Osprey Raptor 10 Hydration Pack

I have about a dozen hydration packs, but none of them are perfect (too bulky, cause chafing, etc.) - so they tend to get used for a half-a-season or so then put away. Lately I've preferred riding "bare-back" but that preference has bit me in the ass on a few occasions - high and dry with a flat tire in the unforgiving desert sun - so at Interbike Dirt Demo I was on the lookout for a lightweight, form-fitting minimalist pack.

I found just-about exactly what I was looking for at the Osprey booth with the Raptor 10. The helpful Coloradoans mentioned they had a slightly smaller version from the 10, but that all they had for sale was the 10 and a larger version. I don't like to carry an ERs-worth of first aid supplies, a buffet of food, nor an assortment of specialty tools in my bag when I'm riding, so I was a little bummed they didn't have the svelte Raptor 6 for purchase, but I snagged a 10 anyway.

I've been very pleased with the 10 so far and I'm now glad I've got the extra storage space. I used the pack for the Enchilada Enduro and found it to be the perfect size to stuff my knee warmers and jacket into at the summit of the climb. The bags form fits me nicely and doesn't roll around on my back whilst "getting jiggy with it". The webbed back provides a decent amount of ventilation and keeps things from getting too swampy. The "love-handle" pockets are very convenient for stashing your multi-tool or energy gels - enabling you to grab and go instead of un-shouldering one strap and swinging the whole pack around for access. The zippers on those pockets don't securely shut however, and while I haven't lost anything from them I'm afraid to keep my keys or other valuables in there for fear they'd rattle out.

For riders looking for a compact hydration pack with just enough room for the essentials, the Raptor 10 is hard to beat.

Photo credit: Some dude with Alex Bamberger's camera