When I began to turn my focus to endurance riding and bikepacking, I began to take notice of what the more experienced riders were using for equipment.  The bikes varied but the 29er Leviathan from Lenzsport was all over the place, having set the bar early on for a light, efficient, FS ride.  That what was I bought as my first 29er FS and it was a great decision.

When it came down to what backpack/hydration pack to use, there was a pack I kept seeing on the backs of riders that had very distinctive colors and styling.  I came to find out that the pack was an Osprey Talon 22 and it was the most suggested pack by those going long and big.  I figured that they must know something, so when it came time for Christmas lists, I put two packs in the suggestion box; one being the Talon 22 and the other was a Gregory Z22 (on sale).  Well, budget won out and I got the Gregory as a gift, which I was pleased with.  It turned out to be a very nice pack but I was always a bit curious about the Talon.

Fast forward a year or so and I got the chance to see what the draw was for the Osprey pack.  I had already reviewed a few of the Osprey Raptor series packs (which are made just for Mtn Biking) and a sample of the Osprey Manta type of pack, more a multipurpose sport pack.  When I got the Talon, I was quite surprised how different it was in many ways.

First off, it is very light for its size and capacity.  It is rated at 1343 cubic inches or 22 liters in the Md/Lg size I have.  I weighed it empty with no reservoir at 1 pound 14 ounces (Osprey claims 1lb 13oz or .81kg).  I also noticed it had very little structure to it as far as internal frames, mesh panels, etc.  You could take it and roll it into a ball easily.  Hmmm?  I was not sure about that, but we shall see.  I was used to the Gregory Z 22 with its mesh panel and wire frame.  Would this carry the load?  Osprey suggests that the Talon 22 carry a payload in the 20lb range as an average.

It has adjustment aplenty with compression straps for keeping the load stable and a waist belt and chest strap besides the well padded shoulder straps.  It even has the ability to raise and lower the pack by relocating some Velcro patches (pic with the three arrows).  I moved it just a bit for my height so the top of the pack sat even with the top of my shoulders.  I am not sure if that is the right thing, but it felt comfortable that way.  Besides that, there are compression straps, nice front and side stretch pockets, a very large internal main pouch that easily swallowed a soccer ball (and maybe 2 soccer balls), a reservoir compartment that could hold two 100oz units easily (a reservoir is NOT included with the purchase of a Talon 22), and other pockets for keeping things secure and separated, including one on each side of the hip belt (YAY!!!).  They zip closed and easily carry a GPS or P&S camera.  There are even two stretch pockets, one on each shoulder strap, that you could put a gel flask or Gu packet in.

There is really little concession to bike specific storage, so no pump pouch, tool pocket, etc.  No biggie.  This pack is about more than that.

The first time the Talon was used on an overnighter, I did not wear it.  Instead, it was pressed into duty by a friend who needed the biggest pack I had for his less than tiny sleeping bag.  It was, in a word, stuffed.  His comments were that he found it to be very comfy despite all the weight and volume of gear in there.  I was even more curious, and a little frustrated!  Now I had a Talon 22 and I still had not used it!

A month or so later and it was my turn.  I planned an s24o trip on the SS Jabberwocky and packed up the Talon.  It was quite easy to get all my gear in there, including my Dreamlight 500 bag, liner, inflatable pillow, food, some clothes, a 100oz reservoir, another bottle in the stretchy pouch, and odds and ends.  It was a heavy pack all ready to go and away I went, the rest of my kit in the bike bags.

The singlespeed calls for a lot of standing and I had to adjust my technique to keep the heavy pack from pulling me off balance.  However, the Talon was so form fitting, that I could not feel the pack wanting to slip or pull away from my body.  In fact, over the 4 hours or so of climbing, pedaling, and walking, I adjusted the straps a few times till I had it right, but I never felt uncomfortable from something poking or bugging me.

The next morning I was treated to a 10 mile singletrack descent and I was very impressed by how the Talon fit and stayed with me with no wiggles or wobbles.  I think the very lack of structure that allows the pack to ‘pill bug’ so easily allows it conform to your back.  I cannot imagine any riding situation that would upset the pack enough to be an issue, at least not in any XC sense.

