Any and so there must be a fair few here that have them in some size / another have any feedback and opinions on how they are for every use over time?
Strange thing is no hydration pack included which is tbh bugging me a tad.
Strange thing is no hydration pack included which is tbh bugging me a tad.
despite some bike firendly features its not a dedicated bike pack, I guess other users prefer bottles or just generally have less need for 3L of water than back country MTB.
Or... camelback started this "bladder sold separately" thing, the others have to follow otherwise they appear more expensive to the first glance internet shopper.
I have a Talon 33 - it was perfect for a multi-day hike in the Alps, staying in refuges. I used the bladder from my Raptor 14, which worked fine. I wouldn't use it on a bike, it's too tall.
I have a 22 and it’s my favourite bit of outdoor kit that I own. It gets more use as a running pack than a biking pack as I use it everyday for my commute. Perfect size for what I need and comfy when done up tight.
My only slight niggle is I wish it had a built in rain cover, but they can be purchased separately.
I love them, I have the 22l and the 33l. I use a Camelback bladder in them (I already have about half a dozen of them from old Camelbaks).
They are excellent packs, we use them walking mainly, not MTB specific. My only reservation for MTB use would be the mesh side pockets could catch on stuff and get knackered pretty quickly. I prefer quite a narrow pack for MTB so it can't catch on anything.
I have the Talon 11 (and the 6 waistpack). I use it almost everyday for commuting both on the bike and just as a bag when driving. Also use it for walking.
Right size, good back system if you hate the 'mesh frame' rubbish like I do, useful features, incredibly comfortable and can be found for £50
Only thing wrong with it is its as waterproof as as teabag and has no raincover as per above, oh and the blue colour gets dirty quickly and is difficult to clean
I have a 22l and the wife has an 11l which get used mainly for walking . On the bike I tend to use the smaller lighter Katari ( poss sp.) which is fine for everything except really big winter days out.
Love my 22. So comfortable in use, nicely laid out.
I'm glad it doesn't come with a bladder. It wouldn't be free it would be added to the price. I'd rather choose a bladder myself
As above 33 used for hiking/climbing here....my fav piece of gear I own....used it a LOT around the world. Never ridden with it, I'd imagine it'd be fairly tall.
My gf has the female version in a 22l, and again it's been faultless.
Osprey are fantastic, love them. Latest is a stratos 36 for hill walking, it's so well made, they do some great wee touches.
If you know any folks in emergency services, they get 40% off with bluelightcard.
Not everyone buying a sac wants a bladder.
I'm not a huge Osprey fan. My Escapist isn't a bad pack, just not great.
Over designed and over featured in my view. I've got compression straps that don't compress much, and leaves the top flapping around. A rain cover that's badly made. Two zips covered by train flaps, one not - all within a few cm of each other! It feels style and ideas of over function.
I prefer a 'less is more' approach.
A few bits of lightweight mesh or elastic doesn't last in my experience too.
My son's have Scott, Evoc and Dakine of similar size to my Escapist 18. The other three packs are all better in different ways, but better.
Massive Osprey fan here, good company, good people.
I've got a Talon 22 for days out and bigger days on the bike (Raptor for smaller pack requirement days)
It's pretty much faultless. Bought a new Osprey bladder on a deal when I bought the bag. Not sure if it's quite as easy to use as the old screw top one from my Raptor, but it's certainly easier to clean and dry. The split hose is really clever, great for refilling and cleaning.
IMHO Osprey bladders are far superior to Camelback bladders in every way.
Good to know guys- thanking you
One more thing, someone above mentioned £50 Talon 11s !?
Where from exactly ?
I also have a 33l which I use for full day hikes. Very light and well made. As someone said above, it makes a great overnight bag if you are staying in a refuge and just take a very light sleeping bag but it's too small for bivvying.
I think it would be too big for riding. I did buy a 22l as well but found it slightly too small for day hikes and slightly too big for mtb so returned it.
Strange thing is no hydration pack included which is tbh bugging me a tad.
Because it's a backpack not a hydration pack. Only the hydration packs come with bladders.
@daveash I've used my 33 for wild camping. I've not really got particularly light/small wild camping gear. Wild Country Zephyros 2 etc
It was a bit of squeeze but manageable.....I actually found the same load more comfortable in a bigger rucksack though
I’ve got a fair few of them - Talons 6, 11, 33 and 44, plus a carryon/rucksack thing. All are very well made and serve their purposes well. My only gripe is that the mesh side pockets are made of tissue paper so they tear easily.
The 44 has a frame to it that the 33 does not, so it’s very good for carrying heavier loads in the hills.
My only gripe is that the mesh side pockets are made of tissue paper so they tear easily.
Yes, really handy, but they snag and get small holes in them quite quickly, I can see that being the thing which retires mine.
The only Osprey I bought and didn't like was the Mutant 40l (IIRC) it had a detachable top section which just annoyed the hell out of me when I was using it hut to hut in the Alps, stuff kept falling out the gap between the two bits. Sold it on Ebay as soon as I got back.
