After both Wife and kids forgot that it was Father's Day until mid afternoon, I am now in a position of power and able to spend a little money on gear. I've been after a new daysac for a while and have kind of settled on a Osprey Talon 33 as the best compromise between lightweight and durability. Has anyone got one and if so what are your first impressions?
Sorry Paul, can't help you with the Talon, I've had a few Osprey sacks and found them all ok though. What I really wanted to say was, bloody hell, you did well out of Father's Day. I got a box of Cadbury's Heroes and a small bottle of whiskey (not complaining really).
I would have rather had them remember to be quite honest!!! When they did, my wife suggested going out for a family meal. However, that would have been around £40 for the 4 of us so I suggested a new daysac instead as a more lasting momento. To my grateful surprise, wife agreed (note to self, it's wife's 40th this yr so must do something special). I had looked at the backpacking light site as Bob is doing some awesome deals on daysacs (Jirishanca 30 for 29.99)but was put off by another forum post about rough backpanels on the Jirishanca wearing through baselayers. Then flicked to hike-lite's site and saw the Talon, CinC home command said get the one you really like so the Talon it was. What was really great was finding a prom code that gave me 20% off at Cotswolds. All in all a very happy bunny;-))))
I've got the Talon. Only used it for one weekend so far but have been very impressed.
As always with rucksacks some won't fit your individual size. There were a few features that have really stood out to me compared to the previous packs I've used.
-Simple back length adjustment - pull velcro apart, push velcro together (there's two different sizes each of which has a range available back length make sure you get one that suits you) -External hydration pocket - why bother keeping water inside the sack? -Drain holes in bottoms of main sack, back stretch panel and hydration pocket - at last an admission that sacks aren't waterproof -Shoulder and waist straps are more hole than strap although the waist ones actually vent into hip pockets
Things that may annoy you - Tethered straps on the waist belt which work the opposite way to what you expect -Large lid pocket - don't expect to be able to find anything in it whilst wearing it but the hip pockets mitigate this slightly -Back system is very flexible for a 33l sack - pack it properly and it's fine - I could only find orange ones in the UK
Hi Paul. I've had a Talon 33 for a couple of months. Only given it two proper workouts, but so far I really like it. It sits there really comfortably and I just forget I've got it on, even with a fair weight in. I agree with all of John's comments but on balance would say that if you're looking for a daypack+ then you would struggle to do better.
I reckon that it is just about big enough for summer camping or for bothying (which would save half a kilo compared with my Atmos 50) and if summer ever arrives I will give it a go.
I've got one too, been using it for a few months now.
For its size, it's lightweight and for me the real plus is its stability compared to rigid-framed packs. You can really cinch it tight for running/scrambling/falling over and it sits solidly.
Hip belt pockets are pretty much a necessity for me (can't stick much in a pair of Rons) and thankfully the Talon has two good ones.
quite funny cos I bought a bag yesterday (not the osprey, but still tried it out and compared it to others).
i tried it out, and it was ok, but i thought it had too many bits and bobs all over it. i couldnt get the harness tight enough around me either (hence weight on shoulders).
in the end i opted for the Macpac Amp Race (40, but comes in smaller version) - reason being cos its just fits really nicely on my back + great harness - and its nearly as light of the osprey
Well, I ordered one from Cotswold today in orange, backlength M/L based on the fact that I've tried the atmos 50 in a L and it was spot on. I want something that I can use for running in (Marcus 4 wks pain free now!!) so it seems to fit the bill.
I bought the Osprey 33 rucksack recently (size M/L) and I could briefly test it on a WE.
Quick presentation of the bag:
33L, 880g measured, full of pockets, exist in 2 sizes, each one having an adjustable back.
Test conditions:
-> day hikes for the moment (+900m) thus not very charged (I would say in the 4kg). Of course, that cannot constitute a true test, but gives indications on the comfort and ergonomy of the rucksack.
-> I am rather tall, with a long back which that requires an adapted back bag. The majority of the bags do not suit me because the ventral belt, instead of being on the hips, is on the belly which is not very comfortable…
My impressions:
-> The bag is very bulky! Announced with 33L, it seems much larger. I had in the bag a PO rab generator, micropolar millet, a waterproof jacket, gaiters, clothing of replacement (slipway/sock) with a meat bag, pharmacy, 2 frontal, the meal of midday, a camera and the small equipment (knife, money, papers,…). The bag was rather empty… I needed to tighten the straps of compression and then it was ok! Despite ths bag was not full the stability was excellent!
-> the bag is very comfortable. With the carried mass much bag would have been but there, I really forgot I was something on my back... The advantage is its adjustable back. The ventral belt is really on the hips! Very pleasant to carry, the bag is stable. The ventilation of the back is not bad but I suppose that it is not worth that of a atmos…. ; -). It should be noted that the straps and the ventral belt are quite ventilated.
-> The bag is very very very practical! There are pockets everywhere! Those of the ventral belt enabled me to store my camera(Sony DSC-W1) on the left and the race food, lipstick and sun lotion on the other. The small pockets on the straps are a little gadgets there you could slip a small GPS device. The side pockets are not "easy access" when the straps of compression are tight. However they are stretches and it is possible to put charts, compass, glove, etc… Important : those pockets are accessible when the bag is on the back (but if the straps are tight you gonna have troubles to reach it ;-). The large ventral stretch pocket allos to pu a waterproof jacket and a lot of other things without taking volume on the principal compartment of the bag. Between the back and the principal volume of the bag, one finds a place to slip a hydratation sack (I don't the english word sorry...). It there also 2 straps for sticks or ice axes.
-> the bag seems solid enough for a light bag but does not support the comparison with an alpine rucksack (a lot heavier). However, within the framework of light hikings and by paying attention, it should not be a problem.
Verdict:
A rather light bag, VERY practical, well designed, with an adjustable back. Comfort seems very good! Stability is excellent ventilation good enough. The only defect comes from the compression straps which interfere with the use of the side pockets. But personally, I am verry happy with this rucksack! I recommend it!
PS : I'm a french lightweight hiker, please forgive me for any english mistakes... ;-)
Am i the only person who thinks that they look as if they were designed by a '70's glam rock band? White on a rucksack!!! Might suit a teenage girl..... I'll just go and put on my helmet and body armour.
Many thanks for your comments, they've been very useful. Whilst I'm very happy with my choice, it's always good to get the opinions of others particularly if they are in agreement with your own. Having seen BBC2's programme on the seven ages of rock at the weekend (stadium rock), it's quite obvious that someone on Osprey's design team liked Kiss when they were younger!! I know that I did so the design is ok by me, anyway that white will soon become a dirty grey;-))))
Go on Mike, you know that you want to buy one really!!! I've gone for the orange one as it goes with both my buff and paramo, see it's really out in the open now!!!
