Osprey Talon & Tempest Technical Packs Review
Lightweight, breathable packs for hiking, scrambling, and peak missions
March 17th, 2026
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Our verdict
The Talon and Tempest packs from Osprey focus on the things that matter most: a lightweight pack with a generous and comfortable fit for a wide variety of bodies and activities.
While the Osprey Tempest and Talon may not be light enough to satisfy the most weight-conscious packer, their versatility and fit make them great, comfortable all-rounders for a wide variety of outdoor activities and conditions. We’ve tested versions of this pack for the last 10 years, and they’re the best overall pick in our Best Day Hiking Backpacks guide.
The Talon and Tempest are rich with convenient and user-friendly features: trekking pole, helmet, and ice tool attachments to easily stow the gear you need, a scratch-free sunglasses/goggles pocket, bladder storage for hydration while active, and five useful pockets.
Along with their wide range of adjustability in the straps and chest, the extended fit versions of both the Talon and Tempest we tested have hip belts that extend from 40-70 inches, making this a great size-inclusive pack. In addition to making them so comfortable, the adjustability makes these packs incredibly agile and stable for nearly any activity on uneven or treacherous terrain. This is one of our favorite features, as many daypacks struggle with stability and start to get floppy and move around during scrambles and while trekking up steep, uneven trails.
Talon 22
Tempest 22
Priced at $175 at online retailers, more casual hikers looking for a general daypack may find something that suits their needs at a more accessible price. Outdoorspeople who are looking for a dual-purpose bag for recreation and work will also find its 22L size insufficient for that use-case. But for someone looking for one great bag for most of their outdoor lifestyle, the Talon and Tempest are a great choice and one of the most comfortable day packs we’ve tested.
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What is the Talon & Tempest collection?
The Osprey Talon and Tempest are the same pack design, with the Tempest tuned for women’s fit while the Talon is best suited for men’s fit. The line is fairly extensive, ranging from the Tempest and Talon 6L waist belt to the Jr. sizes for youth, the 33L size for longer day hikes and quick overnights, and the 40L and 44L sizes for multi-day trips. Of the line, the 6L, 22L, and the 33L sizes are the only pieces that come in extended fit.
The collection is built for adventure: for scrambling over rocks, through dense brush, and over technical terrain. Hikers, mountain bikers, bikepackers, and backpackers will find a suitable bag from the line.
Osprey Talon & Tempest packs specifications
Men’s
Volumes: 6L (extended size), 11L, 22L (extended size), 26L, 33L (extended size), Velocity 20L and 30L, Oxygen, Pro 20L and 30L, and 44L
Weight range: 2.6 lbs (22L extended size)
Frame/suspension: AirScape backpanel
Load range: 10-30 lbs (22L extended size)
Materials: bluesign-approved, 100% recycled 100-denier high-tenacity nylon with dobby check ripstop/durable water repellent (DWR) treatment made without PFAS
Hydration compatibility: Compatible with hydration reservoir
Hipbelt: BioStretch Hipbelt; adjustable from 40 in. to 70 in.
Pockets: 5
Attachment points: 6
Rain cover: Not included
Women’s
Volumes: 6L (extended size), 11L, 22L (extended size), 26L, 33L (extended size), Velocity 20L and 30L, Oxygen, Pro 20L and 30L, and 44L
Weight range: 2.6 lbs (22L extended size)
Frame/suspension: AirScape backpanel (women’s geometry)
Load range: 10-30 lbs (22L extended size)
Materials: bluesign-approved, 100% recycled 100-denier high-tenacity nylon with dobby check ripstop/durable water repellent (DWR) treatment made without PFAS
Hydration compatibility: compatible with hydration reservoir
Hipbelt: BioStretch Hipbelt; adjustable from 40 in. to 70 in.
