Review: Osprey Talon 33 Backpack - Men's
By Camping Expert
Maicen Stuart
Osprey Talon 33 Backpack- Men's
from:$89.96
$137.70
50% off
6 photos
The Curated Take
4.3/5
The Osprey Talon 33 backpack, with its minimal design and impressive capacity, is ideal for day hikers and lightweight overnighters. Its well-constructed, light, and breathable structure makes it comfortable, even at full capacity. The pack's stretch pockets offer ample storage space, though it could benefit from more organizational features. Despite minor issues, like a non-adjustable lid and lack of a rain fly, the Talon 33 offers excellent durability, ease of use, and versatility. It shines particularly on strenuous treks like the high Himalayas, demonstrating its value for ambitious outdoor enthusiasts.
Ideal for
- Offers excellent breathability
- Very comfortable, no fatigue on long treks
- Super lightweight for how much it can fit, ideal for long day hikes or even overnighters
Not ideal for
- Unadjustable lid limits its capacity
Design
The design of the Talon 33 is quite minimal—two stretch side pockets, one stretch front pocket, a lid pocket on top and underneath, and a main compartment with storage for...Read more
Organization
One of the downfalls of this bag is the lack of organizational storage. Its minimal design is ideal for weight and ease of use, but I think it could have...Read more
Capacity
I hesitated to get a 33-liter bag as I wanted something I could take on a day hike and an ultralight overnighter. But, the price and the reputation of the...Read more
Breathability
I've taken this bag in various conditions and durations—from 12-hour days in the high-alpine to shorter hikes in the humid summer lowlands. The Airscape design on the back allows for...Read more
Quality
The overall quality of the Osprey Talon 33 was more than I had anticipated. The very few downsides to this bag were barely noticeable because of how superb this bag...Read more
Comfort
After spending weeks with this bag, I can say it's one of the most comfortable day packs I've used. Many day packs lose their comfort after maxing out their weight...Read more
Durability
I spent over three weeks trekking the high Himalayas with this bag, which held up with no issues. With high wind, a variety of precipitation, and intense sun, this bag...Read more
Ease of Use
The Talon 33 has a minimal design, making it one of the easier day packs to use. The size adjust system is a simple Velcro slide on the back, and...Read more
Weight
The materials of this bag allow it to be quite lightweight (right around 2.5lbs), but I never feel like it will be over-hauled and rip. I can pack this thing...Read more
Versatility
The minimal design of the Talon 33 can limit its versatility. Yet, it is more versatile than I had anticipated. I expected this bag to be more of a day...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Osprey Talon 33 Backpack- Men's
Maicen Stuart The Osprey Talon 33 is a premium pack option for day hikes or even lightweight overnights. It's super adjustable for the best fit and offers more space than expected. The Talon 33 is ideal for the day hiker looking for a lightweight, comfortable companion that can carry food, gear, and anything else they may need on longer day hikes. The front stretch pocket is perfect for storing an extra layer, and the two side pockets offer additional room for water bottles, snacks, or just about anything else. I took this bag trekking through the Himalayas for over a month, and it was the perfect day pack for long treks. I found it ultra comfortable and offered excellent breathability, reducing back sweat. The waist belt feels super sturdy but is still lightweight and comfortable. Plus, there are two small pockets for storing a granola bar or headlamp.
Product Specs
| Frame type | Frameless |
| Backpack Material(s) | bluesign®-approved recycled 100D x 210D wave check high-tenacity nylon, PFC-free DWR |
| Pack access | Top |
| Number of exterior pockets | 8 |
| Reservoir compatible | Yes |
| Reservoir included | No |
Review Ratings
Design
4/5
Maicen Stuart gave 4 of 5 stars. The design of the Talon 33 is quite minimal—two stretch side pockets, one stretch front pocket, a lid pocket on top and underneath, and a main compartment with storage for a water bladder on the outside. I like the minimal design of this bag as it reduces weight and makes the overall ease of use enjoyable, but I wish the lid were adjustable. It would be nice if there were extra organizational pockets. Also, it'd be better if it came with a rain fly, but that's not a big issue for me.
Organization
3/5
Maicen Stuart gave 3 of 5 stars. One of the downfalls of this bag is the lack of organizational storage. Its minimal design is ideal for weight and ease of use, but I think it could have better pocket versatility. One of my biggest complaints is that the lid doesn't expand, and it's sewn to the base of the bag, so I can't extend the height. But, still impressive how much this thing can fit.
