Are you thinking about spending six months on the Pacific Crest Trail this summer? Feeling like three months on the Appalachian Trail is more realistic for your summer backpacking trip? If you’re gearing up for a distance hike in the coming months, be sure to check out these four Osprey ultralight backpacks!
Article Overview
Men’s Talon 44
The Talon 44 actually falls into Osprey’s “Light Backpacking” category. With a base weight of 2 pounds, 4 ounces, it provides a light foundation to start from with plenty of space to add gear. Let’s do a quick preview of this pack’s general specs:
Pack Capacity (S/M)
42 liters (2,563 cubic inches)
Pack Capacity (M/L)
44 liters (2,685 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
27 x 12 x 13
Weight Capacity
25 to 40 pounds
Now let’s talk about the pack’s frame design. The Talon 44’s aluminum peripheral frame gives the pack structure without adding extra weight. The frame is designed to transfer pack weight from the harness to the hip belt, which eases the load on your shoulders and back. It’s a critical feature that you’ll come to love after a full day on the trail!
This Osprey pack comes with a number of important features, including an external hydration sleeve, a removable top-lid with two zippered pockets on top and the underside, removable sleeping pad straps, zippered sleeping bag access, and dual tool loops with bungee tie-offs.
As a starter pack or replacement for an older pack on its last legs, the Talon 44 is a great option for distance hiker or all experience and ability levels. Sit back and allow this awesome pack to do most of the heavy lifting for you on your next extended expedition!
Women’s Lumina 45
The best of Osprey’s “Ultralight Backpacking” packs, the Women’s Lumina 45 offers a base weight of less than 1 pound, 9 ounces. It’s even lighter than the Talon series while actually offering an additional liter of pack capacity. Here’s your overview of the Lumina’s specifications:
Extra-Small
Pack Capacity
39 liters (2,380 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
24.41 x 15.75 x 12.2
Base Weight
1.715 pounds
Small
Pack Capacity
39 liters (2,380 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
24.41 x 15.75 x 12.2
Base Weight
1.715 pounds
Medium
Pack Capacity
45 liters (2,746 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
26.77 x 15.75 x 12.2
Base Weight
1.85 pounds
The Lumina’s ultralight design can largely be credited to the 3.5mm Lightwire suspension system. The pack’s aluminum frame gives it structure without adding unnecessary weight and the breathable mesh back panel with side ventilation keeps you cool in even the hottest conditions!
Additional features of this amazing ultralight backpack include a bellowed front fabric pocket for quick access to rain gear when conditions darken, patented NanoFly™ fabric that’s light and durable, an internal compression strap for the main compartment, and a sternum strap with a built-in whistle for comfort and safety.
The Lumina 45 is Osprey’s latest breakthrough in ultralight backpacking technology. It’s a great investment for the distance hiker looking for a light, durable pack that won’t let you down, even in the toughest conditions!
Men’s Levity 45
The Levity 45 is the men’s version of Osprey’s Lumina ultralight pack. With durability and versatility, Osprey’s newest additions to its ultralight backpack collection is a slam dunk for anyone in need of a new pack for next summer’s long-distance backpacking trip. Let’s examine this pack’s unique specifications:
Small
Pack Capacity
42 liters (2,563 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
24.8 x 15.75 x 11.81
Base Weight
1.786 pounds
Medium
Pack Capacity
45 liters (2,746 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
26.77 x 15.75 x 11.81
Base Weight
1.852 pounds
Large
Pack Capacity
48 liters (2,929 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
28.74 x 15.75 x 11.81
Base Weight
1.927 pounds
Like its Lumina counterpart, the main compartment of the Levity pack is manufactured from 30-Denier Cordura Silnylon Ripstop fabric. The bottom and accent features of the pack are engineered with 210-Denier NanoFly™ Nylon by 200-Denier ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
In addition to the same features mentioned above with the Lumina pack, the Levity/Lumina series offers a fixed top lid with a zippered pocket for easy storage and organization, dual access mesh side pockets for water bottle storage, and top lid cord loops for additional attachment points for external gear.
The Lumina/Levity series is Coming Soon! Check out this awesome video for a full product tour and be prepared to order when these packs become available later this spring!
Women’s Tempest 40
Another pack from Osprey’s “Light Backpacking” category, the Women’s Tempest 40 is a great pack to help you pare down your gear to those absolute essentials for your next overnighter. When speed and weight are more critical than bringing every piece of camping gear you own, this pack is an excellent option. Let’s take a look at the Tempest’s specifications by pack size:
Extra Small/Small
Pack Capacity
38 liters (2,319 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
22 x 11 x 11
Base Weight
2.1875 pounds
Small/Medium
Pack Capacity
40 liters (2,441 cubic inches)
Dimensions (inches)
22 x 11 x 11
Base Weight
2.25 pounds
With a total weight capacity of 25 to 40 pounds, you won’t be carrying an extravagant amount of weight and Osprey’s peripheral frame provides the structure through a wireframe that runs along the outside of the back panel. This wireframe directly connects the upper load lifters and central core of the pack to the hip belt in order to transition the load from shoulders to hips.
While offering the same features of its male counterpart, the Talon 44, the Tempest 40 also boasts a Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, stretch-woven harness pockets, a mesh-covered, die-cut slotted foam harness, and Lower InsideOut compression/carry straps. You might also be surprised by this pack’s reasonable price and, as with all Osprey pack’s, it is backed by their Almighty Guarantee, forever!
Carry Less and Enjoy More this Summer!
When it comes to long-distance hiking, you’ll quickly learn how important it is to reduce the contents of your pack down to what is essential. From personal experience, carrying 65 pounds or more for your first week on the trail can significantly dampen your spirits.
As you cut your pack weight down to the essentials, your hips and knees will thank you and you’ll find your trip much more enjoyable. See Osprey’s Sizing Guide and find which size pack is right for you!
About The Backpack Guide
At The Backpack Guide, we’re always looking for new trails and wildernesses to explore. We’re also excited to see and share photos of our readers with their new backpacks. Please don’t hesitate to share your latest adventure or backpack purchase with us on social media by tagging @thebackpackguide on Instagram and Facebook, or @backpackguide1 on Twitter!
As always, please leave any questions, comments, or concerns below and we hope you enjoyed the information we’ve presented here for you today!
Other Resources From The Backpack Guide
I’d also like to kindly invite you to check out the other content on my site. That includes Hiking Tips and Trails and my Outdoor Gear page with reviews on water filters, tents, hiking shoes, trekking poles, and more. Also, you might enjoy my Backpack Reviews if you’re in need of a new pack, which includes brands like Kelty, REI, and Gregory.
Finally, my YouTube Channel is full of informative video content if you’re not really into reading! I do receive a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links on this website. Those earnings go directly back into my efforts to produce more informative content for my readers!
Safe Travels!
The Backpack Guide
Comments
The women’s Tempest backpack is the one I fancied the most from the list here. Though not an easy thing to do, I must confess that I really like the sleekness of the design and how it looks generally. Thank you so much for sharing all these great products from this brand. It really seems nice to see!
Author
Hey Rodarrick! I’m glad you found one that fits your needs!
Hey thank you for the awesome post! This is great for me and my wife because we go backpacking every year during the summer. These back packs look great and I like there are some for men and women. Do you think two of them would be good enough for a couple who backpack and camp?
Author
Absolutely Jessie! Although they fall into the ‘ultralight’ category, they have plenty of space for everything you’d need for a backpacking trip. Feel free to browse around some of the other packs (larger and smaller) that I’ve reviewed on this site and please don’t hesitate to shoot me a message if you have any specific questions about a pack!