2000 cu.in. day/winter/mtn bike pack – Osprey Talon 33, Exos 34 or other?

My family enjoys the Talon 22 (my wife), Talon 33 (my oldest daughter) and Exos 34 (me). IMO, the Talons are the most comfortable packs to carry I've ever used. Same goes for my wife and daughter, and more than a few of our hiking aquaintances.

That being said, my Exos 34 is also very comfortable, and I prefer it due to the fact it is cooler on my back than the Talon. We have a lot of day hiking opportunity around here, and some of the short hikes can be rather strenuous (Tiger Mountain, Mt. Si, Mailbox, etc.). Where my back used to be soaked with sweat …even wearing a Talon … I have noticed I sweat much less when wearing my Exos. Keep in mind I'm a big (6'1" and 220 lbs), strong-hiking, warm-blooded guy, though. My wife and kid find the Talon suits them just fine in the sweat department.

I tried the Exos and several Talons, and ended up with the Kestrel 32. Just personal preference on the way the suspension felt. I wanted something with enough support to carry camera gear, tripod, etc., along with lightweight day hiking or winter day hiking stuff. So far it's been exactly what I wanted.

Well you mention 'other' so I will comment.

I had the opportunity to day test the new Arcteryx Axios 25 about a month ago. I found the pack exceptionally comfortable with flexible volume. It compressed down nicely and the quality was quite superb. I also tried the Axios 35 and found it equally nice. The 25 is 24oz, which for Arcteryx is almost insanely light as it does have a light frame. The 35 is 2lbs, 6oz. Note that some of the technology is cutting edge. Although the frame and back pad do not curve away from the body, there are air channels in the back pad that really seemed to move the heat.

The system for hydration bladders on the talon is the best. One snap and its in or out. The tiny tape on the Exos is hard to adjust with gloves on I find.

I like the Talon 22, as I imagine you know. The 33 just seems like a 22 with a lid and extension collar, so I imagine it's a great pack.

You mentioned winter use. I just (30 mins ago) got back from a morning of backcountry skiing, and used my Talon 22. It fits all the gear, and disappears on the back. The only issue, and I think this would be true of the 33 as well: it does not carry skis very, and the stretch back pocket is too small to fit all but the most irresponsibly anemic avy shovel. This may or may not be relevant.

David that is a very good point. I hadn't thought of a mid-ground between an overnight/multi-day winter trip and a day winter trip. I was targeting a Golite Odyssey as a winter backpacking pack for the extra volume and tougher material, but that's larger than needed for a winter day trip. I guess it could be cinched down, or we could eventually find a winter/ski specific day pack.

Our Exos 58s are good packs and the shovel pocket is large enough but you'd have to be careful about not cutting the material with metal shovel blades. Also I'd never carry skis with it.

Mark, that was very helpful. I may get an Exos 34 for that reason, but would like to try out the Talon 33 on a hot day just to see the difference. I imagine there's no way it could be as cool as the Exos 58 felt to me on a hot day. I'm 185 lbs, 6 ft tall and definitely the heavier sweater, so it's close for me. That is one major advantage of the Exos 58 for summer backpacking. However, for mountain biking the Talon 33 will probably stay closer to the back.

FYI Talon 33 is at REI Outlet for $60 (free shipping with store pickup).

Ken, I'll check out the Kestrel 32. I know what you mean about extra support – I always prefer a little extra back support for a more comfortable carry, but for lighter weights a stiff foam back is usually enough for me. For backpacking weights I like to have at least 1 stay. For the day pack trying to keep things a little lighter.

David, I'll have to check out the Axios 35 too.

Robert, the outside water bladder pouch would make life a lot easier.

