Osprey Talon 44 Pack

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

In my 47 years of backpacking, I've used well over a dozen different packs. The Osprey Talon 44 is the best of the lot--not even close! It is very comfortable to carry and its features are incredibly practical. It is super-easy to open and to retrieve gear from during rest stops.

For me, one of the things that stands out is how easy it is to pack and unpack. Before purchasing, I took all my gear to the store and tested all of the comparable brands/models. Many of them were very difficult to pack, but the Talon easily swallowed the gear and begged for more--it holds significantly more than some competitors that are rated 200 to 400 cubic inches greater in capacity.

So far, I have used it only on several 1 and 2 night trips with my wife, carrying 25-30 lbs. total in my pack, including water. It feels like I'm not carrying a pack at all! The outer stretch pockets work very well. The reflective design is fun--on one hike we did the last 1/2 hour with our headlamps and my wife said it was very entertaining to follow me as I glowed in the dark.

I'm not too keen on any of the 3 colors that Osprey makes this pack in, but the pack itself is so wonderful that I've long since gotten over that.

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

For my needs, it is the perfect size. It can be used for a "bring-everything but the kitchen sink" weekend trip, or if packed carefully, a week long trip. It is narrow enough for skiing, stable enough for bouldering. It is a little heavy for thru-hiking. There are some packs out there that weigh a pound less and carry more, but as all the other equipment gets smaller and lighter, this isn't a problem. I'll be happy to carry the extra weight because this pack is so comfortable and stable that it will actually be better for you in the long run. It doesn't even feel like it's on. I'm going to use it for the entire Appalachian Trail in a few months, but of course I will be carrying a down sleeping bag about the size of a football and tarp instead of a tent.

It has a ton of great features. The spandex-like pockets are an improvement over mesh. The hydration system is great because you don’t need to unpack the main compartment to refill. The fabric is a good compromise between weight and durability. It even has a built in whistle on the sternum strap buckle! My only complaint is that the hardware is indeed a little fragile, but I don't think you’ll break anything under normal use.

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

I echo all other reviews but want to add some specific statistics. I just completed a seven day trip over the High Sierra Trail where this pack carried a 10 quart pot, communications and navigation gear and 700 cubic inch capacity bear canister (in the pot) as well as my minimalist sleeping and personal gear without a problem. I was stunned with how well it carried the weight and how well the straps performed. This pack was the envy of the trip.

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

First, I LOVE this pack! I have owned and used several other packs, most of them heavier and with a lot more volume, however none of them were ever as comfortable.

Hip Belt and Suspension: My hips and shoulders have never felt so good after pulling 5 consecutive 10 - 15 mile days in the wilderness. At first look, you might think that the belt and strap material is too thin or too minimalist to be comfortable, but it truly has ben the most comfortable pack I have ever worn. Let me qualify it by saying that I am slender at 5'11" and about 150 lbs. or so. I have fairly bony hips and shoulders, and this stuff felt GREAT! Some packs have hip and sholder cushioning literally 8 yimes as thick but these packs always made me sore at the end of the day - not so with this pack. Perhaps someone with more weight to them could find this pack less comfortable, but i'd say its certainly worth a try.

On most all other packs i've owned or used, I constantly had to adjust straps during a long hike as things seemed to always loosen, especially hipbelts. I never have to adjust this pack due to slippage or loosening.

Weight: I wear the S/M size and at only 2 lbs. 6 oz., this is right where i want a pack to be. While not as Ultralight as some packs, this one has some internal frame support than anything lighter would likely not have.

Multi-Day Use: I have a lot of very lightweight gear that all packs up and compresses very small. I can fit a 2 person freestanding tent and poles, a 32 degree sleeping bag, a sleeping bag liner, pillow case, water filter/pump, stove with cooking pot and feul etc., rull rain gear, pack cover, first aid kit, GPS, extra layers, five days of food, a 3 liter water resevior, 1 one liter water bottle, a z-lite sleeping pad (lashed to bottom of pack on the outside) and all the other little things needed for a 5 day trek and I still have room in the bag, and it weighs about 35 lbs. Per Osprey website, they rate this bag to carry up to 40 lbs. comfortably. I feel it could likely handle up to 50, but I would stick to under 40. In other words, packed smart and efficiently, this is way more than a day or overnight pack.. its a VERy comfortable multi-day pack.

