I’ve been a long time user of Osprey’s Talon 22, and absolutely love that pack (see my review here on bikepacking.net). As much as I love that pack, I knew it could be improved upon, and the Hornet 24 is the result.

The biggest advantage over the Talon? It’s lighter. Significantly lighter. 10 ounces. That translates into a lot less weight on the shoulders. I was worried, especially on my initial rides, that some amount of comfort was sacrificed in the reduced weight, but that isn’t the case. The Hornet seems just as comfortable to me, and perhaps more so since it’s lighter.

All the great features are there, like the hip belt pockets and the shoulder strap pouches. The only thing I miss is the internal velcro wallet holder that is present on the Talon. Small quibble, but it is nice to have a dedicated place to put things you don’t want to fall out when fishing for other gear. There’s still a key ring inside the top pocket.

So far I have only used the Hornet for peak bagging (by bike!) and all day rides, and it has quickly become a favorite. I will report once I get some time bikepacking time with a heavier pack, but so far this seems to be exactly the pack and exactly the improvements I was looking for.

After testing a variety of different hydration packs I chose to use the Osprey Hornet 24 in the 2011 Colorado Trail Race. I wanted a super light pack considering the amount of time I would spend standing while riding my singlespeed. The pack I was looking for also needed a higher storage capacity for extra food on the long stretch between BV and Silverton. Comfort and fit were important not only due to the race length but also because I have a plate with screws in my collarbone that I didn’t want aggravated. The pack also needed to hold a hydration bladder.

The Osprey Hornet 24 performed great and it worked exactly as I had hoped. It was never uncomfortable during the 5 days and 15:44 hours it took to finish the race whether I was riding or on a hike-a-bike section and regardless if it was loaded or empty. The side and top pockets were very convenient. The storage area shape worked well for the items I wanted to stow, it also made it easy to locate things I needed and I liked the weight distribution. The Osprey Hornet 24 suited my needs for the CTR perfectly. http://www.shawngregorymountainbiker.blogspot.com/