Leaning toward the Exos. Seems pretty often we wind up where we started off…

Ray Estrella has a very helpful detailed review here: http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Internal%20and%20External%20Framed%20Backpacks/Osprey%20Exos%2034/Owner%20Review%20by%20Ray%20Estrella/

Geez, and now I will mess you all up EJ,

The Talon 33 will make a better pack if you want to use it mt biking as it does not have the hard frame. It will bend with you better when hunched over. It also is better in falling snow, read my review of the Exos 58 to see how it worked in winter. (Not well, but that’s not what it is made for.)

But yes, there is a big difference in coolness on the back between the Exos and Talon series. I had the 22, 33 and 44 of the Talons, and have all three of the Exos packs right now. (I still have my Talon 22 as it is great.) The Exos are much, much, cooler to wear.

LOL Ray I just PMed you after reading your Talon and Exos reviews and said EXACTLY the same thing…

To all of you Osprey experts – why choose a Talon over the Stratos? They appear very similar on paper….

The Stratos is a heavy Exos in my opinion. (I don’t own one but my sister, Dave’s wife has one.) They differ from the Talon mainly by the suspension. The Stratos does have the inside-outside compression straps which I REALLY like. It also has the Stow & Go trekking pole attachment which I can take or leave. (Actually I have only used it a few times. It is best for bushwhacking and scrambling.)

The Talon hugs the body very well. It makes a great peak bagging pack. It works well in winter when falling snow will go into the mesh back of the Stratos. And that same back that keeps you cool in summer can freeze your back in winter. (Again, this is not what Osprey positions them for, but you guys push gear even more than I do in “wrong” directions ;-)

I “think” the Stratos may be a more comfortable pack. But as I have never used one I am only guessing. You guys can take up a collection and send me one and I promise to put it through the paces and report back…

Thanks Ray – I looked at the Talon 33 but too large for 3 season day hikes and the 22 is too small. The new Stratos 26 looks to be an ideal size but heavier (although more robust materials) and I am not sure about the bowed frame….

…to the OP, sorry for a bit of a Hi-jack.

Geez David,

You were one of the guys pushing me here with your light weight. ;-)

Here is a pic of Dave using the 22 for a 4-day hike in the southern Sierra. He did have to put his ¼” GG pad on the outside though…

And, NO. I can’t do this. Just call me light-weight Ray. No UL yet.

Ray – I just like gear – all kinds of gear. We all have our vices.

Dave is an impressive packer! Wow.

I tried the Stratos at my local REI. It was heavier than the other choices, and even in the large size, the metal external frame dug into my hips. It got painful after only 20 minutes walking around the store.

In contrast, the same size Exos with a similar metal frame felt just fine. Go figure.

Figure this: I can wear a medium Exos 34 but the medium in Exos 46 and 58 is too small. All the Exos packs are too long for me in large, so the only pack in the line I can use is a medium Exos 34.

In the new Stratos, the large fits great in the two models I've tried…24 and 36. The medium was too small.

The new Stratos series is vastly improved over previous generations, IMO. The frame is not curved into the packbag, much more Exos-like. They carry very comfortably, ventilation is great. A little heavy compared to many of our standards, I guess, but the 34 is still only 2.5 pounds, which isn't a big deal for a daypack. I found the new Stratos more comfortable than the Kestrels, but that'll just depend on the person.

Edit: Incidentally, you might want to wait for their "Hydraulics" packs to launch this spring. I've played with them, and they're the best-designed hydration packs I've seen. The Manta 25 or 30 might be just the ticket…

I'm not an Osprey expert, but I have had the Stratos 26 for almost 3 years now.
I have to say I absolutely love the pack. I've had it overloaded with climbing rope, gear and water out in Red Rocks Nevada – it didn't feel like I was carrying anything. I usually have about 15 lbs of gear and 100 – 150 oz of water/fluids, and it floats like a dream and has plenty of ventilation on the back.
I have done some colder hiking with it (and carrying a lighter load than above), using an insulated CamelBak sleeve (with water inside) between the mesh and suspension. For me, this worked well and closed up most of the venting space to create more warmth.
For me, the great suspension, ventilation and robustness more than makes up for the weight.