Hiking Backpacks · owner-verdict comparison

Gregory Zulu 55 vs Talon 22: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Gregory Zulu 55: 88% of 25 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

Gregory Zulu 55

88%of 25 owners recommend
88% recommend · 4% neutral · 8% don't
Owners praise
  • Comfortable, effortless carry
  • Fits a wide range of bodies
  • Holds a lot for its size
Owners complain about
  • Heavier than ultralight packs
  • Too many buckles to open compartments
  • Newer models dropped rain cover
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 Gregory Zulu 55 if
  • ✓Backpackers who prioritize load comfort over minimal weight
  • ✓Multi-day and overnight trips with heavier loads
  • ✓Hikers who want an adjustable-torso fit
  • ✓People who run warm and want a ventilated back
Skip it if
  • Ultralight hikers counting every gram
  • Those who work out of many small compartments
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 Gregory Zulu 55 owners say

“Got a Zulu 55 early spring and have taken it on a number of 2-3 day backpack camping adventures.....love the pack!!!!”
— @va3ks on YouTube
“is an excellent pack which I use for almost all of my overnight trips these days”
— WeAreThePizza on Reddit
“Gregory's decision to stop including rain covers is such a dirty shrinkflation move. They took out the bungee sunglasses holder on the shoulder straps too.”
— @GetUpTheMountains on YouTube

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

Gregory Zulu 55 vs Talon 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Gregory Zulu 55 or the Talon 22 better?

Real owners lean toward the Gregory Zulu 55: 88% of 25 owners recommend it, vs 77% of 417 for the Talon 22.

Who should get the Gregory Zulu 55?

Owners point the Gregory Zulu 55 at backpackers who prioritize load comfort over minimal weight, and multi-day and overnight trips with heavier loads.

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 Gregory Zulu 55 is heavier than ultralight 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.