Osprey Talon Pro 40 vs Mammut Lithium 40 Pack – Which Is Better?

Here you have my comparison of Osprey Talon Pro 40 vs Mammut Lithium 40 packs, both are excellent with great features, but I rate the Mammut’s backpack better.

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Why this comparison

The Osprey Talon Pro 40 and Mammut Lithium 40 packs are high-quality products from globally known brands. Their craftsmanship is at a very high level. 

In the case of Osprey the word Pro in the name of a pack typically means fewer features as compared to standard packs from the same series. The Mammut Lithium 40 is a technical pack and all its features a described in my detailed review.

The reason for comparison is a long list of common features that the two backpacks share. Here are some of them:

• These backpacks belong to the same volume group, and their weight is almost identical.
• Both packs have an adjustable torso length.
• The lid is adjustable (floating type) and removable in both packs.
• They follow the same basic design where the load is close to the body. This implies that you have a padded back panel with ventilation channels covered with a fine breathable mesh.
• Both backpacks have an internal frame.
• They are hydration compatible, with an inner bladder sleeve.
• The backpacks are bluesign approved.
• The fabric in both packs is nylon with a similar D-value.
• The same volume-to-weight V/W ratio. The Osprey Talon Pro 40 S/M version weighs 3.18 pounds (1.44 kg) and its volume is 2441 in³ (40 l). In the case of the Mammut Lithium 40 pack you have the weight of 3.15 lb (1.43 kg). So the V/W ratio is 28 liters/kg.
• Both have bottom attachment straps.
• There are dual side straps in both packs.
• Pull forward hip belt straps are in both packs.
• There is an emergency whistle on the sternum strap in both packs.
• Dual loops on the bottom-front for poles attachment, paired with bungie tie-offs are in both packs.
• These are gender-specific packs. This means that there are women versions available as well.

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Important and less important differences

Here are some features where these two backpacks differ, the importance of them is a matter of personal preference, in any case have a look:

 

It is necessary to explain why I give those + and – signs, so let’ see:

Pockets

There are 9 pockets in total in the Mammut Lithium 40 pack. Compare this with 7 pockets in the Talon Pro pack. The extras in the first pack are: 

• One bottom zippered pocket for its rain cover.
• One unique phone pocket that is inside of the hip belt pocket, see the picture.

On the other hand, it is not all about the number of pockets. For example, the front pocket on the Mammut pack is padded and with a stretch material on the sides, but side pockets in the Talon Pro pack are deeper. So this all is a matter of personal preference.

There is more to this: one of the hip belt pockets on the Mammut pack is just a stretch mesh pocket, so I would rather have yet another zippered pocket as in the Talon Pro pack. But see more related to this below.

So it is far from obvious which pack is better with respect to pockets, we all have different preferences.

Access

Both packs have a top access under the lid, but the Mammut Lithium 40 pack has an extra bottom zippered compartment, with an inner divider that separates it from the main compartment. This divider is with a cinch cord so you can close it and open it as you need. 

The Osprey pack is without any other access points. This is an important difference for me, and I give advantage here to the Mammut’s pack.

Rain cover

Here too an important difference, at least from my own perspective. The Mammut Lithium 40 backpack comes with a removable rain cover in its previously mentioned dedicated zippered pocket on the bottom.

The Osprey pack itself is more expensive, and if you also want to order the rain cover separately, you will have to pay around $24 more. 

Therefore, the ran cover in the Mammut’s pack is a bonus for many users, me included.

FlapJacket

Both packs have a removable lid with two pockets, and its attachment is the same with easy to use clips. But when you remove the lid, the top is only with the cinch cord in the Mammut’s pack. So I don’t think I would ever want to use it like that.

On the other hand, in the Osprey’s pack you have an integrated flap (which they call FlapJacket) that closes the backpack, and it again looks very elegant and complete. This small piece of fabric makes a lot of difference.

Versatility

This is related to the hip belt design. In the case of the Mammut Lithium 40 backpack the hip belt is removable.

This is why they have added only a low profile stretch mesh pocket on one side of the hip belt, so that you can pull the hip belt out. There is Velcro connection behind the lumbar padding, so you simply break it. 

With this feature you can use the pack together with your climbing harness, and this makes it suitable for rock climbing and ferrata tours. 

Price

As of the moment of writing this text, the price difference is significant; the Mammut Lithium 40 pack is far more affordable.

I do not see any reason for such a high price of the Osprey’s pack; think also about the missing rain cover with this pack.

Sternum strap difference

In the Osprey Talon Pro 40 pack you have a sliding type, while in the Mammut Lithium 40 pack this is a ladder type attachment.

I did not rate this in the table because it is subjective; I myself prefer the ladder type but this may be different for you. There is no better or worse for everybody.

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Final thoughts

Where to buy these packs?

• The Osprey Talon Pro 40 pack is available at: Ovprey-US, REI, and Amazon.
• More about the Mammut Lithium 40 pack and about places to buy it you can find in my full review.

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