Can anyone who has tried the Gorilla compare it with the current production model Hornet 46? They are about the same volume, at least on paper.

Edited by mountainwalker on 02/23/2011 19:27:22 MST.

I was also disappointed by the torso length of the M/L. I'm 5'11" and even with the straps maxed out, it was still too short torso wise. I have an Exos 46 in large and its plenty big enough.

Benjamin, how long is your torso?

I have a M/L Talon 33, built on about the same harness as the Hornet 46, and I'm 6 ft with a 21 in. torso and it fits me fine.

Honestly don't know my size. I usually fit things by trying on.
My local backpacking store did use the Osprey measuring template on me once, but never told me the measurement, just told me which size of which packs fit.
Perhaps its just that I have a long torso.
Maybe I'll stop in when I'm in the area next weekend and have them re-measure to find my actual torso length.

EJ- the Hornet has a fixed yoke, not adj like the Talon series, I'd say the fixed yoke on the Hornet is ~ equivalent to the middle position of the Talon M/L

I too was surprised at the torso length on the Hornet. I solidly fit a S/M Exos 46, and ended up with a M/L Hornet. Don't know my torso length, but I am 5'11 as well.

I took it out two weekends ago for a 16 mile overnighter at Henry Coe. I was very pleased, my max load was 18 lbs and it carried extremely well. I was originally thinking I could only use this pack for 1-2 night trips, but I definitely want to try it out on my next week long trip. It has plenty of room for the extra food.

Andrew

I just got the s/m in the mail, and could immediately tell it was too short. I'm 5'5", and though I don't know my torso length, I'd assume it's <19 inches.

Next up, return this one and get a large when REI's 20% coupon comes out. Or patrol the gear swap for one furiously for weeks and weeks. Either of those will do.

I looked at the suspension on my Talon 22 (M/L) and have it pulled out to the third mark- it measures 22", the Hornet measured 19"

I also emailed Osprey to let them know that a wide % of the population would not be able to use the Hornet as configured- I suggested either lengthening the torso on both models, provide an adj torso (ala Talon) or come up w/ a S/M/L (ala Exos)

mine is currently on it's way to another member (w/ a shorter torso :))



<-- back to the drawing board for me

The Talon 22 doesn't have a suspension.

;)

true enough, but the 44 does and it uses the same adjustment method :)

My local outfitter emailed me this week to say he had the Hornet in stock, so of course I had to go over and try it on. First, it's a very nice little pack, well designed and executed. The back panel foam and the small rods provide some support -- though nothing on the order of a ULA Ohm, for example.

However, the M/L size is woefully too short for my torso length. I have an M/L Osprey Kestrel 32, and with the adjustable shoulder harness I can get a very good fit, but the Hornet was just so small it was funny.

got an email back from Osprey, no immediate plans to change anything- I directed them to this thread as there is some pretty good feedback for them to see

with the exception of a few little nit picky things, I have was very happy w/ this pack and am relatively certain it would have worked out just great for me...... if it fit :(

Thanks for contacting them.

Same issues from reviewers over at Backpacker.com and Whiteblaze.net.

As a former Exos 46 owner and current talon 22 owner, I have been keeping an eye on the Hornet as a possible next pack. My talon is on the longest setting, so it seems the Hornet would be too short for me.

It really seems like Osprey missed the boat on this one, considering they had testers reporting this issue before the final pack was released.

I also am a former Exos user- great pack, was just looking to shed a little weight w/ the Hornet

it probably wouldn't hurt for others that the Hornet didn't work out to send them a short email (or phone call)

cs@ospreypacks.com

866-284-7830

Email sent.

I had my local backpacking store contact them on my behalf about the sizing, infact, they offered even before I asked.
I'm glad others are running into this problem too, well I guess not glad, but more than it's not just me.
Hopefully they will need how they missed the mark for a lot of users and come out with an additional size.