Hiking Backpacks · owner-verdict comparison

Osprey Exos 58 vs Talon 22: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 77% of 311 Osprey Exos 58 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 Exos 58

77%of 311 owners recommend

77% recommend · 10% neutral · 13% don't

Owners praise

Exceptionally comfortable carry
Lightweight for a framed pack
Ventilated mesh back, less sweat

Owners complain about

Uncomfortable above roughly 35 lbs
Mesh and fabric tear over time
Fit is hit-or-miss, try before buying

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 Exos 58 if

✓Multiday and thru-hikers wanting a light framed pack
✓Hikers who sweat and want a ventilated mesh back
✓Those carrying moderate loads up to about 35 lbs
✓Backpackers needing bear-canister capacity

Skip it if

Hikers regularly hauling loads over 35 lbs
Rough users who are hard on their gear

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 Exos 58 owners say

“For the past 2 years I've been using an Osprey Exos 58. It's lightweight, but can handle a good sized load.”
— Dr_WolfRyder on Reddit

“If you like Osprey, an Exos 58 L is about 2.5 lbs., has the nice suspension and ride, carries weight well when you have to, and a bear can will fit.”
— see_blue on Reddit

“Yep, Osprey Exos 58 bruised and rubbed raw a half dollar+ size spot on each hip bone. No amount of adjusting stopped this.”
— Rocko9999 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 Exos 58 vs Talon 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Osprey Exos 58 or the Talon 22 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 77% of 311 Osprey Exos 58 owners recommend it, vs 77% of 417 for the Talon 22.

Who should get the Osprey Exos 58?

Owners point the Osprey Exos 58 at multiday and thru-hikers wanting a light framed pack, and hikers who sweat and want a ventilated mesh back.

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 Exos 58 is uncomfortable above roughly 35 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.