The flip side to the body hugging is ventilation.  Although the Airscape back panel is there to aid in air flow, there is not much ventilation going on here.  All that conforming to the bod that I found so comfy could be an issue in hot or humid weather.  Here is where the mesh panel and wire frame of the Gregory Z22 or the Osprey Manta come into play.  If this is a biggie for ya, be warned.  Time will tell if I find it an issue.  The one trip I did was in moderate weather at altitude.  I will say that I will take comfy and conforming at some cost of air flow and typically I would not be out bikepacking in very hot or humid weather (So Cal, ya know...West Coast, etc).

As well, I cannot attest to the water resistance of the pack.  The main material looks coated on the inside, but that is about it.  In regards to this Osprey sells a rain cover that is available separately.

I still have a lot of plans for the Talon and when October brings cooler weather to So Cal, I will be out again putting it through its paces.  I will update later on as I get more trail time with this very cool pack.


When we had a look at three of the Osprey Raptor hydration packs, we obviously tested them as a mountain bike product.  However, there is another line of packs under the Hydraulic line-up, and that is the Manta series of hydration packs.  We thought it might be worth some time to compare the two lines of packs so that you, our dear readers, could have as much information as possible to make your purchasing decision an easy one. 

The Manta line ranges from the 1800CI (30L) Manta 30, the 1500CI (25L) 25 (featured here), and the smallest one, the 1200CI (20L) Manta 20 (all volumes noted for the M/L sizes).

I weighed the Manta 25 at 3.0lbs even.  The smaller capacity Raptor 18 (1100CI/18L) is 2lbs 12oz, so although that attests to the extra structure of the mesh back panel and the lightweight wire frame, it still is a small penalty considering the increased cargo room.

That is one of the main differences between the Manta and the Raptor packs.  The Raptors have the Airscape foam back panel and the Manta has the mesh Airspeed back panel.  As well, the Manta 25 has no accommodation for bike specific parts organization; no pump pouch or tool storage compartments, etc.

The Manta 25 also has a very handy and quite roomy waist belt storage pouches and a rain fly stored in the bottom of the pack.

I took the pack with me on a vacation to a mountain resort area where it was my only pack for the week.  My activities included several hours of riding and two family hikes where I supported the whole group with water, snacks, and emergency gear.

I also used it for an S24O bikepacking trip when my Talon 22 was being used by a friend.  The Manta is a pretty good pack for that application.

So what do I think about the Manta series VS. the Raptor series of packs?  Well, honestly it is no surprise that the Manta makes a better pack if your priorities are hiking based.  It has a loop for trekking poles and the mesh panel is actually better suited for a straighter back position.  I found that my backbone sometimes pushed through the mesh panel and touched the foam behind it, creating an annoying 'hot spot', when I was arched forward pedaling.  Sitting more upright or walking was very comfortable and I appreciated the nice ventilation that the mesh panel provided.

So would I use it as a dedicated MTB pack?  Likely not. You could get around the lack of dedicated tool storage by keeping your gear in a small, separate pouch and then just putting that in the pack.  No biggie. It really comes into it's own as a 'one pack for general use' - hiking, scrambling around, cycling, whatever.  The rain fly is a nice touch and the waist belt pouches are killer for cameras, snacks, etc. 

I keep a quiver of hydration packs from small ones like the Camelbak XLP to the bigger packs like the Osprey Raptor 18.  I find that one pack does not do it all, even for cycling.  But, the Manta makes a lot of sense for trips like my vacation where I desired one pack to cover the gamut of activities.  In that case I preferred the Manta 25 over the comparably sized Raptor 18.

Whatever you decide, there is a lot to like about the Hydraulic line of packs by Osprey.

Gravel Grinder Gear: Salsa Cycles Vaya

Editor's Note: This review also appears on Gravel Grinder News

The Cyclist would like to welcome Salsa Cycles sponsored rider, Matt Gersib to the site. Matt has been a top flite mountain bike racer for 20 plus years and has worked in the cycling industry as well for many of those years. Matt now is employed by Snitly Carr as a Public Relations Manager, but still finds plenty of time to ride and race his Salsa bicycles often. Matt makes his home in Lincoln, Nebraska with his wife, and if he's not at work, he's probably out riding gravel somewhere in and around Lincoln. Here's Matt's take on the Salsa Cycles Vaya..........

