Although water bottle cages are making a comeback in the trail riding scene, they don’t carry anything but water – and not that much of it. Whether for fear of running dry or having a mechanical breakdown, many off-road riders won’t go too far without a good hydration pack. While there used to be one prominent brand in this market, companies like Osprey have jumped in with some nice looking product.
Osprey makes a full line of backpacks and hydration packs for hiking, biking, mountaineering, trail running, and backcountry recreation. They’ve just announced their newly slimmed-down Syncro Series (seen above) and enduro-focused Zealot pack, plus the revised Escapist Series. Stay tuned to Bikerumor for a full review on the Syncro 15 later this summer, but for now here’s the basics on Osprey’s packs…
Syncro Series: Pictured- Syncro 3 (left) and Syncro 15 (right)
Osprey’s Syncro series packs have a clean and slim overall appearance, and the 10 and 15 are now 30% lighter than the outgoing models. The Syncro 3 has also been added to the lineup as a simple, compact option for shorter rides.
The Syncro packs include a 2.5L Hydraulics reservoir that’s designed to minimize sloshing while you ride and features a quick-connection on the hose for easy removal and refilling. The Syncro series uses Biostretch ventilated harness straps and Osprey’s AirSpeed suspension, which suspends a mesh panel on their Lightwire frame to keep your back cool. Osprey has also redesigned the harness and back panels for an improved fit.
The packs include side mesh pockets and an external non-scratch pocket for your sunglasses or smartphone. Other biking-specific additions include a LidLock helmet attachment, blinker light attachment loop, front tool organizer pocket and integrated raincover. Please note that Osprey’s listed weights don’t include the reservoir – The Syncro series reservoirs weigh 6oz/0.17kg.
Syncro 15
Pounds/Ounces: 1/3 (S/M), 1/4 (M/L)
Colors: Blue Racer, Velocity Green, Meteorite Grey
MSRP: $120
Unique features:
• Integrated raincover
• J-zip front tool organizer
• Upper side compression straps
Syncro 10
Pounds/Ounces: 1/1 (S/M), 1/2 (M/L)
Colors: Blue Racer, Velocity Green, Meteorite Grey
MSRP: $110
Unique features:
• Integrated raincover
• J-zip front tool organizer
Syncro 3
Pounds/Ounces: 0/13 (S/M), 0/14 (M/L)
Colors: Blue Racer, Velocity Green, Meteorite Grey
MSRP: $80
Unique feature: Front shove-it pocket
Zealot 15
The revised Zealot is a 15L pack (down from 16) aimed at the all-mountain or enduro crowd. It’s ready for race day with full face helmet carrier straps, a front ‘shove-it’ pocket and large side pockets for armor, a removable tool pouch and Osprey’s 3L Hydraulics reservoir.
Even when fully loaded it’s easy to get to your stuff with backpanel access to the main compartment, and hipbelt pockets make ideal storage for urgently needed items like small tools or powergels. The Zealot uses Osprey’s Airscape foam back panel construction for comfort and support, and Biostretch ventilated harnesses. The Zealot’s reservoir weighs 11oz/.31kg.
Zealot 15
Pounds/Ounces: 1/13 (S/M), 1/14 (M/L)
Colors: Atomic Orange, Carbide Grey
MSRP: $140
Features:
• Upper side release buckle side compression straps
• Dual stretch mesh side pockets
• Small zippered external non-scratch pocket
• LidLock™ bike helmet carry
• Front padded shove-it pocket and full face helmet carry
• Blinker light attachment
• Backpanel access to main compartment
• Removable roll-out tool pouch
• Internal reservoir sleeve with a 3L Hydraulics™ Reservoir included
• Dual stretch mesh harness pockets
• Dual zippered hipbelt pockets
Escapist Series: Pictured- Escapist 32 (left) and Escapist 25 (right)
The Escapist Series is classified as ‘multi-use’ by Osprey. Since it does include a hydration pack pocket, a blinker light attachment, integrated raincover, and Lidlock helmet attachment it could easily do double-duty as a large riding pack and an all-purpose knapsack. However, the Hydration resevoir is not included with the Escapist series. For 2015 Osprey has updated the looks and released new sizes for the Escapist Series.
The Escapist Series packs feature an internal zipper divider, and the 25 and 32 liter packs have a separate bottom zippered compartment. They provide endless storage options with a non-scratch pocket, stretch mesh front pocket, hipbelt pockets and a front organizer pocket. The Escapist uses Osprey’s Airscape foam back panel and Biostretch harnesses and hipbelts.
Escapist 32
Pounds/Ounces: 2/4 (S/M), 2/6 (M/L)
Colors: Black, Indigo Blue, Cayenne Red
MSRP: $130
Unique features:
• Dual zippered hipbelt pockets
• Lower compartment with zip divider
• Upper side release buckle compression straps
• InsideOut™ lower compression straps
Escapist 25
Pounds/Ounces: 2/2 (S/M), 2/4 (M/L)
Colors: Black, Indigo Blue, Cayenne Red
MSRP: $120
Unique features:
• Dual zippered hipbelt pockets
• Lower compartment with zip divider
• Upper side release buckle compression straps
• InsideOut™ lower compression straps
Escapist 18
Pounds/Ounces: 1/10 (S/M), 1/12 (M/L)
Colors: Black, Indigo Blue, Cayenne Red
MSRP: $100
