Stu’s Osprey Talon 55 Rucksack Review details a well featured mid size pack suitable for a wide range of uses. We hope you find it useful….
Features
Fabrics
The Talon 55 is designed with ultralight multi-day adventures and travellers in mind and is part of Osprey’s iconic Talon range. It weighs in at a lightweight 1.6kg without any compromise on durability. It is constructed from rugged Bluesign approved 100D and 210D recycled nylon. The Bluesign accreditation ensures it meets the highest environmental and sustainability standards for fabrics. It also ensures all the steps and materials in the manufacturing process are completely traceable from raw materials to finished product. The manufacturing workforce are also covered by the highest safety standards. Another neat nod to sustainability is that Osprey have printed the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles on the drawcord sleeve at the top of the main compartment. The Talon is available in either Stealth Black or Ceramic Blue colours and there’s a women’s version called the Tempest.
Features
The floating lid of the Osprey Talon 55 can be adjusted to fit snugly over the top. This works regardless of how full or empty the pack is. Underneath is a large mesh pocket with an integral key-clip for things requiring extra security.
The Osprey Talon 55 is closed using a drawcord with useful one handed opening and closing. There is also an accessory strap across the top for securing items like a jacket or rope. The top of the main compartment has a single compression strap on each side. I found this useful for stabilising the load and ensuring a closer fit of the lid when the pack was less than full.
The main compartment has a full length side zip for easier access to the contents. This works especially well if you like to organise your packing using individual bags such as Osprey’s Ultralight Packing Cubes. The chunky zip and zip-pull are well-protected from the weather by a storm-flap. This also forms part of the compression-strap system.
The stretchy front mesh pocket makes a fine place to store your map or your jacket when the weather can be changeable. The stretch mesh side pockets can easily hold a two-litre water bottle. They also work well for items like your tent-poles. The base of the main compartment can be divided into an additional compartment by using the integrated flap accessed through a separate chunky zip.
Harness
The injection-moulded AirScape backpanel provides a close and comfortable fit to the back. It also helps to spread the load evenly to reduce aches and fatigue. The foam ridges provide comfort and ventilation whilst the solid panel ensures the back panel doesn’t deform over time. It also prevents objects inside the pack from digging into you and causing discomfort and irritation.
A velcro system behind the back panel allows size adjustment. The shoulder straps are fully tensionable at the top and bottom for a perfect fit. The Osprey Talon 55 comes in S/M and L/XL sizes. Info on sizing can be found through Osprey’s website.
There are two large zippered pockets on the padded hipbelt. They are perfect for snack bars or small electronics. Similarly, a mesh pocket on the left shoulder strap is very useful for carrying a phone or GPS device. The sternum strap is fully adjustable and the buckle contains an emergency whistle.
In Use
Osprey make every effort to create not just the best backpacks on the planet and for the planet. They also fill their packs with useful and innovative features. For this Osprey Talon 55 rucksack review I subjected the pack to loads varying from items of for a day walk to the full kit needed for a multi-day adventure. The terrain encountered varied from flat riverside walks to serious vertical and technical scrambling terrain where stability and balance were needed.
Comfortable and Stable
In all circumstances the Osprey Talon 55 remained comfortable, stable and confidence-inspiring. Although giving excellent performance throughout, I have identified three simple but brilliant innovations on the Talon 55 that make it stand out from other packs I have used.
The first is the stowable ice axe / walking pole loops. When not needed, these simply slide into their respective sleeves. This leaves the pack sleek and unencumbered with things that can catch and annoy you. When needed, simply draw them out of the sleeves and they’re ready for use.
BioStretch Harness
The second is the excellent BioStretch harness with a lumbar to hip belt wrap. An adjustable compression strap links together the hipbelt, lower pack area and the lumbar support area. This means that, that as your body twists, the pack moves with your movement. In this way the pack remains in balance even on the most dynamic terrain.
This is one of those innovations that genuinely works so well you don’t notice it. That is, unless you make the comparison to a different rucksack on similar terrain the difference. Even after wearing the pack for 24 hours almost continually during a mountain challenge event I didn’t suffer any aches or fatigue in my shoulders, back or hips.
Stow-On-The-Go
The third stand out feature is the amazing Stow-on-the-Go™ trekking pole attachment. When navigating difficult and varied terrain you regularly need to check your navigation is spot on. However, it can be tricky to juggle map, compass, torch and walking poles with only two hands. Stow-on-the-Go™ means you simply slip your poles into the attachments as you walk. Then, it is just as easy to remove them. A great system.
Summary
The Osprey Talon 55 definitely lives up to the claims made by Osprey. It is a versatile pack capable of carrying kit comfortably over long periods of time. My Osprey Talon 55 rucksack review details a pack that exceeds expectations while showcasing Osprey’s commitment to providing genuine innovation. It also showcases Osprey’s commitment to sustainability.
The Talon 55 retails for £170.00. For this you get a pack full of comfort, innovation and durability. It will be a trusted companion for many great adventures. It’s also covered by Osprey’s “All Mighty” guarantee. This means they will repair or replace within the product’s reasonable lifetime if there is a defect. Another great product from the Osprey team and full details are available on the Osprey website here. The handy Trekkit video below also explains the key features of the pack.
We also recently reviewed the Osprey Talon Pro 20 rucksack and this review is here. We also wrote about Osprey’s drive towards sustainability here.