Adjustable Torso: I can't say enough about how comfortable this pack is... Even nearly fully loaded with 5 days of gear (summertime), the fit is amazing. Packed well and sinched up with the compression straps, I was nimly jumping over fell trees, hopping from rock to slippery rock over stream and river crossings, and even felt comfortable enough to run on occasion.

3 CONS:
1) Likely not a good winter multi-day pack. I may not be able to pull off 5 days of gear in winter or early spring backpacking trips sicne more blukier gear is needed then, but this is a great multi-day 3-season pack.

2) Side pockets are difficult to access while pack is on, and really cannot hold water bottles. While I love the material and strength of the side pockets, they are somewhat useless since the compression straps go right over them... even lightly packed you will likely not be able to fit 20 oz. water bottles in them, or any bottles at all and still keep a well compressed pack that is comfortable.

3) Buckles and straps might be slightly too weak. The straps and buckles are very thin and lightweight and are a bit dainty or wimpy and many owners worry that they may not stand up to much wear. So far however, i've got about 300 miles of trail and bushwacking on my Talon 44 and no broken buckes or torn seems yet. I do carry a few replaicement parts in my repair kit, just in case.

I would reccomend this to anyone looking for a very lightweight, comfortable pack to use on multi-day treks, especially if you pack smart and light. Enjoy!

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

I love this pack! It fits great and is very light! I like how you can access your gear from the top or bottom making it easy to get to stuff when you are on the go. The material is strong, but breathable and light. The straps are easy to adjust to make a comfortable fit for women.

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

This pack was both large and comfortable enough to carry 10 kilo / 22 pounds of gear and food for a 4 day, 100 kilometer / 62 mile hut to hut trip to Arctic Lappland. The stretchable pouch on the back is a superb feature for quick and repeated access to raingear, extra layers, hats, and such. I also found it real easy to get stuff in and out of the pack, as it has great access and a stretchable but strong fabric throughout. The hip belt at first appeared flimsy but it proved super comfortable and held the load right on my hipbones. Another set of great features are the hip belt pouches, for energy bars and small items, and the shoulder strap pouches, which were handily perfect for my camera and mini camcorder. The 2 side pockets held full liter sized water bottles, an unexpected perk for a pack of this size. As the owner of a much beloved massive expedition sized 95 liter Dana Terraplane LTW weekend, I never thought I would sing the praises of a pack that is nearly ethereal. This pack floated on my back through long days - you can't go wrong with it.

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

This pack adds plenty of really useful extras that you wont find in other packs without making it a cluttered mess. The main compartment has a mid body compression strap that helps to manage lighter loads when you are using it for a quick scramble or dayhike. The zippered bottom compartment is a great convenience and allows you quick access to those heavier items you need first when you get to camp. The integrated interior key clip is a lifesaver after a long walk down the mountain, no more digging for keys. As fas as comfort goes, it is extremely adjustable and will fit most any torso type. The handy strap keepers keep your pack clean and help prevent snags. The only con is the hipbelt pocket zippers tend to get stuck depending on how they are sitting on your hips, making them a bit longer would help. I was a bit hesitant to buy this one as it is a new line from Osprey, but it seems as though they got it right the first time.

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

For a backpack with a capacity of 44 liters, the Osprey Talon 44 is a surprisingly functional backpacking/camping pack. Best features: adjustable torso, easy access (top and bottom-loading), and more than a few straps and loops, well-suited for holding ski poles, trekking poles, and or ice axes. Bar none the best pack I have ever owned.

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

I have absolutely loved this pack! I have used it backpacking and on day trips and couldn't be more thrilled with it. The suspension is very comfortable (even slightly overloaded), the straps are very adjustable, and the pockets are perfect. The main compartment is cavernous (I have put more gear than I thought possible into it) and it does not have unnecessary pockets and zippers in the way. It is also more durable than I thought it may be. Get this pack, you will not regret it.

Comments about Osprey Talon 44 Pack:

The Osprey Talon 44 is simply, the best backpack I have ever owned. It's versatility sets it apart from any other similar models. It functions perfectly as a daypack, for any sort of hiking adventure, and also as a backpacking pack. At [$] the Osprey Talon 44 is a very wise purchase.