Osprey Talon 22 vs Osprey Tempest 22
Quick take: The Osprey Tempest 22 is lighter (2.27 vs 2.38 lbs).
Which one to buy
The Tempest 22 is the women's Talon 22, down to the $175 price, the 22 L, the 100D recycled ripstop and the AirScape ridged foam back, so the harness is the reason to choose one over the other. The Tempest has a BioStretch harness and continuous-wrap hipbelt shaped for women, a construction difference rather than a recolored Talon, and the Tempest weighs 2.27 lbs against the Talon's 2.38 lbs. Both adjust for torso length: the Talon across a published 16-20 in, which takes the gamble out of buying online, and the Tempest on a sliding yoke with no published range.
In use they carry alike. The foam back keeps the load tight and stable for scrambling and moving fast, at the cost of airflow; a sweaty back is the Talon's top complaint against the mesh-back Stratos, and Osprey's mesh-back women's pack suits hot, mellow days better than the Tempest. Neither includes a raincover. The Talon's hipbelt is fine at 15 lbs but thin toward the top of its 10-30 lb range, which Osprey gives the Tempest too. Both work as travel bags, and Talon owners use theirs as an airline personal item.
One thing to watch on the Tempest: the 2025 redesign changed torso sizing conventions, so older fit advice no longer applies. The redesign also moved the hydration pocket inside and widened it for bigger reservoirs. Talon owners single out the stretch front pocket, which swallows a shed layer without stopping, and the Talon has dual zippered hipbelt pockets; the Tempest has hipbelt pockets too. Both are widely stocked, so try them on; for most women the Tempest's harness will be the better fit at slightly less weight.
Osprey Talon 22
For hikers with torsos from 16 to 20 in who want a published torso range on a technical day pack and whose shape suits the standard harness.
Osprey Tempest 22
A good match for women who want the Talon's close, stable carry on a harness and hipbelt shaped for them, at slightly less weight.
| Spec | Osprey Talon 22 | Osprey Tempest 22 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175 | $175 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (59) | 4.7★ (66) |
| Type | Daypack | Daypack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 22 L | 22 L |
| Weight | 2.38 lbs | 2.27 lbs |
| Max Load | 30 lbs (10-30 lb load range) | 30 lbs (10-30 lb load range) |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable 16-20 in | Women's fit, adjustable sliding-yoke harness |
| Material | 100D 100% recycled nylon with dobby check ripstop | 100D 100% recycled nylon with dobby check ripstop |
| Back Panel | Injection-moulded AirScape framesheet | Injection-molded 100% recycled polypro AirScape back panel |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) | Osprey All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime) |
Pros & cons
Osprey Talon 22
- ✓The default daypack recommendation across hikers — the wrap-style harness moves with your body in a way boxier packs don't.
- ✓The AirScape ridged back panel carries better when scrambling than trampoline designs, staying tight to your center of gravity.
- ✓An adjustable torso on a daypack is rare and makes online buying safe.
- ✓The stretch front pocket swallows a shed layer without stopping — the feature owners use most.
- ✓Dual zippered hipbelt pockets fit phones and snacks, uncommon at this size.
- ✓The LidLock helmet clip and Stow-on-the-Go pole attachment genuinely work, making it a favorite of peak-baggers.
- ✓At 2.4 lbs it stays light on short trips yet handles 20+ lb summit loads.
- ✓Osprey's lifetime warranty on a $175 pack seals the value argument.
- ✗The foam back panel runs warm — sweaty backs are the top complaint versus the trampoline-mesh Stratos.
- ✗No raincover included, unlike the Stratos and Hikelite.
- ✗The main compartment is one big tube; organizers wish for more internal structure.
- ✗Bottle pockets are tight to reach with the pack on for broad-shouldered users.
- ✗The hipbelt is webbing-plus-mesh, not padded — fine at 15 lbs, thin toward the top of its 30 lb range.
- ✗The 22L size fills fast in winter; layer-heavy hikers should size up to the 33.
- ✗Popular colorways sell out every spring.
- ✗Price has crept up over the years, narrowing its edge over house-brand rivals.
Osprey Tempest 22
- ✓The AirScape foam panel keeps the load tight to the back, which is more stable than a trampoline panel when scrambling or moving fast.
- ✓At about 36 oz it is roughly 2 oz lighter than the men's Talon 22 while keeping the same feature set.
- ✓100% recycled 100D nylon with a dobby check ripstop resists tearing better than plain fabric of the same weight.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets are included, which many packs this size drop.
- ✓Volumes from 11 to 44 L means the same fit scales from a summit push to an overnight.
- ✓The women's-specific harness is a genuine construction difference rather than a colourway.
- ✓Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee applies to daypacks as well as trekking packs.
- ✓Widely stocked, so trying one on before buying is realistic.
- ✗$175 is expensive for a 22 L daypack -- the REI Flash 22 covers the same volume at $60.
- ✗The AirScape foam panel ventilates noticeably worse than the suspended mesh on the Sirrus.
- ✗About 36 oz is heavy for a 22 L daypack.
- ✗No rain cover included at this price.
- ✗The 2025 redesign changed torso sizing conventions, so older fit advice no longer applies.
Osprey Talon 22 vs Osprey Tempest 22: common questions
Is the Tempest 22 just a recolored Talon 22?▾
No. The Tempest has a BioStretch harness and continuous-wrap hipbelt shaped for women, a genuine construction difference. Fabric, back panel, volume and price are the same, and the Tempest is the lighter of the two.
Does old Tempest sizing advice still apply?▾
No. The 2025 redesign changed torso sizing conventions, so pre-2025 fit advice no longer applies. Try it on in a store rather than relying on an older size chart.
Can a man with a narrow frame use the Tempest 22?▾
If the harness fits, yes, since the packs share fabric, back panel and features. The Talon 22's 16-20 in adjustable torso is the easier choice to size by measurement, so try both on with some weight in them.