Pockets: 5
Attachment points: 6
Rain cover: Not included
Best for
Day hiking and long day missions
Fast-and-light hiking and scrambling
Peak bagging and off-trail travel
Backpack wearers who prioritize ventilation and mobility
Hikers who want one pack for multiple activities
Cyclists looking to carry necessities for a day long adventure
Hikers looking for high quality daypacks in extended sizes
Comparison table
Men’s
| BACKPACK | MSRP* | VOLUME | WEIGHT | LOAD CAPACITY | FRAME TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Talon 22 | $175 | 22 L | One Size: 2 lbs 6.1 oz EF One Size: 2 lbs 15.7 oz | 30 lbs | Internal frame |
| Gregory Miko 20 | $160 | 20 L | 2 lbs | 20 lbs | Frameless |
| Gregory Miko 20 Plus Size | $160 | 20 L | 2 lbs 3.8 oz | 20 lbs | Frameless |
| Gregory Arrio 22 Plus Size | $110 | 22 L | 1 lb 8 oz | 15 lbs | Internal frame |
| Osprey Talon 33 | $205 | 33 L | One Size: 2 lbs 12.5 oz EF One Size: 2 lbs 15.7 oz | 30 lbs | Frameless |
Women’s
| BACKPACK | MSRP* | VOLUME | WEIGHT | LOAD CAPACITY | FRAME TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Tempest 22 | $175 | 22 L | One Size: 2 lbs 6.1 oz EF One Size: 2 lbs 15.7 oz | 30 lbs | Internal frame |
| Gregory Maya 20 | $160 | 20 L | 1 lb 14.4 oz | 20 lbs | Frameless |
| Gregory Maya 20 Plus Size | $160 | 20 L | 2 lbs 2.9 oz | 20 lbs | Frameless |
| Gregory Arrio 22 Plus Size | $110 | 22 L | 1 lb 8 oz | 15 lbs | Internal frame |
| Osprey Talon 33 | $205 | 33 L | One Size: 2 lbs 10.4 oz EF One Size: 2 lbs 13.3 oz | 30 lbs | Frameless |
What we liked
Size inclusive (up to 70-inch waist belt)
Comfortable on short and longer day hikes
Multi-sport versatility
Breathable back panel
Multiple strong attachment points
What could be better
Some water reservoirs may not fit
22L size may be small for longer days
Entire Tempest and Talon line not offered in extended sizes
How we tested
We tested both the Talon 22 and Tempest 22 (the most popular volume in the collection) in fall, early-mid winter, and late-winter weather conditions in Southern Idaho at the City of Rocks National Reserve as well as in Sawtooth National Forest and Caribou-Grand Targhee National Forest, using it both for hiking and snowshoeing packed for real-world use-cases.
We hiked on temperate and sunny days at the end of the fall, on cold and windy days in January when temperatures were in the teens, and on chilly mornings where snow lightly fell. One of our testers has also extensively used an older model of the Tempest for around a decade regularly in all kinds of weather conditions and for many activities.
Generally the loads we tested were between 8-20 pounds, packed with gear and provisions appropriate for day hikes, such as extra socks, snacks, approximately 2L of water, a small filter for filtering water on the trail, first aid kit, and a waterproof layer. One of our testers has a waterproof shell that does not pack down small, and the bag was able to accommodate it along with the other items we carried.
The Talon and Tempest in the 22L size are not suitable for long missions and we did not test them under those conditions. Compared to other lightweight packs, especially those offered in extended sizes, the Osprey packs are our favorite bags for day hikes. Although we’ve tested bags in slightly larger sizes, the 22L hasn’t felt too small for carrying our necessities. The Tempest and Talon are also the most comfortable packs of this size and weight that we’ve tested, with a more supportive waist belt and a durable yet breathable back panel than others we’ve tried.
Performance in the field
Fit and comfort
The Talon pack is designed with a men’s-specific fit while the Tempest is designed with a women’s-specific fit, but each is quite adjustable to fit a wide range of body shapes and sizes.
On the Extended Fit versions we tested, the hipbelt on both can adjust anywhere between 40-70 inches, and the Talon’s torso length adjusts from 17-22 inches while the Tempest adjusts from 14-19 inches. Both our testers found them to fit comfortably in the middle of those ranges with plenty of extra room for adjustment, with the hip belt’s placement being just right.
