Osprey Talon 11 Pack : High Energy, Low Profile

I've been using the same backpack/day pack for about 15 years. It's been to London, Chicago, Dublin, London again, Minneapolis many times, New Zealand, and all over hiking trails in Washington. It's still as solid as the day I bought it. The only thing wrong with it is that the two outside pockets are stuck together with something -- not sure if it's a cosmetic item or food -- and I don't feel like cleaning it. Plus, I wanted to try something new.

So, now I have a younger, much fancier, and I must say - sexier - pack, the Osprey Talon 11. This sweet little day pack, the smallest in Osprey's series for "Active Light Pursuits," was designed for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. It's long and lean and contoured to hug my back; when I move it stays in place. Unlike most other small packs, the Talon 11 has a hip belt that helps distribute the pack's weight and keep it close to my body. Each panel of the wide belt is made out of mesh, so it's all about function without adding weight. When I don't want to use the belt, I can easily secure it to the back of the pack. Super nice feature.

The Talon is made out of a sleek, lightweight but durable nylon that looks more like parachute or rain jacket material than the tough, grainy nylon packs I've been using since the 80s. The pack has a flexible, lightly padded (in the lumbar and shoulder blade areas) back that's designed to allow air flow across my back even with the contoured fit. The shoulder straps are also lightly padded with plenty of built-in ventilation. I love that there's a small sternum strap, even for a light pack like this. The strap is also adjustable, so I can move the strap between three different locations for a custom fit. I also appreciate the small nylon pouch pockets on the straps; they're ideal for stashing a Lara bar and my car keys.

The Talon 11 is a pretty slim pack, so it's more of a day or half-day outing type of bag. There's room in the main compartment for a rain jacket, a hat, a few snacks, and a top. There are two small pockets - one zipper-sealed, one velcro-sealed -- for my wallet, sunglasses, and iPod. There's also a separate sleeve for a hydration bladder. I like how the zippers are hooded by overhanging material. That way there's nothing dangling around to get caught on a branch. Finally, on the front of the pack, there's a bungee cord to hold down an extra jacket or small piece of gear. Plus, a low-profile, stretchy water bottle pocket on each side.

I wear this pack everywhere, every day. I've carried gear in it, clothing, my groceries, a jacket and a camera, etc.

Bottom Line: The Talon 11 is ideal for anyone who's on the move, but needs to have a few essentials at hand. It's so comfortable to wear, streamlined and snug, and has a lot of handy features for such a small pack. Also available in several other sizes.--E.D. (Oct '07)

Price: $79

BUY ONLINE : , ,Moosejaw.com

Manufacturer's Site: www.ospreybags.com

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