“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller
Whether it takes you an hour or a several-day journey to trade in your office chair for a trip to the rivers edge, or a granite outcrop doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you take the time to treat yourself to the adventure and the epic views that come along with it. And when you do finally step foot on the trail, the Talon 22 Backpack from Osprey Packs has the capacity and functional features to bring everything you’ll need for the day’s adventure.
Designed for the fast, adventure oriented enthusiast, the Talon 22, like all packs in the Talon Series, offers a unique melding of torso adjustability in an active, lightweight pack.
On Design and Performance…
The quality of your adventure depends, in part, on the pack that’s carrying all of your gear. Knowing this, Osprey used all of its technical backcountry knowledge in designing the Talon 22, ensuring that this everyday adventure-ready pack is the jack of all trades and the master of a few more. Compact size, smooth lines, and an ergonomic fit make it a supreme choice for fast-paced mountain missions, urban wandering or family trips to the coast.
In prior reviews we’ve discussed how the personality of a pack begins with the fit and feel of the harness system. From our perspective, if the straps aren’t comfortable then little else matters. Towards those ends, the ergonomic shoulder harness and waist belt of the Talon 22 don’t just distribute the load evenly, they ensure that you’re über-comfortable no matter what you’ve got loaded in the pack. In other words, we’ve got a new favorite harness system.
When out exploring the world, you don’t mind working up a good sweat, but dripping under a stifling pack while on trail doesn’t sound like your idea of fun. With its AirScape backpanel, and breathable contact points, the Talon 22 pack is like a breath of fresh air for your back. The AirScape backpanel with ridge molded foam helps draws in fresh air from the sides, keeping your back cool while allowing perspiration to evaporate as you lead your party of adventurers to that elusive vista.
Mandatory tools of slackcountry and backcountry alike include water, GPS, camera and perhaps a few gels to help revive your weary engines. That’s why the Talon 22 provided all of the above with their own specific pockets, leaving the main compartment open for layers, lunch, and everything you need to hit the trail from dawn until dusk. And yes, the Talon 22 is hydration-compatible so you can pack in fluids without lugging around water bottles.
Suited for both small and large individuals, the Talon 22 pack accommodates a variety of back lengths with different size options and an adjustable torso. Grip it, adjust it and stick it… like magic you’ve got the perfect fit. And since some adventures are better pursued via two wheels, the Talon 22 features a LidLock to secure your helmet and a patch to attach your blinking light.
The Critique…
The Talon 22 raises expectations for what outdoor enthusiasts should expect from their daypack. Sleek, functional, adjustable and extraordinarily comfortable, there was only one feature missing in the eyes of our field team. At the end of the day, not every adventure is undertaken in bright blue skies. As such, our field team would like to see the addition of an integrated rain cover to help protect the pack and its contents from the weather.
Bottom Line…
Whether hunting down elusive backcountry waterfalls, following the frozen creek through a maze of snow covered pine, or just another family trip to the zoo, the Talon 22 from Osprey is built for checking off your trekking to-dos.
Manufactured by Osprey, the Talon 22 is available in five color options for approximately $99 from Osprey.com and other reputible outdoor retail locations. Reservoir sold separately.
*Gumption Gear Review received the Osprey Talon 22 Pack from Osprey at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.