I bought this bag for a sponsored long distance walk and found it so comfortable that I invested in the Talon 11 for my shorter walks too. The hip belt is fantastic and by adjusting all the straps etc you can place all the weight on your hips, rather than your shoulders, making it much easier on your back. It made all the difference on the walk.
The bag has a specially designed back to help prevent you sweating, but does not have the higher level of ventilation, where the bag is positioned further away from your back. I prefer this style as I feel much better balanced with the weight nearer my body.
The pack is also very lightweight and has loads of useful pockets to organise your gear. I use the smaller bag all the time for hill walking and the larger one for longer expeditions. I would completely recommend the Talon series.