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Review: Osprey Talon Earth 22 pack

Written by Fiona

April 10 2023

The limited-edition Osprey Talon Earth 22 is claimed as the brand’s most sustainable pack to date. It has bluesign® product designation for its high level of consumer safety, minimal impact on people and the environment and responsible use of resources.

Osprey has sourced recycled fabrics that meet bluesign® approved criteria. From zipper chains and webbing to labels, Talon Earth is the company’s most thorough application of recycled materials. The brand didn’t stop with eco-friendly fabric and thread either and around half of the plastic hardware is also bluesign® approved.

Bluesign® PRODUCT:

  • Highest level of consumer safety
  • Produced with a minimum impact on people and the environment
  • Responsible use of resources.

Airscape suspension: A breathable, close-to-body AirScape backpanel with a 100% recycled framesheet, EVA foam containing 50% recycled content and a flexible BioStretch harness and hipbelt allowing for dynamic movement.

Other features:

  • Fabric: Bluesign® approved recycled 100D x 210D wave check high-tenacity nylon,
  • PFC/PFAS-free DWR
  • Internal laptop sleeve
  • Tuckaway ice axe attachment with bungee tie-off
  • Dual zippered hipbelt pockets
  • External reservoir sleeve
  • LidLock bike helmet
  • Blinky light attachment
  • Weight: 1.1 kg
  • Volume: 22L
  • Dimensions: 51cm x 25cm x 23cm.
  • Buy Osprey Talon Earth 22 pack.
  • Price: From £160.

My thoughts: Osprey Talon Earth 22 pack

First off, I like that the product is bluesign approved. It’s better for the environment if brands design products using more thoughtful methods and meterials.

This is a useful pack for a number of different activities. It is the sort of pack I would take as a small travel bag or hand luggage. It could also be a useful commuting rucksack. It has a padded laptop sleeve and the 22l is ideal for carrying a day’s worth of kit.

I would also use it for low-level walks and a summer hill hike. The 22l is not really large enough for a longer mountain hike because I need to carry more than 22l of items.

I have also made use of the pack as an extra storage space when bike packing. I carried most of my items in a bikepacking saddle bag and on the handlebars but I needed extra space and the 22l Talon Earth pack proved useful and comfortable when cycling.

The padded back, shoulder straps and hipbelt offer a comfy fit. The large hipbelt pockets are great for adding my iPhone and other bits and pieces that I need quick access to.

I am not quite sure why Osprey have added an ice axe attachment to a pack that also has a laptop sleeve because I would say the pack is more useful for everyday walking and cycling than for hiking on snowy hills and mountains. Therefore, I am very unlikely to ever utilise the ice axe attachment and I would rather the bag had a place to stow walking poles.

Overall, it’s a nice fitting pack with lots of uses and and good environmental credentials. It’s not cheap though at £160.

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