Even while sitting, the Tempest’s hip belt sat comfortably and securely against my body.
The padded straps also adjust at the shoulders. This paired with a generous sternum strap makes getting everything comfortable easy. With proper adjustment, our testers never felt that the shoulder straps or hip belts caused any discomfort even after long hikes.
Ventilation
The AirScape back panel is one of the best features of the Tempest and Talon’s designs. Instead of the traditional metal internal frame, these packs use a semi-rigid foam sheet with air flow channels for ventilation. This is effective at keeping air moving down the back, reducing sweat.
.n hikes with temperatures between 55°F and 65°F, our testers found it to remain cool on their backs, promoting a comfortable and dry hiking experience. With this design in conjunction with the extremely flexible adjustment of the excellent padded straps and hipbelt, the Talon and Tempest are easily some of the most comfortable packs available. Since we tested in the fall and winter, we were not able to test it in high temperatures, but will report back later in the season when things warm up.
Load carrying
The Talon and Tempest 22s that we tested might not have the most spacious interior, but due to their design and comfortable, close-to-the-body fit, they are able to distribute weight evenly to make even heavy loads feel secure and comfortable. We found this true even when scrambling over rocks or uneven terrain.
Our testers never pushed the upper weight limit of their published 10–30-lb load range, but when packed realistically with a fair amount of gear, food, and water, the packs felt lighter than another pack we tested side-by-side filled with the same items.
Organization
Overall, the Talon and Tempest bags offer good organizational options. There is a slot for a hydration bladder inside the main pocket, along with a zippered compartment on the front side of the main pocket, a stretch pocket on the front panel, a glasses pocket at the top of the bag, and a pocket on each side of the hipbelt. This gives lots of options for storage.
Our testers found the hip belt pockets to be usable while in use, but felt that the pockets were too far back for them to be as easy to use as some other packs’ hip belt pockets.
Often the weakest points on packs (and the parts that break down or wear out) are made of mesh. However, we found the mesh on the stretch pocket on the Talon and Tempest is taut and feels extra strong and durable.
Mobility and stability
The Talon and Tempest feature Osprey’s BioStretch seams, which stretch with the body for enhanced agility and stability while flexing and moving along the trail. These seams are in both the hip belt and harness. This means that both move with your body and never feel constricting or in the way for any activity.
Our testers did some light scrambling down boulders in City of Rocks National Reserve and found the packs to feel secure and nimble. On steep and muddy trails where testers were leaning and working to maintain balance, the pack felt stable and secure.
Durability
After months of testing, we feel confident in the durability of the pack’s construction, which is made of bluesign-approved, 100% recycled, 100-denier, high-tenacity nylon with dobby check ripstop/durable water repellent (DWR) treatment made without PFAS.
Our tester for the Tempest 22L has owned an Osprey Tempest backpacking pack for over a decade now, the first backpacking pack we’d ever owned that was made to fit with a men’s hipbelt before extended sizes existed. We know from experience that the Tempest and Talon line are made to be rugged, and the 22L size has withstood the sharp branches and rough boulders they have scraped against in our testing.
The most vulnerable part of the bag seems to be the mesh back panel, which Osprey designed to feel secure, with a fabric that feels thicker to the touch than other mesh back panels we’ve seen. An older hiking pack we own has a ripped back panel after years of use, but the mesh on the Talon and Tempest has been updated and feels thicker and more difficult to rip.
The zipper has not snagged on the bag or other items in our many hikes we’ve taken with the bags. The zipper’s pull tabs are long and padded, comfortable to pull on and constructed to easily open and close while moving fast. On other packs, we've never had issues with Osprey's zippers in decades of use.
Versatility
Versatility is the greatest strength of these packs. Designed with attachments for poles, ice tools, and a bike helmet, they can easily carry activity-specific gear, making them the perfect all-rounder for day treks of all kinds. The 22L version of the Talon and Tempest are small enough to remain incredibly nimble, but large enough to hold the essentials.
