Osprey Raptor 10 Hydration Pack: First Impressions- by Guitar Ted
With several hydration pack choices out on the market, it gets kind of bewildering to figure out just which one will work for you. To that end, Twenty Nine Inches is looking at three new hydration packs that we feel fall into that “sweet spot” of 10 liters or so in capacity. Grannygear is looking at the Camelbak M.U.L.E, NV and the Dueter Compact Air EXP 10, which you can see the intro on here, and also I have the Osprey Raptor 10, which I introduced here. Now with several hours of riding with the new and improved Raptor 10 under my wheels, how has this pack been performing? Here are my thoughts so far….
Osprey Raptor 10
Packing Up: The new version of the Raptor 10 packed up with my gear easily. I did really like the Tool Roll idea going in, and in practice it looks to be a winner of an idea. I was able to organize my stuff in there well, and I even put in a few emergency items like zip ties and some tape, along with my needle nose Vice Grip pliers. Up on top, the lined eyewear pouch is great for a set of shades with different lenses ready to go, and in the inner pocket up there I placed my compass. (You know- those things folks used before GPS? 
)
The main compartment is easier to load, since it flops open widely allowing you easier access. I got my two pumps- a shock pump and a mini-pump- in there, along with a spare tube, rag, some tire levers, and some lube. I also stuffed a wind breaker in there with room to spare. The bladder sleeve now opens much easier, and allows the bladder to come out much easier. I was able to stuff the full compliment of 3 liters of water into the bladder without any trouble.
The hip pockets, now useful since they have zippers for secure carrying of articles, got a couple gel packets on one side and my multi-tool and cell phone into the other side. (Note: Images and explanations of all these pockets can be seen here.)
Riding With The Raptor:
With days mixed between shirt-sleeve comfortable temperatures and cold, chilly, over-coat days, I have been able to get a feel for the Raptor 10 in varying states of dress. The harness adjusts easily and stays secure where you set it. This is great for the days you have to layer up and need to “let out” the mainstays a bit. The harness sits nicely on the body with no hot spots or uncomfortable pressure points, even with a full compliment of water and gear on-board. On days where it was warm, I felt the improved harness straps felt cooler. The AirScape back panel does ventilate better now, which helps keep me cooler. Only around the bottom of the pack did I ever get a tiny bit of discomfort from perspiration, but it was minimal. Really- I can’t ask for much better in this regard.
The thing that has really impressed me at this point has been those hip pockets. I can fetch things out on the fly, and zip the pocket back up one handed. Nice! This makes the Raptor 10 that much more likeable in my opinion. Being able to grab that thing- whatever it may be- a gel, the pocket camera, your multi-tool- without taking the pack off is brilliant.
The other thing is the hydration hose and new, more powerful magnet that secures the drink tube to the upper harness strap. It sits lower than the older version of this pack’s did, and I find that it is less obtrusive while riding due to this. The tube, by the way, flows fluid easily, and the valve lock works as well as the older version’s did- a good thing there.
The Raptor 10 is stable while riding, and I haven’t hardly noticed it while navigating the twisties out in the woods. It sits nicely on the back, and along with that improved harness, is actually quite comfortable to wear while riding so far into this test. I’ll be riding with this pack some more and will have a bit more to say in a few weeks.
Note: Osprey sent over the Raptor 10 pack to Twenty Nine Inches at no charge. We are not being paid, nor bribed for this review. We will strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
Great review GT
This IS the pack that I would have bought over Dueter EXP 12 if the hip pockets were usable on last years model. Glad to hear they fixed them, added a tool roll and better bladder access. Osprey seemed to have the fit and bits otherwise sorted. Only other downside for me at least is finding one in Vancouver… lots of their other packs but their riding stuff is hard to source which for the number of cyclists here is absolutely baffling.
I recently purchased last year’s Raptor 6. It’s smaller, but otherwise outfitted like the one you describe here. I like it so far, but am a little baffled by the hip pockets. These are the earlier versions that don’t zip up. But I’m more concerned about the placement. I’m not a big guy, but I have a hard time reaching around to the pockets. you say here that you can get in an out on the fly. Have they changed the placement, or is this something I have to try and learn to manage? Maybe i’m looking for more of a ‘belly pocket.’ Otherwise, I’m really satisfied. The construction seems good and it’s comfy.
Great review GT. Osprey set the bar pretty high with the original Raptor 10. Personally I love mine. The only thing I would change would be zippered hip belt pockets, other than that it’s perfect. Fit is spot on, it’s comfy, holds everything I need. The thing I love the most though is how easy it is to remove, fill and replace the bladder…
Hi!
Thanks for the review. Pretty excited about this bag.
I live in Australia and had a Kathmandu cycling bag in about 2002-2004 that had zippered hip pockets, it was THE BOMB!!! I never owned a car, and could have house keys, notes and change, and (pre-smart phone) mobile in the zippered pockets. Like the glovebox of your car essentially. That bag also had a bladder space, and a tapered shape. Best pack for daily riding I have ever owned, it never came off my back. But for some unknown reason Kathmandu product design went to shit in the mid 2000′s and none of their packs have matched it.
I’m now looking for a new hydration pack for x-country and single track day rides – this seems to be the pick of the bunch. Can leave it loaded with all my tools next to my helmet, chuck in my sunnies or a light, pick it up and head off. Need the tools? grab them from the bag and chuck them in my messenger for the daily commute. Easy.
I have two questions though:
When is it available? I’m hanging out here!!
Second, and importantly – what is the deal with the bladder? The previous raptor had a Nalgene hydroform bladder, that thing looks really well made, really clever design. You mentioned they have “a new bladder”, is it the same hydroform or is it a cheaper knock off? Looks like this bag doesn’t have the quasi-pressured system on it (the two buckles at the top), suggesting this is not the hydraform…have they fallen out with Nalgene?
Many thanks for the great review!!
Regards,
Sean
@Sean Mitchell: The Raptor 10 now uses a bladder that is similar to the old HydraPak one, but it is designed to have a more comfortable feel when loaded. The previous bladder received some complaints for being uncomfortable when filled. The older bladder also is difficult to get fully loaded, whereas this new one is a cinch to get the full 100oz into it.
Functionally I see little difference between the two at this point, and I did not ever think the old system had any sort of “pressurized” delivery, in my opinion. (Still have the old version of the Raptor 10, so I can directly compare the two.)
The new version is due out in dealers hands by Spring 2013, if not before then.
Are the hip belts stowable? Or at least not bothersome if you choose not to use them? I’m trying to decide between the new Raptor/Raven or the Viper/Verve. I like the hip pockets, but sometimes I don’t always “buckle into” my backpack.
I read that you said no Galaxy 3′s in the hip pocket…is it just because they’re nice or because they simply won’t fit?
Other than that, I’m just excited for the new line to drop. I’m loving the new hydration sleeve zipper!
@Paige: I’ve forgotten to hitch the buckle on my Raptor 10 before, and as long as there is nothing in the wing pockets, it isn’t too big of a deal. Obviously the pack isn’t as stable on your back as it could be.
The Galaxy 3 is just too big, not necessarily that it is too nice.
That said, we may be proven wrong, and someone will shoe-horn one into a wing pocket, but obviously, it isn’t going to be the optimal thing to do.
“…and the valve lock works as well as the older version’s did- a good thing there.” I’ve had to replace the valve 3 or 4 times on my 1 year old Raptor when it developed leaks. One even leaked right out of the package. I believe this is a design flaw. Has the design changed from the older version?
@Ken: It seems to be fundamentally the same. Sorry about your issues, but I have not seen this in either of my samples, nor from those of others I know personally that have these.