Osprey Reveals New Packs

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.

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.

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.