Osprey’s done some interesting things with their reservoirs in the past, including a rigid back panel to keep it from flopping around and a carrying handle to make it easy to transport out of the pack. Hydrapak, meanwhile, has made just about the widest opening reservoir there is thanks to their sliding top.
Now, the two companies have combined their design talents to create the Advanced Osprey Hydraulics system. The new bladders will come in two versions, the Hydraulics for larger packs with 2L and 3L options, and the Hydraulics LT in 1.5 and 2.5 liter capacities. The larger ones keep the back plate to hold their shape and keep it flat. The smaller ones use a slosh-inhibiting double baffle inside that helps keep it flat.
All of them get a carrying handle, use Hydrapak’s Blaster Bite Valve and Osprey’s inline hose magnet to keep it stuck to the sternum strap when you’re not imbibing, and a new Pour Shield…
The new bladders will be sold in all Osprey hydration packs starting Spring 2016, like the updated Viper and Verve shown at Interbike. They’ll come with Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee that warranties it for life, just like their packs.