Hiking Backpacks · owner-verdict comparison

Baltoro 65 vs Talon 22: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Baltoro 65: 91% of 43 owners recommend it, vs 77% of 417 for the Talon 22.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Baltoro 65

91%of 43 owners recommend
91% recommend · 2% neutral · 7% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptional, all-day comfort even under heavy loads
  • Carries heavy loads well with a stable, supportive suspension system
  • Extremely durable and long-lasting, with owners still using packs after years or even decades
Owners complain about
  • Noticeably heavy compared to other packs
Full owner report →

Talon 22

77%of 417 owners recommend
77% recommend · 17% neutral · 6% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptionally comfortable to wear, even loaded and on longer days
  • Extremely durable, with many owners reporting 7-12+ years of hard daily or trail use before any real wear shows
  • Ideal size and versatility for day hikes, commuting, cycling, and travel/carry-on use
Owners complain about
  • Too small for anything beyond a single day out; owners routinely outgrow the 22L volume and wish they'd sized up
  • Difficult or impossible to fit a 2-3L hydration bladder, a problem owners say got worse on the newer redesigned version
  • Stiff, hard lumbar/hip-pad area causes back discomfort or poor fit for some wearers
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Baltoro 65 if
  • ✓Multi-day backpackers hauling 50+ lbs who want a heavy load carried comfortably
  • ✓Thru-hikers wanting a durable pack that holds up for years without failing
  • ✓Hikers with chronic back or shoulder strain seeking superior weight distribution and lower-back relief
  • ✓Backpackers who value comfort and organization over minimizing base weight
Skip it if
  • Ultralight hikers who can't tolerate the pack's above-average weight
  • Shorter-torso hikers who report a poor size fit
Get the Talon 22 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
Skip it 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

What Baltoro 65 owners say

“LOVE THIS PACK!”
— Adam Parker on Trailspace
“I LOVE this pack.”
— Gary Bowen on Trailspace
“The Baltoro 65 absolutely sucks. It is way too heavy. A strap broke on mine making the hiking more difficult than it needed to be.”
— Chicagohiker2020 on Reddit

What Talon 22 owners say

“I found this system works really well.”
— Nysor on Reddit
“it'd still be perfectly comfortable aside from the weight.”
— Kuryaka on Reddit
“love is my day hiking pack, a Talon 22, because of how it never quite seems to fit what I need.”
— Creator13 on Reddit

Baltoro 65 vs Talon 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Baltoro 65 or the Talon 22 better?

Real owners lean toward the Baltoro 65: 91% of 43 owners recommend it, vs 77% of 417 for the Talon 22.

Who should get the Baltoro 65?

Owners point the Baltoro 65 at multi-day backpackers hauling 50+ lbs who want a heavy load carried comfortably, and thru-hikers wanting a durable pack that holds up for years without failing.

Who should get the Talon 22?

Owners point the Talon 22 at day hikers wanting a comfortable, lightweight pack for 5-9 hour trail days, and commuters and travelers who want one bag for laptop, gear, and daily carry.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Baltoro 65 is noticeably heavy compared to other packs. For the Talon 22, it's too small for anything beyond a single day out; owners routinely outgrow the 22L volume and wish they'd sized up.