Osprey Talon 11 Review – New Modified Version

If you need a small versatile streamlined pack for fast and light outdoor day tours, this Osprey Talon 11 Review is for you. Here you have a modified new version of the popular pack.

Key benefits

What is in the name – what type is it – who is it for

The Talon 11 is a part of a famous Osprey’s series which has been on the market for many years already. The series includes also the following packs: Talon 6, Talon 22, Talon 33, and Talon 44.

The Talon 11 is an impressive small daypack for short and light day tours, and those can include practically any outdoor activity. So if you are a hiker, mountain biker, climber, mountaineer, this is a tool to consider.

Overview

This is a panel-loading type pack, quite normal for such a size. Parallel to the main compartment you also have a separate external reservoir sleeve, a nice feature which I love to see. Both compartments are shown in the pictures below. Note that Talon 11 is compatible with 1.5L Hydraulics LT and 2L Hydraulics reservoirs.

The suspension

The suspension is based on an incredibly lightweight system with the AirScape mesh covered accordion foam back panel. This is a flexible system quite appropriate for this size.

The shoulder harness is just a breathable mesh with a bit of padding, but it is wide and pleasant. The hip belt is only a mesh. This is the part of what they call the Biostretch hip belt. It increases airflow and provides a comfortable carrying experience as long as you do not go to the limits. From the lumbar zone to the belt you have a seamless lumbar-to-hip-belt mesh which is used also in their AG series and in the Stratos and Sirus packs. See below how it looks.

The hip belt is there mainly to keep the pack in place and to provide space for the two pockets, rather than for carrying the weight. This is because you do not have any frame here, bear this in mind when you see that it is designed for the weight of up to 20 lb (9 kg); I would not go to such limits with this pack.

Note also that the harness is not adjustable but the pack is built in two torso sizes, so you can choose at the moment of purchase.

Surprisingly, this tiny pack comes with load lifters, and you also have an adjustable sternum strap with an emergency whistle.

Pockets

• You have dual stretch mesh side pockets for water bottles or for anything of the size. You can fix everything in place with the straps which you have there.
• It is hard to believe, but the hip belt is also with dual zippered pockets, this is always useful to have.
• On the top you have a small zippered pocket for electronics and glasses.
• One small mesh zippered pocket is in the main compartment.
• You have a very useful stretch mesh pocket on the left shoulder harness.

So as you realize, you have 6 external pockets plus 1 internal pocket.

Attachment elements

• On the top you have LidLock bike helmet attachment.
• LED light attachment point is on the bottom.
• On the central front section you have a large bungee cord where you can store stuff needed on the go, like a shell jacket, a hat, waterproof pants, etc.
• Osprey’s famous Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment is available here as well. If you are not familiar, this is a bungee loop on the left shoulder strap paired with yet another thicker loop on the side of the pack, where you can attach your trekking poles on the go. You will want to use it if you need to eat or drink something on the fly, to take photos, or to do some scramble on the route. You can see it in the picture below.
• On the sides you have lower InsideOut compression straps. The meaning of this feature is that you can pass them over the pocket if you want to fix items in the pockets, or through the pockets if you only want to cinch the pack and stabilize the load inside the main compartment.
• On both shoulder straps you have an elastic cord for the attachment of glasses, very useful; see it in the picture.

Please see this short video by Osprey about their Talon & Tempest series:

Specifications

• Gender: for men.
• Two sizes: S/M and M/L.
• Weight:
  – S/L: 1 lb 4.6 oz (0.584 g).
  – M/L: 1 lb 6.4 oz (0.635 kg).
• Volume:
  – S/M: 549 cu in (9 l).
  – M/L: 671 cu in (11 l).
• Dimensions: 19 x 10 x 10 in (49 x 25 x 25 cm).
• Maximum weight: 20 lb (9.07 kg).
• Torso fit:
  – S/M: 16 – 20 in (41 – 51 cm).
  – M/L: 19 – 23 in (48 – 58 cm).
• Waist fit:
  – S/M: 26 – 45 in (66 – 114 cm).
  – M/L: 28 – 50 in (71 – 127 cm).
• Adjustable sternum strap.
• Materials:
  – Main: 70D x 100D Nylon Mini Shadow Brick.
  – Accent: 420HD Nylon Packcloth.
  – Bottom: 420HD Nylon Packcloth.
• Colors: 4.

Summary, rating, pros & cons

The rain cover is missing, and it can be ordered separately here. The price is fair if you can afford it, I am totally convinced you will not regret it. This is a quality pack. See how I rate it:

Osprey Packs Talon 11 Men's Hiking Backpack

8.7

Volume-Weight ratio

7.7/10

Features & bonuses

9.2/10

Comfort

9.3/10

Pros

• Very reliable quality tool.
• Lightweight.
• Several useful attachment elements.
• Pleasant suspension system.

Cons

• No rain cover.
• A bit expensive.

Buy from Amazon

Buy from Osprey

Buy from REI

Note that they have the corresponding Tempest series for women, so the Tempest 9 is described in my another review. Thank you for reading. Please use the comment box below if you have any comment or question. I wish you a nice day.