First Look: Osprey Hornet 46

Jen, if you had only one tiny grommet in your pack and no other holes or mesh in the bottom for the big three in Zion, and didn't have to invert your pack to drain water fast, you're privy to something I'm not. I generally find 2-4 3/8-1/2 inchers ideal.

My apologies if my above post came off as pedantic. This new pack is exciting, and comes closer than anything else off the shelf to having my preferred feature set. If I buy one, my grommet press will be one of the first things I reach for.

Women's packs from most manufacturers do have different hipbelts, as mentioned. They do also usually have narrower-set shoulder straps, and in general the shoulder straps are contoured differently and different in length. Women's packs also frequently come in shorter torso length. In terms of sizing on the Hornet, a S/M will fit ~<19 inches, a M/L for ~>19 inches, assuming they're sized as the Kestrels and Talons. The existing S/M fits many women pretty well in my experience, although it isn't great for particularly short torsos (say roughly 16 inches or under).

In looking through the thread, I don't believe anyone with the pack has confirmed if the yoke is fixed or adjustable via velcro like the Talon. With the sizing's naming convention (like the Kestrel/Talon), I'm hoping it adjusts like those models.

Please forgive me if someone has already clarified this info…thanks!

fixed

I just received an e-mail from John Pieper of Osprey. He mentioned that we testers are free to discuss our impressions of the Hornet 46 on these forums. His quote: "Free speech is totally cool". He indicated that the feedback we give him, as well as other forum questions/comments, will be forwarded to the design team, and would be considered while making final changes prior to the Aug-Sept production.

He indicated that the prototype packs we received are roughly 42 L, as Ryan mentioned in his initial post. Osprey will size it up a bit for final production (to 46 L?). I expect that they'll offer various colors, and their usual 2 sizes (S/M and M/L) for the 46 L. pack. I don't know about other pack volume sizes.

Now, my initial impressions from just one outing (I'll work on that 100-mile minimum, Dave):

The pack is not framed, but has the removable foam pad. It also has two vertical frame rods secured in sleeves on either side of the pad sleeve. No top horizontal frame rod like the Talon.

A unique feature is the side mesh pocket design. They are 15" x 6", running along the whole side of the pack. There is an opening at the top, and also one half way down on the shoulder strap side. This allows a good deal of flexibility of what it can do. You can access your water bottles easily, or you can choose to use a pocket to store your tarp or some such piece of gear. There are two lightweight 3-point compression strap setups over each pocket, which will allow one to secure whatever is placed in the pockets. My camera isn't working, but maybe Roger or Jennifer could add a photo, showing the side of the pack, with the large mesh pocket and unique compression straps.

Another useful feature is a series of maybe 14 small loops of non-stretch cord sewn into the sides, top, and front of the pack, which allow you to configure all sorts of external lashing options (provide your own cord).

On last week's outing, I found that I missed having some sort of hip belt padding (there is none at all). And I have to disagree with Jennifer's feeling that the shoulder straps were 'heavenly.' I've never been a fan of Osprey's thin perforated padding there, and I suggested to them that they consider beefing it up a wee bit, if only at the shoulder point-of-contact, and for sure at the iliac crest.

But, all in all, I think they've come up with something here. With a few tweaks and a slightly larger volume (and a corresponding increase in weight), this pack has the potential to compete with the Jam 2.

I know it may add a couple of oz….but I would LOVE to see the same adjustable yoke Opsrey uses on the Talon series on this pack.

It seems the Talon's two sizes (S/M and M/L) fit a very wide variety of body types rather well. I think it could help make this pack accessible to more people.

Gary, thanks for the info. Sounds good.

Mine just arrived. Heres some extra shots.

Well It was sunny and I took pictures in a sunny scene mode and it put it at a large pixel.

So I just put them on flicker because I was lazy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47471708@N07/sets/72157624312358131/

Thanks, Andy. Your Flickr photo #…476 shows the side view and the mesh pocket/compression setup I was alluding to.

First, let me thank Osprey publicly for allowing the BPL community the opportunity to review this pack.

I'll try to add to, rather than repeat what has been said to date.

Water drainage:

I just swam around in my pool with the pack on. When I got out the two holes were functional, but I was getting just about as much water loss from the seams. I'd have preferred to dump the water out than wait for the two holes to drain the pack.

Having said that, I had only three water bottles in the pack, so quite a bit of water was allowed to get in. My sense is under normal conditions (the pack full) that less water could get in and the two holes would be sufficient.

The trade off is that a larger diameter grommet would allow dirt/mud, etc. to enter the pack when it is set on the ground. So, if taking on water is a frequent occurrence you may be disappointed. If it is infrequent, the pack will please you.

Suspension:

I have the sense my pack is too short in the torso, I would probably not have bought this size of pack. But, the suspension system seems to work, at least 17.3 lbs on a short hike this afternoon felt just fine.

If the suspension was larger for my torso, the pack could be larger than it is. However, I'm concerned if the pack was larger and carried more, it might overwhelm this suspension design.

