While many outdoor brands pay lip service to inclusivity, it’s still difficult for many disabled hikers to find the gear they need. Osprey is trying to change that with the Talon Oxygen, a daypack specifically designed to assist people in carrying supplemental oxygen.
People with hypoxia, a condition where the body’s tissues don’t get adequate oxygen, often use supplemental oxygen as a treatment. For those with hypoxia who hike, backpack, or do other outdoor sports, using oxygen canisters while on the move poses a logistical and design challenge.
Osprey worked with Chantelle Shoaee, a disability advocate and the executive director of Always Choose Adventures, a nonprofit focused on outdoor accessibility, to design the Talon Oxygen and help more people get outside and enjoy nature.
What Is Hypoxia?
Hypoxia is a common condition that can result from a variety of medical diagnoses, including COPD, asthma, anemia, heart defects, pulmonary hypertension, and more. It can cause fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Several studies have shown that hypoxia is associated not only with active COVID-19, but also long COVID. Osprey’s vice president of product, Mark Galbraith, cited the impact of COVID as a motivating factor for the brand to develop the Talon Oxygen.
A True Collaboration
Discovering a love for the outdoors later in life improved Shoaee’s mental and physical health, and helped her connect with her son. When medical conditions necessitated that she bring supplemental oxygen with her, Shoaee realized that the packs available on the market weren’t up to the task.
For those who need to carry supplemental oxygen, existing outdoor packs posed several issues. “Traditional methods, tangled tubing, awkwardly strapped canisters, were not only cumbersome, but also unsafe,” Shoaee wrote.
She estimated that carrying all the necessary medical equipment, plus basic hiking gear like a rain jacket, snacks, and water, would bring her average base weight to about 25-30 pounds. Bringing all of those along in a typical daypack led to neck and back strain and pain.
“Trying to wear that original pack, my neck hurt so bad. My god, my neck was miserable,” Shoaee said.
Shoaee decided to take action. Five years ago, she approached Osprey with an idea of making a specially designed bag, and the brand jumped on board.
“Through extensive collaboration — beta testing, refining designs, and working closely with Osprey’s product team — we created the Talon Oxygen,” Shoaee wrote. “Connecting with the Osprey Packs team — both locally in Cortez, Colorado, and across the world in Vietnam — I was amazed by how detailed, yet seamless they made the process.”
Technical Specs
The Talon is one of Osprey’s most popular daypacks, with a lightweight design, breathable back panel, and ample storage.
To modify the pack to carry supplemental oxygen, Osprey added a “ventilated pocket that can carry a portable oxygen concentrator like the Inogen G5, internal padded straps to secure single or dual O2 tanks size B and D, and routing ports for the tubes of the cannula,” Galbraith said.
Oxygen concentrators can overheat, so having a ventilated, breathable compartment to carry them is essential. The routing ports prevent the tubing for the cannula from getting caught or twisted, and interfering with oxygen delivery. The padded straps keep the heavy oxygen tanks centered in place, so they don’t shift or move around while hiking.
Osprey’s Talon is designed to carry heavy loads comfortably. There’s mesh-covered foam near the lumbar region for lower back support. Shoaee loves how the pack fits and supports the weight of the medical supplies. The fit of the bag is also highly adjustable, so users can fine-tune the bag to sit on their hips in just the right way for their bodies.
More Than Just a Hiking Pack
For people with hypoxia, the Talon Oxygen isn’t just a better way to bring along oxygen while hiking. It’s a potential game changer for all aspects of their lives, making it easier to do everything from mowing the lawn to grocery shopping to going to concerts.
“My friend Suzy did a whole day of garage sales, 8 to 10 hours. She’s never been able to do that on oxygen before,” Shoaee said.
“This project has become more than just a backpack to me. It’s a lifeline for all of us who struggle to breathe. It’s about freedom — the ability to step outside, explore, and truly live…This innovation sends a clear message to the outdoor industry: accessibility matters. Adaptive gear isn’t a niche: It’s a necessity.”
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