The Osprey Talon 55 (Men) and Osprey Tempest 50 (Women) are lightweight, medium capacity hiking backpacks designed for long adventures and travel. Newer versions, packed with useful features and plenty of storage, come with a more supportive rear system and are made from durable Bluesign-certified recycled materials.
We took the Osprey Talon 55 backpack on a series of multi-day trips around the UK in late September to test how well it performed. Spoiler: It was really, really good. If you’re planning a medium-length trip, or have plenty of gear to carry around – whether camping, traveling or partying – it’s easy to be among the The best hiking backpacks You can buy. (For shorter day trips, we recommend the smaller capacity Talon Pro 30 / Tempest Pro 28 day bags instead).
Osprey Talon 55 review: Design and features
(Image credit: Osprey)
(Image credit: Osprey)
The Osprey Talon 55 comes in two rear sizes: S/M and L/XL, while the Tempest 50 comes in WXS/Sand WM/L. Both packages feature a large top-loading main compartment with useful zip side access, and a smaller base compartment that can be separated from the main compartment with a splitter attached. At the top, the detachable floating top cover can be extended upwards if you need more space, or removed entirely if you want to reduce weight.
The main advantage of both is a new highly ventilated rear system, which provides more support, stability and structure to the beams. This foam board is fully adjustable, so you can be sure that the package fits you properly, and that the ducts and mesh work well to allow air to flow through. I was pleased to find that I didn’t get excessive back sweats, even during some brutal climbs.
(Image credit: Future)
The other new feature is the fabric: the packaging has been upgraded to durable 100% recycled nylon, with a CFC-free (DWR) waterproof coating. The material is Bluesign certified, which means it’s made ethically and sustainably. Just keep in mind that it is water repellent, not water repellent. You’ll want a file wet bag Or a rain cover to keep the pack dry during heavy rain.
Elsewhere, there are a host of useful features that make the packs suitable for everything from tech day trips to longer backpacking trips, including an easily accessible water tank lid that can hold up to 3 liters of water, and compression straps on the Z-shape to secure the load and external attachment points for snowmobile axles and trekking poles.
Dual access side pockets make it easy to access a water bottle for snacks while on the go
(Image credit: Future)
Dual access side pockets make it easy to access a water bottle for snacks while on the go
(Image credit: Future)
There are also heaps of extra storage – I especially liked the deep double-entry side pockets on the sides. These are made with a stretchy mesh on the side, so you can easily grab your water bottle or snacks without removing your bag. I also liked the huge mesh pocket on the front, which has a small drain hole so you can stash a wet kit.
Meanwhile, the flap has a large zipped pocket on top and a hidden pocket on the inside, providing easy access to everyday essentials without having to unpack your bag. There are also two easy zip pockets on the hip fins to keep snacks, sunglasses and electronics close at hand.
Osprey Talon 55 review: Performance and comfort
The 55-liter capacity of the Osprey Talon is a great size for carrying the gear you need for technical hiking trips, overnight camping trips and multi-day excursions: it’s bigger than a big day pack, but smaller than an expedition backpack. I easily fit light weight backpack tent And sleeping mat Inside me, along with a Lightweight sleeping bagCooking equipment, clothes and warm layers. The package also has removable straps on the bottom so you can attach bulky items to the outside if you need to.
I have found the Osprey Talon 55 to be very comfortable, even when fully packed. The close-contact backplate was easy to adjust for the correct fit, and worked well with the padded shoulder straps and wide hip belt to evenly distribute the heavy load weight. When you walk, it pleasantly grabs your back rather than hopping – but there’s plenty of ventilation, which I especially appreciate on long walking days. I also loved the abundance of the stretchy mesh pockets. They make it very easy to access the items you need without removing your package.
I’ve climbed several stretches of the UK South West Coast Trail with the Osprey Talon 55 now, in varying weather, and so far it looks solid. The reinforced fabric on the pack’s bottom panel and base of the pockets held up to everything I threw at it, and the water resistance proved adequate during light showers as well (although I slipped on Lively Life Backpack Rain Cover From the Amazon in heavy rain).
My minor annoyance is that although the hydration pocket is located in a separate section between the pack and the back system to make it easier to remove for refilling, I sometimes had to unscrew part of the bag to be able to move the bladder again when it was full. However, the bladder system is generally well built, with a hook and magnet to keep it in place, and there were no issues most of the time.
Osprey Talon 55 review: The verdict
(Image credit: Future)
The Osprey Talon 55 is a high-quality backpack that does it all. Lightweight, supportive and super comfortable – even after miles of walking – it’s a great choice for hiking, camping, and travel adventures. It packs relatively well too, thanks to its detachable lid and multi-point compression straps, making it a good choice for weekend getaways too.
If you’re looking for a day pack, the Osprey Talon 55 isn’t. (We recommend the smaller Osprey Talon Pro / Tempest Pro Instead of that). But if you’re looking for a versatile mid-size pack that looks good, can hold camping gear, cookware, and warm clothing and will last, we highly recommend the Osprey Talon 55 hiking backpack.