Salsa's Vaya blends the strength, smooth ride and classic appeal of chromoly steel with Avid disc brakes, integrated f/r rack and fender mounts and room for big, gravel road-eating 40-45c tires.

Six Months on the Salsa’s All-Road Adventurer, the Vaya: by Matt Gersib

The recent growth in the popularity of gravel grinder events and bikepacking trips has spurred an evolution in the bicycles and equipment cyclists have at their disposal for such adventures. Never before have so many great options existed for pedaling to remote places, whether on roads or trails. Today, it’s possible to find a drop bar long-haul adventure/touring bike that’s well-suited for whatever type of route you’re looking to conquer, whether roads or trails.

A number of companies offer such bicycles, but one company stands at the forefront of the genre — Salsa Cycles. It offers several models that are well suited to various touring duties, from touring on paved roads and paths (the Casseroll), to gravel and dirt road adventures (the Vaya), to full-on off-road adventure touring (the Fargo). And while each of Salsa’s touring bikes has its own unique virtues, the focus of this test is the Vaya, the company’s latest addition to the line.

The Vaya draws its lineage from a number of past and current Salsa models. It slots into Salsa’s line up in the spot formerly occupied by the highly acclaimed disc brake, steel La Cruz model (not to be confused with the current titanium version of the La Cruz). And in many ways the Vaya is more of the bike I was hoping the La Cruz would have been. For while I always loved my La Cruz, its ‘cross bike geometry was undeniable and its tire clearance more limited than what I wanted in my “ideal” gravel frame. In the Vaya, Salsa addressed both of these areas effectively.

The Vaya was a huge risk for Salsa. They already had a winning, in fact some would say, category defining, off-road adventure bike, in the Fargo. So why would they go back and re-jigger their (already great selling) disc brake 'crosser, the steel La Cruz to more directly compete with the Fargo on the sales floor? Because they ride, and they saw the opportunity to build a bike that more precisely fit the type of riding they and the riders they associated with were doing. I think it's brilliant and it works. And honestly, for me, while I didn't want to have both a steel La Cruz and a Fargo, I'm stoked to have both a Vaya and a Fargo, because they complement each other very well. So in my opinion, if you can swing it financially, they're the perfect pair. Otherwise, you have to choose your weapon and pull the trigger.

Even with 40c Schwalbe Marathon Extreme tires mounted, the Vaya has plenty of clearance. For riders primarily interested in running 35-40c tires, the Vaya offers a more compliant ride than Salsa's more off-road biased Fargo model due to a lighter gauge tubeset tuned for more road-based adventures, whether paved or gravel.

The Vaya can handle rough roads and an occasional singletrack foray. It has the fork/stay clearance to handle up to 45c Panaracer Fire ‘Cross or Bontrager XR1 Team 1.9 sneakers, but its sweet spot is running 40 to 45c semi-slick or low-knob tires and using the compliance of the sweet steel frame and robust tires to make quick work of whatever road you choose. That makes it the perfect choice for a long ride/race like the Dirty Kanza 200 mile gravel grinder or a multi-day loaded tour on mixed surfaces. It can also just as easily pull daily duty as a comfortable, reliable daily commuter bike that’ll deftly haul your gear to and from work. Plus, with threaded rack and fender mounts included front and rear, versatility is the name of the game with the Vaya. Thanks Salsa!

Since I own both a Vaya and a Fargo, I’ve had a lot of folks approach me asking which bike they should buy for themselves. In all honesty, this is a pretty simple question to answer, because for me it all boils down to where they’re primarily planning on riding the bike. You see, the Fargo is a 29er… a mountain bike. It’s meant to be ridden on trails. So if they’re interested in a drop bar mountain bike, I recommend they buy a Fargo. But if they’re interested in primarily riding gravel roads, especially if they want to ride with other people, and particularly if they want to do it going fast, the Vaya is definitely the bike to choose.

