40-50l Capacity Lightweight Backpack

If you like packs that carry well, I would go with a ULA pack. Their packs have nice shoulder straps and hip belts and lightweight stays to help distribute the weight.

Another option you may consider is the Elemental Horizons Aquilo & Kalais Packs.

I recommend the new 2012 Gossamer Gear Gorilla. It's incredibly comfortable, light, customizable, and thoughtful, and solidly constructed.

If you want to stick with Osprey, look into the Exos 46 maybe. Still light, and comfortable.

I use the Osprey Talon 33 for 1-2 even 3 night trips. It for me is a very comfortable pack. You might like the ULA CDT, or the GG Gorilla, both lighter than your 33.

Many thanks for all the helpful replies. I had considered both ULA and other packs in the Osprey range but discounted them because they were coming out at very similar weights, or even slightly heavier, than the Talon 33.

One of the frustrations for me when looking at packs is trying to find out whether the advertised pack capacity is for the main compartment only, or whether it also includes the side pockets etc. The cottage guys are generally very good about including all those details but the bigger manufacturers just seem to go with one number. I'm fairly certain for the Talon the 33 means a 33L main compartment. This means that packs like the ULA CDT don't offer any real size gains. The GG Gorilla has a main compartment of 42L I believe (their website is currently down) which definitely puts it more into my range. Thank you also for the Elemental Horizons suggestion – not a name I had come across before.

Nick, I've not owned a Talon 33 but my experience with other Ospreys (Talon 22, Hornet 24) is that they rarely measure out as having the capacity the name would claim. Of course, other manufacturers are guilty of the same so it's hard to compare.

There are tons of options in that size range, just comes down to cost and feature preference.

The hornet 46 isn't a lot heavier then the Talon 33, and presumably they both use the same volume measurements. Would that work?

Have you looked at the Granite Gear Crown VC 60? 60 litres, weighs 34oz. Has a removable frame that brings it down to 29oz according to the manufacturer. Could shave more weight too if you wanted.

I have a Crown, and I am really enjoying it. I haven't measured the volume, but it seems to be at least 50L. The carry is quite good if it fits you. I often use a 1/8" CCF pad rolled up for the frame rather than the framesheet, that saves me about 3 ounces. But the carry is very good, and I really like the feature set. FWIW, you can also remove the hipbelt to save another 5.7 oz if you need to go really light. (Also, my framesheet weighs 5.75 oz, bringing it down to just over 23 oz without either.)

For your baseweight and what you are wanting to use it for, I would highly recommend the Crown. It is very adaptable to smaller loads or heavier ones. I've loaded up 30 pounds, and the transfer to the hips was excellent.

hate to say it, but its a cr@pshoot if you cant try on the pack first … you may want to consider trying any pack you can get yr hands on over there … you may pay a bit more in weight, but at least youll be confident of the fit … i imagine that returning stuff there wont be painless back to the US

I've got the MLD Exodus FS, and it's a great pack for a 5 or 6 night trip–plenty of volume. It can very comfortably carry 25 pounds.

I really appreciate all the input and suggestions, thanks! The Crown looks an interesting pack and meets a lot of the criteria for sure. It is also available in the UK which helps (as I agree with Eric that trying on a pack is always the best bet for getting a good carry). I'd looked at the Hornet series but the 46 in particular doesn't get a good write up from the couple of bloggers who have seen one in the flesh. David, I agree that backpack capacity is notoriously hit-and-miss. Interestingly though I've seen at least one gear source that said that Osprey were one of the better ones at getting accurate capacities for their products…! The Exodus FS looks a good pack and was one of my original contenders. I guess I just need to bite the bullet and give something a go!