ashenAre you a day hiker or a regular cyclist who requires a backpack to hold the essentials without overloading? Then stick around because the Osprey Talon 22 is a great choice for passionate day hikers and cyclists. In this Osprey Talon 22 review, we will talk about aspects of the bag vital for hikers and for any traveler in general. An adventure traveler does not need a special introduction to Osprey for they are that popular within the travel/outdoor community. But just in case you are unfamiliar with Osprey, they are one of the most prominent brands among outdoor gear manufacturers. Widely praised and recognized for their Osprey backpacks. Some such popular choices are the Osprey Farpoint 40L, Tempest 20 and Talon 22. As usual we will begin with the specifications.
Osprey Talon 22 Specs
- Material: bluesign-approved recycled 100D x 210D wave check high-tenacity nylon, 420HD nylon packcloth, PFC- free DWR.
- Weight: 1.91 LBS
- Tuck-away ice ax attachment with bungee tie-off
- Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment
- LidLock bike helmet attachment
- Lower side compression straps
- Dual-zippered fabric hipbelt pockets
- Large stretch mesh front panel pocket
- Harness system for different torso sizes
- Adjustable sternum strap
- Lightweight, breathable, and extremely versatile
What we mentioned above were the essential specs to review the backpack, we will introduce the rest as we go by.
Design and Build Quality
We thought of starting the Osprey Talon 22 review with this factor. Seems the most crucial aspect to review for any pack, which is why it is the first spec we listed. You may have noticed the D grade is extremely high and that is used to construct the bottom of the pack. As you very well know, this region of any backpack or daypack is the most prone to damages such as wearing and tearing. It occurs mostly when taken off of rough surfaces or you accidentally drop it on one. So the 420-denier nylon holds the bottom of the pack in a reliable strength.
The rest of the backpack uses the 100D and 210D grade nylon. Of course they are water resistant so go ahead and use it in the rain. Similarly, it’s beneficial to be aware of the soft material areas of the backpack. These include the mesh panel pockets, shoulder straps and water bottle pockets. Keep those in mind if you are trying to squeeze through rough edges. Unless you don’t do it frequently, the material is extremely durable. The zippers, cord, straps and buckles are extremely sturdy and tight and hold up very well even when handled roughly, according to most users.
As you can see from the specs, there are over 7 well placed pockets that are extremely handy when carrying minor accessories and large items alike. The frame type is Airscape Backpanel which means that it is well breathable and built for reducing sweat. What specifically needs to be mentioned is the all-torso adjustment feature through Velcro and shoulder harness. Cassie Fuertez from backpackers stated how well this feature worked for her and her boyfriend on a 16-mile hike up Cucamonga Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. Despite being a Men’s backpack, it fit well around her torso and did the same with her boyfriend when switched. So Osprey is true to their word.
Comfort
A backpack may have the latest features, but what’s the point if it isn’t comfortable right? Well, the Osprey Talon 22 is comforting to the eyes on paper and to the body out in the wilderness. The torso adjustment feature mentioned earlier plays the key role here.
You can’t have 20 pounds on your back sliding, hanging on the side during a long hike/trek or cycle. Even if you have the whole 20 pounds occupied, if you do the torso adjustment well which is done by the straps to keep the back panel in line with your back, the pack is comfy for a long duration.
The weight is distributed evenly so you don’t have to worry about incorrect postures. The straps and waist belt surfaces are quite enjoyable because of the mesh material and lightweight padding that stops your sweat. However, on the flip side, if you overload the pack, the extra weight will drag it down and the thin padding on the hipbelt will start to cause discomfort. So stick to the limits.
More importantly, what makes this an even greater daypack is the continuous airflow between your back and the pack. You don’t realize the value of this feature unless you are cycling in the summer with a pack that doesn’t include this.
Weight and Ventilation
With two sizes S/M at 1.91 LBS, the daypack certainly qualifies for a pack with optimized weight. You can find even more lighter weight packs such as the packable REI Co-op Flash, but of course you will have to compromise on extra features, ventilation and comfort. Conclusively, the Talon does very well in the weight category given its insane amount of features. Not to mention the breathability and durability.
