The Osprey Talon line is specially made for those who only need a small Daypack while going on a track in the woods or in the city. The Talon backpacks are some of the best daily commute packs in production. They are highly durable and offered plenty of features for various activities.
The Talon models have a very slim profile. They are made to be an excellent companion on a cycling trip or while tracking with a pole. Since these models seem to have many similarities, there is confusion as to what sets them apart. We have created this Osprey Talon 18 vs 22 review to let you know what features you need to be aware of before making a buying decision.
Looking for bigger backpacks? We have reviewed the larger Talon 23 backpack in this review: Osprey Talon 22 vs 33: Nimbler and Lighter
Osprey Talon 18 vs 22
Osprey Talon 18 vs 22: Similarities
What these backpacks have in common are also what makes them the staple Osprey Daypack. You can see from the list of features below that they are very versatile when it comes to various activities. There are some of the most comfortable daypacks that you can wear. Their backpanels are specifically designed to handle High activity while remaining close to your back and staying comfortable.
Accordion foam backpanel:
The accordion phone back panel helps to increase airflow and prevent sweat build up.
Lumbar to hip belt body wrap:
Unlike many other backpacks, our portion of the back panel and the hip belt are actually one single piece. This means that the lumbar region of your backpack will rest very close to your back and provide the comfort that you need for long hikes or commutes.
This is perhaps what makes these backpacks so popular. Most backpack companies don’t bother to design the backpanel of a daypack with this much comfort.
Trekking pole attachments:
Tracking with a pole has gained of popularity over the recent years. Many people are creating groups in which they can meats and go on treks, thus enhancing their mental well-being. Osprey is ahead of the game by offering these attachments.
Ice tool attachments:
As if the trekking pole attachments were not enough, you can attach your ice tools on these backpacks.
Compression straps:
Any good backpack would include compression straps. But the talent backpacks have an inside out compression straps provide even more efficiency when you want to tie up your gear.
External hydration reservoir sleeve:
One of the greatest features about the Talon daypacks is the fact that they have a sleeve in which you can put hydration Reservoir. They also have a special rig that allows you to have the reservoir tube in front of you while you are walking. We love the fact that these are external reservoir sleeves, as opposed to internal.
An external sleeve helps prevent your gear from getting wet if a tear in the reservoir should happen. Having the reservoir sleep externally also means that it will not interfere with the amount of gear that you can put in your main compartment.
Osprey Talon 18 vs 22: Differences
So it is clear that both the Talon models have many of the same features. But you may just be interested in what their unique features are. What makes them so different from each other? We will be going over this in the lists below.
What makes the Talon 18 unique
- Top lid:
Instead of a small zippered pocket, the Talon 18 has a giant top lid above its main compartment. Inside of the top lid, he can start plenty of your smaller items that will need to be frequently accessed. There is even another pocket inside of the top lid to separate some items from the rest. - LED light attachment:
Unlike the Talon 22, the Talon 18 has a light attachment for Led bike lights. But it’s not just for the cyclist. However you will be commuting to school or work, it is nice to have an LED on your backpack so that you’re more visible to oncoming vehicles.
What Makes The Talon 22 Unique
- Lid lock helmet attachment:
While the Talon 22 does not have an LED attachment, it does have a lid lock helmet attachment. This means that you can quickly and easily attach your helmet to the back of the backpack. This makes it super useful for cyclists or motorcyclists alike. - Side panel main compartment access:
Perhaps due to the fact that a Talon 22 is larger, it also has side panel access to the main compartment. This means that you do not have to open the lid of the top to get to the main contents. - Stretch mesh front pocket:
There is a large stretch mesh front pocket on the Talon 22. We love the stretch mesh because it allows for the storage of your larger external wear. It also means that you can separate your wet gear from the main compartment.
Osprey Talon 18 vs 22: Price Comparison
If you would like to view the most affordable prices for these Talon models, please see below:
Osprey Talon 18 vs 22 Review: The Verdict
It is sort of a toss-up for us when making a decision between the Talon 18 and Talon 22. They both seem to have ton of wonderful unique features. We feel that it is a matter of preference based on which features you would actually like to have.
It is interesting that Talon 18 has an LED light attachment point, while the Talon 22 has a lid lock helmet attachment. Both are made to be optimal for cycling, yet they both have different features for this.
Perhaps your choice will be based on the size. The Talon 18 holds up to 18 liters, while the Talon 22 holds up to 22 liters. 18 liters is not very large, even for a daypack.
The choice is up to you. Which of these Talon models do you feel is best for your purpose? Please leave us your comment below.