Exploring the Osprey Raptor 6 Hydration Pack

Although the company has been around for thirty-five years, Osprey remains a fairly small company when compared to the big boys of the hydration pack industry like Camelbak or Hydrapak. Nevertheless, the company does has a reasonably well established name for producing top quality gear, though much of that reputation has more to do with basic backpacks as opposed to hydration packs. Nevertheless, by almost all accounts, the Osprey Raptor Series – the Raptor 6 being the smallest version – is a top quality hydration pack that easily measures up against the highest quality competition.

Perhaps one of the key innovations to hydration packs that have been introduced by Osprey has been the HydraLock™ system. This is a well designed internal frame system that maintains a dedicated space specifically for the water reservoir. At the same time, the HydraLock™ system applies constant pressure to the reservoir, effectively squeezing it to an extent. This makes the flow of water run more efficiently and helps to limit the sloshing of water inside the reservoir, keeping everything tight and under pressure. Another element of the HydraLock™ is the load lifter straps, which stabilize the top end of the reservoir, allowing it to move smoothly with repetitious and/or sudden movement. The overall effect of the HydraLock™ system is to fully integrate the hydration reservoir and liquid with the pack, making it a more cohesive system than many alternatives.

The Raptor Series is specifically designed for mountain biking and trail running, so ventilation is a key aspect of the product. Osprey answers this challenge with the AirScape™ suspension system in the Raptor Series. The AirScape™ system relies on a ridged, moulded foam back which are cross cut by a series of horizontal “chimneys” which helps to convey hot air up and out of the back of the pack. Although this is not radically different than similar ventilation ideas offered by other companies, it is comparable and just as effective.

Osprey’s HydraForm™ Reservoir system clearly borrows some of its features from those initially introduced by Camelbak, though the reservoirs are unique. The primary difference is that the HydraForm™ Reservoir is specifically designed to operate with the HydraLock™ described above. This means that the reservoir is designed to receive steady pressure from the HydraLock™ frame and the related load lifter straps; whereas these same pressures might represent a problem for other reservoirs not so designed. Similarly, the HydraForm™ Reservoir is also designed to work with the complex back of the pack stemming from the AirScape™ system.

The rest of the Osprey Raptor 6 is pretty much what one would expect to find with a high quality hydration pack, except for the small omission side compression straps – to help shrink the width of the pack – which are included on every Raptor pack except the Raptor 6. As is the case with the other major hydration pack companies, Osprey has a number of patented trade names for its fabrics, mesh, and strapping material; but essentially it is the same as other brands of the same high tech hydration packs.

The Raptor hydration packs regularly receive rave reviews from almost everyone that uses them, and much of this has to do with the HydraLock™ innovation. The full integration of the reservoir into the pack and the constant application of pressure (for both water flow and stabilization) are generally considered a major advancement for hydration pack technology.