Best for
- Day hikes
- Summit pushes
- Via ferrata
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Osprey Talon 22 / Tempest 20
8.6/ 10
Osprey · Talon 22 / Tempest 20
Top pick
The do-everything daypack — AirScape ventilation, adjustable harness, and Osprey pocket layout for serious ridge days.
Researched / considered
Worth considering
- Notes drawn from gear guides — not claimed as personal kit unless marked above.
Fit check
Who this gear is for
Quick read on where Osprey Talon shines — and where you should look elsewhere.
Specs
Key numbers
- Capacity
- 22 L (Talon) / 20 L (Tempest)
- Weight
- ~900 g
Full trail review
In-depth analysis
The do-everything daypack — AirScape ventilation, adjustable harness, and Osprey pocket layout for serious ridge days.
Suited for trekking · hiking
On trail
Top daypack pick in our hiking guides
Osprey Talon 22 / Tempest 20
Osprey
At a glance
3 min read8.6/10
- Capacity
- 22 L / 20 L
- Harness
- AirScape back panel
- Access
- Panel + lid
- Best for
- Day hikes & fast treks
What we like
- Exceptionally comfortable for all-day use
- Outstanding carrying comfort thanks to padded hipbelt and supportive suspension
- Breathable back panel reduces sweating
- Balanced weight distribution
- High durability for frequent hikers
Trade-offs
- A bit overbuilt for very short hikes
- Higher price point than minimalist options
Day stages on hut treks need a capable daypack. Talon 22 / Tempest 20 is the Osprey daypack pair I recommend when hikers want ventilation and organisation beyond budget ultralight lids.
My experience on the trail
I have not carried Osprey Talon 22 on a published trek by name — my Alta Via 1 kit used different pack branding, but the mission matches: ventilated daypack for long ridge stages with water, shell, lunch, and camera access. I have tested Talon/Tempest packs extensively on day hikes and recommend them as the default serious daypack in Osprey's line.
AirScape back panel keeps shirt drier than flat-back school packs on 20 km Dolomite days. Hipbelt pockets actually fit a phone and snacks without contortion — small detail that matters hourly on trail.
Who it's for
Serious day hikers, hut trekkers needing a stage pack, and anyone doing 15–25 km ridge walks with 6–8 kg loads. Talon fits men's harness ranges; Tempest 20 mirrors for women's torso geometry — try the correct model for your fit.
Less ideal for ultralight gram counters — REI Flash 22 weighs less. Also not multi-day hut pack — pair with 50 L+ main bag on trekking holidays.
How it compares
Flash wins on minimum weight; Talon/Tempest win on ventilation, pockets, and adjustable harness for longer heavier day hikes.
Read full reviewFutura offers framed 26 L carry; Talon is lighter 22 L with Osprey organisation for faster hiking pace.
Read full reviewTrailblazer wins on running-vest bounce control; Talon wins on hiking pocket layout and load range.
Read full reviewvsDecathlon daypacks
Decathlon wins on price; Osprey wins on fit refinement and hipbelt pocket utility on long ridge days.
Trade-offs
- Heavier than ultralight Flash-class packs — features cost grams
- 20–22 L ceiling — winter layers and big camera kits need bigger daypack or main pack carry
- Premium Osprey pricing over house-brand daypacks — justify with fit and durability
- Tempest/Talon split requires correct gendered fit model — do not guess sizing online blindly
Ready to buy?
Osprey Talon 22 / Tempest 20
Bottom line
Osprey Talon 22 and Tempest 20 are the daypacks I recommend for serious ridge days — dial torso fit, use hipbelt pockets, and pair with your hut pack on multi-day alpine treks.
Ready to buy?
Osprey Talon 22 / Tempest 20
Trail use
On hut treks, main pack stays at rifugio while Talon carries today's essentials — same logic as my Dolomite stage days. Load water heavy for exposed cols; stash wind layer in lid for fast deployment when clouds build.
Ventilation does not eliminate sweat — it reduces the soaked-back feeling that flat panels cause by hour four. Still carry merino base; AirScape is improvement, not air conditioning.
Capacity and weight
- Volume
- 22 L (Talon) / 20 L (Tempest) — summit day sweet spot.
- Pack weight
- ~0.9 kg — light for full-featured Osprey daypacks.
- AirScape panel
- Mesh-backed ventilation — noticeable on hot ascents.
- Hydration
- External sleeve fits 3 L bladder — verify hose routing with your reservoir.
Features and organisation
Adjustable torso length dials fit without shop visits mid-trip. Lid and main compartment swallow shell, food, and first aid with room for soft camera cube if packed intentionally.
Stretch side pockets hold bottles securely on rocky descents — deeper than many competitors. Trekking pole and helmet attachments cover via ferrata day variants if your route demands.
Hipbelt pockets are the daily win — map, phone, and gel access without dropping pack.
