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Once you get into the swing of hiking, you are going to want to invest in a backpack that is comfortable, functionable and fits your personal needs. I want to stress that you should not start spending tons of money on hiking until you are sure this is for you. Once you are committed, the first thing I suggest is looking into backpacks. They are going to hold everything you need to carry as you hike and need to be the best fit for you.
In this review, we are discussing the Osprey backpacks. They have a great line of back packs from small, easy carry, light ones, to backpacks that you can use to go on long overnight hikes. As you progress through hiking, and are more comfortable, you may take longer hikes or even jump into overnight hiking. When you do, you will find that you are going to want to take more stuff.
When looking at backpacks, remember to look at the weight of the backpack, storage, fit/straps across hip and chest, as well as some features it offers. Backpacks can hold bladders (water bottles), attach to other backpack systems and attach to hiking poles or various other gear.
The two products we will discuss today is the Osprey Daylite DayPack which is great for shorter day hikes and the Osprey Talon and Osprey Tempest. Talon is geared towards men and the Tempest towards women. The Talon and the Tempest are bigger and suitable for longer day hikes.
Osprey Daylite DayPack
Product: Osprey Daylite DayPack, One size, Black
Purchase: Amazon.com
Size: Unisex/Adult
Item Weight: 1.09 pounds
Dimensions: 16.93 x 10.24 x 7.87 Inch
Features
I am a fan of this backpack because of its lightweight. It is perfect for day hikes when you want to have a lighter load and are just carrying the basic necessities like your first aid kit, knife, compass, snacks, water, etc. You most likely will not want to use the Daylite for longer trips however, a great feature of the backpack is it can be attached to several other Osprey backpack products. It has side pockets that can hold water bottle and zippered pockets to hold your gear. It also has a mesh covered foam back that makes it comfortable to carry.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Comfortable with dual side compression straps
- Will fit most 2L bladders
- the straps have an elastic to hold the tubing
Cons
- Bag is not waterproof
- Straps can not be removed without cutting (although they can be tucked into bag)
- One size
Overall this is a perfect backpack for starting out in your hiking adventure. It carries everything you need for a day hike and is reasonably priced. An added bonus is – if you decide hiking is not your forte, this bag is a perfect “around the town” bag and can be a perfect day bag. The bag does come in different colors than black however, the price does increase.
Osprey Talon 22 | Osprey Tempest 20
Product: Osprey Talon 22 (Male) | Osprey Tempest 20 (Female)
Purchase: Amazon.com
Size: Small/Medium & Large/X-Large (Talon) | XS/Small & Small/Medium (Tempest)
Colors:
Talon: Eclipse Grey, Cosmic Red, Ceramic Blue, Limon Green, Stealth Black
Tempest: Mystic Magenta, Iris Blue, Chlorblast Green, Black
Item Weight: 1.98 pounds (Talon) | 1.85 pounds (Tempest)
Dimensions: 20.08 x 9.84 x 9.06 inches (Talon) | 17 x 11 x 11 inches (Tempest)
Talon Features
This backpack is also very lightweight. This bag is perfect for longer day hikes although it might not be enough for an overnight depending on what you will need for your trek. One of the key features of this backpack is the hip straps, they are comfortable and work great to balance the load between hips and shoulders. The talon offers stow on the go trekking pole attachments and a LidLock helmet attachment. Mesh pockets are located on the sides of the backpack to smaller items. Pack does not have compartments within the larger storage area.
Pros
- Keeps load on hips
- Perfect for longer day hikes
- Includes stow and go trekking pole attachment
- Includes LidLock Helmet attachment
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
- Bag is not waterproof
- Some of the storage pockets are small
- Ventilation space of back plate is not as breathable
- Difficulty in getting bladder in
Tempest Features
The Tempest features are very similar as the men’s Talon. The Tempest is tailored to fit a women’s body for comfort and ease of use.
Pros
- Keeps load on hips
- Perfect for longer day hikes
- Includes stow and go trekking pole attachment
- Includes LidLock Helmet attachment
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Can hold up to a 2L hydration bladder
Cons
- Bag is not waterproof
- Some of the storage pockets are small
The Women’s Tempest had an overall better review, however both are considered great backpacks for longer treks. It has the capacity to hold more than the Daylite and offers the same comfort features.
The Best Fit for You
Make sure to get a backpack that works for you. Remember, a backpack needs to fit comfortably and distribute weight to assist you in your hike. Also, the straps should not cut in to your skin and should sit correctly on your chest and hips. Storage compartments should be useful. Tailor your backpack to fit the length of your hiking trip as well. Consider everything you will need to carry from snacks, water, first aid kit, compass, knife, jacket/windbreaker, etc. You’ll be surprised how quickly a back pack can fill up.
Osprey has additional sized backpacks to fit your needs. Check those out as well if you are looking for something with more capacity or different sizing.
Let me know if you have any of the Osprey line of backpack and which one(s). I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on their product. If you have any questions or would like to chat, please comment below.
Happy Hiking,
Michelle Louise
w. hikingnewbies.com
e. michellelouise@hikingnewbies.com