Wicked

By Eli Hauschild Ranked #3 - Daypacks June 26, 2011

The Talon 22 was exactly was I was looking for in a pack. I needed a lightweight pack for 3 purposes:

1. Day hikes - I have a laptop pack already that doesn't work well for hiking. I needed a pack that has a hydration sleeve, outer pockets and straps (but not a lot so they aren't dangling and get caught in everything).

2. Ultralight overnighters - The talon 22 proved to be the perfect amount of space for minimalist overnighters. I carried a 20lb load (food/water/gear) comfortably, that included the following gear:

Sleeping Bag - Montbell UL SS #5 - 1lb 2oz
Sleeping Pad - Therm-a-Rest Zlite - 14oz
Shelter - GoLite Shangri-La 1 Fly+Nest - 2lb 4oz
Stove - Jetboil PCS
Water filter - Katadyn Hiker Pro
Other Misc - Food, 2L water, clothing, pack cover, camera, etc

When packed correctly, the back doesn't bulge out even when stuffed to maximum compacity. The hip belt works great (unlike most daypacks I've tried) at taking the weight of the pack off the shoulder straps. The pack fit like a glove, allowing me to climb over fallen trees and over rocky terrain without shifting around.

3. Airline travel - I prefer not to check luggage in, and I don't like wheeling my bag around. This is the right size for a carry on that fits all my belongings (I pack very light), and still stuffs under my seat or in the overhead compartment.

View Details: Osprey Packs Talon 22 Backpack - 1220-1343cu in

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes