Osprey Raptor 14L 2012
Reviews / Hydration Packs/Bags
204,359
At A Glance
Osprey packs have set high standards in carrying gear for over 35 years The Raptor is one of their premium bike packs, packed with features for the serious riders out there.
Buy Hydration Packs/Bags on
Constructed from a lightweight yet rugged and durable material the Raptor 14 is a easily large enough to accommodate your all day biking kit requirements without feeling or looking cumbersome.
At the hear of the Raptor is the Hydra Form reservoir, it has a large aperture for easy filling and cleaning. The mouth piece swivels through 180 degrees which makes it easy to draw on and a magnet holds it in place to your chest strap when not in use making it easy to locate and keeping it from swinging in the breeze as you ride. The Hydra Lock pocket takes advantage of a unique compression system that holds the reservoir in place, spreading the contents evenly rather than your liquids slopping around at the bottom of the pack and even when full does not eat into the pack's capacity. Unlike many hydration bladders the Hydra Form has two stiff battens that allow you to easily remove and insert it into the pack.
The 'airscape' spine panel allows for a good airflow between the pack and your back. As well as preventing sweat being trapped and drenching any non-waterproof attire this panel provides comfort even when the pack is fully laden.
A large main pocket with internal dividers keeps kit where you left it and makes accessing kit in a hurry all the more easy. Additionally there is a soft feel valuables pocket, which promises not to scratch sunglasses, Phones or MP3 players. The smaller (yet still sizeable) front pocket houses a handy key clip which helps avoid a post ride panic when it comes to accessing your vehicle or front door. There are further small mesh pockets on the waist strap and towards the base of the main pack.
Bike specific innovations are included aplenty. One of particular note being the lid lock system that allows you to easily attach a helmet to the pack back when it is not in use. Far easier to make use of that traditional multi strap options for housing helmets it allows for quick and effective helmet storage and can be operated one handed.
Reflective detailing and a handy spot to hang a rear light help to ensure you will be seen when it matters.
Compression straps allow you to hold everything securely in place so you never get the feel of the contents bouncing around as the going gets rough.
All the zips are of a high quality and zip tabs reinforced with plastic so locating them is easy and even the clumsiest will not end up ending up wrenching the tag from the zip itself.
On the Trail
Out on the trail the packs design allows a snug, comfortable fit, which ensures that even when pretty heavily loaded you hardly notice it is there. At first glance you might wonder how it will hold up to the elements and how durable it will be. The Raptor performs on both fronts. Do not be fooled day the lightweight material - it is fully waterproof and a whole heap tougher than you would imagine.
All in all Osprey have put to get hour a great pack, intelligently deigned with bike performance in mind. Available in a range of colours, the Raptor is comes in 6,10,14, and 18 litre sizes.
Buy Hydration Packs/Bags onThis review was in Issue 15 of IMB.
For more information visit OspreyRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou Chater is the Publishing Editor of IMB Magazine; he’s a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, but his passion for bikes knows no bounds. His first mountain bike was a Trek 820, which he bought in 1990. It didn’t take him long to earn himself a trip to the hospital on it, and he’s never looked back since. These days he’s keeping it rubber side down, riding locally and overseas as much as possible.
