Osprey is a technical pack manufacturer whose roots trace back to 1974. Osprey has produced quality packs for decades and has now established itself as one of the premier leading manufacturers in the outdoors industry. These days you won’t be able to hike a trail anywhere without seeing someone rocking an Osprey on their back.
One of the most popular lineups of Osprey packs right now is the Talon/Tempest series. The Talon packs are tailored for men, and the Tempest packs are tailored for women, but they are nearly identical. Both lineups have five similar packs, but range in different overall capacities. This review will be exploring the Osprey Talon 22. Specifications are listed below.
Size: S/M
- Volume: 1220 IN³ / 20 L
- Dimensions (inches): 18.1h x 11w x 11d
- Weight: 1.680 lbs
Size: M/L
- Volume: 1343 IN³ / 22 L
- Dimensions (inches): 20.1h x 11w x 11d
- Weight: 1.786 lbs
Fabric
- Main: 70D x 100D Nylon Mini Shadow Brick
- Accent: 420HD Nylon Packcloth
- Bottom: 420HD Nylon Packcloth
Features
- Side stretch mesh pockets
- Stretch mesh harness slash pocket
- Top panel zippered slash pocket
- Large stretch mesh front panel pocket
- External hydration sleeve
About the Osprey Talon 22 and its standout features
Few packs fit as perfectly as the Talon. The straps are highly adjustable to ensure that the Talon fits every torso. The straps have an adjustable back panel that you can raise or lower in order to accommodate your desired height. Adjusting the height of the straps also helps to place the hip belt in its proper place. The AirScape™ back panel and suspension system are designed to ensure that as the load increase, the pack remains comfortably secure.
Perhaps the unique feature of the Talon is the Stow-on-the-Go™ trekking pole attachment. This offers the user a convenient way to access or store his trekking poles on the move without having to take off his pack. I am indifferent to this feature. While it does offer convenience in storing your trekking poles away, I found it to be a nuisance, and most times it just made the trekking poles get in my way. It’s far from being labeled a downside though; if you don’t like it, just don’t use it, and it’s not a problem.
Storage compartments are simple on the Talon. The pack features a wide main compartment with one zippered mesh pocket inside for valuables (keys or wallets), an external sleeve for a hydration bladder, two zippered side pockets on the hip belt (one on each side), a large stretch mesh front panel pocket offering quick access to items (rain jacket or extra layer), and one external pocket right next to the main compartment.
One of the best things about Osprey is their All Mighty Guarantee, which states “Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday. If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it.” A warranty this bold speaks volumes about the quality of their product.
The verdict
The good
- Highly adjustable
- Water-resistant fabric
- Lightweight
- Comfortable design, straps, and hip belt
- Versatile multi-sport pack
The bad
-Designed for smaller loads (10-20 lbs)
The MSRP for the Osprey Talon 22 is $150 at the time of writing this review, a fair price for what I consider to be the best daypack on the market, but you can easily find these packs for less from various online retailers. With the Osprey name comes the assurance of a quality product and an unbeatable warranty just in case your Talon ever fails you. The Talon refrains from gimmicks; it is simple, but everything about it is practical. It is lightweight, comfortable, and can easily be adjusted to fit any body type. Unless I somehow discover a massive flaw about the Talon, it’ll be the daypack that will most likely accompany me on every outdoor adventure.
