I don't have direct experience with the Hornet 32; but I walked this year with the Exos 46, which is rigged up very similarly, as regards the pockets, straps etc. I was very happy with it. The big difference between the Hornet and Exos lines is the suspension (details on the OspreyPacks.com site). Hornet has no rigid frame, and the water bladder is placed externally to the pack, meaning it fills in the space in the small of your back, preventing airflow. The Exos packs (34L model is new this year, was not available last year, only 300g more than Hornet) use an ultralight wire frame, and the water bladder rides internal to the pack, preserving a very nice flowthrough ventilation channel in the small of your back.