This Osprey Talon 22 review is about a very popular multi-functional daypack. It is suitable for any kind of outdoor activity, like hiking, mountaineering, climbing, racing, and bicycle riding.
This is one from the Talon series which includes packs of 6, 11, 18, 22, 33, and 44 liters.
Where to buy
- The best place regarding the price and shipping conditions is usually Amazon.com. In EU you might want to check also at Bol.com, they have a very efficient shipping service.
Note, this series has been modified in the beginning of 2017. See below some details about the new pack.
Suspension system
This pack has no frame. Instead, on the back you have a flexible AirScape back panel with ventilation foam ridges.
Shoulder straps are lightweight, padded just enough for the pack of such a size, with die-cut foam. Here, you have stow-on-the-go pole attachment system, a great feature unique for Osprey. In addition, you have one stretch pocket on the shoulder strap. These features are visible in the photo:
The hip belt is of the same material, breathable and very flexible. You have 2 very useful zippered stretch pockets on the belt.
The sternum strap is adjustable and sliding, equipped with an emergency whistle, it is shown in the picture above.
The pack is built in 2 sizes, but in addition to this, you have the harness which is adjustable. This is achieved by velcro which is behind the back panel. This is partly visible in the photo above, see the white marks on the back panel.
All you have to do is to pull the harness away, and by detaching it you can easily slide it up or down to fit your torso length. By pressing it back, it becomes fixed again. Easy, lightweight, and simple system.
Hydration compatible
This is a hydration compatible pack, and you have a separate hydration pocket behind the back panel. It is equipped with a clip to hang the bladder. You can store up to 3 liters of water bladder inside of it.
The water hose you can route along any of the shoulder straps.
Front face and internal structure
On the top of the pack you have a zippered pocket for small items, and it contains a key clip as well.
Below this pocket you have a long zipper for the main compartment. So this is a panel-type access. Inside of it, on the back side, you have a mesh zippered pocket for valuables.
Below the big zipper you will find yet another great feature, a locking clip for a helmet, nicely designed and very useful, you can see it here:
A big part of the front is covered by a stretchy mesh pocket, secured by a buckle on the top. It is visible in the first picture above.
On both sides, you have stretchy side pockets for water bottles or any other things, with inside-out compression straps. This means they can be set inside the pockets, or above them to compress the things which you store in the pockets.
One tool loop is on the bottom, and it is paired with a bungee tie far above, where you can attach your ice axe.
Many features of this great pack you can see in this short video by Osprey:
Technical specifications & summary of features
- This is an award-winning pack, see the picture:
Awards of Osprey Talon 22 daypack. - Use: day hikes, mountaineering, racing.
- 2 sizes: S/M, and M/L.
- Weight:
– S/M: 1 lb 5 oz (595 g)
– M/L: 1 lb 10 oz (737 g). - Volume:
– S/M: 1220 cu in (20 L)
– M/L: 1343 cu in (22 L). - Torso fit:
– S/M: 16 – 20 in (41 – 51 cm).
– M/L: 19 – 23 in (48 – 58 cm). - Waste fit:
– S/M: 30 -34 in (76 -86 cm).
– M/L: 33+ in (84+ cm). - Dimensions:
– S/M: 20 x 10 x 9 in (51 x 25 x 23 cm)
– M/L: 22 x 10 x 9 in (56 x 25 x 23 cm). - Access: panel loader.
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment.
- Stretch pocket on the harness.
- Internal key attachment clip.
- Side compression straps.
- Ice axe loop.
- Warranty: lifetime.
- Unisex.
- Adjustable sternum strap.
- Maximum carrying weight: 15 lbs (6.8 kg).
- Material: nylon
- Hydration compatible, external sleeve.
- Twin zippered hip belt pockets.
- AirScape back panel with foam ventilation ridges.
- Adjustable sternum strap with emergency whistle.
- Stretch mesh side pockets with inside-out compression.
- LidLock helmet attachment.
- LED bike light attachment point.
- Talon 22 daypack is made in 4 colors, you can see them here:
Some possible cons and pros:
| Cons | Pros |
|
|
Regarding the issue of the frame, please see my reply to Geoff in the comments below.
Comparison of Osprey Talon 22 daypack with other brands
Here I give a table with several packs from some other brands, and from the similar size range. Please have a look:
| Osprey Talon 22 daypack* |
Deuter Futura 22 |
Osprey Manta 20 |
|
| Weight (g) | 737 | 1140 | 900 |
| Volume (l) | 22 | 22 | 20 |
| Lower compartment | no | yes | no |
| Hydration compatible | yes |
yes |
yes |
| Rain cover | no | yes | yes |
| Internal frame | no | yes | yes |
| My rate | 8.9/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
*I use parameters for M/L size.
