Osprey Talon/Tempest 22 Daypack Evaluation

Backside Line

The Osprey Talon 22 (males’s) and Tempest 22 (girls’s) are CleverHiker’s prime daypacks on our finest daypacks for mountain climbing information. These versatile baggage earn prime marks for consolation, group, user-friendliness, and sturdiness – which is why they’re a favourite on our staff. The Tempest has been Editorial Assistant Annie Hopfensperger’s go-to daypack for years as she’s racked up 1000’s of miles from the Pacific Northwest to the Peruvian Andes to Yoho Nationwide Park in Canada. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer additionally has beloved the Talon for peakbagging in Colorado. 

Osprey up to date the Talon and Tempest in late 2024, and testing exhibits they’re higher than ever. The largest change was shifting the hydration reservoir pocket inside and widening it to accommodate larger fashions. Additionally, the ladies’s Tempest is now 22 liters as a substitute of simply 20.

That stated, the Talon and Tempest land on the heavier facet, which could deter ultralighters. Additionally, these packs are among the many most costly on our listing. Nonetheless, should you want a rugged, extremely organized daypack constructed to deal with tough use on the path and in on a regular basis life, these are a few of the longest-lasting, top-performing backpacks in the marketplace.

Consolation

For those who love a traditional daypack for brief jaunts to all-day treks, the Talon and Tempest will test each field. Their ergonomic, padded shoulder straps with an adjustable sternum strap are snug for all-day put on. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer hundreds the Talon with 20+ kilos of drugs each week when he’s mountain climbing laps on Mt. Morrison, a steep 4-mile hike with 1,850 ft of elevation achieve close to Denver. He selected the Talon as a result of the pack distributes weight evenly, making heavy hundreds really feel manageable.

Our favourite factor concerning the Tempest and Talon’s design is Osprey’s Airscape again panel. This design swaps a steel inner body for a semi-rigid foam sheet with ventilated air move channels. Throughout testing, Ian hiked 38 miles in Caprock State Park and Palo Duro Canyon State Park within the Texas Panhandle together with his Talon 22. The backpanel saved airflow shifting from his neck to his decrease again, lowering sweat because the solar baked the desert.

The Talon and Tempest have an adjustable torso harness that accommodates a variety of physique sorts, so you may dial within the match exactly for you. Plus, Osprey’s inclusive sizing vary for women and men consists of an prolonged match for wider our bodies – which makes these packs match for nearly anybody.

The draw back of such a snug pack? Its dimension and bulk could miss the mark for ultralight and minimalist hikers who discover lighter packs extra snug. Nonetheless, in case your prime precedence is consolation, this can be a negligible tradeoff that’s nicely definitely worth the little bit of added weight. 

Group

Conserving your gear in test is a breeze with the Talon and Tempest. They function two giant hip belt pockets completely sized for quick-access objects like snacks or perhaps a telephone. Our checks confirmed they match an iPhone 14 or Google Android. A stretchy stash pocket on the entrance panel makes it senseless and quick to entry cumbersome objects like gloves, a hat, or perhaps a puffy jacket to keep away from rummaging by means of the principle compartment.

For difficult terrain, these baggage have all of the gear attachments we’d like.  Ian Krammer has climbed greater than 50 Colorado excessive factors over 13,000 ft with the Talon, together with routes filled with scrambles, lengthy ridge crawls, and steep, unfastened gullies. He beloved the a number of trekking pole storage choices, together with a loop system on the again of the pack and a shoulder strap choice to unencumber your arms. These packs even have ice decide pockets and an exterior helmet clip – good options for harmful class 4 terrain or biking round city. Nonetheless, there aren’t many lash factors on the skin of the bag.

For those who’re on the lookout for a pack with excellent group, the Talon and Tempest will be the pot of gold on the finish of the rainbow.

Consumer-Friendliness

In relation to considerate, user-focused design, these Osprey fashions’ are filled with intuitive and purposeful options. Loads of pockets and intuitive storage make it simple to maintain your necessities inside attain whether or not you’re mountain climbing, biking, or touring. The hip belt pockets are our favourite for roomy and easy entry providing a handy spot for snacks and a telephone. Zipper tabs are giant and straightforward to seize, including to their trail-friendly performance. On-the-go trekking pole storage and a sternum strap whistle improve their practicality – and security – for tackling technical routes. They’re extremely adjustable and are available in a wide range of volumes and sizes for anyone and any journey. And these packs’ versatility shines with extras like a motorcycle helmet clip and a blinker mild attachment level for navigating town or rugged trails.

