Off-road with Osprey: Test of hydration waistcoat, rucksack & hipbag for off-road use

The backpack and bag specialist Osprey, founded in 1974 in Santa Cruz, California, has launched a few new products on the market this summer. Although founder Mike Pfotenhauer (what a name?!) comes from the expedition and mountaineering business, he has been focussing on MTB and bike fans for many years, for example with the Raptor and Escapist lines. And this is exactly where we have updates, 3 of which we have scrutinised more closely, but above all taken with us on the rides.

• Osprey Escapist Velocity hydration waistcoat
• Osprey Raptor 4 Hipbag
• Osprey Raptor 14 MTB backpack

The drinking waistcoat - also known as the waistcoat rucksack - and the Raptor Hipbag are really new here. The back panel and helmet holder on the 10 and 14 litre Raptor rucksack have been redesigned. And of course they all look fresher than ever.

Test Osprey Escapist Velocity hydration waistcoat

We are already familiar with such a drinking waistcoat, for example from Cyclite, which Restrap Hydration West or most recently from Deuter, the Rogla 5. They are also great to wear when running because they fit perfectly around the chest and don't slip. Waistcoat backpacks are therefore also ideal for fast and light MTB or gravel bike adventures. The Osprey Escapist is available in 2 sizes and 2 volumes to fit perfectly.

This is enough for 1.5 litres of liquid and the bare essentials. 3-litre design with hydration bladderinternal organisation compartments and pocket layout. Our hydration waistcoat in the test was the 6-litre version with several pockets, a tool roll in the bottom compartment, front organisation pockets and a separate compartment for the hydration bladder.

Okay, 6 litres - that's almost as small as the famous "6 football pitches". For example, you can fit 2 running shoes (size 43) plus shorts and a shirt if you leave the hydration bladder empty. Or with a full 1.5 litre water bag, you can fit the usual items for a short bike ride: Tools, tubeless kit, 2 bars, wallet, mobile phone, rain jacket.

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Then there are the pockets at the front of the waistcoat, where a zip pocket and 2 stretchy mesh pockets are positioned on the left and right. Top: The zip pocket can also hold a large smartphone! And there are also sunglasses holders on both sides. The diagonal zip for the drinking tube is very stylish. However, there is only one side for the tube: over the right shoulder.

The tool bag at the bottom is also practical, as the integrated roll keeps the clutter at bay. On the other hand, it takes up space that could be used for other purposes. However, you have to, or rather can, decide for yourself depending on your mood - because the tool roll can be removed.

Great fit - quite warm

However, the biggest selling point of the Osprey hydration pack is the fit on the body. The Escapist Velocity is available in sizes S/M and L/XL. If you choose the right size (the back length from the C7 cervical vertebra to the pelvis is crucial), the hydration pack sits super securely, but can also be easily readjusted. Our recommendation: This should also be done with different fillings.

The waistcoat then holds up on wild rides on the unsprung gravel bike as well as when trail running. The seat is as stable as that of the USWE Race 2.0 we tested. However, this could be a drawback in high temperatures: The Osprey Escapist Velocity 6 doesn't feel very airy, especially not at the back, but the wide front pockets don't allow much cooling either. However, it is pleasantly warm in the current cool spring.

Technically, there is only one small snag: the zip and the mouthpiece of the hydration bladder, which is held in place on the chest strap with a magnet, get in each other's way (see picture). Not dramatic, but at least you have to leave the zip open and put your mobile phone in the other side if you don't want to fumble around while riding.

Conclusion on the Osprey Escapist Velocity hydration waistcoat

I really prefer the Osprey Escapist Velocity hydration waistcoat to a small hydration pack for quick and short trips. It looks stylish, sits super securely on the body and, unlike a rucksack, has pockets at the front for snacks and a mobile phone! The storage space is significantly larger than the similar USWE, but the 360° weight distribution means you don't feel like you have to carry any more. The only time I might have to revise my judgement is when it's over 20 degrees, because it gets too hot in the waistcoat. But then I'll probably just switch to the Osprey Raptor Hipbag, which we also tested.

Osprey Raptor bike backpack and hip bag in test

As mentioned, the Osprey Raptor has been on the market for quite a long time. Now the shape, style and colours of the bike backpack have been updated. In concrete terms:

• Improved hip belt, back section and carrying comfort
• Improved pocket size, layout & organisation
• Improved fabrics
• Glove-friendly buckles and upper grip

The 14-litre rucksack has a pleasantly narrow cut, but is quite high. But it really does fit a lot of bags and organisation units. There are 3 levels, so to speak: a small compartment at the very front/outside, a narrow but high compartment in the middle and a main compartment; plus the compartment for the large 2.5-litre hydration bladder, the tube of which is now routed over the right shoulder via a zippered channel. Stylish and visually clean.

The new Osprey Raptor now also has a tool roll, which is even more useful here than on the waistcoat. There are stretchy mesh pockets on the sides for protectors or other lightweight items. There is also a helmet holder.

I also think it's worth mentioning that the Raptor (and the women's version, the Raven) are designed for plus sizes. This means that the hip, chest and shoulder straps have been lengthened and the pockets repositioned.

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More, more - the rucksack tempts you to load up

The first positive thing I noticed was the hydration bladder that Hydrapak produces for Osprey. The 2.5-litre bladder has a handle and a very smooth-running closure. It is very safe and easy to fill. This is not the case with all brands.

At the Osprey Raptor 14 I really like the way the compartments are organised with sewn-in mesh pockets. The inner fabric is light-coloured and you can find everything easily. There's even room for an e-bike battery and charger in the main compartment if you're planning a really long tour.

Speaking of long tours: the hip and shoulder straps are very ergonomically cut and keep the rucksack in place while riding. The mesh material also ensures sufficient cooling. As with all backpacks that don't have a construction that creates a gap to the back, you don't really feel any ventilation in the back panel, even though the mesh and underlying channels in the foam certainly allow a little circulation.

Side compression straps tighten the Raptor well if you pack in too much clothing. According to the manufacturer, the straps also support full-face helmets. The LidLock bike helmet holder is for all other helmets. In my experience, however, this does not work equally well with every helmet, depending on the design of its air holes.

You could say that this bike backpack tempts you to pack it full - as you know, you shouldn't do that. The Raptor, on the other hand, distributes the load well and I was happy to wear it even after long tours: comfortable, practical and, in our test colour "Pediment Grey", also suitable for the summer because it doesn't heat up like black backpacks.

Osprey Raptor 4 bike hip bag

Hipbags for bikes are one of those things: the advantage is the free, cool back. The disadvantage is that the entire weight hangs only on the hip belt. Also the Osprey Raptor 4 is no exception, especially when the 1.5-litre hydration bladder is full and other items are packed inside.

In my opinion, however, this hydration bladder is oversized and too wide. The hose routing is also somehow impractical. The drinking tube is either too short or too long - depending on how I guide it around my body.

A 0.75 litre drinking bottle fits much better. Otherwise, the inside of the bag is just as practical and brightly coloured as the previous ones:

• Inner protective glasses pocket and pocket with key clip
• Zip pockets on both sides of the hip belt
• Expandable mesh pocket at the front for gloves or a light jacket
• Double-sided compression straps for stability
• Tool roll in the bottom pocket

The 4 litre volume is more than enough for everything you need for an after-work ride or a short weekend tour. And above all, the hip bag sits very snugly on the hips without constricting.

However, if I had to choose between a waistcoat and a hipbag, I would go for the hydration waistcoat. The prices of the 3 Osprey bags shown and tested are as follows: Backpack 175 euros - Vest 140 euros - Hipbag 125 euros.