Osprey Packs Women's Raven 10 Mountain Bike Backpack Osprey Packs Women's Raven 10 Mountain Bike Backpack

WOW! I just bought my first ever hydration pack for mountain biking and I picked a winner. The Raven 10 by Osprey is built specifically for women so that it fits close to your body. The Raven comes in one size, but with the generous adjusting waist, chest and should straps, the backpack will fit a variety of body shapes and sizes comfortably. But what really enhances the comfort factor is Osprey's BioStretch harness and hip belt. With the BioStretch material you don't feel any constriction anywhere on your body, even when loaded up.

Speaking of loading up, I have always been one to take only what I need. I'm not the "everything including the kitchen sink" type; my years in the backcountry taught that, the hard way, mind you. I take only what I need on my ride as well as what I hope I don't need. Always a Cliff Bar, a good amount of water, and sunscreen. Weather depending, I'll take an ultra-lite water resistant jacket maybe a helmet liner. Oh, and those items I hope I don't have to use but always have with me; a patch kit, spare tube, tire levers, a chain tool, allen wrench tool gizmo, and a mini tire pump or CO2 inflator. Lastly, a basic lightweight first aid kit, unless someone else in the group has one, then I leave mine behind. Same with the cellphone, you don't need more than one out on the trail, at least that's how I see it. What I do carry, I want it to be organized and easy to find. The Raven has the perfect pocket system for neat freaks like myself.

  • A front zippered stash pocket with scratch-free lining, a great pocket to keep your phone and sunglasses.
  • Two hipbelt pockets for those quick grab items like a Cliff Bar, lip balm, or energy gel.
  • The mesh front pocket is handy for stashing a jacket or any other weather apparel items.
  • The zippered pocket at the top of the pack has a key tether, nothing worse than dropping a key.
  • Hydration compartment comes with a 3.0 liter LT reservoir. At the top of the reservoir sleeve there's a quick release loop to attach to your water source keeping it from slipping down to the bottom of the compartment.

I really like the way the pack guides the hydration hose over the right shoulder and across the chest with a magnet to hold the bit valve to the sternum strap for easy water access.

Osprey Packs Women's Raven 10 Mountain Bike Backpack Helmet Osprey Packs Women's Raven 10 Mountain Bike Backpack Tool Pouch       Osprey Packs Women's Raven 10 Mountain Bike Backpack Light Attachment

 

There's a lot of cool things about the Raven 10 hydration pack. The Lid-Lock is pretty nifty; keeping your helmet off the ground when you are off the bike, say changing a flat or storing your gear together making it a quick grab and go. The tool pouch at the very bottom of the pack is beyond nifty it's a super feature. I for one have been known to leave a tool or patch kit sitting on a rock. The tool compartment opens up and exposes the mesh tool pockets, and a swatch of durable fabric rolls out flat so you an lay your tools on the mat while you're doing repair. No more tools left behind! Finishing your ride at dusk with a pavement ride back to your car? No worries, there's a spot on the back of your pack to attach an optional blinker light.

Osprey has done a great job of thinking through the design of this mountain bike backpack.

  • The Aliton frame sheet distributes the weight across the back panel increasing carrying comfort.
  • Increase breathability and ventilation by using BioStretch and Airspace technology in the harness and back panel.
  • In the world of multi day backpacks and daypacks Osprey has become the dominant factor. Leading the industry in design features that make carrying a pack more comfortable, that make packs more durable, and with convenient features, and well thought out storage compartments. As a lifelong backpacker and day hiker I have become a true believer in Osprey packs and I am not surprised at all to find that they have carried their pack building genius over to their line of bike and hydration pack.

About that women specific thing, the Raven 10 comes in three biker chic colors; Royal Purple, Tiger Orange and Tempo Teal.

One last note, this hydration pack can also be used as a day hiking pack, which isn't a big deal for me, as I typically like to have more than one of everything. I just don't want to carry one of everything.

Check out Osprey's hydration and reservoir user guide for cleaning and operation.  And when you're made your decision on what your favorite color is, go ahead and order yours, here.