Just wanted to give a mini review... not that others here haven't done better (such as Justin), but we are all gear heads and I am sure other people are as pedantic as me and hopefully my opinions can help someone else.
What was most important to me and what hit me first when I got the bag was the bivy mode. If you are concerned at all about the bags ability to compress, dont be. I had a Kuiu Icon Pro 3200 which, regardless of your opinion on Kuiu, was a pretty well thought out bag (IMO their best bag). I honestly think that without the hood and in bivy mode, the Talus feels smaller. I really wanted a bag that felt like a 3000-3200cu bag in bivy mode, and this thing hits that out of the park. Also, the side pockets do not get in the way at all, they are small enough that when compressed you dont notice them. I was really concerned that I would get the bag, and it would feel way too big in bivy mode (SG quotes 4000cu max) and I'd have to return it for a Sky 5900, but I was worrying for no reason. These things REALLY compress well.
The next thing are the side pockets. They fit my Celestron Regal M2 65mm with some room to spare, but not much. I am not sure how they would fit a 80mm+, but for my uses, I love the size. My Icon Pro 7200 had HUGE pockets and I felt they were always in the way and too cavernous to use efficiently. Not the case with the Sky Talus 6900.
And obviously, the weight... This thing is light. Thats all there is too it. Its really light for a 6900cu bag.
Everyone raves about the XCurve, and it is definitely a step up from my Kuiu suspension. With my limited use I can back up that claim, although honestly it needs a lot of more time in the field for me to really rave about it. I found the Kuiu belt too stiff. I also have some time in a Kifaru. I wouldnt say its better than Kifaru's suspension, just different. I personally think I would be happy with either, but I am glad with my choice. The belt wraps extremely well and the lumbar design is great for me. I havent used an EXO or MR to compare, sorry.
A lot of little things I am liking the execution of: The small tripod pocket on the front of the bag is genius. The small side pockets, how they are made to integrate with the side pockets, seem to work well so far but I dont have a lot of testing. I love the water resistant zippers. I dont understand why every company isnt using them. Justin's water test is proof they help. I also bought the gun sling at SG's recommendation (I dont remember which member of the team told me it worked great and was a no brainer haha) so I excited to see how that works. I also have not put my bow on it yet, so I will report back on that at some point
My one complaint so far: The bags should ship with locking buckles on the straps over the front of the bag. I am going to have to buy some from SG. When you use the tripod pocket, at least with the bag fairly compressed in bivy mode, it has a tendency to pull at the straps and loosen a little. I assume that this will only be worse with more things in the bag, because the angle will be more extreme (a tripod with head is top heavy and it 'sticks out' at the top of the bag vs the bottom). Certainly not a big thing and will be solved with some locking buckles, but I feel like someone else must have noticed this in testing.
Really, these are just extremely well thought out bags that compress amazingly well. I know everyone says today's bags compress well, but having tested out other bags, I dont always feel that to be 100% truthful. Sure, you can pull the straps tight and things aren't flopping everywhere, but they dont actually feel small. IMO the exact opposite is true of the SG bags, which is a testament to Kurt's design. Nothing you dont need, and everything you do need done in a lightweight, streamlined package.
Thanks for making a great product Kurt! If anyone has any questions let me know. I will try to update this again during bow season so I can report back while actually using it hunting (and hopefully hauling something out!)
What was most important to me and what hit me first when I got the bag was the bivy mode. If you are concerned at all about the bags ability to compress, dont be. I had a Kuiu Icon Pro 3200 which, regardless of your opinion on Kuiu, was a pretty well thought out bag (IMO their best bag). I honestly think that without the hood and in bivy mode, the Talus feels smaller. I really wanted a bag that felt like a 3000-3200cu bag in bivy mode, and this thing hits that out of the park. Also, the side pockets do not get in the way at all, they are small enough that when compressed you dont notice them. I was really concerned that I would get the bag, and it would feel way too big in bivy mode (SG quotes 4000cu max) and I'd have to return it for a Sky 5900, but I was worrying for no reason. These things REALLY compress well.
The next thing are the side pockets. They fit my Celestron Regal M2 65mm with some room to spare, but not much. I am not sure how they would fit a 80mm+, but for my uses, I love the size. My Icon Pro 7200 had HUGE pockets and I felt they were always in the way and too cavernous to use efficiently. Not the case with the Sky Talus 6900.
And obviously, the weight... This thing is light. Thats all there is too it. Its really light for a 6900cu bag.
Everyone raves about the XCurve, and it is definitely a step up from my Kuiu suspension. With my limited use I can back up that claim, although honestly it needs a lot of more time in the field for me to really rave about it. I found the Kuiu belt too stiff. I also have some time in a Kifaru. I wouldnt say its better than Kifaru's suspension, just different. I personally think I would be happy with either, but I am glad with my choice. The belt wraps extremely well and the lumbar design is great for me. I havent used an EXO or MR to compare, sorry.
A lot of little things I am liking the execution of: The small tripod pocket on the front of the bag is genius. The small side pockets, how they are made to integrate with the side pockets, seem to work well so far but I dont have a lot of testing. I love the water resistant zippers. I dont understand why every company isnt using them. Justin's water test is proof they help. I also bought the gun sling at SG's recommendation (I dont remember which member of the team told me it worked great and was a no brainer haha) so I excited to see how that works. I also have not put my bow on it yet, so I will report back on that at some point
My one complaint so far: The bags should ship with locking buckles on the straps over the front of the bag. I am going to have to buy some from SG. When you use the tripod pocket, at least with the bag fairly compressed in bivy mode, it has a tendency to pull at the straps and loosen a little. I assume that this will only be worse with more things in the bag, because the angle will be more extreme (a tripod with head is top heavy and it 'sticks out' at the top of the bag vs the bottom). Certainly not a big thing and will be solved with some locking buckles, but I feel like someone else must have noticed this in testing.
Really, these are just extremely well thought out bags that compress amazingly well. I know everyone says today's bags compress well, but having tested out other bags, I dont always feel that to be 100% truthful. Sure, you can pull the straps tight and things aren't flopping everywhere, but they dont actually feel small. IMO the exact opposite is true of the SG bags, which is a testament to Kurt's design. Nothing you dont need, and everything you do need done in a lightweight, streamlined package.
Thanks for making a great product Kurt! If anyone has any questions let me know. I will try to update this again during bow season so I can report back while actually using it hunting (and hopefully hauling something out!)
