Osprey Kyte LT Review

Testing the Kyte LT

Taking the Kyte LT out in the Azores was a great way to test it out. I took the 45L version of the pack, although you can also buy it in 28L and 65L versions as well. It was perhaps a bit large for what I needed to carry with me, but I wanted to have the capacity for extra layers and snacks just in case. We were hiking from hut to hut around Santa Maria Island, which meant I didn’t need to carry any camping gear or cooking gear, and so I saved a lot of space. Since it didn’t rain as much as we expected, my rain gear stayed packed away – so I was glad to have the extra room.

One of the things I really liked about taking the Kyte LT with me was how well it fit my body. Osprey does a really good job with fitting their women’s packs to actual women’s bodies, so I felt much more comfortable than I normally do. The weight-distribution capabilities were fantastic, and while I knew that I was carrying a lot of heavy water each day, I didn’t feel it on my back once I had the pack well-adjusted. I feel like that’s a feat of great product design.

About the Kyte LT

The Kyte LT is the lightweight version of the original Kyte line. While the bags are actually very similar, the differences lie in the capacities and small details. Things I noticed when comparing them are that the lid compartment doesn’t fully adjust and detach on the LT as it does on the original. This doesn’t feel like a big problem; it just means you can’t fill the bag as full and adjust the lid to suit the bulging size.

The other difference is that I think the Kyte LT has shaved down on some of the extra straps and features. The fabric for the exterior pockets is also a bit less flexible, which keeps the bag looking nice, even when you throw a lot of stuff in it. Nothing is falling out when you bend over for scrambling or to re-tie your shoe.

Also, the price for the LT feels very reasonable. For most packs on the market that are 40L+, you can expect to pay hundreds of euros for high-quality materials. But the Kyte LT’s biggest size, which is 65L, is only 200 euros. Not too bad!

Conclusion

The Osprey Kyte LT was a really great pack to take on my trek around the Azores, and I will most definitely take it with me on many more tours to come. I can see how this would also be very comfortable in its largest size, 65L, as it’s a bit lighter and more streamlined than other large packs in this product design.

The colors are beautiful, and I felt proud to carry it with me. Plus, I really found this to be so comfortable. Of course, everyone should try it on for themselves before purchasing, but this was an easy fit without any major adjustments. All in all, I recommend it!