Osprey Talon Pro 30 - 2 Month Real-World Testing Review

[@GregHiby]

I’ve been trying to decide between the 33 and 30 Pro for a while but couldn’t find a comparison anywhere! This video was amazing and settles it, Pro it is - definitely worthy of subscribing, thanks so much!

[@Hikingguy]

Cool, glad it was helpful, and yea, if you are mainly a day-hiker, I find the 30 Pro better, but if you want to overnight and really carry a lot, the 33 is the move.

[@kenstorer8682]

Brilliant, best honest review of the difference between the 2, thanks from the U.K.

[@Chrisassin]

Finally found a review! Thanks for this hiking guy. Just received this bag today and watching this answered my questions

[@fletcherbrown728]

Wow. What a great review - so focused, professional, covered all of the pros and cons. Just subscribed to your channel and will be checking out your other content. Thanks for the very organized and hard work to put this together.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! Hope to have more gear reviews coming...

[@juliojimenez-juanz6751]

Thank you for a great review!!👍👍👍

[@huebinht2940]

Excellent review with very detailed likes and dislikes. You brought up some good and bad points that I didn't think about. Thank you very much.

[@eiriktollisen165]

Nice review. I have the Talon 22 and stratos 36 for better support on longer days. Seems like a bag in between those.

[@daven.7685]

Chris, really appreciate this review, but I see that you’ve moved on to the Gregory Zulu 30, as catalogued in your October 2022 gear list. Is there a particular reason you switched? I am looking for a day hiking pack that can also do a 1-2 day overnighter, and I need good weight transfer to the hips to alleviate shoulder and neck issues. Thanks!

[@Hikingguy]

The Talon Pro is almost impossible to get for whatever reason. And overall the Zulu is a better option: more comfortable, affordable, large / well thought out, but a tad heavier.

[@AlexeyDnepr]

What is the comfortable maximum load weight for this backpack? So that the shoulder straps do not crush.

[@ryanpgiron]

Nice review 👍 I still love my Talon 33 as a top loading backpack. Though the pro has a cool feature but for me it's like an upsized and narrowed panel loading Talon 22. But it's still a descent pack.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea the regular Talon 33 is still a great pack. I've been sticking with the 30 Pro over the last few months and it's been working great for my hiking workflow.

[@ryanpgiron]

@@Hikingguy and what's good with 30 pro is the airscape system, it's quite similar with Black Diamond ridge back system only better. Thanks mate cheers!

[@sleepingthroughthewar]

great video, did you happen to use the pack in the rain and if so did the inside start dry?

[@Hikingguy]

I always use a pack liner (no matter what the pack) - when it dumps out I find that everything gets wet no matter what pack I have unless I use the (very light) pack liner.

[@AlexeyDnepr]

The shoulder straps are thinly padded. Do the shoulder straps put pressure on your shoulders if you carry more than 5 kg? What is the maximum weight that this backpack can comfortably carry?

[@Hikingguy]

Haven't had any problems with pressure and have had it filled with gear. Not sure of the exact filled weight though, but it included 3L of water.

[@bobbymcdonald4365]

hi So, I watched your review on the Zulu 30 and wanted to know how do they stack up against each other? which would be your pack of choice. Thanks Hiking guy for your reviews..

[@Hikingguy]

The Talon Pro is lighter / more balanced and overall better for me, but you can't really find them anywhere and they're pretty $$$. I think for most folks the Zulu is a good balance of cost/features/value/durability

[@rosinante1016]

Hi Would you say the moulded area is less sweaty in this model than the older model? Thanks!

[@Hikingguy]

It's venting is better than the regular model for me

[@tekk7989]

The backpack is out of stock on REI, and the small/medium backpack is out of stock on Amazon, and the large/x-large backpack on Amazon will take 1-2 months to ship. Can you add more backpack links to your website, and also cheaper alternatives? Thanks for your great website!

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, I think everyone is hitting major supply chain problems. I've been getting feedback from folks that a lot of things are getting tougher to find. For the pack, the regular Talon 33 is still an incredible pack. I added a link to it here > hikingguy.com/best-hiking-gear/

[@jcmc6182]

Just what we are looking for, but,I cannot stand the color red..... Bummer. Gregory Zulu 30 it is !Thank you for your videos....it is appreciated.

