Osprey  Talon 11 Pack

Just the right size for any "fast" activity such as running (trail running as well), biking and day hiking. It has enough space for a jacket, your lunch, snacks, a camera, a book , and your 100 oz Camelbak....It is also useful for everyday use if you don't load it with too much stuff. Vey cool colors, backpack full of features and very high quality. Highly recommended.

After years using Camelbaks, I bought this and like it. It's very light, well made, nice features include: mesh, wide waist belt (which can ride up a bit if pack is worn high), very comfy shoulder straps that have a little give & are vented, nice cell phone & or mp3 pockets on shoulder straps, good pull rings on zippers. The mesh back panel didn't help alot to keep my back from getting sweaty on a humid day, maybe the space between pack & mess could have been thicker. Only one large (full-lenght) compartment, and a smaller, plus a little sleeve. 2 external bottle holders & nice external bungee. The clasps on 2 straps are different than norm, may be a bit more prone to breakage? I loaded it up with 2 bladders (150 ozs ttl.)and it felt great, had plenty room left for 2nd layer, essentails, hat, etc. It seems to have more storage the the Mule. This one (unlike the Talon 22)doen't have the height adjustment on the pack panel , but it fits fine for my 5'8", 160 frame. 3 sternum-strap positions & cord clip for bladders. Nice, light comfy pack.

As a day/general use pack I had a Camelbak H.A.W.G which eventually wore out. I replaced it with the M.U.L.E. which had severe limitations with capacity and organization especially when you put water in it. I found the Osprey Daylite when visiting REI and bought it but it is more designed to work with Osprey's travel packs as an accessory and conquently didn't have a good suspension system and bounced when I tried running with it. The REI salesperson suggested the Talon 11 which I hadn't seen and it is basically the perfect pack. It has become the pack that I carry when I commute to/from work on my bike everyday. It is the pack I wear when trail running. It is the pack I wear mountain biking. It is practically my constant companion. The only time I don't use it is when I need more volume for something like an overnight trip. You really can't fit a sleeping bag, a jacket and all the gear you need for an overnight trip into 10.5 liters. The pack shows an amazing attention to detail in the design. All the features that you want in a pack for adventure racing are there. 1) The suspension system is good enough for when I'm running. It doesn't bounce even when filled with water. 2) The side pockets are readily reachable without removing the pack. 3) The elastic strap system is probably the best feature. When you aren't carrying much stuff it can collapse the bag down very flat and thin but it can also let out to allow the bag to expand. Furthermore, it allows you to strap things on the outside like a helmet or a jacket. 3) The pockets for gels on the straps are a bit small for a cell phone, a radio or a GPS but they work well for gels when running. 4) Unlike other packs adding water doesn't cut severely into the internal volume of the pack Some minor things that I would have done differently: 1) The sternum strap is just a bit too long for me. 2) The gel pockets on the straps are a little too small for a cell phone or a GPS. 3) The way that it holds the water bladders is flexible and useful but it doesn't seem to hang onto a camelpak bladder well.