We already spoke about the ventilation when we mentioned the back panel breathability and padded straps used to reduce sweat. The mesh construction is what keeps the airflow steady. Furthermore, the shoulder straps consist of cutouts in the foam to help keep the heat lower during hot weather. Don’t worry, at the end of this review we will have a comprehensive section to see if the customer feedback tallies with all this.
Features Handy for Backpackers
Yes, we already listed them in the specs but we did not detail as to how they might come in handy at different outdoor activities. Let’s start off with the pockets. Now the front stash pocket is extremely useful if you are trekking or hiking in cold weather because it can be used to stuff a large down jacket.
The top zippered pocket can be used to store accessories to reach quickly such as a flashlight, pocketknife etc. even your wallet and phone would be safe here because of the soft fabric that would prevent scratches. You can also choose to stuff your phone away in the two hipbelt pockets which is also capable of holding camera gear.
Now it is the bikers turn. The LidLock system enables you to attach your helmet to your backpack safely. A useful tip is to have the back of the helmet towards the top of the bag to keep it from moving while you cycle. But you must know that you can’t reach the top pocket with this placement.
For trekkers and hill climbers, Osprey got you covered with the ice axe loop and bungee plus the trekking poles attachment point on the left shoulder strap. Another feature that we really appreciate is the hydration sleeve that isn’t separated from the daypack.
Alright, that ends the Osprey Talon 22 specs review, now let’s see what all these features on paper means out there in the practical world.
What The Customers Are Saying
Here we go, the most important part of the Osprey Talon 22 review. As promised, this is what we found after scouting the marketplace for user feedback. To begin with, for most users it is the perfect day pack that they have been looking for. Great lumbar support, excellent pocket placement with ease of accessibility, adjustability, storage and additional features. Most users carry their raincoat, light jacket, gloves, hiking gear accessories, camera gear and first aid.
The pack has plenty of space for all of these to be neatly organized. Users are especially loving the breathable back panel, hip belt functionality in distributing the weight and the breathable shoulder straps. Not to mention the lightweight and slim design.
There have been a few complaints about the hydration bladder though. The only complaint is that the bladder is very hard to get in once the daypack is completely stuffed. The solution would be to unload most of the main compartment to get the bladder in, then reloading the main.
Apart from this major oversight by Osprey, the Talon 22 is a huge success throughout the community. It is the perfect companion for a day trip, backcountry skiing, day hike, casual cycling with your pet and hammock camping. While most users don’t recommend this pack for overnight stays, there are some who have pulled it off.
FAQ On Osprey Talon 22
Osprey Talon 22 small or large?
This is actually a confusion point for most buyers eager to be a part of the Osprey family. So how do we determine the optimum size in parallel with your height, weight and torso length? Well here’s how. Essentially, there are three factors in play that determine the optimum backpack in terms of size.
- Torso length
- Hipbelt size
- Shoulder strap
Osprey carefully details how the measurement should be taken for the torso length. Accordingly, that measurement is the length from the iliac crest to the C7 vertebra. For hipbelt size, measure around the hips at the iliac crest, not the waist. So the S/M size is 26-45″ / 65-114 cm and M/L size is 28-50″ / 70-127 cm. Osprey gives the S/M torso a size range of 16″-20″(40.5-51cm).
What is The Best Hydration Bladder for Osprey Talon 22?
This of course is a whole new article, should it be comprehensive. But to give a brief overview, 3 liters (100 oz.) are the most versatile. Check out the Source Outdoor Widepack and Platypus Big Zip. Very much durable, easy to clean, antimicrobial performance and price efficient.
Osprey Talon 22 vs 26
There’s no difference here in terms of features except for the weight and of course the size. All other features such as trekking pole attachment, AirScape backpanel, hydration sleeve and ice axe attachment points are embedded. So it all depends on how much you want to carry in your backpacking journey or while you cycle. In the marketplace, the Osprey Talon 22 and equivalent version for Women which is the Tempest 20, are the most in demand due to their versatility. The Talon 26 is mostly a hiking pack whereas features such as the lid lock makes the 22 a versatile cycling pack.
That concludes pretty much everything that we wanted to include in this Osprey Talon 22 review. Hope it was insightful and assisted you in making a clear decision.