On the newest replace of those fashions, the hydration sleeve was moved from the skin of the pack to the within. We want this new design for ease of entry and for a greater match with wider hydration reservoirs. This method is now suitable with any model of hydration reservoir. For those who want water bottles, the twin water bottle holders are angled for a handy attain with out eradicating your backpack. 

That stated, the abundance of straps and technical options could also be much less user-friendly for shorter, informal hikes. Ian typically has the Talon in his rotation, however for just some hours on the paths – or mild and quick journey the place simplicity and light-weight design is vital – he prefers a extra minimalist pack just like the REI Flash 22 or the Salomon Trailblazer 20. For customers who lean ultralight, the Talon and Tempest could also be a bit cumbersome, and the sheer variety of pockets and options could also be pointless and go unused.

Weight and Compressibility

At 2 kilos, 6 ounces for the Talon and a couple of kilos, 4.3 ounces for the Tempest, these daypacks are among the many heavier choices on our daypacks information. Our staff typically gravitates in direction of lighter, frameless baggage for day hikes, so these are a bit heavier than the others, particularly for under 22 liters. Osprey pulls out all of the stops, combining a robust framesheet, strong ripstop nylon, and powerful elements, which contributes to their general weight. That stated, Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has hiked 20+ mile days with the Talon and barely seen the additional ounces, and so they additionally supply a reasonably slim profile. 

These baggage aren’t as compressible as equally sized backpacks, although. Compression straps on each side allow us to cinch the pack down for extra of a low-profile carry. Nonetheless, the structured framesheet prevents the Talon and Tempest from folding, rolling and compressing small, so that they’re not essentially the most packable. 

For those who’re on the lookout for ultralight gear or prioritize packability for touring or storage, these packs could be a bit a lot. These are finest for folk who need stability and cargo administration over portability. That stated, the Talon and Tempest carry weight so nicely, they really feel as agile and versatile as baggage that weigh far much less.

Sturdiness

In relation to sturdiness, the Osprey Talon 22 and Tempest 22 rise above the competitors. Constructed with rugged nylon, these baggage can stand up to relentless use. Editorial Assistant Annie Hopfsenberger has used her Tempest for worldwide journey, lengthy day hikes, and household hikes. Her pack has held up fantastically to common tough use. 

Each element is thoughtfully designed for longevity—clean, snag-free zippers, strengthened nylon straps, and a dense mesh that resists tears from branches or tough terrain. Annie discovered that after 1000’s of miles, these packs present minimal put on, making them a dependable selection for hikers who push their gear to the restrict. Ian’s testing within the backcountry additionally discovered these supplies shine in harsh situations – the pack saved his gear secure in all the things from rain to thick bushwhacks.

For those who don’t thoughts a barely greater price ticket for a premium daypack, this stuff will stick round for a particularly very long time everytime you want them.

Do you have to purchase the Osprey Talon/Tempest 22 daypack?

The Osprey Talon 22 and Tempest 20 are perfect for hikers, bikers, and adventurers who desire a versatile, feature-packed daypack that’s snug and sturdy. With a supportive body sheet, plush hip belts, and an adjustable match, these packs conform nicely to totally different physique sorts, making them a dependable companion for prolonged trails and numerous actions. Their intuitive group – together with loads of pockets, trekking pole storage, and hydration compatibility – caters to individuals who need accessible and environment friendly gear storage. Furthermore, the packs’ burly building means these packs may very well be your go-to for years

Nonetheless, these daypacks will not be for everybody. At over two kilos, their weight is pretty excessive for his or her 22L capacities, and their structured design lacks the packability of frameless alternate options. Minimalists or informal adventurers may discover their heft, sturdy body, and abundance of options pointless. Nonetheless, in order for you one bag that may go the gap, this one is a good selection for nearly any upcoming journey.

What different day packs must you think about for mountain climbing?

For those who’re not bought on the Talon or Tempest, head over to our information to the Greatest Daypacks for Mountaineering.

Gregory Citro 24 H20 / Juno 24 H20 Evaluation: These Gregory fashions share the Osprey’s glorious group, user-friendly design, and a dependable body  however weigh a number of ounces lighter and incorporate extra mesh for consolation. 

Osprey Stratos 24 / Sirrus 24 Evaluation: The Osprey Stratos 24 / Sirrus 24 present superior consolation, with extra again air flow and an much more strong body that ensures longevity and help below heavy hundreds. 

REI Path 25 Evaluation: The REI Path 25 is extra versatile, presents a bigger capability, and weighs much less – for a a lot lower cost level than the Osprey packs.