Osprey Hornet 42

[Deleted member 3000]

It is more comfortable loaded (15# without food and water) than I thought it would be. The razor thin strap for the waist belt still allows the pack to rest on the hip bones. My mental image that a wide waist belt is necessary for comfort was wrong. As long as there is sufficient wideness to sit comfortably on the waist, the part with the buckle does not seem too important.

The externally accessible hydration pocket is excellent.

The waist belt pockets are not particularly useful. They are small, and offer no moisture protection. They are good for a knife, pen, whistle, chapstick, pills, and small camera, but are too small for gloves, bandana, passport, guidebook, or credential.

The belt that attaches the shoulder straps across the chest is mounted high, which I found uncomfortable. I had to cinch down the shoulder straps to my body to keep the chest belt off my chin.

It is very light for the capacity. The capacity is too much for the Camino unless it is half filled with a sleeping bag. Extra space is not a problem unless you fill it, so I will just cinch down the compression straps, of which there are many, and walk on.

 

[Snake]

I have the Osprey Talon 33.
All the same features as ur pack, but smaller capacity.

The only downside is what you mentioned about the waist belt pockets. They sit almost on the back side of your hips and has very little room for storage. I'd like it to be big enuf for at least the guidebook storage.

But the pack, packs well and is very balanced and like you said sit comfortably on the hips!

 

[Kitsambler]

@Falcon: Are you sure the chest strap is not position-adjustable on your Hornet? I have two other Osprey models (Kestrel and Exos) and the chest strap is vertically adjustable on both. Of course, I'm not going to venture that any feature is universally available, but it might be worth checking.

I carry the guidebook in my trouser pocket.

 

[Snake]

The Talon 33 has an adjustable chest strap like you said, slides up and down like a zipper.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It will go higher, but not lower. The lowest setting is not comfortable for me. For others it might be fine. Packs are too individual for categorical statements! I like a chest strap down around the nipple line. That would be very uncomfortable for many.