Osprey Talon 22 Review 2026 | Unsponsored
- Excellent Support
- Good Cushioning
- Roomy Hip Belt
- Durable
- Not built for nimbleness
- Less Compartments
- Needs Raincover in downpours
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Osprey Talon 22 review.
And unlike those other reviews you see out there, this is not sponsored, nor do we use AI to generate this article; this is based on our objective scoring system for all of our hiking backpacks.
I am going to give you an objective score of each category for the Osprey Talon 22 with simple recommendations on who it’s made for and who it’s not.
Osprey Talon 22 Price
At the time of this writing, the Osprey Talon 22 is available for $175 retail.
Should you buy the Osprey Talon 22?
Buy if
- You want a comfortable day-pack with comfortable strapping and great airflow
- You want a year-round hiking daypack to use in all types of weather
- You prefer hip straps that don’t relay all the weight of the backpack to your waist.
DON’T Buy if
- If you are carrying more than 40 lbs., this will compromise the integrity of the backpanel
- You want a lightweight pack with smaller carrying capacity
- You need a new trail running backpack that is agile and lightweight
Osprey Talon 22 Kinetic Comfort: 9/10
The Talon 22 relies on beefy straps to spread the weight across your shoulders, with an optional hip belt to help distribute it further for better support.
During the evaluation of the Talon 22 on the Gros Pitons in St. Lucia, the pack was loaded with approximately 25 pounds. The shoulder area provided adequate padding, resulting in no friction points.
The padded hip belt is a unique feature that many day packs miss. I really like to tighten the hip belt against my lower abdomen, and I didn’t experience any areas of discomfort or rubbing.
I regularly use the Talon 22 while filming my hiking expeditions. It can carry my DJI Air 3s drone, my camera tripod, and smaller items like bear spray, keys, and water.
I recommend using this backpack for weights up to 40 lbs. Exceeding that limit can be uncomfortable on the shoulders. The frame of the Talon 22 is too small to support heavier loads like that as well.
Many reviews miss how structured the back panel of the Talon 22 is. A lot of hiking day packs won’t fit securely on your back and will leave that dreadful open gap, which can lead to more strain on your shoulders.
The Talon 22 fits to your back like a glove, no matter how light or heavy the load is, thanks to the internal plastic frame sheet. This is very robust yet contoured to fit your back.
The Airscape panel on the backpack is highly effective for summer and warm weather hiking. The design prevents the backpack from acting as a heat absorber, even in the black color version. The Airscape panels provide optimal ventilation for the back, ensuring continuous airflow and preventing moisture retention.
While many hiking daypacks sacrifice comfort for functionality, the Osprey Talon 22 excels in both areas. If you keep the load under 30 lbs, you’ll experience an unparalleled level of comfort, making it a standout choice in the market.
Chassis And Load Support: 9/10
When it comes to testing the internal support of our hiking day packs, we don’t just use the manufacturer’s claimed weight limits; we go above and beyond with different hiking scenarios.
Osprey claims the Talon 22 can be used for 10-30 pounds of carrying weight. I tested it up to 50 lbs.
I tested the Osprey Talon 22 with over 40 lbs. of gear, and that’s when I noticed that the support wasn’t as structured at higher weight limits. I felt off-kilter with higher weights over 40 lbs.
As I said, I will pack my drone as well as my camera tripod while hiking, which really keeps the weight unevenly distributed. However, I don’t notice any bulging or painful spots passing the internal frame.
Since the backpack isn’t extremely long like a backpacking pack, it can only distribute the weight so much throughout your entire body. For me, the backpack only goes slightly past my lower back. So anything over 40 pounds is really pushing the backpack past its limit.
During scrambles, I felt the torsional stability of the backpack was excellent as well. The hip straps really keep you locked in. The backpack moves with your body rather than against it, preventing you from swaying off course.
I also tested the Talon 22 on 10-mile days. I didn’t notice any difference in the support on mile 10 vs mile 1. No micro-slips of the belt. It kept me locked in the entire time.
Overall, the Talon 22 has a very structured fit to it with reliable support across multiple different hiking scenarios.
On The Fly-Utility: 8.5/10
One of the best features of the Talon 22 is the hip pockets. I love to keep my keys and my iPhone 17 (yes, it can fit modern phones) in both hip pockets. They are oversized enough to even carry bear spray for quick, easy access, use as needed.
The pack includes a hydration sleeve compartment designed to accommodate a 2 L bladder, suitable for extended hikes and treks. You can also secure water bottles in the mesh pockets on the sides of the backpack, with a 1 L bottle being an appropriate choice.
The backpack also has trekking pole attachments, which I used several times during testing. It also offers a bike helmet attachment, although I did not use this personally.
The front of the backpack also has a tight mesh pocket that doesn’t require any zippers. I put easy on-the-go snacks in this area without having to dig through my backpack to get to them.
Beyond the main pocket, there is a smaller front compartment that can carry keys, wallets, as well as sunglasses. Though this area can be a little sneaky, as certain things can fall down and below and be cut off by the bulk of the main compartment if it’s completely full.
The Osprey Talon 22 offers excellent usability for on-the-go situations. While not every compartment is easily accessible while wearing it, there are smaller sections designed for quick access to essentials without needing to take off the backpack.
Trail Verified Resilience: 9.5/10
After testing the Osprey Talon 22 through multiple seasons of hiking over the past three years, I can say this is definitely one of the top hiking day packs when it comes to durability.
After overloading this backpack with multiple 50 lb hikes, I can say the stitching system and nylon materials have held up extremely well.
I’ve pulled this backpack across rough granite slabs and navigated through muddy trails, yet it has emerged unscathed, showing no significant scrapes or tears despite frequent encounters with branches and trees.
The 100D high-tenacity nylon strikes an excellent balance between lightweight construction and extreme resistance to the elements during testing.
The lower portion of the backpack features a higher nylon density, which is beneficial because we were able to overstretch the backpack significantly without any loss of structural integrity.
The aluminum frame has stayed adaptable and robust. Overall, the Talon 22 is a very durable pack that can be used for multiple seasons.
Is The Osprey Talon 22 Worth It?
Coming in at $175, the Osprey Talon 22 represents the higher tier of price when it comes to hiking day packs.
Built with premium materials, we have over-packed the Talon 22, and our results show Trail-verified resilience well beyond average.
Overall, this day pack stands out as one of our top-rated options for its price. While we’ve used it daily for three years, it continues to perform exceptionally well. Unlike many other packs that show signs of wear and tear, this one remains in excellent condition, making it a reliable choice for everyday use.
Though those looking for a lighter pack should opt for the Osprey Daylite Plus or the Exped Skyline 20, these day packs have easier-on-the-fly utility but do not have the carrying capacity of the Talon 22.
At a price of $175, the Talon 22 is definitely worth it and justifies its value.
Value: 9.5/10
Scoring Breakdown
Kinetic Comfort: 9/10
Chassis And Load Support: 9/10
On The Fly-Utility: 8.5/10
Trail-Verified Resilience: 9/10
Value: 9.5/10
Total: 49 / 50
Our Rating: 9 / 10
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Osprey Talon 22 with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Like other reviews you see out there, we actually test our products with zero sponsorships and zero bias. Each score is carefully calculated to help you find the best possible outdoor product for your needs.
In addition, we give you high-quality photos and videos of us actually testing out the products on the trail rather than just talking about them. Check out our YouTube channel with over 2.3 million views.
Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment. Over the past decade, I have logged more than 5,000 miles of hiking across diverse terrain, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
