A high quality backpack is one of those items that you forget you have on you when they are doing their job. Low quality packs will break, and be uncomfortable, and you therefore notice them. Quality bags will keep you more safe, more comfortable, and enhance your overall experience in the outdoors. In this article, we review the Osprey Kamber 30 Backpack (Kresta 30 for women) for backcountry skiing (ski touring), hiking, and more.
Quick Navigation: About Osprey | About The Bag | Our Review | Summary
Our Testing
Carrying skis with the Osprey Kamber 30
We brought this backpack on, full day fishing trips, backcountry ski trips, all over Utah’s Wasatch range, and beyond. This testing allowed us to experience the bag in warm environments, cold environments, in high winds, while hiking, and while ski touring. In other words, we put this bag to the complete test. A little background on our testing: We are trail runners, fisherman, hikers, skiers, bikers, and we take our nutrition, our safety, our comfort, and athletic performance very seriously. Therefore, we make sure we test all the gear we recommend thoroughly.
Where To Purchase
You can purchase Osprey products (and this bag) at several locations:
Osprey Website: Kamber | Kresta
About Osprey
Osprey was founded in 1974 and has since grown to a brand that nearly every outdoor enthusiast and respects as a company that makes some of the highest quality bags on the planet. Simply put, they make incredible backpacks. The packs are so high quality that Osprey has ” ALL MIGHTY GUARANTEE ” where they will repair any damage or defect at no cost to the owner. You can read more about Osprey, their environmental stewardship, equity and inclusion, and history here. In our review, we take this into account to see how well RedFin did at accomplishing this goal.
About The Backpack
Kamber with skis attached in an A-Frame
The Kamber 30 is a backpack designed specifically for ski touring (backcountry skiing). The Kamber is the men’s version, and the Kresta is the women’s version that is specifically designed to fit women’s bodies a bit more comfortably. This pack has every detail thought out. Zippers, storage placement, ski pack, google storage, avalanche gear, helmet storage, clip design and more. The more I use the bag, the more i’m impressed with how well thought out every detail was. This bag is perfect for backcountry skiing or taking on long day hikes with camera gear.
Specifications
| Capacity | 30L (1,831 cubic inches) |
| Carry Options | Skis or boards – Skis: A frame, single side, quick diagonal carry – Snowboards: vertical or horizontal |
| Hydration | Fits two liter hydration with an insulated sleeve system |
| Weight Capacity | 15 – 30lb |
| Weight | 3 lb 6.4oz (Kresta: 3 lbs. 3 oz.) |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Helmet Carry | Yes |
| Ice Axe | Yes |
| Materials | [main] 420HD nylon packcloth [accent] 420D nylon mini check dobby [bottom] 420HD nylon packcloth |
| Fits Torso Length (in.) | 17-22 inches (Kresta:14-19 inches) |
| Fits Waist/Hips | 28-55 inches (Kresta: 24-45 inches) |
Shipping
Shipping is free for this pack from all of the listed retailers we have highlighted in this review.
Returns & Warranty
Osprey’s warranty policy is the best out there. Lifetime guarantee. Free repairs for any reason. Simply put, it doesn’t get better than that. Customers can return the purchased products within 60 days if in new condition. You can read more about the policy here. Other retailers may differ in policies.
Our Review
Comfort
This bag is very comfortable. The shoulder straps have good padding, the hip belt is comfortable, but most importantly, their are adjustments on the shoulder straps (two of them) and an adjustment for the hip belts that allows you to tack on weight very comfortably. We have had several 5+ hour days with loaded packs, including camera gear, and this bag is just as comfortable, or more comfortable than any other bag we’ve had. 5/5 Rating
Storage Compartments & Overall Design
This is the area where this backpack excels. Each compartment is designed extremely well.
- Helmet carry system can be used in two different ways works perfectly.
- Avalanche gear storage is well designed and easy to access
- Hip belt pockets work great
- Design of the hydration pack with built in insulation keeps bladders from freezing very well
- The back pad access to the bag is amazing. Being able to lay the bag on the snow and access everything easily is a game changer for those who aren’t used to ski touring bags like this.
- Ski and snowboard strap systems work perfectly and keep everything secure.
Overall, this is one of the best designed bags we have used. Yet again, a 5/5.
Durability
After heavy use, we still have nearly no signs of wear and tear. Given Osprey’s lifetime warranty, and the quality so far, we feel confident this bag will be heavily used for the next decade at least. 5/5
Price & Value
Ski touring bags in general are expensive. This is bag has top of the line quality at a price point that is below the other top of the line bags. Osprey is not a cheap option, but the lifetime warranty makes any premium you pay well worth it. Overall, due to the quality, and warranty, the value for this bag is extremely high in our opinion. It is well worth taking a step up to buy one of these Osprey’s over slightly cheaper bags made by competitors. 4.75/5
Recommendation And Overall Thoughts:
Overall, we highly recommend this backpack for backcountry skiers. With the lifetime warranty, and attention to detail, you basically can’t go wrong with this as an option. The 30 liter capacity is a great size for mid sized days. A slightly larger pack for those large adventures is advised, but for nearly all of our small to medium sized days, this is our go-to pack.
- Great comfort
- Great design
- Great warranty
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about