A quick update on what's new and coming soon from American pack
gurus, Osprey, notably a new women's-specific pack based on the Atmos
which is out any time now and a seriously lightweight 44-litre pack
out later this year.
You Have An Interesting Aura...
The
new women's-specific version of the acclaimed Atmos day pack is
called the Aura and uses the same titanium torsion rod
suspension and tensioned net back system as the Atmos, but shaped to
fit a woman's body.
You also get the neat thermoformed and perforated waffle pattern
shoulder pads and hip-belt as the Atmos, welded stretch woven front
stuff pocket, zippered mesh belt pockets and light but tough
materials.
The Aura comes in two sizes, the Aura 50, a top-loading
weekend / light-packing sac weighing in at around 1.35 kilos and
available in small and medium sizes and the Aura 35 a panel-loader
that is essentially a women's version of the Atmos 35.
Watch this space for a full OM test and other details shortly.
Get Your Talons Into This...
Due out later in the year, possibly just in time for Christmas, is
the new Talon 44, a lightweight sac which weighs in at a
claimed 1.05 kilos - that's light by the way - but still features
backpanel ventilation and shoulder harness adjustment plus the sort
of neat construction and features you'd expect from Osprey including
hip-belt pockets, stretch front pocket, proper compression system and
an alloy-tubed perimeter frame. Generally packs at this weight are a
lot more minimalist.
Osprey is also quite chuffed with the look of their new baby. The
sides and lower half of the pack are an off white colour, think very
light grey with webbing and buckles to match, but the company says
that testing shows that the carefully selected fabric sheds dirt, mud
and dust very effectively, so the pack should stay looking white. The
buckles are made by YKK and can be produced in any colour without any
reduction in strength.
We have a Talon here so we should be able to put some miles on it
before the production model lands in the shops late this year. Price
will be £100 for what should be a serious contender in the
ultra-lightweight backpacking stakes.