For the most part I’ve found this to hold true for most riders with just a few exceptions. A couple of folks that I thought would go with a Vaya ended up on the Fargo because they wanted the ability to run fatter tires at some point, even though they primarily wanted to ride gravel. Cool… A couple of other riders decided on the Vaya, even though they planned to run the fattest tires they could run in the frame most of the time, simply because they wanted the lighter, more compliant ride of the Vaya frame. Again, a good choice, especially if they didn’t intend to tour off-road extensively. But those riders had specific visions of what they wanted, and could only have one bike to fulfill their intended roles. When you buy, you’ll have to decide what kind of riding matters the most to you and make the call for yourself.

This image shows the Vaya's low bottom bracket well. A full 75mm of drop combines with generous 450mm long chainstays to give the Vaya great stability and ride quality over bumps and potholes, with awesome tracking in corners and great tire clearance too. Compared to Salsa's 'cross racing frames, the Vaya sports 25mm longer chainstays. Nice...
 


The great news is that the Vaya and Fargo are both two of my favorite bikes, so it’s tough to go wrong with either. The Vaya’s frame, built from Salsa’s proprietary “Classico” steel tubing, is an example of how well the company understands how to make a great riding steel frame. Smooth is the characteristic defines the Vaya’s ride over choppy roads and the frame and fork’s stability in challenging conditions inspires confidence at all times. The long fork offset, 71.5 degree headtube angle (on my 57cm frame) and low bottom bracket (75mm drop) all contribute to the stability and solid handling of the Vaya. This is a bike you can literally ride with no hands on choppy roads!

Kevin Wilson snapped this photo of me at the first checkpoint of this year's TransIowa v.6 event. Though completely covered in mud, my Vaya didn't skip a beat. The 2x9 Shimano drivetrain and Salsa chainrings shifted cleanly right up to the point when I pulled the plug, about 90 miles in.

Since I received my Vaya as a frameset and built it up from a mixture of new and old parts, my build has no reflection on the “stock” build available from Salsa, so I won’t go into the specifics of the performance of my groupset performance. However, I will call out a few notable new components that I used in my build. First is the new iteration of WTB’s venerable Ti-railed SST saddle. This is my first experience with the newly re-released classic, and it’s every bit as good as the original. For WTB saddle lovers, these are good days. Heck, I say buy two! Keep a spare new in the box, just in case WTB stops making them again.

The Salsa Delgado Cross rims are the perfect choice for the Vaya, and that’s what I laced up for mine. I’ve had the opportunity to try a few different tires on them now and have come to appreciate their strength, simplicity and consistency in build-up. These are good, nice looking rims and they don’t cost an arm and a leg. Very nice…

The Salsa Woodchipper handlebar is quickly becoming a classic among the gravel grinder crowd, and for good reason. Good reach/drop and a nice, wide flare give it great leverage in the drops — perfect for climbing and descending sketchy gravel roads. It’s strong enough for full-on off-road use too, so you can run it on the Fargo too with no worries. Game on!! I love it – especially the 46cm version.

So, in my “perfect world,” would I change anything on the Vaya? That’s a tough question, because I think any changes to improve the bike in one area or another would detract from the bike in a different area. So no, I really wouldn’t change a thing. And from the others I’ve spoken to who own Vayas, the consensus is that it’s a superb riding, excellent handling bicycle, and a great value too. It breaks free from the cyclocross racing bike geometry mold and charts its own course as a true all-road adventure bike. That’s an exciting development for a cyclist like me.

Salsa Country: 2010 Dirty Kanza 200 champion, Corey "Cornbread" Godfrey captures this image of the early lead pack of the race, which contains several riders on Salsa Vaya and La Cruz models. Salsa's experience on the front lines of long-haul gravel grinder events has helped their designers evolve the geometry and features to better meet the needs of riders, making it a highly sought after ride for 2010.

If you’re interested in buying a Vaya in 2010, my advice is to buy it quick. From what I’ve heard from a couple of local Salsa dealers, it doesn’t sound like the supply of 2010 models will hold up through the year, as it’s been a very popular model for Salsa Cycles. Given my experience with the bike, I can’t say I’m surprised.

I received my Vaya through my sponsorship as a 2010 Salsa sponsored rider, but I have not been compensated for my review and the opinions I’ve expressed are solely my own. You can reach me at dirtstories@gmail.com with any comments or follow-up questions.



