcountry Pilgrim on Youtube is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzLuoAwi9dhOMdJe-JuQWmw.

Coo · Feb 5, 2020

dougfitz said:
The URL for Backcountry Pilgrim on Youtube is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzLuoAwi9dhOMdJe-JuQWmw.

Thank you so much

Coo · Feb 5, 2020

Chris Taggart said:
Hi Coo,
I am no expert, but from experience, and uncomfortable backpacks, I have learnt that
”torso length” is the most important factor in sizing your pack.
If I may recommend a You tube video by Doug, “Backcountry Pilgrim“, he explains the factors of capacity and sizing very well.
Enjoy the Forum, you will find so much to help your thought process, and to make your Camino the best possible experience.
Buen Camino

Thank you!

Coo · Feb 5, 2020

dougfitz said:
Is there an outdoors outfitter selling Osprey packs that you might visit just to try it on?

The Kyte looks like a pretty solid pack, and built to stand up to a lot of use in difficult circumstances. Perhaps not as light as a camino pack might be, where a pack doesn't need to be as robust. But if the price is right and it is big enough for your camino packing list, it would not be an unreasonable option.

Thank you

CK007 · Feb 13, 2020

Hi Coo,

Maybe reconsider the locally stocked options? There is some very budget friendly yet quality options (ranging from R1k - R3k) available at Cape Union Mart/Outdoor Warehouse which ought to come in cheaper than the Aus option, especially considering the "extra" cost getting it from Aus to SA.

Enjoy the planning & prepping, that's half the fun!

Coo · Feb 13, 2020

T

CK007 said:
Hi Coo,

Maybe reconsider the locally stocked options? There is some very budget friendly yet quality options (ranging from R1k - R3k) available at Cape Union Mart/Outdoor Warehouse which ought to come in cheaper than the Aus option, especially considering the "extra" cost getting it from Aus to SA.

Enjoy the planning & prepping, that's half the fun!

Thanks so much! I have contacts!

and it comes in much cheaper, but still undecided . Thanks for all the input, this is a great forum!

hollyw · Feb 15, 2020

I bought my Osprey Kyte 36 five years ago without trying it on. It fit perfectly. There are a lot of straps you can adjust on it. I know Osprey has an app where you can take a photo of your body and it will "fit" different models of packs to your body based on the photo. You could try that if you don't find anyone in Cape Town with a Kyte.