Hiking Backpacks · owner-verdict comparison

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

Real owners rate these about evenly: 73% of 44 Osprey Aura 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 Aura AG 65

73%of 44 owners recommend
73% recommend · 11% neutral · 16% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptionally comfortable carry
  • Ventilated suspension, minimal back sweat
  • Excellent adjustability and fit
Owners complain about
  • Heavy at around 5 lbs
  • Hip belt uncomfortable for some
  • Tall frame, head hits it
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 Aura AG 65 if
  • ✓Backpackers who prioritize comfort over pack weight
  • ✓Petite and shorter-torso women needing adjustable fit
  • ✓Back-sweaters wanting a ventilated suspension
  • ✓Multiday trips with heavier 30-40 lb loads
Skip it if
  • Ultralight hikers counting every ounce
  • Buyers who can't try on the hip belt and torso fit first
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 Aura AG 65 owners say

“I love my pack, it is unbelievably comfortable compared to anything else I’ve used. I’ve become very partial to the brand specifically because of it’s adjustability.”
— Jessica_Kahlee on Reddit
“My wife has the same! She loves it too.”
— @SiMachiavelli on YouTube
“the hip belt felt just awful for me”
— @karencaskey6210 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

Osprey Aura AG 65 vs Talon 22: frequently asked questions

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

Real owners rate these about evenly: 73% of 44 Osprey Aura AG 65 owners recommend it, vs 77% of 417 for the Talon 22.

Who should get the Osprey Aura AG 65?

Owners point the Osprey Aura AG 65 at backpackers who prioritize comfort over pack weight, and petite and shorter-torso women needing adjustable fit.

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 Aura AG 65 is heavy at around 5 lbs. 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.