Osprey Talon 22 Daypack — The California Trail Pack I Keep Coming Back To
Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, HikeATrail earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we have researched or tested personally.
Quick Verdict
Who should buy it: California day hikers who want a fully-featured 22L pack that handles everything from a 4-mile Santa Monica coast walk to a 14-mile San Gabriel summit. The Talon 22 is the pack I reach for first on any day hike.
Who should skip it: Ultralight minimalists — the Talon’s structure adds weight (~1 lb 13 oz). Overnight hikers — 22L is too small for even one night out. Budget buyers — there are functional 20L packs for $50 that carry gear adequately.
Tested on: Sandstone Peak (Santa Monica Mountains), multiple San Gabriel Canyon training hikes
What It Is
The Osprey Talon 22 is a ventilated trail daypack with a suspended mesh back panel that holds the pack off your spine, a top-loading main compartment with hydration bladder sleeve, two water bottle pockets accessible on the move, a front zip pocket, and hip belt pockets for items you need without stopping.
The ventilated back panel is the defining feature. On a hot San Gabriel ridgeline, a pack sitting directly against your spine becomes a heat trap. The AirSpeed back panel creates airflow between the pack and your back. It works. You feel the difference on exposed terrain in warm weather, which describes most California day hikes in season.
What Worked
The fit system. Osprey’s harness adjusts for load transfer between shoulder straps and hip belt. I run a lot of my pack weight on the hip belt — the Talon accommodates that without the belt sliding down mid-trail, which is the specific failure mode that ended my relationship with a cheaper pack after one season.
Water bottle access. The stretch mesh side pockets hold a 1L Nalgene securely without it falling out, but positioned so I can reach them without taking the pack off. I carry a 2L bladder inside plus two 1L bottles in the side pockets — 4L total water capacity, covers most Southern California summer hikes.
Hip belt pockets. Small zippered pockets on both sides hold phone and a bar each, accessible without stopping. After years of packs without hip belt pockets, this is a feature I don’t want to go back to on any hike over 8 miles.
Trekking pole carry. Front pocket with loop attachment holds poles stowed when I don’t need them — particularly useful on the approach sections before rocky terrain begins.
What Did NOT Work
Hydration bladder access is awkward. The bladder fill opening faces downward when loaded, requiring you to remove the bladder to fill it. My workaround: I don’t use the bladder for hydration — I use two water bottles in the side pockets instead, and use the bladder sleeve for a packed puffy. Works fine but wasn’t the intended design.
The front pocket is shallow. Holds keys, wallet, sunscreen, a bar — not much else. I’ve had packs with a deeper front organization pocket that I preferred for longer days.
No integrated rain cover. Osprey includes rain covers on some packs; the Talon doesn’t. For Eastern Sierra summer hiking where afternoon thunderstorms are real, I carry a small pack rain cover separately.
Sizing for California Day Hikes
22L is right for Southern California day hikes without overnight gear. 4L water, 8-10 hours of food, layers, first aid, headlamp, sun protection — fits in 22L with room. For Whitney and longer Eastern Sierra hikes, I’ll assess whether I need to step up to 30L on training hikes. That review will come in season.
Where to Buy
Shop at Backcountry → (best selection, competitive pricing)
Also at REI → (recommend in-person fit testing for packs)
Affiliate links. If you purchase through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.