That said, those looking for a daypack that doubles as a travel or work bag may want to look elsewhere because it does not easily fit most medium to larger sized laptops or multiple changes of clothes necessary for a trip. The Tempest and Talon are better suited for short day hikes or when waking up early to gain elevation and bag a peak.
Features
AirScape back panel
The 100% injection-molded polypro AirScape framesheet with 50% recycled die-cut EVA foam back panel fits comfortably close to the body. It also provides ventilation through its airflow channels to keep the pack cool against the back. This isa design that differs from the metal internal frame of other, similar packs.
On a late fall day we tested the Talon and Tempest over a 13-mile hike with about 2,100 feet of elevation gain. As we got warmer and peeled layers off, we were surprised at how relatively little we had sweated on our backs.
Adjustable torso fit
The sternum strap’s position on the shoulder straps is adjustable, so you can place it where it’s most comfortable.
Stretch front pocket
On the front panel there is a large mesh stretch pocket providing extra room for packing small items. Beanies, Kula cloths, snacks, and other small items fit easily in the pocket.
Dual hip belt pockets
The dual hip belt pockets fall on either side of the hips for easy storage and access while in use. The pockets are comfortable against the body and during times of high activity and movement, and are generally easy to access while moving.
Trekking pole attachment
A loop on the left side of the front panel and the lower shoulder strap keep trekking poles out of the way when not in use. They are easily accessible while in motion.
Ice axe loop
Two loops on the right side of the bag’s front panel easily store ice axes for secure carrying. Retrieving the ice axe while in motion is not possible as it is on the front panel of the bag, out of reach.
Helmet attachment
On the front panel of the pack, a rectangular shaped plastic LidLock bike helmet attachment slips through the vents of a helmet, attaching it securely to the pack and keeping it in place at all times.
Hydration reservoir sleeve
Complete with a port for the bite-valve, a flat pocket inside the main pocket will fit a 2.5L hydration reservoir.
Lidless top-loading design
The backpack opens from the top with a simple zipper for easy access.
Osprey Talon vs Tempest: what’s different
The core difference between the Talon and Tempest is in the fit, with the Talon being a men’s-specific fit and the Tempest being a women’s-specific fit. The Talon sports a longer torso measurement and is overall a visually taller pack, while the Tempest is designed with a shorter and more narrow torso with added depth for greater freedom of movement.
The Tempest adjusts from 14-19 inches while the Talon adjusts from 17-22 inches. The Tempest’s hipbelt is sculpted and angled to sit on a women’s hip shape for optimal support, according to Osprey, with a narrower height to avoid digging into the ribs or upper thighs. Our tester found this to be true as the Tempest fit their hips well and was very comfortable to wear while moving. Both packs have hipbelts that extend from 40-70 inches.
For more women’s-specific backpacks, check out our Best Women’s Hiking and Backpacking Backpacks guide.
Should you buy the Osprey Talon/Tempest pack?
Buy if you are an active hiker who likes to move fast, you value comfort and ventilation in a day pack, and you want a versatile pack.
Skip if you’ll be hauling a heavy load, you prefer ultralight gear, are looking for a more budget-friendly day hiking pack, or value having a lid or access to the core of the bag from the front.
Where to buy the Osprey Talon and Tempest Packs
The Osprey Talon & Tempest Packs are popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Advice on where to buy
In general for gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns, like REI.
Similar technical packs
Gregory Miko/Maya 20
Volume: 20L
Weight: 2 lbs 2.9 oz
Fit Design: Extended length shoulder straps and hip belts, fit revisions to accommodate larger body shapes and sizes
Max carry: 20 lbs
MSRP: $160
Our testers tried the Gregory Miko/Maya 20 plus-size packs when they were released as a collaboration with Unlikely Hikers (which are no longer available, although the Miko and Maya are still available in extended sizes) and have logged many hours hiking with these packs on. Like the Talon and Tempest, the Miko and Maya are nearly identical bags, with small differences in the frame for a gender-specific fit, with the former being designed for men and the Maya being designed to fit women.
