Osprey has taken over the trails in the last few seasons, and with packs like the Talon 22 this is no surprise. The Talon is well built, will carry everything you need for a day on the trail, and even has some specially built accessories for cycling. It’s a well-rounded multi-sport option and its price point is quite reasonable. It does lack in overall comfort, but it is lightweight and built to last. The Tempest 20 offered by Osprey is the female equivalent of the Talon 22. The only difference is a harness system made to fit a female figure more comfortably. 

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In a world where it is easy to get caught up in the bells and whistles of gear accessories and packs that are activity-specific, the Osprey Talon 22 is as close to a jack of all trades pack as you can find. Capable of a variety of outdoor pursuits, the Talon 22 will carry everything you need for a single day adventure, and you may forget you are even wearing it. 

The Osprey Talon 22 has a female designed equivalent in the Osprey Tempest 20, and the overall design is the same with the exception of harness fit and overall storage. 

Osprey also has several other sizing options in the Talon and Tempest. They offer the Talon in 6L, 11L, 22L, 33L, and 44L. These variations all have the same back panel and harness system. In the Talon 33 and Talon 44, the pack includes a fixed top lid storage compartment with a drawcord top opening.

Ventilation and Suspension

The Osprey Talon 22 features Osprey’s Airscape back panel, which uses a sheet of cut foam, creating moderate support while allowing for maximum flexibility and movement. While it may not be as supportive or breathable as some suspended mesh frames, like the Airspeed back panel of the Osprey Stratos 24, it makes up for it with the freedom of movement you gain. The foam allows the pack to remain light while maintaining moderate load support. 

The BioStretch harness is seamless to improve durability and next-to-the-skin comfort in warm weather environments. The harness is adjustable along with the hip straps, chest strap, and load lifters. There are also velcro adjustment points in the hydration pocket to fit a variety of torso sizes.

The Talon 22 can fit snug on larger men, so make sure to check the sizing guidelines to make sure you purchase the right fit (the packs come in S/M and M/L). For women, the Tempest 20 is essentially the same pack, however, it is built to fit a female frame more comfortably. 

Storage

While looking quite minimalistic, the Talon 22 comes with all the storage and accessories you would expect with a larger Osprey pack. There are nine storage pockets throughout the pack. The large main compartment features a horseshoe-shaped zipper access, and there is a zippered pocket right at the top of the pack with a key clip. These two pockets allow for the separation of larger items in the main compartment and smaller items, like a first-aid kit or food, in the top pocket for better organization. 

There is a stretch mesh pocket on the left shoulder strap for quick access to small items. The shoulder strap pocket is extremely convenient but not terribly durable. Meanwhile, there are two more quick access pockets accessible via zipper on the hip belt.

There are two stretch mesh side pockets, one on each side of the pack, which are great for items like bug spray and sunscreen. They are a bit on the small size and may not hold larger water bottles. This is not a big problem, as the externally accessed hydration pocket can accommodate up to a 3-liter hydration bladder (sold separately). The harness has small elastic loops to help manage the hydration bladder hose, keeping everything locked down while moving. 

The hydration bladder is externally accessible, which makes refilling it much easier compared to an internal hydration pocket. The ability to remove the hydration bladder without having to access the main pocket and potentially empty everything is a very nice feature and is something that is starting to become more common on daypacks. However, with limited ventilation between the body and the hydration bladder, in warm environments, you may notice the water in the bladder warms quickly. Unfortunately, this is hard to avoid, unless using a suspended mesh ventilation system. 

Another great feature the Talon 22 includes is a stretch mesh back pocket that is quite large and is great for storing extra layers, even crampons if packaged properly. There is a small hole at the bottom of the pocket that should allow for some drainage if you need to store wet layers or shoes in the pack while on the go. 

Accessories

As mentioned earlier, the Talon 22 does not lack for additional accessories, whether you are commuting to work on your bike, hiking, or scrambling to a summit. From the key clip mentioned before to the whistle molded into the buckle of the chest strap, the Talon 22 has you covered. While the Talon 22 does not include an integrated rain cover, one can be purchased separately and is certainly something to consider buying. The nylon material does have some water resistance, but it will eventually soak through in a wet environment. 

The Osprey Talon 22 is also quite versatile, as it is one of the more popular packs with mountain bikers. It comes with a lid lock helmet tab to keep your helmet close by and secure. It also includes a tab to allow for a light to be attached on the back of the pack at the bottom of the backstretch mesh pocket. This placement puts the light in a highly visible location while riding a bicycle, increasing your visibility on the trail or road. 

The Talon 22 also includes straps to hold one ice axe, as well as Osprey’s Stow-on-the-Go hiking pole system. The Stow-on-the-Go system allows for hiking poles to be strapped to the outside of the pack without having to take the pack off. The system is very secure and allows for easy storage of and access to your hiking poles as the terrain changes. The ice axe loops can also be used for hiking poles if you want them stowed out of the way.

Material and Weight

The Osprey Talon 22 is made predominantly from a lightweight 70D nylon, with the bottom made of highly durable 420D nylon. These materials keep the Talon light at only 793g (for the M/L sizing) but also tough and durable with the most heavy-duty material where you need it the most. Osprey makes their packs so they last, and this one is no exception. Osprey packs also come with their lifetime “All Mighty Guarantee,” meaning they will be repaired for any reason or replaced if they cannot be repaired. The warranty is definitely something to look at while buying a pack. 

The Bottom Line

It is easy to see that the team at Osprey left no stone unturned when they redesigned the Talon 22, creating one of the most versatile daypacks on the market. The attention to detail in the harness and ventilation system improves comfort and flexibility while the storage and accessories keep this bag versatile. Whether you are a hardcore mountain athlete or a weekend warrior, the Osprey Talon 22 will have you covered for almost any use. Finally, at $120, the Talon is right around the average price point for packs in this category. 

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