Osprey Packs Men's Raptor 18 Hydration Pack

better than camelbak
December 15, 2011

This is my first Osprey pack, and I've been using Camelbaks all my life dating way back to the early 90s. Well, I am completely impressed with Osprey although it cost a pretty penny. The pack is well thought out and designed functionally and ergonomically. The materials and quality is top notch. The bladder is just awesome. It has its own backbone so it doesn't collapse and the lid, is so easy to open as compared to camelbaks. There is enough room for all my stuff for long rides. I pack all my spare tire, tools, a jacket into this pack. For the price you pay, this product is way much better than Camelbaks. plus with the magnet on the feed tube, what a great idea. Only gripe is that I wish the tube has a quick detach feature from the bladder. But overall, looks like I will be an Osprey user from here on out; quality is much better as compared to a cambelbak. Osprey is like a Ferrari, while Camelbak is like a Ford. They are miles apart. I will never buy a camelbak again.

Just What I Was Looking For
August 06, 2011

Perfect day pack for me! So easy to fill the bladder and more than enough room for my stuff! Just got this so can't really comment on durability etc. But so far I love it and would recomend it to anyone.

cycling cross country
July 25, 2011

First off: i am not a OSPREY Rep - I just REP osprey and am passionate about quality ish that makes life worth living. Saying that, this pack is sexy. Quality stitching and visually obvious time invested in it's creation. I received the "Sand Gold" color. It's MORE of a pea soup green with sandy gold accents. I got used to the off color immediately and like it more as a muted pale color. If your considering this pack or any size in the line of the "raptors" or any "OSPREY" pack for that matter -> go to their website. They do a nice job of describing and highlighting their lines of hydration packs. The "raptor 14" even has a video physically highlighting and implementing it's uses. My PROS: 1) The hydration bag is uber EASY to fill and secure in the pack with it's "spine and "hard backing pad". 2) The shoulder straps are well ventilated and very simple to adjust on the fly. I'm 5'9 -155 and the medium/large suits me well, like a suit. 3) The extra space in the 18 is nice for me because i like having my comfort goods with me when i trek around. The 14 would work well too but the price wasn't much different so why not. My CONS: 1) The waist straps have two quick access pockets for small goodies. They have no way to secure them closed (like a zipper or velcro) My fix: i stitched my own velcro strips to the top of the pockets. 2) The front and side materials are this sexy smooth polyester like fabric (the sandy gold accents) I got dirt, dust and chain grease on it. It is tedious and difficult to clean back to it's initial luster. would have been nice to beef its ease of clean in such target areas but it's the price to pay for beauty i suppose. 3) The mesh pockets inside the 2 large zippered consoles are 6" and 10" deep. Perfect for tools or maps? but little stuff gets compiled and lost easily. Just nitpicking here but i am an honest user. I like supporting the thoughtful and endearing at heart and Osprey is my style. "northface" is nice yes, but mainstreamed and made it trendy to buy performance gear and wear it around campus. Where ever your values lay GET OUT AND LIVE !

Great Hydration Pack
July 02, 2011

This is a great hydration pack. The bladder holds plenty and there is a decent amount of storage. There is a stiff mesh screen that keeps the pack off from your back. This allows for air to flow between your back and the pack. A great purchase for me.

Perfect Mtn. Biking Pack!
May 18, 2011

This pack has great functionality for long and short mountain bike rides. It's big enough to handle enough water for a long ride and hold spare tubes, clothes, and whatever else I need. On shorter rides, I can cinch down the straps and not feel like I have a huge pack on. It's also really comfortable. Overall, I'm very pleased with the pack and would buy another.

Great hydration big pack
June 23, 2010

I really like the hydration on this pack, the advances over the camelbak are great. The bite value works and the magnet to store it on your chest strap is just what I need. No more turning the on/off switch of my camelbak, no more fighting to get the bladder into the pack. As for the pack, the raptor 18 has a ton of room. I think the 14 would have enough for a day ride but the extra space is okay. My only complaint are the straps with Osprey ergo pull, I hate the loops they get caught of things and make it hard to adjust. I removed the clips and use the straps like regular straps and like it much better. Great pack, great hydration -- will buy more.