Gregory Miko/Maya 20
Miko 20
Maya 20
Miko 20 Plus Size
Maya 20 Plus Size
At 20L volume, these day packs are slightly smaller than the Talon and Tempest, They lack the padded hip belt (and the pockets in the hipbelt) found in the Talon and Tempest. The strap at the hips it has instead is functional, but doesn’t provide the super comfortable close-to-body fit and even weight distribution that really set the Talon and Tempest apart.
With the smaller size and the less comfortable hip belt, the max carry weight on the Miko and Maya are lower than the Talon and Tempest’s, at 20 lbs compared to the Talon/Tempest's max of up to 30 lbs.
The hipbelt only fits up to a 48-inch hip, which may not be quite big enough to accommodate some bodies well within their stated size range of 2X to 6X. One of our testers found it to be just big enough, and he regularly wears 3X size, contradicting the published size range on Gregory's website.
Many hikers will love the simplicity and ease of use of the Miko and Maya, which are really designed like a classic backpack and look good enough to double as a day bag or work bag around town. Even with their smaller size, the Miko and Maya 20 are capable bags for light hiking and short day trips.
We also featured the Gregory Maya pack in our Best Women’s Hiking and Backpacking Backpacks guide.
Gregory Arrio 22L Plus Size
Volume: 22L
Weight: 1 lb 8 oz
Fit Design: Extended length shoulder straps and hip belts, fit revisions to accommodate larger body shapes and sizes
Max carry: 15 lbs
MSRP: $110
One of our testers bought the Gregory Arrio 22L only a week after they were first released in plus sizes years ago and has used it regularly for several years.
In comparison to the Osprey Talon and Tempest, the Arrio has a similar outward size, but a much lower carry weight limit of only 15 lbs. It did, however, have room for a pair of Tevas, some snacks, water, a first aid kit, a notebook, and a few other small items—plenty for most day hikes. The Talon and Tempest can easily fit the same items (and possibly more), but much more comfortably with their higher weight limit and more supportive frames.
Gregory Arrio 22L
Arrio 22
Arrio 22 Plus Size
The Arrio sits much lower on the body than the Talon and Tempest do, which has never felt uncomfortable, but does limit how much can be comfortably carried and is far less stable and more prone to movement when on the move over uneven terrain. It also lacks the comfortable and supportive hip belt of the Talon and Tempest. And while it is comfortable, it is not as comfortable as the Osprey line.
Budget-conscious hikers might opt for this bag because of its lower price. The Arrio is a very capable and usable bag, but the Osprey Talon and Tempest remain our favorites in this size of day pack for their superior comfort and flexibility.
Note: this pack has been updated to the Arrio 20 and unfortunately no longer comes in extended sizing. For now, the 22 is still available in outlets. We hope Gregory isn’t scaling back their extended sizing, as this has been one of our favorite day packs.
Why you should trust us / About the author
Both Gabi Reyes-Acosta and Clayne Zollinger are avid car campers, day hikers, occasional backpackers, former outdoor educators, and frequent paddlers in the warm months. We hike throughout the Mountain West, namely Southern and Central Idaho, Southern Montana, and Western Wyoming nearly every weekend when conditions are safe and use our hiking backpacks frequently, relying on our packs to carry our essentials as we venture into nearby National Forests and Reserves. One of our testers has been wearing an Osprey Tempest backpacking pack on and off for nearly a decade, purchased before extended sizes were available from any outdoor brand, and we can attest to the toughness of the Tempest and Talon line after years of heavy use.
We believe in testing gear as the majority of consumers use it, in higher elevation conditions that are more difficult/time intensive to reach and in every day, shorter hikes. Our values are in finding and using gear that is reliable, sustainably made, and keeps us going in the outdoors.
You can find more of our reviews on our Treeline Review author pages (Gabi and Clayne).
