This Osprey Exos 48 vs Talon 44 review was written because it can be difficult to decide which of the two meets your needs. They have a few subtle differences that can help you decide which is the one you want to purchase.
The Exos 48 is the larger of the two, holding more volume capacity by about 5 liters. But it also has fewer features than the Talon 44.
Related: Ula Circuit vs Osprey Exos
Osprey Exos 48 vs Talon 44
Design similarities
Both of these backpacks are made for day hiking or overnight stays. They come with very comfortable padded harness and hip belt. They have built-in zippered pockets on both sides to hold your barely accessible items.
One of the great things that we love about Osprey backpacks are the large front mesh panels. Both of these backpacks have a mesh panel in the front that allow you to store larger gear. Or simply throw in your dirty laundry so that it does not touch the main compartment.
An important feature that makes up these two backpacks is the removable top lid. By removing the top lid, you make the backpack smaller and much lighter. If you will not be needing all of that extra space, simply remove the lid and throw over the large fabric panel that is built into the backpack. This provides extra compression for your gear and protects it from the weather.
Both offer custom fits that adjust for different torso lengths. The harness evenly distributes weight between the back and the hips.
Osprey Exos 48 vs Talon 44: Design differences
There are 3 main differences between the Exos 48 and the Talon 44.
Separate sleeping bag compartment
The Talon 44 has a zippered sleeping bag compartment that is separate from the main content area. This is an important feature if you’re going to stay over nights somewhere. It is interesting that the Exos 48 does not come with a sleeping bag compartment, even though it is an overnight backpack. Having a sleeping bag compartment that is separate from the main area means that you can save space and separate your gear. Having this compartment allows you to keep your sleeping bag nice and dry.
Room for a hydration pack
The Talon 44 has a designated area to insert a hydration pack. This is another plus on the side of the Talon 44 over the Exos 48. By using a hydration pack instead of just a water bottle, you can get instantaneous drinks of water through a hose. This is also great because Osprey side pockets are not suitable for large sized water bottles.
Size
Talon 44
- Dimensions: 26 x 12 x 11 inches (s/m) and 28 x 12 x 11 inches (m/l)
- Volume capacity: 42 liters (s/m) and 44 liters (m/l)
- Weight: 2.31 pounds (s/m) and 2.4 pounds (m/l)
Exos 48
- Dimensions: 26 x 14 x 12 inches (s) and 28 x 14 x 12 inches (m) and 30 x 14 x 12 inches (l)
- Volume capacity: 45 liters (s) and 48 liters (m) and 51 liters (l)
- Weight: 2.23 pounds (s) and 2.31 pounds (m) and 2.4 pounds (l)
Osprey Exos 48 vs Talon 44: Price Comparison
The Talon 44 costs about $40 more than the Exos 48.
The Verdict
You can see, the Exos 48 holds more volume than the Talon 44 by about 6 liters. The Talon 44 has a slimmer profile, even though it comes with a hydration pack sleeve and a sleeping bag compartment. While we prefer the Talon 44, it also cost an extra $40 over the Exos 48. But we would be willing to pay the price for the ability to store a sleeping bag and the efficiency of hydration.
