Osprey Talon 22 Review: A Light, Ventilated Daypack With a Price to Think About

Introduction

The Osprey Talon 22 is a 22 litre rucksack designed as a multi-purpose pack for walking, hiking and cycling. On paper the capacity sounds modest, but in person the medium to large version is a genuinely roomy daypack, and most of what you pay for sits in the back panel and the organisation rather than in headline capacity numbers.

Who This Rucksack Is For

This is a pack for people who want one bag to cover a range of day trips. It works for hill walks, longer hikes and bike rides, and it suits anyone who values ventilation and a stable carry over shaving the last few grams.

Sizing deserves attention before you order. The medium to large version measures 51 cm from top to bottom, 28 cm from side to side and 28 cm front to back, which makes it noticeably larger than the small to medium option. Even a user around 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) may find the medium to large version the better fit, so it is worth checking the sizing guidance rather than assuming the smaller shell will do.

If you mostly carry a jacket, water and lunch, the extra volume of the medium to large version will feel generous rather than excessive, and it still compresses down sensibly on shorter outings.

Main Strengths

The defining feature is the AirScape back panel. It is fully ventilated from top to bottom and out to the sides, which keeps air moving across your back on warm days and makes the pack noticeably more pleasant in summer than a flat foam back panel.

Comfort is the other standout. The pack carries well, the harness sits cleanly on the shoulders, and the overall construction feels solid and well made rather than flimsy. For a pack of this size, 810 grams is light, so you are not paying a weight penalty for the ventilation and the pocket count.

Fit and Carry Comfort

Putting the Talon 22 on is straightforward. There is a small clip at the top of the harness and a slightly larger clip at the bottom, and both are fully adjustable, so you can dial in the fit quickly. The side panels are supportive, which means the pack holds its shape and stays comfortable when you load it up for a full day out.

The side pockets are a small detail that makes a real difference in use. They can be reached while the pack is on your back, which makes them practical for snacks and energy bars without stopping.

Once adjusted, the harness stays put on undulating ground, and the load sits close enough to the back to avoid the swaying that cheaper daypacks often develop.

Pockets and Practical Details

Organisation is simple but well considered. There is one main compartment, and inside it sits a small zipped mesh pocket with a key attachment, which is enough for valuables, a wallet and keys without adding bulk.

A sleeve in the main compartment takes a bladder, and a loop at the top holds a 2.5 litre reservoir in place. The reservoir is not included. On the outside there is a useful front stash pocket sized for a waterproof, complete with drain holes so water can escape. A soft-lined top pocket is a sensible home for sunglasses, and there are two adjustable water bottle side pockets.

For longer routes there is a trekking pole attachment, plus additional attachment points that will take an ice axe. A small fixture at the top of the pack is designed to secure a cycling helmet, which is a neat touch for anyone commuting or riding to a trailhead.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Price is the main obstacle. The Talon 22 retails at around 120 pounds, and once you add a reservoir and a waterproof cover, the realistic all-in cost lands closer to 150 pounds. For a 22 litre daypack that is a serious amount of money, and it is hard to describe the package as good value at full price.

It is also worth noting that the design keeps things deliberately simple: there is just one main compartment, so anyone used to splitting kit across two large sections will need to adapt, or add packing cubes.

Sizing is the other practical consideration. The medium to large version is considerably bigger than the small to medium one, so try to confirm which shell suits your back length before committing.

Price and Value

Value here depends almost entirely on what you pay. At the full retail price the Talon 22 is a premium proposition for its capacity, and the extras you will want on top push the total higher still.

It has been seen discounted to around 70 pounds, and at that level the picture changes completely. That is a much more reasonable number for a pack with this back panel, this level of comfort and this weight. A newer version of the pack has also been released, which is worth knowing if you are comparing listings.

Buying Advice

If your budget stretches to it, this is a genuinely excellent rucksack and an easy one to recommend on quality alone. If you are working to a middle budget, waiting for a sale is the sensible route, because the discount brings the price in line with what the pack actually delivers.

If the budget simply will not stretch, there is no need to feel you are missing out. There are plenty of cheaper daypacks that come close to this level of performance, and they will handle most day trips perfectly well.

Conclusion

The Osprey Talon 22 gets the important things right: a fully ventilated back panel, a comfortable and adjustable harness, sensible pocketing and a light 810 gram build. The reservation is purely about money. Buy it at full price only if the budget allows, look for it on sale if you can, and if neither works, a cheaper pack will still get you up the hill.