[@chunks1965]

Nice review cheers, my old talon 22 is slowly falling apart after 15 years of hiking, and was undecided on the pro or not, i think you have helped me decide, it was either this or the sierra designs flex 25-40ltr Cheers

[@julikojulikoo]

thank you, the review I've been waiting for. I'm looking for 30ish liter for day hike and I think this one is great. Is the "brain" on the talon 33 more convenient than the absence of it on the pro 30 regarding "packing" the bag when it is not fully loaded : in order to avoid the bag balance when walking? Last question comparing to the Gregory Zulu 30L, what would you say ? do you know this bad ? thank a lot

[@Hikingguy]

I find the absence of the 'brain' part much easier for a day hike. It's really easy to get in and out of the pack without all the buckles to detach the brain. So day hiking, I'd say much better. And sorry, haven't tried the Zulu 30L yet, will check it out next time that I'm at REI.

[@AlexeyDnepr]

Finally, they made a pocket on the shoulder strap that can hold a large smartphone! What other Osprey backpacks have similar pockets that can fit a smartphone 6,7"? Does the regular version of Talon have such a pocket?

[@AlexeyDnepr]

@Allan Smartphone 6,7" does not fit? There is a mesh pocket that stretches ...

[@fletcherbrown728]

I wonder why they eliminated the very convienient stow-on-the-go trekking pole storage. I love the pack but always hike with poles so maybe a deal breaker for me. I'll look to see if I can modify somehow to add trekking pole storage to be albe to sotp and use both hands to take pictures, check map, eat snacks, etc. Seems like the left off a useful feature that save virtually no weight. Any thoughts?

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, good question. I think given the bike helmet holder and mention of climbing in the product description, they went with a more general use case. I have no idea of the demographic for the Talon, but my guess is that hiking is a big one, so losing the stow-go feature (and adding a bike helmet carrier) was a head-scratcher for me. That said, you can still lash them with the loops and bungee tie-offs used for ice axes.

[@Seanonyoutube]

Great review man. Q: do you think it makes sense to own both the 20 and the 30 depending on hike length? Or is the 30 light enough to the point where I might as well just use the 30 for my short hikes as well? The differentiation for me is 2-3h hikes vs 7-8h hikes as well as small camera cube vs large camera cube (for just my camera + lens when shooting landscape vs my portrait shoots in nature that require hiking & multiple lenses).

[@Hikingguy]

The 30 is pretty light and I used it in all conditions, but I have been trying smaller / lighter packs for when I don't need the extra space. Will have a video up this week on my winner pack. Otherwise still using and loving the Pro 30 - just had it up in the Panamint mountains on a snowy day and was overall great.

[@carldaniel6510]

Great review! I've been using an Osprey Manta 24 for the past two seasons. Generally I like it a lot - especially how cool my back stays with the rigid frame and stand-off mesh back. The thing I don't like about it is that it's really too small to fit my frame - I'm 6 foot, 205# and the Manta 24, with all of the height adjustments all the way out is still on the small side. Is the Talon Pro 30 taller - waist belt to shoulder straps? Does your back stay as cool with the Talon Pro as it would with the Manta?

[@Hikingguy]

Good question, first off, I haven't used a Manta in a year or two, so this is just coming from memories from a while ago... but overall I think it's cooler. And it's def longer so if you are taller, this will be a good fit.

[@mdeberl5872]

Hi Chris. Thanks for another great video. I just purchased this day pack based on your review. I have a quick question for you. I have been watching your mapping videos, specifically about transferring custom maps to a Garmin handheld. Now that CalTopo requires a subscription to transfer maps, if you had to choose one subscription for creating custom maps and transferring them to a Garmin would you do CalTopo or Gaia? Thanks again Chris!

[@Hikingguy]

I don't think you can export KMZ / custom Garmin maps with Gaia GPS unfortunately, and I don't know of any other service outside of CalTopo that does it. Maybe someone else does and can chime in. I would say that if you hike a lot and like to plan online, a CalTopo membership is a good investment.

[@natertots17]

Thanks for the review. I’ve been using the Talon 33 for the last 4 years and it’s been good to me but am fed up with the complexity of getting in and out of the top of the pack. I just ordered the Pro 30, really looking forward to seeing and feeling the difference

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, felt the same, the top is much better. The water bladder is a bit tight but if you just gravity slam it down a time or two it falls in.

