All categories/Outdoors/Hiking Backpacks/Osprey/Talon 22
Talon 22

Talon 22

Scored on 417 verified owner verdicts, from 820 comments read across 4 communities
TL;DR
Owners overwhelmingly love the Osprey Talon 22 as a comfortable, lightweight, and remarkably durable day pack, with many reporting a decade or more of hard hiking, commuting, and travel use before any real wear shows. The hip belt pockets, front stretch pocket, and helmet clip get singled out as smart, well-executed features. The most common complaint by far is capacity: a meaningful minority find the 22L volume too tight for anything beyond a single day, and several specifically struggle to fit a hydration bladder, especially on the newer redesigned version. A smaller number report a stiff, uncomfortable lumbar/hip-pad fit or eventual wear-and-tear failures (zippers, straps, logo, fabric) after years of heavy abuse.

77% of 417 verified owners recommend the Talon 22, based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

See the problems 23 owners report →

What 417 owners say
820 comments reviewed · scored on the 417 clearest verdicts
77%
Recommend
321 owners
17%
Neutral
73 owners
6%
Don't recommend
23 owners
Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
77%
411
Other forumsBackpackinglight, Whiteblaze
67%
6
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
Affiliate blogsipaid commission
86%
7
No clear verdictiSetup, tips & quirks
160

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.

What owners like
  • Exceptionally comfortable to wear, even loaded and on longer days · 62 · 15%
  • Extremely durable, with many owners reporting 7-12+ years of hard daily or trail use before any real wear shows · 28 · 7%
  • Ideal size and versatility for day hikes, commuting, cycling, and travel/carry-on use · 24 · 6%
  • Lightweight design that doesn't feel bulky or tiring even when packed full · 15 · 4%
  • Well-designed organization: hip belt pockets, front stretch/kangaroo pocket, helmet clip, and mesh side pockets get called out repeatedly · 12 · 3%
What owners flag
  • Too small for anything beyond a single day out; owners routinely outgrow the 22L volume and wish they'd sized up · 20 · 5%
  • Wear-and-tear failures after years of heavy use: zippers blowing out, chest straps popping off, logo peeling, or fabric delaminating · 7 · 2%
  • Difficult or impossible to fit a 2-3L hydration bladder, a problem owners say got worse on the newer redesigned version · 6 · 1%
  • Stiff, hard lumbar/hip-pad area causes back discomfort or poor fit for some wearers · 5 · 1%
Who it's for
A great fit if
  • Day hikers wanting a comfortable, lightweight pack for 5-9 hour trail days
  • Commuters and travelers who want one bag for laptop, gear, and daily carry
  • Owners who want durability, some report 7-12+ years of daily abuse with no failures
  • Cyclists and scramblers needing a stable, body-hugging pack that carries loads comfortably
Look elsewhere if
  • Anyone needing to fit a 2-3L water bladder, many say it barely fits or won't fit
  • Multi-day or heavy-load hikers, several found the 22L volume too limiting and sized up
  • Buyers expecting older-model build quality, some say newer units feel downgraded post-buyout

Synthesized from what Talon 22 owners say — not a spec sheet.

Top quotes, sourced

820 reviewed · 247 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
Reddit— neutral

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

Reddit▲ recommend

I found this system works really well.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

love is my day hiking pack, a Talon 22, because of how it never quite seems to fit what I need.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I started with an Osprey Talon 22 and later changed to a REI Flash 22. I like the Flash a lot better

Reddit— neutral

I have a talon 22 and the chest strap popped off on one side

Reddit▲ recommend

it'd still be perfectly comfortable aside from the weight.

Reddit— neutral

Rides pretty well and enough organization for what I need it for.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I got a talon 22 and was disapointed (especially the volume that ended up low for my use).

Reddit▲ recommend

I love the Osprey Talon 22 as a hiking daypack!

Reddit▲ recommend

Great low profile, versatile day back. Love mine :)

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

the Osprey Talon 22 which I also purchased before returning it and keeping the Deuter.

Reddit— neutral

I have to apply body glide on my lower back or it runs too much

Reddit— neutral

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.

Reddit▲ recommend

it's the best damn bag I've ever owned.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I disliked the talon.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

to replace my I osprey talon 22 for hiking and traveling. It is a world of difference on my back.

Reddit▲ recommend

Quite a good pack.

Reddit— neutral

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

Reddit— neutral

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.

Reddit▲ recommend

Only sign of wear is the Osprey symbol rubbing off.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I've been using an Osprey Talon 22 and it constantly annoys me because it's not big enough.

Reddit▲ recommend

tough packs that are very comfortable.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

The newest version of the Talon 22 makes it almost impossible to get any sized bladder in.

Reddit— neutral

I own a Talon 22, but it’s a bit too technical for walks around town. I find it better for hiking.

Showing 124 of 247

Common problems & things to know

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.

Redditⓘ good to know

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.

Redditⓘ good to know

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.

Redditⓘ good to know

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.

Redditⓘ good to know

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.

Redditⓘ good to know

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.

Redditⓘ good to know

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.

Redditⓘ good to know

But my Fuji setup all fits in my Osprey Talon 22 comfortably with a thermos and extra layer.

Redditⓘ good to know

Can confirm, I have an Osprey Talon 22 day pack (very similar to the Stratos 24, although I suspect OP has a larger Stratos model) and the Peak Design Capture clip is mounted on the left strap, and I can also attach my Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 10 by threading the hip strap through the mirrorless mover's belt loop.

Redditⓘ good to know

I have an Osprey Talon 22 and I can fit my 13" Macbook Air in it with lots of room to spare. The daylite looks a lot smaller though and looks like it has only a 13 liter capacity.

Redditⓘ good to know

I just use my regular day hike Talon 22. I clip my shoes to the outside of the pack though. Plenty of room for a water bottle, chalk bucket, chalk bag + rope equipment, and personal items.

Redditⓘ good to know

I did an overnighter with my Talon 22 once. Just to see if I could. It was just about bursting at the seams, but I did it, and without strapping/dangling anything on the outside of the pack

Redditⓘ good to know

**Osprey Talon 22** Loadout: 2L water bladder, Extra layer, Rain parka, Snacks, Poop kit, Headlamp, Knife, Trekking poles, Towel (lightweight), First aid kit, Sunscreen, Bug spray

Redditⓘ good to know

I prefer just running a hydration pack in the built-in compartment in my Osprey Talon 22, that way I have a pack and hydration with the same weight as the pack you have.