The points of contact involved in riding a bike are pretty critical elements in the enjoyment and performance of your ride.  Between a bike and rider you have the saddle, grips/bars and shoes/pedals and between a bike and the ground you have the tires.  Recently we had the chance to look at some Bontrager product that falls into two of those categories:  An Evoke RL saddle and a pair of RL mountain bike shoes.   

First, the RL saddle.  At Sea Otter 2010, I was being shown the new line of Evoke saddles and was listening to a Bontrager person talk about how these saddles were designed to alleviate discomfort through proper width, shape, etc.  They even had a nifty little device to measure your sit-bone width.  By being seated on this pressure pad, the liquid inside would be displaced and reveal the areas of greatest pressure, allowing the bike shop tech to choose a saddle that best fits your body.  I mentioned that I was a real fan of saddles with a deep channel in the saddle for the soft undercar parts, typically a WTB Pure V or a Specialized Phenom SL saddle.  I was told by Chris Clinton from Bontrager that this groove in a saddle was not needed if the saddle was built right to begin with.  I told him I was skeptical.  A gauntlet was tossed down right then and there.  In response, he measured me for a good fit and handed me an Evoke RL saddle.

OK...game on.  

From the website for Bontrager products:  

Features 

•  High-performance MTB saddle with more padding than the RXL for a more forgiving ride 
•  inForm Science of Comfort design based on pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data 
•  Available in three widths for proper fit and support 
•  Size Specific Curvature supports the skeletal structure in a way that's optimized for a performance-oriented riding position, resulting in greater comfort and proper blood flow 
•  Gender-specific Contour Relief Zone (CRZ) gives added pressure relief to sensitive soft-tissue 
•  Saddle shape is optimized for off-road riding, featuring a narrow rear profile that makes it easier to get off and on the back of the saddle and a wider nose that helps you "steer" through technical terrain using the inside of your thighs 
•  Zone Density foam provides superior cushioning without interfering with proper skeletal support 
•  Abrasion-resistant edges, carbon fiber-reinforced nylon base, and hollow titanium rails 

I weighed it at 228 grams, then mounted the saddle on the SS Jabberwocky test mule and went riding.  The first thing I noticed was the generous padding and the shape that did not seem to have any annoying edges or profiles to it.  This is comfy.  I think this makes a fine saddle for a hardtail with its compliant ride.   Now then, what about the lack of groove or cutout for the delicate parts of the anatomy?  I used to get a lot of numbness on long rides, but that completely went away with the saddles I use now.  Did the RL saddle make me numb? No.  Did it feel as good as the 'groovy' WTB Pure V or Specialized Phenom?  In a word...no.

I am not sure about the claim that a groove in the saddle is not needed if the saddle is built right.  What I found was a moderate pressure in areas I am not used to having any pressure at all and that feeling stayed with me, even after the ride.  So while the saddle never pained me at all, neither was it what I want in a saddle. Now, that said, if a relieved saddle like I typically use is not a big deal to you, then by all means give the saddle a try as it is not a bad platform to operate from otherwise. 

Since I am only one...ahhh...posterior...I asked Ed the Tall, one of our testers, and a very similar build to me, to try the RK.  Ed is a confirmed WTb saddle guy.  This is what he had to say. 

“This is a limited review of the Bontrager Evoke RL saddle, which GG asked me to take for a spin or two and get back to him with some comments.  I was only able to get one ride in on this saddle, and a roughly 40-mile road ride with lots of seated climbing at that.  Upon first glance, the saddle seemed to have a mix of pros (light weight, relatively short length, well padded) and cons (flat profile across the wide point of the saddle, a slight depression along the length), as compared to the narrow mix of WTB saddles that don all of my bikes.  Bontrager says the saddle is geared towards the MTB scene.  The saddle appears well made, and the impact-resistant nylon at the edges of the saddle testify to its off-road pedigree. 

At the end of this 2.5-3 hour ride my neither regions were complaining a bit.  Truthfully, this happens almost every time I get on a saddle that I’m not used to.  I’ll point the finger at both of the negative points I listed above.  It just seems like my sit bones sank into the saddle more than I’m used to, and I attribute that to the flat profile across the saddle.  Likewise, I, like many riders have become accustomed to some sort of a channel or cut-out, something we feel adds a bit more comfort in that most sensitive of areas.  The Evoke RL’s channel is minimal, at best.  

