PSA – Osprey Raptor Hydration Packs

Snow & Rock – on sale

Osprey Raptor 10 & 14 – £45 & £50.99 + P&P

http://www.snowandrock.com/osprey%20raptor%2010/light-weight-rucksacks/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/10851

http://www.snowandrock.com/osprey%20raptor%2014/light-weight-rucksacks/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/10852

was done a couple of weeks ago but thank you anyway 😀

ahh poo – sorry 🙂

yep i paid £85 for mine but still happy 6 months later as it’s still worth every penny…

What’s so good about them?

I think more thought has gone into them than camelbacks – the rigidity I have found helps with the weight distribution over your back – esp if your back is as crap as mine, magnetic clip on the bite valve very handy and the inner pockets seem good and the reservoir seems a bit more sturdy?

This is going from a 5 year old Camelback Mule though!

What’s so good about them?

Best bladder by far
Really clever little details like;
Helmet clip
Magnet for mouthpiece
Two pump pockets (Shock pump, tyre pump)
etc. etc. etc.

Very, very comfy to wear
Excellent company behind the products. (Yes, even you, Enty… 😉 ) They really care about what they do and it shows.

Hmmm

I take it ventilation of one’s back is as guff as with most other packs?

Not too bad – horizontal ridges with mesh over the top – not crap but not brill – not contoured though which is my only negative point.

I had a raptor 14 and now got a Mule NV 2011 which is way better IMHO

I really tried to like my three Osprey packs including the Raptor 14 (large) but it was no use.
I found the rigid back uncomfortable and restrictive with regard to packing. The pack and bladder is heavy compared with others. The magnetic hose clip is a good idea but nothing new. The North Face has been using them (Hammerhead etc.) for years and you can buy three magnets to put on your hydration pack sternum strap for £5 from Outside in Hathersage (amongst other outlets), paired up with variouis models of Nalgalene bladders. It has two pockets for pumps? You what? It has pockets to put in what ever you like as doea just about every other hydration pack.
My Raptor fell apart at the seam (outer pocket).
I liked the Hydraulic aspect of the bladder but it needs the rigidity to work (I believe) and the ease of getting it in and out of the pack (again it needs the rigidity to achieve this) so the benefits to me were soon wasted.
The Lid Lock is genius in it’s simplicity but I very rarely used it.
Sorry Osprey, I’m not a fan.
Edit: I think you bought mine off of me didn’t you Geoff? Apologise if I’ve got that wrong, If I’ve got it right, I’m sorry you didn’t get on with it.