Osprey Talon 55 Liter Backpack

The Talon 55 was designed with ultralight multi-day adventures and travellers in mind. An injection-moulded AirScape™ backpanel and a continuous-wrap harness and hipbelt allow the pack to move with you when navigating demanding terrain. This streamlined pack features a top-loading main compartment, hydration reservoir sleeve, dual zippered hip pockets, and attachment points for ice axes and trekking poles. Constructed with high-quality bluesign®-approved recycled high-tenacity nylon with a PFC-free DWR coating.

The Osprey Talon is a mid-weight – budget backpack. The Talon is packed with features from an adjustable frame, hip-belt pockets and bottom opening to allow easy access from both ends, gear loops, ice ax loops and tons of other stuff and all of it comes in at a respectable 1,1kg for the 36L, 1,4 for the 44L and 1,5kg for the 55L packs. This is complete with the top storage compartment. 

The Talon comes in at a respectable 1,1kg for the 36L, 1,4 for the 44L and 1,5kg for the 55L packs. This is complete with the top storage compartment. Though the top compartment weighs about 120grams and in my opinion, you’d be better off without it as it just gets in the way. 

The Osprey Talon is built to last. Using heavy duty materials and textiles as well as thick and robust webbing and buckles. There is no feeling of cheapness in the Talon at all. The only real complaint would have to be the side pockets which I would prefer to be a little more stretchy as it’s a real tight fit for any water bottle in there. I’m afraid that after a year or so of fighting the elastic stretch there it’s possible that the side pocket elastic can start to rip or give. 

Fit and comfort is where Osprey rules the day. In almost all their packs one can make the case that Osprey makes the most comfortable backpacks, the Talon is certainly no exception. In my opinion the Talon sits better than Ospreys two lighter packs the Exos and Levity as the frame and hipbelt are a little sturdier which helps with the overall comfort and fit. Not to mention the fact that the Osprey Talon can be easily adjusted to fit your back perfectly using it’s patented velcro solution. 

There is not much I don’t like about the Talon. I can complain about the weight of course, but at the sametime the comfort and fit of the pack makes up for the weight. Which basically leaves me with just one complaint and that is the side pockets that I feel are a little too tight for my liking. It really is a pain to squeeze things into those pockets, not to mention a larger water bottle. It works, just wish it was a little more stretch in them. 

 

• Relatively light
• Comfortable pack
• Great overall design
• Robust
• Great frame
• Well placed load lifters
• Nice adjustability
• Bottom access

• Could be lighter
• Side pockets a little to tight

Review by Kenneth Shaw

• An injection-moulded, die-cut foam AirScape™ backpanel creates a breathable, close-to-body fit. A flexible BioStretch harness and hipbelt, with a continuous lumbar-to-hipbelt wrap, allow for dynamic movement.
• A lightweight pack series designed with optimal stability for dynamic movement even on the most technical terrain.
• From top-loaders to lumbar packs and everything in between, the Talon/Tempest Series accommodates the needs of hikers, bikers and more.
• Constructed with high-quality bluesign®-approved recycled high-tenacity nylon.

Specefications

• 1.6 kg
• 76L / 34W / 28D
• 100D x 210D Bluesign Recycled Robic Nylon

• Zippered scratch-free sunglasses and electronics pocket
• External hydration access
• Internal key attachment clip
• Zip pocket in top lid
• Under lid zipped mesh pocket
• Top lid access
• Stretch pocket on harness
• Stretch mesh side pockets
• Stow-on-the-Go™ trekking pole attachment
• Sternum strap with emergency whistle
• Side compression straps
• Removable sleeping pad straps
• Reflective graphics
• Zippered top access
• Fully adjustable AirScape™ backpanel with foam ridges for comfort and fit
• Die-cut EVA harness
• Stowable twin ice axe loops
• Stowable single ice axe loop
• Internal mesh pockets
• Walking Pole Attachments
• Compatible with Hydraulics™ Reservoirs
• Padded hipbelt
• Grab handle on top
• Floating lid with dual zippered pockets
• Injection moulded Airscape™ HDPE backpanel with EVA foam padding
• Twin zippered hipbelt pockets
• Front powermesh pocket