Packbag:

I like it. The compression straps are functional and don't interfere with the side mesh pockets. The lid carries a rain jacket; it is removable, but I can't see myself being so weight conscious. The side mesh pockets will carry a lot of wet stuff until it dries (socks, tarp, raincoat), although one's water bottle may not be accessible while the pack is worn because the pocket is so deep, it extends the length of the pack. The hip belt pockets are mesh, so you'd want a dustproof/waterproof camera and a way to keep your half eaten gorp/energy bar out of the dirt. The hip belt pockets are not easy to reach and get into because they are behind and out of easy sight.

My hike today was in very hot and humid weather. The mesh and foam backing were reasonably well ventilated.

Quality of workmanship:

My quick test of any pack's durability is the haul loop; it feels very secure. I didn't see any flaws in this pack. The quality would not disappoint a gear picky BPLer.

In sum, if the pack fits you I would recommend it for loads and purposes for which it was designed.

last reviewer's comment was dated July- any of the testers have any more feedback?

has anyone received info from Osprey on possible revisions to the prototypes?

thanks

Mike

I have noticed the Talon series of packs are on Sale at REI and other store at close out prices. I think the hornet series will replace the Talon series of packs wether Osprey wants it or not.
It seems the buyers of the major backpacking stores are getting ready to replace the talon.
I am kind glad because just a matter of looks the Hornet looks like a better color combination. Because a the normal consumer did not purchase the talon when the were looking at it seen the whitish,gray color trim of talon and how dirty it would get. Plus the hornet is cleaner more well thought out shape on looks alone.To the non educated backpacker they will buy this over the talon series.
Now us on technology involved in the design will like the new features and weight alone of the pack for nice weekender or longer pack.

Tell me how this pack will replace my Talon 22 multi-sport pack?

I read a very detailed review of the pack on this site, and I could not add much to it, other than I really like the pack all and all. It fits me better ( I am 5'2" and 108 lbs) than any pack I have or had, and I wore it very comfortably for an 18 mile and a 23 mile trip, carrying around 19 lbs.
As far as improvements, I agree that the back pad is best removed and replaced and that if you remove the lid the straps just stay and hang on the pack, which is a bit of a nuisance.
I did not use my usual Platy with hose, but I could easily reach in side pocket to grab my water and almost as easily ( two hands for this) put it back, while continuing to walk.
I found the pack plenty big to hold enough gear/ food for several days. The hip belt and straps were comfortable as were the shoulder straps.
The color, Red, departs a bit from my usual earth tones, but I can live with that.
A great little pack for me. Thanks.

Osprey will have this pack in 24,36 42 or the tester say 47 liter pack in the Hornet series.So this is how your talon 22 will be replaced.

I know is clearance sale prices say to me their will be a upgrade or elimination of pack. Last year in the fall REI and sport chalet had the Stratos series of packs at very steep clearance price markdowns to make room for the new Stratos series of packs. At one point sport chalet you could pick up the Stratos 40 for $79.00.
Here's a link to the new Hornet series pack direct from Osprey blog spot.

http://mediaspot.ospreypacks.com/internet-press-hits/inside-outoor-featuring-ospreys-hornet-series-packs-summer-2010/

Hopefully the talon series will not be discontinued I own a talon 22 and 44 My only gripe was the white /grey trim and bottom sure got dirty fast. But it look like major retail buyers are getting ready to drop
the series.

get an email back from Osprey, the expect the Hornets to be available sometime in January

if any more of the testers have comments, would certainly like to hear :)

Mike

sorry if this was answered already, but does anyone know what material it's made out of?

now on their site

http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/HornetSeriesActiveLightPursuitsSuperlight/

any testers care to comment if any changes were made?

thanks

I sent my beta pack back and do not have a production model to compare but it does not look like any changes were made from mine. (I got mine a couple months after the BPL gang.)

I wonder about the sizing. Mine said 46 but was more like a 40 and it weighed 1 lb 8.8 oz which is what they have on the site for Lg.

I doubt it is going to replace the Talon series as the Talons are more adjustable and more comfortable.

online vendors have the hornet available for purchase, though I don't think they'll get shipped for another week or two because most have a backordered or "ships later" tag of some sort. REI, Prolitegear, Moosejaw, and Gearzone seem to all have one or another of the sizes.

.

I did a video of the Osprey Hornet 32, the small brother of the here discusses pack.

Difference between the Prototype and the commercial ones is that the side pockets are now angular and no longer the full length of the pack. Other than that, a good pack but still a lot of stuff which could be minimized/ is fiddly.

thanks- that was helpful :)

Nice job on the video, Hendrik. Osprey has a video on their web site, which shows the Hornet 46 pockets–they look full length, like our prototype packs. So perhaps the shorter pockets were placed on the smaller volume packs? I'm hoping that the Hornet 46 will show up in a local store sometime, so that I can compare the final version to my prototype and see what (if any) modifications they made. It certainly is an interesting pack.

Thanks for pointing that out, Gary, seems to be indeed the case! Let us know if you find differences between your Prototype and the final version, would be good to see if there's some changes been made or if all your advice has been ignored =)