Osprey Talon 22 vs Stratos 24
Osprey is known for their innovative designs as well as sustainable manufacturing and labor practices. Because of that, Osprey has now become one of the biggest and most trusted backpack brands. Osprey’s bags are very popular among athletes and commuters. In the following article, we will discuss about Osprey Talon 22 vs Stratos 24. The two are available in the same price range, with the Stratos being just a little bit more expensive than the Talon. So, which is the best backpack for the money?
Design
Talon and Stratos may seem to have similar layouts despite the different decorations, but there are notable differences that aren’t apparent to the eye right away. First, they use different fabrics. Both use 420HD Nylon Packcloth. Osprey Talon 22 is made using 70D x 100D Nylon Mini Shadow Brick as the main fabric. On the other hand, Osprey Stratos 24 utilizes 210D Nylon Crosshatch. Hence, the Stratos body is actually more rugged and durable than the Talon.
Each of the two models is available in four color variants, but Talon’s color options are lighter than Stratos’. The Talon has Black, Ultramarine Blue, Spring Green, and Martian Red color options, all of which (except the Black) appear brighter. On the other hand, the Stratos has Black, Eclipse Blue, Gator Green, and Beet Red color options, which look darker.
Osprey Talon 22 comes with two size options, S/M and M/L. Meanwhile, Osprey Stratos 24 prefers to come with just one size that is meant to fit all. The Talon is a little bit smaller and lighter than the Stratos.
Features
Obviously, Osprey Stratos 24 has a slightly bigger capacity than Osprey Talon 22 – if you need an even bigger backpack, take a look at Osprey Talon 22 vs 33. The number indicates the liter capacity of the model. However, that is not the only difference.
Each of the two models has side stretch mesh pockets, one stretch mesh harness slash pocket, and a top panel zippered slash pocket. But Osprey Stratos 24 is further equipped with zippered hipbelt pockets and an internal hydration reservoir sleeve. There are also the Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment and ice tool loop with bungee tie-off. Because of that, Osprey Stratos 24 can give you better organization, especially if you often bring a lot of stuff or you are looking for a bag for sports or hiking.
The following two additional features of Osprey Stratos 24 make the decision between Osprey Talon 22 vs Stratos 24 much easier. The dual side compression straps on Osprey Stratos 24 ensure that the backpack will stay neat and stable even if you are not filling it to the fullest capacity. Then, there is an integrated raincover to protect the bag from bad weather when you are outdoor.
Osprey Talon 22 vs Stratos 24
Conclusion
Overall, Osprey Stratos 24 is the best backpack for the money. It comes with additional features that make the backpack very versatile. It is fine for daily commuting, but you can also use it for sports and hiking. The integrated raincover is very handy. Nevertheless, Osprey Talon 22 is a nice alternative if you prefer something simple and you don’t think that you are going to use the backpack for other purposes other than daily commuting.
