whether your an avid Mountaineer, all out trekker, or just a day hiker odds are you have some stuff you generally take along for your adenture. you need something to carry that stuff in, because frankly, who wants to carry a water bottle, climbing rope, crampons, axe, etc in there arms? not I. thats why i believe having a pack designed for outdoor excursions is essential to any fun adventure.
believe me as im sure you are well aware, there are a countless number of bags on the market of all shapes and sizes, but recently i stumbled across what seems to be a versatile multi-use pack: Osprey Talon 44 Pack. let me start with the basic specs on this pack. it is a 2700 cubic inch/ 44 liter pack with a load of features and is marketed for “Cragging and Climbing to Over Night and Thru hiking!”
Weight and Constuction
first of all let me say that this pack is LIGHT! weighing only 2lbs 10oz unloaded. the materials may come off as cheap at first look, but i assure you that is not the case, and with a lifetime warranty from Osprey to back it, there are no worries here. weight is shaved on this pack by cutting out material where ever it is neccessary, from the punch out centers of the padding in the straps, to the very simple buckles keeping the pack on your back.
Size and volume
when i first pulled the pack out of its shipping box i was a little taken back by the small size of the pack, and thought to myself there was no way i am going to fit all the gear i need in this pack, but i was quite wrong. once i loosened some of the compression straps this thing started swallowing gear like a garbage disposal. i managed to stuff my sleeping bag, single person tent, cooking set, stove, fuel canister, shirt and pants, sleeping pad strap to the outside, and still had room to spare for food and other items. this pack in my opinion could easily support you for a 4 day trip, and maybe longer depending on how you pack and the weight of your gear. the straps and waist belt seemed to distribute the load comfortably and evenly. one downfall i did notice is that if the main compartment of the bag is quite filled, the top compartment can seem a little cramped, but other than that no major complaints on capacity.
Compartments
the Talon 44 offers a few different ways to organize your gear. it features a top loading main compartment that can be accessed by the top draw string opening, and also throught the sleeping bag opening in the b
ottom, this allows for easy access to your stuff regardless of where it is in the main compartment. next there is a front pouch made of a stretchy material which is great for stuffing layers that you may take on and off during your day, and ive even seen people carry a frisbee stuffed in this area. on top of the bag is a removable top compartment which is great for your small odds and ends, and a small key pouch lives inside this compartment as well. a really nice feature on this pack, though i have not got to test it usability yet is the external hydration pocket which is between the bag and back panel. quite possibly my favorite part of this pack is the zipper pouches on the hip belts, i have worn several packs and have always wanted this feature, and i was n0t let down. i find myself stashing snacks in them, knives, sunglasses etc. they really make the stuff you use a lot easily accessible. last but not least, the side compartments on this pack make carrying to 32 oz water bottles a snap, which surprised me because i did not expect them to stretch that much.
Other features
when looking around the inside of this pack i noticed what appears to be a water proof coating though i have not tested it to see, regardless 
it seems that some attempt to seal out the moisture has been made. dual ice axe loops, tool tie offs and bungee tool loops will make all the mountaineers in the crowd happy, the bungee loops also work great with trekking poles. another great feature of this pack is the compression strap located under the lid which will help climbers keep there rope at bay to and from the crag. finally one of the major conveniences with this pack is the strap keeps which help keep excess strap out of the way and make on the fly adjustment as easy as a tug on the loops created by the keeps.
Concluding thoughts
this pack is a great buy for someone who needs a way to get his gear out to the crag, or the weekend mountaineer, or someone who plans on a light weight 4 day trip. it is not without its flaws though the few i mentioned are by no means deal breakers. this is a fine little pack with a lot of potential uses, and it doesnt hurt that Osprey makes some darn good looking packs either.
Additonal Photos
