I recently picked up the Osprey Talon 22 and overall I really liked it. The size was great and it carried really well for day hikes. The only downside for me was the trekking pole carry system — it only has one tightening strap, so on longer hikes the poles tend to dangle and move around a bit.
Ideally I’m looking for something in the 20–30L range that’s a bit more versatile and has a more secure external carry system. It would be great if it had multiple straps/attachment points for trekking poles and possibly an ice axe as well.
The 22L capacity felt pretty good, but I think something around 24–26L might be the sweet spot. I’m not totally opposed to going up to 30L if it has the right features, but that’s probably the upper limit for what I’m looking for.
Main use would be:
•Day hikes
•Longer summit days
•Occasional scrambling / snow travel
Just trying to find a solid all-around pack that can handle a variety of conditions.