“Osprey Talon 22 backpack (photo backpacks are great for storing/accessing gear, but suck at backpacking”

77% of 417 verified owners recommend the Talon 22, based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.
Affiliate blogs here say 86% recommend, while the owner-based score is 77%. They earn a commission on every sale — so we show them for transparency but never let them move the score.
The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, blogs with no affiliate links, and YouTube owner-comments when they line up with owners. Affiliate blogs is shown for perspective but kept out here — hover the i for why.
Synthesized from what Talon 22 owners say — not a spec sheet.
“Osprey Talon 22 backpack (photo backpacks are great for storing/accessing gear, but suck at backpacking”
“I found this system works really well.”
“love is my day hiking pack, a Talon 22, because of how it never quite seems to fit what I need.”
“I started with an Osprey Talon 22 and later changed to a REI Flash 22. I like the Flash a lot better”
“I have a talon 22 and the chest strap popped off on one side”
“it'd still be perfectly comfortable aside from the weight.”
“Rides pretty well and enough organization for what I need it for.”
“I got a talon 22 and was disapointed (especially the volume that ended up low for my use).”
“I love the Osprey Talon 22 as a hiking daypack!”
“Great low profile, versatile day back. Love mine :)”
“the Osprey Talon 22 which I also purchased before returning it and keeping the Deuter.”
“I have to apply body glide on my lower back or it runs too much”
“it was comfortable, the pockets were well laid out (+1 for the hip belt pocket being iPhone compatible), and the size was right… yet I was just never excited about it.”
“it's the best damn bag I've ever owned.”
“I disliked the talon.”
“to replace my I osprey talon 22 for hiking and traveling. It is a world of difference on my back.”
“Quite a good pack.”
“have been using an REI Flash 18 for day trips instead of the Talon 22, as I never carried much in the Talon 22 for day trips, and it was too small for anything longer”
“It is a little harder to find stuff in the talon because the main area is just one big pouch, but that also allows you to fit things so much more easily.”
“Only sign of wear is the Osprey symbol rubbing off.”
“I've been using an Osprey Talon 22 and it constantly annoys me because it's not big enough.”
“tough packs that are very comfortable.”
“The newest version of the Talon 22 makes it almost impossible to get any sized bladder in.”
“I own a Talon 22, but it’s a bit too technical for walks around town. I find it better for hiking.”
Practical notes owners raise — setup, quirks, and issues to watch for. They don't say whether the person likes the product, so they're not counted in the score, but they inform the pros, cons, and who it's for.
“The first two require a sleeping bag and sleeping pad, and maybe a tent, if you take a room every night you can save that weight, but it will be more expensive. Then take the smallest bag you can find that fits all you need. I’m currently on the pilgrimage and have a Osprey Talon 22. Obviously not camping.”
“I can't speak to the size of the bag, but I usually carry an Osprey Talon 22 for camping/hiking weekends. Having just gone camping, here are four things you may want to add: Headlamp, Towel, Bug spray, Sandals (I personally like having an open shoe option for camping/day hikes).”
“I use an osprey Talon 22, but honestly I feel like bag choice doesn't really matter as much for day hikes. There are a few local pack makers in the Aussie Made UL Gear list under helpful links for the sub.”
“I use a gossamer gear mariposa 60 liter pack for multiday backpacking and a osprey Talon 22 liter for day hikes. The larger pack would be huge and bulky for the amount of gear i would need for a day hike. I would suggest trying on several packs in person. a backpacks comfort can be a very personal thing.”
“[osprey daylite plus (20L)](https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/daylite-plus-DAYLITEPL.html) or the [normal version (13L)](https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/daylite-DAYLITE.html) or the [talon series](https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/talon-22-TALON22_669.html) (i use the 22L for \~10k run commute).”
“I use a Osprey Daylite for majority of my day hikes, so naturally I’d recommend that. I also have a Talon 22, but I only use it when hiking on a day that starts out really cold but then warms up quickly so have to shed/carry multiple layers.”
“I mean I own 2 bags one for travel, the Osprey talon 12 and the daily bag Osprey talon 22. The 12L I use to travel for a week at a time. Not done a longer trip with it but I definitely could”
“Daypack: Osprey Talon 22, Osprey Daylite Would love critiques of my own, or for others to post their staple layering pieces!”
“The Talon 33 is a great small/medium pack with good ergonomics, excellent compartment design, and quality construction. For a travel bag to fit that gear, you really have to find one large enough in LxW for a monster laptop to lay flat.”
“The bag itself is extremely light and very, very comfortable! This might be its #1 selling point. I love that the main compartment zips open pretty wide for access to the bottom. The easy-access pockets on the top and front are also great.”
“Osprey Talon 22 in Yerba Green. Now I need a kitchen kit and some nav gear.”
“Osprey Talon 22 for most uses and Osprey Kamber 22 for snow activities.”
“For just day hiking I actually use a Talon 22 and it has a bit much space for my needs. If you plan on using it overnight then a 22 is not big enough. Choosing between a 33 and a 36 just makes me wonder why such a small size difference. Me I'd lean towards using your own physical size to decide.”
“I’m 6’0’ 170lb and own the new Talon 22. I got it in the largest size and it only fits if I extend the shoulder thing to the max spot. I think you’d be too tall for it.”
“I have the a Talon 22 and I don't know where you would attach those. Why not put the money toward a 30-40 liter pack that can compress with side straps down to 25L?”
“Your guy is wearing an osprey talon 22 pack, is that a custom skin or is that actually in game standard? Edit: That little x-shaped thing above the strap coming down the front is for bike helmets.”
“How about something like an Osprey Daylite? I use a bit larger Osprey the Talon 22, but I keep more in it than just GoPro stuff, I also have a small first aid kit, foul weather gear and snacks for me/kids.”
“My backpack (osprey talon 22) has an attachment for my helmet, I carry my backpack with me everywhere though so not sure how well this would work for you.”
“Osprey Talon 22. It also doubles as my bike commuting pack. As slpst mentioned, chest and waist straps are essential to firmly secure the backpack.”
“In the regular planes (3 seats each side of the aisle), I've had no problems stowing my regular bags: Deuter Futura 28L, Osprey Talon 22 and 33”
“Yes! I only travel with my Osprey Talon 22, I normally put it in the overhead, but have definitely gone under the seat in the past.”
“I can reach mine on the osprey talon 22, nalgene or smartwater bottle, or whatever else I have stashed in there. Some packs that have larger side pockets have a hole in the side of the pocket to place the bottle at a more horizontal angle.”
“I have an Osprey Talon 22 for light hiking and a Marmot Eiger 36 for summitting. For travel I use a Timbuk2 Aviator.”
“For overnight and especially weekends i would suggest the 32L Version. On my daily commute and day hikes i wouldnt want a pack thats bigger than 25L. I use a Salomon day hike 24 or a osprey talon 22 for daytrips, the brize 25 seems to be similar.”