Interesting table from Osprey where they compare ratios between cpacity and weight, so the new Exos scores about 17 grammes per litre of capacity which is significantly better than other vented packs of a similar capacity.
Something like a GoLite Jam 2 is even more impressive - 12 grammes per liter - but is far more minimalist and with no ventilation or frame at all.
Now I'm confused, Osprey had told me they were producing a black version of the Talon for 2009. I've been desperate to lay my hands on one since playing about with one heavily loaded in a shop, but the colours put me off (I want the 33 litre version as a day sack, in black). I wonder where these new sacks will sit compared to the Talons, which go up to 44 litres. I guess they are larger and will be taking the Talon philosophy from day sacks to multi-day sacks.
The 58 litre sack Exos may possibly tempt me out of my beloved Mountain Equipment Diamond, which is incredibly comfy, but weighs in at just under 2000g for a similar capacity. An instant weight saving of 1000g is not to be ignored, especially if it is from Osprey packs, who I doubt will produce a poor sack. I just hope that black is an option (why doesn't everyone realise that a black rucksack weighs less, as well as looking much more stylish on the hill)
Is there anywhere this chart of weight per capacity is available? I can't see anything obvious from the article on OM or the Osprey site.
58, 46 and 34 means they seriously overlap the Talon arena with their 33 and 44 models. Very interesting indeed. Will the larger Talon's be dropped, or are they after different markets? That would be niche within a niche I think to claim different markets for two very light minimalist, but comfy rucksacks of almost identical capacity / weight.
Mind you:
Talon 33 weighs 790/850g (Osprey figures s/m and m/l)
bugger. once again the compression straps go outside the side pockets giving you a choice of compression OR a side pocket.
Easily modified? Can't you just make two strap-wide gaps (each side) in the stitching of the side pockets ? Running the straps through will give you the option of comressing everything except the pocket.
Parky, it looks to me as if the compression strap can be threaded inside the pocket. There seems to be a little cut-out in the pocket to allow for that as an option?
Paul, I'd say the airgap / non-airgap back systems of the Exos and Talon ranges aims them at different markets, so no reason to drop one. But I wonder if the Atmos range's days are numbered? I suppose it depends if the Exos carries as comfortably (for most people, I might add - I find the Atmos crippling!).
Matt, so, what's the difference between an Air Venting back and an Airscape back? The Talon Airscape is basically a wide channel up the spine with mesh covered, narrow channelled foam on either side. Both sound like a way to get hot sweaty air away from the back, without compromising comfort - which I guess is the aim of any good back system. If Jon finds a picture, we'll be able to work out what the differences in the back system are.
From trying on Talons and alternative lighter rucksacks, I've been struck that the Talon is as light as I currently want to go before getting into the uncomfortable / disposable range of rucksacks. Will the Exos take me further down the path to lightenment (I know, I just like the "word") or will I think it too skimpy? I'll certainly try it before spending my cash on a Talon or two.
Paul, I don't know but I'm assuming that the Exos, like the Atmos and Stratos ranges, or Berghaus Freeflow etc. have a frame which actually curves away from the back to create a genuine air gap. Whereas the Talon's Airscape, and any close fitting foam covered back system, sit directly against the back and, despite the fancy marketing names dreamt up, do very little to provide any ventilation. That said, I much prefer the close fitting back systems .
Yep, the Talon sits on the back and Aiscape or no Airscape, I don't find it does a whole lot to alleviate my sweatiness, unlike my Aurae (plural of Aura, the feminine form of Atmos), which are held away from my back by the curved frame thingy. I prefer the unsweatiness of the Aurae on the whole, but Osprey (oi, you guys, rampant sexism in the outdoors world again!!) don't do the Aura in a 25l whereas they do do a 25l Atmos. Thus I bought a Talon 22 which, sweatiness aside, I absoltuely love, so I'm prepared to put up with a tad more sweatiness than with the Aura.
Yep, it has a different back system to the Talons. Kind of looks like that belonging to a ten year old Regatta rucksack I still have sitting in the garage. That, despite the shape, was a sweaty back syndrome device. Maybe the mesh is much more porous on modern back systems.
Certainly worth a good old kick of its metaphorical tyres. So long as Osprey get the colours right, which they failed to do with the current Talons.
Does anyone else find the Talon 44 shoulder straps too close together? I love the pack, it's really comfy apart from the straps rubbing my neck! Strabgely the Talon 33 dioesn't do this, it's just not as comfy in other areas. I guess I'll have to wait for the exos to arrive before spending any hard earned.
Hello to all, and many thanks for the interest in the new Osprey Exos series!
It's great that one of our new products generates so much interest so early before it's release!
Just thought I would come on and answer a couple of the questions raised in the thread above surrounding the new Exos series and a few of our other packs.
Firstly, to lay to rest any Talon-replacement-type fears from the Exos, I can confirm that the Exos is not in any way designed to replace or supersede the Talon series. Both the Exos and Talon pack series are quite different packs intended for quite different uses. The Exos series is for the superlight single-day up to expedition trekker who wants a fully featured, fully ventilated pack where every ounce counts. The Talon series is our lightweight, all-round mountain activity pack range, with models suitable for everything from running and mountain biking to trekking and lightweight climbing / mountaineering. The new Exos series uses a new airspeed, fully-suspended mesh ventilation backsystem whereas then Talon uses a lower volume airscape backpanel which is also torso-adjustable.
Those of you with eagle-eyes have noticed, and I can confirm, that the side compression straps on the Exos series do in fact compress either under or over the the mesh side pocket at the user's discretion.
With regards ton the litre sizes for the Exos, I can assure you that they are extremely accurate with regards to 'what it says on the tin'. We pride ourselves here at Osprey (and are well thought of throughout the outdoor industry) as being consistently accurate with our pack volume measurement across our entire pack range. We also do not include any 'additional' volume adjustment into our measurements (eg. 46 + 10), however the entire Exos series have floating, fully-removeable lids to extend each pack's capacity by another 10ltr approx. So a 58 litre pack (with a floating lid +10 for extra capacity!) weighing in at only 990g is pretty good in the lightweight stakes....
In terms of colour questions, the Exos will only be available in the Ember Orange / Silver colour for its release in January. Continuing with the theme of colour, I can confirm that the Talon series will be available in Magnesium (very very deep grey / almost black. Looks better than straight black we think!) for our up coming Spring/Summer '09 season. They will be available in stores from Jan '09.
Finally, I can confirm that we're not actively endorsing 'rampant sexism in the outdoors', a point proved by the release of the new Aura 25, again available as of Jan '09 to coincide with our new SS'09 season.
I hope the above info answers some of the questions surrounding some of our new forthcoming packs as well as some of our existing pack ranges. Thanks again to everyone for taking the interest in the Osprey brand. We pride ourselve on manufacturing the best packs available, and it's always great to hear that opinion echoed from all of you guys out there using our packs.
Looks interesting. I'm still not clear about the back-system though. Is it close fitting or does it have an air gap? I prefer close fitting sacks that wrap around my back.
The three sizes available will be 58, 46 and 34 litres btw.
Is there a waiting list?
