Osprey Talon/Tempest 22 Daypack Review

Bottom Line

The Osprey Talon 22 (men’s) and Tempest 22 (women’s) are CleverHiker’s top daypacks on our best daypacks for hiking guide. These versatile bags earn top marks for comfort, organization, user-friendliness, and durability – which is why they’re a favorite on our team. The Tempest has been Editorial Assistant Annie Hopfensperger’s go-to daypack for years as she’s racked up thousands of miles from the Pacific Northwest to the Peruvian Andes to Yoho National Park in Canada. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer also has loved the Talon for peakbagging in Colorado. 

Osprey updated the Talon and Tempest in late 2024, and testing shows they’re better than ever. The biggest change was moving the hydration reservoir pocket inside and widening it to accommodate bigger models. Also, the women’s Tempest is now 22 liters instead of just 20.

That said, the Talon and Tempest land on the heavier side, which might deter ultralighters. Also, these packs are among the most expensive on our list. However, if you need a rugged, highly organized daypack built to handle rough use on the trail and in everyday life, these are some of the longest-lasting, top-performing backpacks on the market.

Comfort

If you love a classic daypack for short jaunts to all-day treks, the Talon and Tempest will check every box. Their ergonomic, padded shoulder straps with an adjustable sternum strap are comfortable for all-day wear. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer loads the Talon with 20+ pounds of gear every week when he’s hiking laps on Mt. Morrison, a steep 4-mile hike with 1,850 feet of elevation gain near Denver. He chose the Talon because the pack distributes weight evenly, making heavy loads feel manageable.

Our favorite thing about the Tempest and Talon’s design is Osprey’s Airscape back panel. This design swaps a metal internal frame for a semi-rigid foam sheet with ventilated air flow channels. During testing, Ian hiked 38 miles in Caprock State Park and Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the Texas Panhandle with his Talon 22. The backpanel kept airflow moving from his neck to his lower back, reducing sweat as the sun baked the desert.

The Talon and Tempest have an adjustable torso harness that accommodates a wide range of body types, so you can dial in the fit precisely for you. Plus, Osprey’s inclusive sizing range for men and women includes an extended fit for wider bodies – which makes these packs a good fit for almost anyone.

The downside of such a comfortable pack? Its size and bulk may miss the mark for ultralight and minimalist hikers who find lighter packs more comfortable. Still, if your top priority is comfort, this is a negligible tradeoff that is well worth the bit of added weight. 

Organization

Keeping your gear in check is a breeze with the Talon and Tempest. They feature two large hip belt pockets perfectly sized for quick-access items like snacks or even a phone. Our tests showed they fit an iPhone 14 or Google Android. A stretchy stash pocket on the front panel makes it mindless and fast to access bulky items like gloves, a hat, or even a puffy jacket to avoid rummaging through the main compartment.

For challenging terrain, these bags have all the gear attachments we need.  Ian Krammer has climbed more than 50 Colorado high points over 13,000 feet with the Talon, including routes full of scrambles, long ridge crawls, and steep, loose gullies. He loved the multiple trekking pole storage options, including a loop system on the back of the pack and a shoulder strap option to free up your hands. These packs also have ice pick pockets and an external helmet clip – good features for dangerous class 4 terrain or biking around town. However, there aren’t many lash points on the outside of the bag.

If you’re looking for a pack with outstanding organization, the Talon and Tempest may be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

User-Friendliness

When it comes to thoughtful, user-focused design, these Osprey models’ are full of intuitive and functional features. Plenty of pockets and intuitive storage make it easy to keep your essentials within reach whether you’re hiking, biking, or traveling. The hip belt pockets are our favorite for roomy and simple access offering a convenient spot for snacks and a phone. Zipper tabs are large and easy to grab, adding to their trail-friendly functionality. On-the-go trekking pole storage and a sternum strap whistle enhance their practicality – and safety – for tackling technical routes. They are highly adjustable and come in a variety of volumes and sizes for anybody and any adventure. And these packs’ versatility shines with extras like a bike helmet clip and a blinker light attachment point for navigating the city or rugged trails.