[@chrisladouceur4093]

I just bought the Pro 20 in LXL for a day pack. 30 seems too big to me for a day pack. I can understand the 30 if you’re doing single overnights though

[@Hikingguy]

Yea the 20 is a great option. I like the room in the 30 for 4 seasons / long hikes. I'm going to try out the Pro 20 this summer when they come back in stock.

[@Regantdarcy]

Good comparison. I love the Talon series. I already own the Talon 22, 33 & 44. I would be curious to see a comparison between the Talon 30 Pro & the new Talon 36 regular pack. Both have similar form factor. But the 36 unlike the 33 regular Talon does have a rigid frame.

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, I haven't tried a Talon 36 but I just put it on the list to try out this summer. And yea, overall the Talons are great.

[@icarusa6824]

Thanks for great video and review! I liked the way you broke down its use in a practical sense and explored different compartments and straps of the pack. I was on the fence, but will use your affiliate link to purchase it. I have a few hiking trips planned coming up so excited to put it to good use!

[@mdb3601]

I watched another review of the woman’s version. Small pocket lateral to the light holder has the hiking pole inserts ?

[@martinbakardzhiev3675]

If my torso is 48 cm long will L/XL bi a good fit for me? I always struggle getting the right size of backpacks. I seem to be between sizes. The PackSizer app sucks.

[@Hikingguy]

It's so hard to say. I'd try to go to an outfitter and try it on, or else order from somewhere with a good return policy. Overall they're very hard to find right now too.

[@kennyle8640]

I have Osprey Stratos and Manta packs with the elevated and ventilated backs. Anyone have any idea how the Talon Pro compares to the equivalent volume Stratos and Manta packs. For the record, I find the Stratos to be a more comfortable pack than the Manta.

[@Hikingguy]

I used a Stratos for a couple of months in 2019 and it's a great pack. From memory I'd say the vented back on the Stratos is better for airflow, but the Talon Pro still does the job and feels much more balanced on my back.

[@kennyle8640]

@@Hikingguy Thanks, Cris. I find the Statos packs to be very comfortable, but I do find them to be very rigid due to the semi-rigid mesh tightly stretched over the aluminum wire frame which makes it a bit unweildy when scrambling over rocks and you need a bit more flexibility. I might look into the Talon Pro as an alternative.

[@hollernathan]

The osprey pro model vs Stratos 36? Thank you

[@Hikingguy]

If you want better back venting, Stratos

[@mdm5891]

Hey there, thanks for the video ! I've been trying to find a good comparison between the current Talon VS. Talon Pro as they seem very similar to me. It seems that you are comparing the older version of the Talon. Is anyone out there able to shed the light on the biggest difference between the Talon and Talon PRO as of 2021? From what I gathered the material is different, as well as a few buckles - does that justify paying 50 EUR more for the Pro? They are even the same weight. Thanks!

[@Hikingguy]

Yea so I used the pre-2021 version of the regular Talon 33 because it isn't much different than the previous one. I checked it out at REI and its got a different hip belt, reworked side compressions straps, and a different fabric. It didn't seem different enough to warrant looking at it as a new pack, even though there are some minor changes.

[@vatiammatri2660]

Thx, very helpful

[@ottoman1755]

Opinions: 20l or 30 for a gym bag Change of clothes shoes and water??

[@Hikingguy]

you're prob okay with a 20

[@icarusa6824]

Is there a way to attach a sleeping mat to it?

[@Hikingguy]

there are two loop straps on the bottom that you can lash a pad to

[@Geunahfcofficial]

I want buy this . Can u send me the link to buy . Thx before 🙏

[@Hikingguy]

link in description

[@teddyhla3457]

What sort of water reservoir do you have -3l?

[@Hikingguy]

On this I use the Osprey 3L and I have a Gregory 3L I use on other packs.

[@Niala8419]

Remember folks the Talon 33 in size S/M is 31 litres. Not 33.

[@totallyykota]

no rain cover ??

[@Hikingguy]

I just use a pack liner but you certainly can put a cover on it > amzn.to/3uhDx3A

[@totallyykota]

thanks for getting back so quick, do you know what size is good for the talon pro 30 ?

[@Hikingguy]

@@totallyykota looks like medium is the move for 30-50L

[@HyliAir]

Shame about the magenta/pink accents on the bag. Deal breaker for me!

[@Hikingguy]

? mine doesn't have any pink accents

[@charliechan578]

no such thing. manliness trigger clouding your brain lol, settle down GI Joe.