The Best From Our Tests: A Review of Osprey's Talon 22 Daypack

It offers just the right amount of comfort

When brands prioritize comfort over all else, it can lead to sacrifices in other important attributes such as weight and fit of a bag. That's not the case, however, with the Talon 22; this bag offers the perfect amount of comfort, thanks to its AirScape Suspension system, which includes a mesh back panel and injection-molded foam, and the BioStretch harness and hip belt.

The mesh, open back panel, and lighter foam and padding found on the shoulder straps and hip belts make this pack particularly ideal for warmer temperatures and multiple sports. We found this pack particularly airy while bike commuting compared to other daypacks we've used. Now, if you overload it with a ton of weight, it will probably not be the most comfortable pack, considering the minimal padding and foam on the shoulders. But if you load it with the typical day-use items, the comfort is definitely sufficient without adding weight or bulk.

The durability should hold up for many years

Another advantage of this pack is its durability. Osprey uses bluesign-approved recycled 100D x 210D wave check high-tenacity nylon for the central portion of the pack. And the sides and bottom of the pack feature bluesign-approved recycled 420HD nylon packcloth. The entire pack has a PFC-free DWR coating.

What does all this mean for you? A pack that is weatherproof and should last you for many years (even if your journeys lead you to scavenging crows in Yosemite Valley). Anyone who bike commutes or hikes often knows the importance of a burlier bottom, and I've appreciated Osprey's reinforced and durable materials in that portion of the bag.

It's lightweight and packable

Weighing right about 2 pounds doesn't make this the lightest daypack for its size. (But it's also not the heaviest). Still, Osprey nails the durability-to-weight (and comfort) ratio. Oftentimes you'll lose comfort, durability, or features (or all three) when losing weight. And what makes the Talon 22 so good is you get a solid blend of all three. Plus, we love this pack can be packed down small and placed in a checked or carry-on bag for plane travel.

It has the perfect amount of features

There are a lot of features we love about this pack. First is the amount of pockets. We're suckers for pockets on the hip belts because we love easy-access snacks while hiking. This pack has one on each hip belt. It also has an internal mesh pocket with a zipper and key clip and a separate top pocket for your cell phone or other items you want to grab quickly (more snacks!).

It's also compatible with your water bladder and features attachments for bike helmets, bike lights, trekking poles, and an ice axe. (We told you it was an excellent multi-sport pack.)

It's light on the planet

Osprey has leaned into its planet-friendly practices. And we're all about it. This pack features all recycled and bluesign-approved materials. And if that's not enough for you, check out the limited edition Talon Earth 22 pack, which Osprey says is its most sustainable pack to date.

It's totally worth the cost

At $150 at the time of publication, this pack is totally worth the cost. We think the weight, comfort, features, and multi-use application make this pack worth its $150. But considering it's also likely to last you years or decades, we highly recommend the investment.

Why Trust TripSavvy

Nathan Allen is TripSavvy's Outdoor Gear Editor. He's used daypacks for bike commuting, hiking, summiting, ski touring, and travel for decades. He's also used various versions and sizes of the Talon line for years. Before the dreaded Yosemite Valley crow incident, the Talon 44 was his go-to overnight backpacking pack for its weight-to-comfort ratio and minimalist design. Nathan's go-to day hike and bike commuting pack is the Talon 22, which he uses multiple times a week.