My rates are the combination of all parameters. You have the best suspension system in Deuter Futura 22, and Manta 20, internal frame in the 3 models, etc.
User experience
It is hard to find real objections to this pack. At REI site average rating by users is around 4.5/5. At Amazon the rating is also high 4.7/5.
Here are a few complaints from several sites:
- “The bag looks great. However, the waist strap is skimpy in two ways. It is thin like a flash pack and it is skimpy. So beware if you have a 38″ waist and expect it to fit over anything heavier than a shirt.“
- “Everything about this pack was near perfect for me except the so-called airscape suspension….”
- “Le falta el cobertor para la lluvia ” (It lacks the rain cover).
From my side to add what I already pointed above: Deuter Futura and Manta have unsurpassed ventilation based on a tensioned mesh. I have such a pack myself and I know how good this system is. So AirScape from Talon 22 cannot be compared with it. The rain cover is an issue for me, in the Alps this is essential to have.
New 2017 version
The Talon series has been updated in the beginning of 2017. The main changes are in the back panel padding and in the hip belt design. See in the picture how it looks now:
The new 2017 version is available here. Please see this very recent short video by Osprey (from 2017), which presents all packs from the new Tempest and Talon series:
Osprey Talon 22 - rating
-
Volume to weight ratio - 8.9/108.9/10
-
Features and bonuses - 8.2/108.2/10
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Comfort - 8.4/108.4/10
-
Price - 8.3/108.3/10
Conclusion
To summarize this Osprey Talon 22 review, this is a great pack and popular for good reasons. It ranks well with respect to competition. One can find some objections, but at the same time, it has so many useful features typical for Osprey.
I hope this text was useful to you, if so please share it with others. For updates about the price follow these links above. Note, if you need something much smaller, check this Talon 6 lumbar pack from the same series.
Thank you for reading and do leave me some comment in the box below.
I haven’t hiked much but I am an outdoor person. I love being involved in outdoor activities. I can see myself hiking and getting into that realm more. The older I get the more I yearn for that kind of adventure. It would be great to see what size this is in person. But either way I still would consider all the benefits this pack could provide while in rough terrain and in need of a good resource to help survive. Great review by the way.
Hi Boogi, this is a very good pack. Do not worry about the size. They have several to choose, plus you have harness adjustability, it will fit you for sure. Thank you.
This is an absolutely gorgeous bag!
With the bags that I use I regularly don’t feel there are enough pockets or straps available and I end up pulling everything out before I can find the item that I need – usually right at the bottom…
I noticed there’s quite a price difference between the ebay and Amazon links. Can I just check that the ebay one is the genuine article and not a copy?
Thanks!
Hi Anne, I believe what you see on eBay is original. Have not heard about these packs being copied.
My first impression of the Talon 22 was the image. It’s a very sharp looking day pack. Your review is detailed and complete, which I do appreciate. It’s frustrating when I have to search several sites to get the info I need. I was wondering what your experience has been with this style of pack? Do you prefer it to a framed pack for just a full day outing? Thanks and well done. Geoff.
Hi Geoff. If it was a bigger pack I would not consider it without frame. The role of the frame is to transfer load to the hip belt. This reduces the pressure on shoulders and you can breath more easily. So the role of the frame and a stiff back is essential. I have such a pack and have been using it for many years now. For smaller pack this is less important but it still plays a role. That is one of the reasons why I rate this pack below the other two with frame, you can see them in the table.
Hi,
I’m kind of a “fair weather” outdoor girl, personally. So the lack of a rain cover is not a detractor for me from the Osprey Talon 22. While I do admit that I’m not an avid hiker, the lack of frame sounds nice and comfortable. I get the feeling that this pack is not meant to carry a lot of weight. Perhaps it doesn’t need a frame. My question is this…does the velcro hold firm when the pack is fully loaded?
Thanks.
Alyssa
Hi Alyssa, the lack of frame for a small pack like Talon 22 perhaps is not a big deal, for bigger packs it definitely would be a problem. The advantage of the present configuration is that it is flexible and it adapts to the body. I would not worry about velcro, the same system is in place with much larger packs, velcro works perfectly, this has been tested and you can rely on it. The maximum load here is up to 6.8 kg.
Hello Jovo, I have used the women’s version for casual day hikes, sport events and weekend trips. It’s a great size and not too bulky and the material has some nice stretch to it so it can hold more than you’d think at first glance. It’s a very versatile and light pack that can hold its own on a day hike and yet look normal on in crowded events. The two side bottle holders and the waist pockets were very convenient. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a light, multi-functional pack.
With Kind Regards,
Linda
Hi Linda, really great to hear from a user of Osprey Talon 22. Your first-hand information will surely be very helpful to readers. Many thanks and all the best to you.