Perhaps I needed a different width saddle, along with a fitting which can be done at an authorized Trek or Bontrager dealer, to get the saddle to the point of nirvana.  Regardless, I like to think (and hope I get to try this idea) that the Evoke RL  would be perfect for my single speed MTB, where I spend a bit more time climbing out of the saddle and weight adjustments are regularly made to deal with obstacles.”    

Ed 

And, in the end, if it does not work out, you have this guarantee from Bontrager: 

You'll Love Your Saddle. We Guarantee It. 

We're so confident your Bontrager saddle will be the most comfortable saddle you've ever owned we're backing it with our exclusive Unconditional Comfort Guarantee. If for any reason you're not satisfied with your saddle, return it (along with the original sales receipt) to the place of purchase within 30 days of purchase date for exchange. It's that easy. 

Along with the saddle, I was very keen on trying a set of the very sharp looking RL Mountain shoes.  My old zapatos were getting a bit worn although they had served me well.  Besides that, Guitar Ted has a set of the Bonty shoes and raved about them.  I arranged for a set and soon enough I had a pair of size 45s to try.  Here is a little bit of info from the Bontrager website. 

Features 

•  Mid-level mountain shoe offers rugged all-day performance in an affordable package 
•  Bronze Series Carbon sole for stiffness and excellent power transfer 
•  Simple and intuitive two straps plus buckle design for ease of use 
•  Reinforced toe box for protection and durability 
•  External molded heel cup prevents heel-slip and provides ventilation 
•  Direct-inject TPU lugs feature a durometer optimized for superior off-bike traction 
•  Built using Bontrager's standard volume inForm Pro SV last 
•  eSoles premium insole for optimal fit and support 
• 
  

I weighed the RLs in at 754 grams w/o cleats for the pair.  The shoes I am using now are a 2 year old Specialized (Comp, I think?) and the Bontys were nearly 200 grams lighter.  They feel pretty light to me, though I am not used to a high end racing shoe.  The RL lists at around $140 dollars, so it is in the price range that most serious riders, but not full on racer types, will be shopping for and it compares in price to the Specialized shoes I have been thrashing.  Looking over the RLs, they are pretty pleasing to my eyes.  The buckle and strap seem a bit flimsy, but are also very flexible and possibly more likely to move out of the way if caught up on something rather than break off.  In any case, the ratchet mechanism and release button always were smooth and easy to use although I never had the shoes in muck and mire. 

Hike-a-bike is OK although I had to crank them down to prevent heel slippage, much tighter than I would set them for pedaling.  The sole was decent and grippy and the shoe, although stiff enough to pedal with, was flexible enough for the occasional walking/session on dirt trails.  It does seem that the more the shoe is tuned for pedaling, the less it is suited for hiking.  No surprise.  Getting into and out of the SPD pedal I use was flawless. Overall fit for me was a bit of a 90% thing.  They seemed to be a bit too wide for my foot although the toe box was about right in the size 45 (US size 11) I had.  I am normally a 10.5 size in a regular shoe but I don't think I could have gone down a 1/2 size without losing too much toe room.  I nearly had the ratchet strap to the last notch if I was running them tight.  Since everyone's feet are quite different, these may be exactly what you need, so, while the fit was very acceptable, the Specialized shoes felt like custom fit loafers in comparison, hugging the sides of my foot better.  The best scenario is to try before you buy for the best fit. 

I really liked the eSoles insert although if I cranked the straps down real tight, the metatarsal button did annoy me.  Normal pedaling with a looser fit was fine. Man, I hate a shoe with poor arch support and the RLs are good to go here.  The system allows for various levels of insole support, so you can adjust to what feels good for you.  I liked this a lot. 

The shoes seem to be ready to get beat on as far as the toe box and heel area.  They look rugged enough to me and so far they have shown no real signs of wear and tear, but the best show of this is a year down the road, not a month or two. 

I did have some knee issues at first (with the right knee) and it could be from the cleat placement on the first long ride in them.  Compared to my old shoes, the RLs seemed to put my feet closer to the crank arm, even with the SPD cleat centered in the sole of the shoe.  I slid the cleats inward a bit (placing my foot outward) and I have had no issues since then over many hours of riding. 

