I'm not convinced by these air-chimney things on big packs where hip-blets take most of the weight...
Since the hip-belt anchors the pack at the top of the pelvis and the weight is behind that, the pack will rotate away from the back, pivoting at the hip belt but kept in place by the shoulder straps, so the best way to ventilate the back is to remove all of the padding on the back above the hip belt as it isn't taking any load and just gets in the way of air circulation. Adds to the weight of the pack as well.
I use an old Lowe Kantega from the 80s with an erlier version of their Parallux harness. It has no padding on the back above the hip-belt, and it is less sweaty than (and at least as comfy as) any other big pack I've used. I was without it for a while and temporarily replaced it with an Alpamayo, which had back padding. With the registration card I sent to Lowe I popped in a letter saying where I thought the new pack was variously better and worse, and had a letter back from the Kantega's designer saying he agreed with me but marketing required padded backs. Presumably they look better in the shop and photos...
With my old pack I can scratch my back easily too. I hope the recent "less can be more" trend in gear re-discovers the unpadded back. Where a padded back on a big pack does have a point is if you're using it without the hip belt (climbing, for example), but I'm sure a lot of people lugging heavy loads, especially if they go to the trouble of buying a pack with a custom-moulded hip-belt, will not be using them without the hip-belt and would appreciate lighter pack weight, better ventilation and lower cost.
Do you know when the new Osprey models will be available? Furthermore: Do you have any information if the Osprey Talon will be redesigned for 2008, i.e. will they be available in colors that are a bit more civil and inconspicuous?
I work for Osprey and noticed you had a couple of questions about our forth-coming packs.
With relation to your question on availability, our new Argon and Kestrel series will be available to buy from our retailers in January 2008. Check with your local retailer with regards to stock and availability. You can find your nearest Osprey retailer from our website ospreypacks.com.
With reference to the Talon, no it's not going to see any re-design work for 2008. At the moment it's one of our most popular lines, and if it ain't broke....don't fix it. Well, not yet at least!
As for the colours, I'm afraid they're not going to be changing anytime soon, but you may wish to have a cloaser look at our forth-coming Kestrel range (featured in the 'sneek peek' article for this thread). The Kestrel has essentially been designed as a 'toned-down' version of the Talon to suit more of a trekking market. Although marginally heavier than the Talon series, the Kestrel packs contain numerous new features, including a built-in rain cover and a new, unique trekking pole stowing system which can be used on the move. As for the colours, I guess you could describe them as more inconspicuous than those of the Talon, but I'll let you be the judge of that....
Thanks for your interest in the Osprey brand, hope this answers your questions ok.
What, if any, are the differences between the Argon and Crescent packs (other than how they look). That is, any difference in suspension, pack/pocket layout, actual materials of the pack itself? I'm about to purchase a Crescent and am tempted with the new Argon.
Main difference of the Argon from the Crescent is the weight factor. By stripping weight out of both the Recurve back system and pack fabrics, we have created a very light weigh, large-volume load carrier. The Argon 70 for example weighs in at 2.52kg (the Crescent 70 is 3.12kg) and can comfortably carry ~30kg.
Layout of the packs is relatively similar, the Argon being designed to replace the Crescent. Features on the Argon include a Re-curve backsystem with Bioform Custom Moldable hipbelt, a removable aquasource hydration sleeve that converts to a hydration pack using the Argon's sleeping pad straps and a removable lid that converts to a lumbar pack. Top and bottom entry ensure easy organisation of gear (along with an internal divider), and external stretch-woven pockets and Straigh-Jacket compression help stow all your gear away and keep it under control.
The Argon comes in 3 sizes (110, 85, 70ltrs) and three colours (Mustard, Kelp Green and Delta Blue)
The Crescent is a great pack, but we'd like to think that the Argon is even better. If you can hang on until mid January you'll be able to purchase the Argon through our retailers.
Thanks again for the interest in our packs, anymore questions or issues, let me know.
Thank you very much for your response. When you say taking weight out of the fabrics, what do you mean by that? Is it going to be less-durable than previous versions of Crescents? I know that the old (old) packs, circa 2003, were even heavier, but still were bombproof.
Also, since I'm actually living in the States and soon going to Australia/NZ, any chance of an advance purchase (since you guys are in the USA)? The reason I ask is that if I'm about to buy a pack that's going to be going the way of the do-do, and not be able to try it on, then why can't I get a crack at the new pack? Basically, none of the REI's or EMS's over here have any, ANY Crescents at all. Going down the line, there are few, but not many Aether's (and none my size). The only consistent model is the Atmos. The only way I could try on either the Crescent or Aether would be to order it from an online dealer, try each one on, then go about returning the unwanted pack, all the while having to deal with shipping costs, and time delays. Not a great way to go about shopping for one of your packs, is it? It would really be a shame to not buy an Osprey especially after hearing/seeing so many good things about your packs on the interwebs. Why? Because I can't try any on. I really, really want an Osprey pack but am going to have to say hello to my new friend Gregory I suppose.
Going on a different angle - what about the people who might want to buy your packs as gifts? How can they try them on? I understand it's a business, but it really is frustrating. If Gregory had a "sideorder" function like your pack, my choice would be settled very very quickly. Just a thought.
Thank you for your reply. We have used lighter weight fabrics in the Argon series compared to those used in Crescent series. However the fabrics we have used in the Argon series are extremly hardwearing, high-tenacity fabrics that allow us to save on weight but not compromise on quality or functionality of our packs.
I am sorry to hear about your difficulty with availability of our products through Osprey stockists in the United States. I work for Osprey Europe, and therefore I am afraid I cannot comment on stockists / availability of our packs in the Untied States. Please visit our website at ospreypacks.com if you would like to contact our team in the US for more information on stockists and availability.
I am afraid you will not be able to get an advanced purchase of the Argon, however it will be readily available through our retailers both in Europe and the US from mid-January. Again, please feel free to contact our team in the US for information on availability of the Argon series.
Thanks again for your interest in the Osprey brand. Good luck with your trip to Australia and New Zealand.
I really want to try the Stratos 40 but cannot find it anywhere - considering it is supposed to be a jack of all trades I find this a little strange. The smaller versions seem good and I can't see why it wouldn't be a really good seller - is there a reason for this? My local Cotswolds stock many and Ellis Brigham seem to stock every Osprey pack apart from this one!! As for Jonathon above I can do mail order at full cost but it's a real pain and I'm tempted elsewhere (or try the Talon 44, which doesn't have the 'airflow' back system which is a key attraction, and costs more).
If you wait until the new year, the best places for you to find a Stratos 40 will be either Graham Tiso's or Macpherson Mountaineering. Both have their own websites where you will find their full contact details.
IM looking at getting the Exposure 50, but looking at the sizing guide my back length is 51cm and my hips size is 86, the range of measurement for size 2 is 46-52 for back and 76-87 for hips. Am I safe to go for this size basedon my measurement, I jsut dont like how close they are to the maximums of the size, but surely that would be ok... right?
Looking at your measurement info above, you should be ok on sizing for the Exposure 50 in a size large (I popped out to the warehouse for you to double-check the measurements.)
Cheers Martin, your very helpfull. Just looking at your site here and the 2 packs in the picture look different, theyre not the same pack are they? Whats the one on the right? The lft I take it is a Exposure 50?
Ah right, its not on the website either though, jsut the one picture but no details of it anywhere, does the exposure 50 have the daisy chain as the pictures of the daisy chain feature seems to show the 42.
