@Jaxz (talon44) It’s a nice pack, for sure. My cousin has one and just did Tsitsikamma with him, he’s happy with it. General opinion online (and his) is it won’t handle more than 13kg very well. but then who wants to carry more than that. Features are nice, geared towards a 'fast ‘n light’ mindset, often used by trail runners. Criticism of the ‘external hydration access’ is that it creates a bulge into the back. Pack also sits very flush with your back, for some this means “sweaty in summer” or “cold in winter”, for others this means “stability and a good working-with-you ride”. It’s very light, consequently not for folks rough with their kit as fabrics are thin.
I actually compared it closely with the Exos when I bought my pack and would have to say it is the better choice. Exos hipbelts/support seemed very insubstantial to me.
As an aside, I read recently Ghaznavid did a DGT with Talon33, here:
I also looked at the Mammut Lithium Crest 50+7 at City Rock like last week, was on sale for about R2000, light-ish, medium-haul bag with nice detailed features. I only felt the shoulder straps were a bit measly, and I don’t need a pack.