I have seen a few riders wearing this shoe on group rides and have asked them how they liked them.  Every one of them has said good things and there were no complaints.  The Bontrager line of MTB shoes deserves a look-see, especially with the Trek Corp and the local dealers behind them.  The RL seems to be a contender in the war for the weekend warrior's dollars.  Shuffle on down to your local Trek/Bontrager dealer in those busted old things you call shoes and slip on a set of RLs.  Your feet will thank you. 

Osprey Raptor 10 Pack: Final Thoughts: by Guitar Ted

Recently Grannygear and I were able to check out the Osprey line of hydration packs. (You can check that post out here.) In this post I wanted to give an extended view of my experiences with the Osprey Raptor 10 pack.

I've used the Raptor 10 exclusively since the pack came in back in early May. I have used it for training rides, mountain bike rides, gravel road excursions, and most recently I have used it on two fully self supported rides.

The self supported rides required me to be able to be ready for any situation I might encounter. Fortunately, the Raptor 10's three liter water capacity helped tremendously in the hydration department. I found the bite valve and the magnetic hangar for the hose to be stellar in actual usage. I especially like that I never had to "track down" the hydration hose when I wanted a sip. it was always available and always in the same place. Nice!

As for storage, I probably could have used the next size up in the Raptor line, but I have a theory regarding storage that goes something like this: "The bigger the purse, the more stuff you will cart around" I don't mean to sound discriminatory towards the females out there, but what I do mean to point out here is something I learned from my female acquaintances over the years. They related that a bigger purse would end up getting filled up with stuff because they thought they might need it. Not that they ever would. I would submit that this is a human trait not discriminatory to gender. Guys are just as guilty here, I feel.

So in regards to packing stuff for my self supported outings, the Raptor 10 did force me to make some hard choices and swap out some bulkier items for more lightweight, less sizeable ones that did the same job.  Did I miss anything? No. I did not, and had I been testing a larger pack, I am sure I would have stuffed it just as full as I did the Raptor 10!

Getting away from gender psychology here, I wanted to point out that I had the Raptor 10 absolutely stuffed to the gills at one event in particular, yet a few things you would have thought to be potential problems were no sweat at all. Here are those things in a list:

• Hydration Bladder Insertion/Removal: Just as Osprey advertises, and just as we have reported, this bladder system, The HydraForm and HydraLock, are seamless, easy to use, and works in the field under rider stress, when you really need it to. I was thoroughly impressed with the way I could simply slip the hydration bladder right back into a pack about ready to split at the seams due to my zealous over stuffing of it!
• Pack Construction: Which leads me to the way the pack held up to my abuses. I was not having issues with zippers or the seams in the fabric at all when I did have, admittedly, too much stuff in there! I wouldn't recommend doing this on a regular basis, but it is nice to know that when the need arises to carry a bit more than you maybe should be in the storage compartments, the pack doesn't blow up on you during use. Kudos to Osprey for making a pack worthy of trust in this regard.
• Wearability/Comfort: This is another fairly high point of the pack for me. During a couple of my rides, both co-inciding with my self supported outings, as a matter of fact, it was brutally hot and humid. The worst sort of conditions, perhaps, for wearing something on your upper body just when you want breathability the most. I will not say that the Raptor 10 was invisible, but it bothered me far, far less than I would have expected it to, or would have guessed it to. Actually, it wasn't all that bad. Everybody is different, so take this with a grain of salt, but I thought the weight distribution was centered more at the bottom, near my waist, while upright, and distributed evenly while in a riding position. Moving around on the bike felt normal. No "pack inertia" that I noticed.

Conclusions: I would buy this pack. It has a hydration bladder and system to hold it that is second to none, as far as I've experienced. The storage compartments and the hip "wing pockets" do need some tweaking, but as for the functionality of the pack as it is, I can live with these shortcomings. The basic premise of hydration is executed here flawlessly, which is the most important part. If Osprey can change a few things that we mentioned in our initial review, this pack will become the premier hydration pack system on the market. As it stands, it is definitely something that should be on your short list of packs to consider.

Editor's Note: This pack was submitted for review/testing at no charge. We are not being bribed or paid for this review. We will strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.