The Osprey Raptor has long been regarded as one of the best hydration packs on the market. Singletracks has reviewed many Osprey packs over the years, including previous versions of the Raptor, and there have been some significant changes over time. The latest Raptor looks completely different from the 2020 version that Michael Welch last reviewed on Singletracks.

So I decided I had to check it out.

Tool roll

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Osprey Raptor 14 key specs

• 14-liter capacity
• 2.5-liter reservoir included
• Stretch mesh zippered hipbelt pockets
• Separate tool compartment with removable tool roll
• Plenty of dedicated storage for sunglasses, keys, helmet, pads, and more
• Exterior stretch pocket, with compression straps
• Weight: 2lbs (claimed)
• Price: $180
• Buy from Osprey

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The Osprey Raptor 14 (“Raptor” for short) is truly a full-featured top-of-the-line mountain bike pack. The pack features begin with a bike-specific “winged shoulder harness and airmesh wrap hipbelt [to] keep your ride stable and secure,” according to Osprey. The hipbelt includes two large zippered pockets for easy on-trail access — a favorite feature of mine that many hydration packs have eliminated in recent years.

The 2.5-liter Osprey reservoir is zipped into its own compartment, with the hose zipped down the shoulder strap until it exits near the rider’s shoulder.

Zippered hose sleeve and large sunglasses/goggles pocket.

The storage in this pack is ample. There’s a massive main compartment, with two small mesh dividers for organizing gear. The sunglasses pocket is large enough to fit a pair of goggles, although I usually use it for my smartphone. Moving backward, you’ll find an open exterior compartment that’s perfect for stashing gear on the fly — yet another design feature many packs have moved away from, yet I find incredibly useful. This exterior compartment includes compression straps to cinch it down, plus side carriers for knee pads. Finally, there’s one more pocket on the outside, with a key clip and a small mesh zippered compartment that’s perfect for holding a wallet. On the outside of that, you’ll find a LidLock helmet clip.

But that’s not all. At the bottom of the pack is a dedicated tool storage compartment with a removable tool roll that keeps everything clean and tidy when you’re working on the ground.

The AirScape backpanel is covered in mesh with an EVA foam design intended to keep the pack off your back and allow airflow.

I opted for the 14-liter pack with the intention of using this for big all-day epics in the backcountry, and potentially on my Colorado Trail thru-ride. The pack is also available in 12- and 10-liter versions, as well as junior and extended-fit models. The Raven is the female-specific companion line to the Raptor, offering similar features.

Out on the trail with the Osprey Raptor 14

I’ve worn the Raptor for hundreds of miles, spanning 50-mile epics and after-work social rides. I’ve ripped chunky downhills, and pedaled for hours in the saddle. After this wide range of ride experiences, I feel like I have a good grasp of Osprey’s latest pack.

If it wasn’t evident from the previous spec section, the Raptor is easily the most feature-rich pack I’ve used in years. It seems like many packs recently have begun dropping features, but the Raptor is a true top-of-the-line bike-specific model that offers everything under the sun. I’ve really appreciated the separate storage compartments that help keep my gear organized, and features like the roll-out tool roll have, unfortunately, come in handy.

The thoughtful, integrated design of this pack is very evident. One example is the dedicated hydration reservoir pocket. Being able to access the reservoir separately makes it so much easier to refill water without accidentally dumping the rest of your gear out of the bag. The way the hose is zipped halfway down the arm helps it ride securely and quietly, whereas on many other packs, hoses tend to rub and squeak. The system is seamless and secure, and you might not know what you’re missing until you’ve tried it.

I was frankly impressed by how much gear I’ve been able to haul in this 14-liter pack. At times, it felt like I could haul even more gear than I could with an 18-liter pack from a competitor. I checked with Osprey, and the 14-liter capacity includes all of the pockets on the pack, but it seems like having so many different, specialized pockets truly optimizes the storage, compared to one massive, open compartment.

I mentioned it above, but I’ll say it again: hip pockets. I’m a huge fan! The hip pockets on the Raptor are large, providing tons of easy-access snack storage. Unfortunately, they’re not quite big enough for a modern smartphone.

Immediately after my first ride with the Raptor, I realized something: I haven’t used a hydration pack with a standard back panel in about 6-7 years. Instead, I’ve used only packs with suspension back designs, which keep the pack entirely off your back, providing maximum airflow.

After using the Raptor for extended rides, I can confidently say that despite Osprey’s best efforts, this pack is notably hotter and less ventilated than a suspended-pack design, and it makes me substantially sweatier. I didn’t realize how much I liked pack suspension until I lost it.

However, this isn’t a knock against Osprey. The brand’s Syncro line offers a wide array of suspension-design hydration packs. You can simply choose your preferred design.

Pros and cons of Osprey Raptor 14

Pros

• Endless bike-specific features
• Hip pockets!
• Tons of storage space

Cons

• Hotter than suspension design

Bottom line

The Osprey Raptor 14 is a fully featured hydration pack that’s designed specifically for mountain biking. The design and construction of this pack is top-notch, and the storage capacity is seriously impressive. While the standard back panel is notably hotter than a suspension design, Osprey does offer that feature in their Syncro line.