Capacity
5/5
Maicen Stuart gave 5 of 5 stars. I hesitated to get a 33-liter bag as I wanted something I could take on a day hike and an ultralight overnighter. But, the price and the reputation of the Talon allowed me to make the purchase, and I have been very satisfied. If packed appropriately, I can do various things with this bag. I can comfortably take this on an ultra-lightweight overnighter and have spent many days with it on the trail for long day treks.
Breathability
5/5
Maicen Stuart gave 5 of 5 stars. I've taken this bag in various conditions and durations—from 12-hour days in the high-alpine to shorter hikes in the humid summer lowlands. The Airscape design on the back allows for fantastic support and comfort while providing excellent breathability. I'm particularly sweaty, so this is a huge win for me.
Quality
4/5
Maicen Stuart gave 4 of 5 stars. The overall quality of the Osprey Talon 33 was more than I had anticipated. The very few downsides to this bag were barely noticeable because of how superb this bag is. Excellent materials, super lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and seriously a steal for the price. I can't recommend the Talon 33 enough for a perfect day hiking companion.
Comfort
5/5
Maicen Stuart gave 5 of 5 stars. After spending weeks with this bag, I can say it's one of the most comfortable day packs I've used. Many day packs lose their comfort after maxing out their weight limits, but I had zero comfort issues with this bag after stuffing it full. Ensure it fits properly, and one will barely notice it's even there.
Durability
5/5
Maicen Stuart gave 5 of 5 stars. I spent over three weeks trekking the high Himalayas with this bag, which held up with no issues. With high wind, a variety of precipitation, and intense sun, this bag is excellent no matter where I take it. Unfortunately, it is not equipped with a rain fly, but that's a simple fix!
Ease of Use
4/5
Maicen Stuart gave 4 of 5 stars. The Talon 33 has a minimal design, making it one of the easier day packs to use. The size adjust system is a simple Velcro slide on the back, and all of the adjustments, which are quite a few, make this bag easy to fit properly. The pockets are simple and big enough for plenty of storage.
Weight
4/5
Maicen Stuart gave 4 of 5 stars. The materials of this bag allow it to be quite lightweight (right around 2.5lbs), but I never feel like it will be over-hauled and rip. I can pack this thing to its max, and when it's properly fit, the weight and design allow it to be very comfortable.
Versatility
4/5
Maicen Stuart gave 4 of 5 stars. The minimal design of the Talon 33 can limit its versatility. Yet, it is more versatile than I had anticipated. I expected this bag to be more of a day hiking bag only. Still, I'd be more than comfortable packing an ultralight overnight pack! It's also light enough for a short morning hike and not too bulky, so it doesn't get in the way.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Maicen Stuart My favorite moment with the Osprey Talon 33 was when it took me over the Renjo La, a high-altitude mountain pass in the Mt. Everest region of Nepal. I spent a month trekking through the Himalayas with this pack on my back, and its durability and comfort made the 17,000ft trek towards Gokyo Lakes an absolute breeze. Packed to the brim, the Talon was comfortable and sturdy, letting me take a comfortable amount of gear on the 10-hour trek. A solid day pack makes these difficult treks much easier, and the Talon made my life much easier.
Why did you choose this product?
Maicen Stuart I chose the Osprey Talon 33 for a couple of reasons. I wanted a comfortable, lightweight day-hiking pack that would allow me to go on long or short hikes without needing multiple packs. The Talon offers extreme versatility and comfort. I needed a bag that could handle the harsh conditions of being at 15,000+ feet for high-mountain treks that I had planned, and I made the right choice.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Maicen Stuart Most day packs that hover around 30 liters can easily push $200+. The Talon 33 offers just as much durability and comfort as many similar options, such as the Mystery Ranch Coulee, Gregory Citro or Zulu, and Deuter Trail. The Talon offers a reputable brand, excellent versatility, fantastic organization, and great comfort. I am particularly impressed with this bag's breathability; even on a warm day, my back sweat is minimal. Also, the hip belt is minimal but offers more support and storage than some other options. Overall, the Talon 33 is well worth the price.
What do you love about this product?
Maicen Stuart There are very few things I do not love about this bag. It has an underrated amount of space yet maintains incredible comfort, and it's lightweight and super versatile. I've had this packed to its absolute max and with hardly anything in it, and I hardly notice a difference. The hip belt is minimal but perfect for support and extra storage. I also love the stretch pocket feature in the front for storing an extra rain jacket and some gloves. I can use this in a myriad of temperatures, and it handles them all quite well. The Osprey Talon 33 is the perfect day-hiking pack and can be used for a lightweight overnighter.
