I have been testing the Osprey Raven bike pack while mountain biking trails. The Osprey Raven pack is suited to women, while the Osprey Raptor pack is sized for men.
The packs come in 14-litre and 10-litre volume and they feature AirScape back panels with foam ridges for better comfort while cycling.
Other features:
- 2.5l Hydraulics LT reservoir (included) to fit in internal hydration sleeve
- BioStretch hip belt and harness
- Front shove-it pocket
- Front stretch compression pocket
- Front zipped pocket
- Integrated roll out ToolWrap
- Keep-safe attachment clip
- Internal bike specific organiser
- LED light attachment point
- LidLock bike helmet attachment
- Reflective graphics
- Sternum strap buckle with magnet to keep water tube in place
- Price: 10l is £110 and 14l is £120
- See Osprey packs.
On test: Osprey Raven bike rucksack
I have the 10-litre Raven pack, which has plenty of space for spare layers, gloves, snacks and tools. It’s a day pack size and ideal for half-fay or full-day rides.
There are plenty of pockets and compartments for stowing items, such as the small top pocket that is ideal for sunglasses and a smart phone.
In the main compartment are useful pockets for keeping a pump or spare inner tubes.
There is also a roll out ToolWrap in a lower zipped compartment, where I keep tyre levels, a spare inner tube and other bits and pieces.
The ToolWrap is useful if you do have a puncture because you can roll it out on the ground and keep everything within sigh and easy reach. How many times have you lost a valve cap because you have dropped it on a pavement or muddy trail?
The big zip pulls are great. Thy are easy to use, even while wearing padded cycling gloves.
Having a place to stow lots of bike items is useful, especially for someone like me who often loses tyre levers, tubes and puncture repair patches. Now I have tubeless tyres I need to carry a spare inner tube and other kit just in case I can’t repair the tubeless tyre.
Another feature I like are the big handle at the top of the pack. Its easy to pick up the pack with this over-sized top handle.
The magnet on the sternum strap is also a good concept. It keeps the water feed tube from the reservoir in place. The only problem is I have found the tube is a bit long and I’ll need to trim it.
Sometimes, I inadvertently knock the tube from the magnet and it hangs down the front of my jacket in a very annoying way.
The sternum buckle also takes a bit of getting used to. It doesn’t push together from the sides, as with other straps and buckles but needs to be placed on top. I have got used to it now but it requires a bit of extra dexterity. This is not always se easy when wearing winter cycling gloves.
I found the pack fitted me well and was comfortable when riding. It was possible to adjust the shoulder straps and hip belt to get a really good fit.
I have not used the pack in warm weather with only a light layer so I can’t tell you if the AirScape back panels work well, or not. However, I haven’t found the pack has made me sweaty or uncomfortable even when working hard in winter.
There is not a lot to dislike with the Osprey Raven and Raptor packs. I would suggest the addition of a waterproof cover if possible. The pack fabric does appear to repel some rain but I would prefer to have a waterproof cover for improved protection of my kit in the rain.
A cover would also protect the pack from all the mud and wet that gets thrown up on your back (even when you have mudguards) on winter trails. After just one use the pack looked like it had been used many more times because it was filthy.
Also, what do people put in the small zipped pockets on the hip belt? I wish one of these was bigger so I could add in my smartphone for quick access.
In conclusion, the Osprey Raven (and Raptor version for men) is a great day sized pack form mountain bikers and cyclists. As usual, Osprey have thought about lots of good features and details. The packs are never the cheapest but I find them great to use and long-lasting.