Osprey's Talon 22 pack is a great choice for day hiking.
By Marcus Woolf
For many years, Osprey’s Talon 22 ($150) has been my go-to pack for day hiking. When my original Talon 22 finally wore out, I purchased an updated version, which I’ve worn for several months while mapping trails for guidebooks. Due to its comfort and versatility, this pack remains one of my favorites, and the Talon 22 continues to be a bestseller for Osprey. While the updated model isn’t perfect—I do have a couple of issues with it—I would still highly recommend this pack. (Note that Osprey markets this pack as a men’s product, and the female version is the slightly smaller Talon 20.)
To help you decide whether the Talon 22 will meet your needs, here are some important pros and cons:
Pros
Superior Fit
The most notable aspect of this pack is that it fits extremely well and feels comfortable even when stuffed with gear and clothing. Unlike the original Talon 22, the newer version has a back panel with a plastic frame sheet. The little bit of rigidity makes the pack more stable and helps transfer the pack load to your hips.
Another key to the pack’s comfort is the Airscape Suspension back panel, which has a flexible mesh material covering bands of foam. This system allows the pack to sit close to your body, which stabilizes the pack load, prevents the pack from swaying, and improves your balance on uneven terrain. The mesh material and the channels between foam pads allow air to flow between the pack and your back, which you’ll really appreciate when hiking in hot, humid weather.
Another key component of the pack is the hip belt, which hugs the hips and lumbar area really well. By distributing some of the pack load to your hips. The belt reduces pressure on your shoulders. To place even more of the load on your hips, you can cinch down small straps located on both sides of the hip belt. Typically, you see hip belt cinch straps on larger packs designed for backpacking, and it’s nice that Osprey includes them on a daypack. In addition, the hip belt has perforated foam that allows air to flow between your body and the belt, reducing heat and friction. The same perforated foam is used on the shoulder straps, which also have an overlay of mesh material to allow even more hot air to escape.
The Talon 22 also includes load lifter straps on the shoulder straps. By cinching down the load lifter straps, you can pull the top of the pack close to your body. This prevents the pack from leaning away from your body, which puts pressure on your lower back and caused the pack to sway. Not all daypacks have load lifters, so Osprey gets points for including these on a daypack.
The Talon 22 is also designed to ensure a proper fit for your body type. The pack is available in two sizes—small/medium and large/extra large—so you can choose a size that closely fits your torso length. Also, the shoulder harness system has a Velcro-type system that allows you to quickly and easily adjust the height and dial in the fit.
Flexible Performance
As we mentioned the pack sits close to your body, which prevents it from swaying. In addition, the back panel frame sheet is fairly flexible. (You can hold the pack and twist it side to side.) The snug fit and the flexible frame allow the pack to move with your body during dynamic moves, whether you're scrambling over rocks or maneuvering while riding a bike. For added flexibility, the Talon 22 hip belt is made with materials that stretch a bit.
Not Too Big, Not Too Small
With 22 liters of volume, this Talon pack can hold everything you need for a day hike, including food, extra clothing layers and essential gear. At the same time, it isn’t larger than it needs to be, so you’re not hauling around extra weight from unnecessary fabric, zippers and other bells and whistles. Tipping the scale at about 2 pounds, it’s a relatively lightweight pack.
Once you’ve filled the main compartment of the pack, you can shove even more stuff into the external storage compartment made of elastic material. This stretchy pocket is the perfect place to stash a waterproof shell and toilet kit. The small, zippered pockets on the hip belt are handy for storing energy gels and small food bars.
During long treks in cold weather, you might fill the main compartment with extra layers and other gear to stay warm. But you might carry far less for a short hike in nice weather. In this case, you can cinch down straps on the sides of the pack to compress the pack load and bring it closer to your body for stability.
External Hydration Reservoir Compartment
Hydration reservoirs are awesome because they allow you to drink without stopping. This is not only convenient, but it also prompts people to drink frequently and stay hydrated. With some packs, the compartment for the hydration reservoir is inside the main, large pack compartment. With this design, the reservoir takes up valuable space, and you have to unload the pack to remove the reservoir to refill it. Fortunately, the Talon 22 has an external reservoir compartment that is located between the main compartment and the back panel. By loosening a couple straps, you can access the reservoir without disturbing your other gear. The pocket is deep enough to hold a 3-liter reservoir. Just be aware that you have to buy the reservoir separately. (More on the reservoir compartment below in the “Cons” section.)
Durability
While the Talon 22 is fairly lightweight, it’s still tough enough to handle the rugged outdoors. The majority of the pack is made of high-tenacity nylon that won’t easily rip or suffer punctures. While mapping trails, I’ve been able to test the toughness of my Talon pack, and it has performed well. Typically, I carry a measuring wheel to check distances. When I’m finished measuring, I fold the collapsible measuring wheel and stiff it into the pack. While it fits in the main compartment, the kickstand (yes, my measuring wheel has a kickstand) juts up and pokes the fabric at the top of the pack. After months of use, the fabric has held strong. To enhance the durability of the pack, Osprey used a beefier 420-denier packcloth material on the bottom. During snack breaks, I’ve dragged the pack across boulders and plopped it down on rocky paths and muddy trails, and it’s scuffed but still in good shape. Also, all of the pack fabric has a durable, water-repellent treatment, which repels rain and resists stains. Just keep in mind that it's not waterproof. If you hike in heavy or sustained rain, you should use a pack cover or drybags to keep gear and clothing dry.
Helpful Small Details
When it comes to pack design, small details can make a big difference when you’re on the trail. Here are a few things you’ll appreciate:
Zipper pulls: The zippered pockets on the pack have loop-style pulls, rather than thin, rectangular zipper pulls. The loops are easier to grasp, and they allow you to slide open zippers when you’re pulling at odd angles.
Zippered internal pocket: The main compartment includes a small, zippered pocket that includes a key holder and enough space for a wallet and phone. You’ll hike with peace of mind knowing your valuables are stashed away in a secure place and won’t get dumped on the ground accidentally.
On-the-Go Trekking Pole Storage: With the Talon 22, you can stow your trekking poles without breaking your stride. Just collapse the poles, place the bottom end through loops on the bottom of the pack, and use elastic cords to secure the pole handles to the shoulder straps.
Cycling helmet attachment: The Talon 22 is not only ideal for hiking but it’s also built for cyclists. The exterior of the main compartment includes a system to secure a cycling helmet. A rectangular plastic piece and an elastic cord slide through helmet vents and retract to keep the helmet snug and secure against the pack. At the bottom of the pack, there is a small opening where cyclists can attach an LED light to make them more visible on the road.
Cons
I have only one major issue with the new version of the Talon 22. The Hydration reservoir compartment is smaller than the one on my older version of the pack. As a result, it can be difficult to slide a full reservoir into the compartment. You have to wrestle with it and shake the bag up and down to make the reservoir slide down. You can eventually get it to work, but it just seems it shouldn’t be such a chore.
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