The Osprey Talon 22 fits comfortably and supports moderately sized loads reasonably well. However, it lacks the organizational compartments found in other Osprey models that we have come to enjoy, and some features are not as user-friendly as we would like.
The Talon 22's back panel uses Osprey's AirScape design with a mesh-covered, ridge-molded foam that sits close to the body. Its flexible frame allows for a good range of movement, making it a good choice for dynamic activities.
The mesh-covered ventilation design is average, especially compared to other packs, and falls short compared to super-breathable suspended-mesh back panels. We frequently ended up with a very damp shirt throughout our hikes.
The Talon is available in one size, but the back panel is adjustable by sliding it up or down, and small lines help you ensure the left and right sides are even. All of our testers, both male and female, could find a comfortable fit, with our female testers preferring the Talon's fit to the women's specific Osprey Tempest 22 because the shoulder straps are set wider apart.
This pack supports weights of up to 20 pounds very well, particularly for a daypack. One of our testers said, “I was concerned about the pack's comfort when carrying extra weight, but it was not a problem after adjusting the shoulder straps.” If you need an option that can handle weight and still offer mobility, this pack is worthy of your consideration.
The Talon 22 features a single large main compartment with a hydration bladder sleeve and a spacious mesh pocket with a key fob. We never ran out of space in the main compartment, even when loaded for 5.5-hour hikes.
Off the trail, the main compartment can easily hold shoes, clothing, and even a laptop, making it a pack that can serve double duty for the office, travel, and outdoor use. A redesigned helmet attachment is on the front of the pack, but it takes some getting used to. Large stretch mesh pockets on the sides can securely hold a tall or short 1-liter water bottle
Some of the Talon 22's features have a slight learning curve, and some may require modifications to work best for you.
The stow-and-go trekking pole carry feature lets you go hands-free and get your poles out of the way without taking off the pack. However, if you have baskets on the base of your poles, it is hard to get the tips into the holder. Our left arm brushed the elastic strap that holds the poles' handles as we hiked, and we had to take all the slack out of the line to get it out of the way. When we were scrambling and bushwacking with the poles in the loop, they were frequently in the way. Despite this feature being handy, it often left us frustrated.
In previous versions of the Talon, the hydration compartment was on the outside of the pack, behind the back panel; it is now on the inside of the pack in the main compartment. The bladder is suspended by a small tab that threads through the slider on Osprey bladders. This feature works well for Osprey bladders, but is not universally compatible. We had to use a small carabiner to suspend a non-Osprey bladder in the sleeve because the tab was too small to hold our bladder.
We enjoy having two zippered hip pockets on the waist belt, but our testers unanimously wished they were more towards the front of the torso and easier to access.
The Talon 22 weighs 38.4 ounces and has a volume of 22 liters, with a weight of 1.67 ounces per liter, and is one of the heavier packs per liter in our review.
Fortunately, many will find that the Talon's comfort and features justify its weight, and some shoppers will likely not mind this trade-off of weight for features.
The Talon 22 held up well in all the situations we tested it under, from desert hikes to bushwhacking, mountain summits, and around town. Even our older models (which we frequently loan out) have yet to show much wear.
The Talon 22's zipper covers help keep out water, and the DWR fabric helps prevent the pack's interior from getting drenched in our hose test. While it doesn't come with a rain cover, the fabric will repel light rain. If you live in a rainy environment, we recommend a raincover or a dry bag to line the pack.
The Osprey Talon 22 is a well-designed, comfortable, and versatile pack. Some features, such as the quick-stow pole holders, are not found on many other packs. If this and other features, such as an internal bladder compartment and two zippered hip pockets, are a must for you, this is a pack to consider.
