Hiking Backpacks · owner-verdict comparison

Osprey Atmos AG 65 vs Talon 22: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 78% of 190 Osprey Atmos AG 65 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

Osprey Atmos AG 65

78%of 190 owners recommend
78% recommend · 9% neutral · 13% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptionally comfortable to carry, even on long multi-day treks
  • Anti-Gravity suspension makes loads feel lighter and shifts weight to the hips
  • Carries heavy loads (35-40 lb) and distributes weight well
Owners complain about
  • Heavy for its class at roughly 4.5-5 lb empty
  • Hip belt isn't rigid enough to support loads above ~40 lb
  • Tends to squeak under heavier loads
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 Osprey Atmos AG 65 if
  • ✓Multi-day and thru-hikers carrying loads around 30 to 40 lbs
  • ✓Sweaty-backed hikers wanting the ventilated anti-gravity suspension
  • ✓Backpackers who value comfort and weight distribution over pack weight
  • ✓Beginners wanting an adjustable do-it-all pack with lifetime warranty
Skip it if
  • Ultralight hikers counting ounces, since it weighs nearly 5 lbs
  • Anyone loading much past 40 lbs, where the hip belt softens
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 Osprey Atmos AG 65 owners say

“Highly recommended”
— @LowGearHiker on YouTube
“Definitely worth the price they have an unbeatable warranty”
— @anthonygolden3685 on YouTube
“I had the Osprey Atmos AG 65 backpack, Naturehike Cloud Up 2 tent and an REI sleeping bag - all of which were really heavy. I have since started to buy much lighter gear.”
— The_Light_Explorer 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

Osprey Atmos AG 65 vs Talon 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Osprey Atmos AG 65 or the Talon 22 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 78% of 190 Osprey Atmos AG 65 owners recommend it, vs 77% of 417 for the Talon 22.

Who should get the Osprey Atmos AG 65?

Owners point the Osprey Atmos AG 65 at multi-day and thru-hikers carrying loads around 30 to 40 lbs, and sweaty-backed hikers wanting the ventilated anti-gravity suspension.

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 Osprey Atmos AG 65 is heavy for its class at roughly 4.5-5 lb empty. 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.