On the most recent update of these models, the hydration sleeve was moved from the outside of the pack to the inside. We prefer this new design for ease of access and for a better fit with wider hydration reservoirs. This system is now compatible with any brand of hydration reservoir. If you prefer water bottles, the dual water bottle holders are angled for a convenient reach without removing your backpack. 

That said, the abundance of straps and technical features may be less user-friendly for shorter, casual hikes. Ian often has the Talon in his rotation, but for just a few hours on the trails – or light and fast adventure where simplicity and lightweight design is key – he prefers a more minimalist pack like the REI Flash 22 or the Salomon Trailblazer 20. For users who lean ultralight, the Talon and Tempest may be a bit cumbersome, and the sheer number of pockets and features may be unnecessary and go unused.

Weight and Compressibility

At 2 pounds, 6 ounces for the Talon and 2 pounds, 4.3 ounces for the Tempest, these daypacks are among the heavier options on our daypacks guide. Our team often gravitates towards lighter, frameless bags for day hikes, so these are a bit heavier than the others, especially for only 22 liters. Osprey pulls out all the stops, combining a strong framesheet, robust ripstop nylon, and strong components, which contributes to their overall weight. That said, Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has hiked 20+ mile days with the Talon and barely noticed the extra ounces, and they also offer a fairly slim profile. 

These bags aren’t as compressible as similarly sized backpacks, though. Compression straps on both sides let us cinch the pack down for more of a low-profile carry. However, the structured framesheet prevents the Talon and Tempest from folding, rolling and compressing small, so they’re not the most packable. 

If you’re looking for ultralight gear or prioritize packability for traveling or storage, these packs might be a bit much. These are best for folks who want stability and load management over portability. That said, the Talon and Tempest carry weight so well, they feel as agile and versatile as bags that weigh far less.

Durability

When it comes to durability, the Osprey Talon 22 and Tempest 22 rise above the competition. Constructed with rugged nylon, these bags can withstand relentless use. Editorial Assistant Annie Hopfsenberger has used her Tempest for international travel, long day hikes, and family hikes. Her pack has held up beautifully to regular rough use. 

Every component is thoughtfully designed for longevity—smooth, snag-free zippers, reinforced nylon straps, and a dense mesh that resists tears from branches or rough terrain. Annie found that after thousands of miles, these packs show minimal wear, making them a reliable choice for hikers who push their gear to the limit. Ian’s testing in the backcountry also found these materials shine in harsh conditions – the pack kept his gear safe in everything from rain to thick bushwhacks.

If you don’t mind a slightly higher price tag for a premium daypack, these things will stick around for an extremely long time whenever you need them.

Should you buy the Osprey Talon/Tempest 22 daypack?

The Osprey Talon 22 and Tempest 20 are ideal for hikers, bikers, and adventurers who want a versatile, feature-packed daypack that’s comfortable and durable. With a supportive frame sheet, plush hip belts, and an adjustable fit, these packs conform well to different body types, making them a reliable companion for extended trails and diverse activities. Their intuitive organization – including plenty of pockets, trekking pole storage, and hydration compatibility – caters to people who want accessible and efficient gear storage. Moreover, the packs’ burly construction means these packs could be your go-to for years

However, these daypacks may not be for everyone. At over two pounds, their weight is fairly high for their 22L capacities, and their structured design lacks the packability of frameless alternatives. Minimalists or casual adventurers might find their heft, strong frame, and abundance of features unnecessary. However, if you want one bag that can go the distance, this one is a great choice for almost any upcoming adventure.

What other day packs should you consider for hiking?

If you’re not sold on the Talon or Tempest, head over to our guide to the Best Daypacks for Hiking.

Gregory Citro 24 H20 / Juno 24 H20 Review: These Gregory models share the Osprey’s excellent organization, user-friendly design, and a reliable frame  but weigh several ounces lighter and incorporate more mesh for comfort. 

Osprey Stratos 24 / Sirrus 24 Review: The Osprey Stratos 24 / Sirrus 24 provide superior comfort, with more back ventilation and an even more robust frame that ensures longevity and support under heavy loads. 

REI Trail 25 Review: The REI Trail 25 is more flexible, offers a larger capacity, and weighs less – for a much lower price point than the Osprey packs.