Osprey HydraForm™ Reservoirs: Unique Hydration Pack Technology

Specifically made for Osprey by Nalgene Hydration, the HydraForm™ reservoirs have a few unique features which represent obvious advancements in the development of hydration pack technology. In fact, it is pretty safe to say that you are likely to see other companies soon following osprey’s lead with some of these advancements, just as Osprey has integrated some of the more popular elements of other reservoirs into their design.

Being fairly new to hydration pack technology, Osprey appears to have avoided all of the smaller reservoir sizes altogether; instead HydraForm™ reservoirs only come in two and three litres, and the two litre is only used in one pack (the Raptor 6), so may well be discontinued in the future. This somewhat reflects Osprey’s experience in catering to mountain bikers, hill runners, and hikers; people that go on longer outings and have larger hydration requirements. Like almost all modern hydration pack reservoirs, the HydraForm™ reservoirs are free of BPA and PVC and have been specially treated to retard microbial growth and to eliminate undesirable tastes and odours.

Perhaps the most popular innovation has been the addition of a rigid plastic handle, which also serves as a spine. As noted below, the HydraForm™ reservoirs are designed to work with the HydraLock™ system, which includes a dedicated pocket for the reservoir. The stiff handle makes it very easy to insert the reservoir – even when filled to capacity – into the pack, avoiding the common hassle of having to partially unpack your gear to insert a refilled reservoir. More important though is the stabilization that the spine creates. Since the spine fits into a well defined space and the HydraLock™ system (see below) keeps it firmly in place; the reservoir prevents the water from sloshing around very much, leading to a much better balanced and more comfortable means of carrying it.

The HydraForm™ reservoirs are specifically designed to operate with the larger HydraLock™ system which is an integrated element of both the Manta and Raptor lines of Osprey hydration packs. The HydraLock™ system is a combination of a lightweight internal frame system as well a couple straps that attach to the reservoir. The result is to apply a light degree of constant pressure to the reservoir, improving flow rate even when the reservoir becomes very low.  The combination of the HydraForm™ reservoir and the larger HydraLock™ system offers three primary advantages: (1) they make it extremely easy to quickly remove, refill, and replace the reservoir; (2) the pressure improves the flow rate of the system regardless of how full/empty the reservoir is; and (3) the combined system stabilizes the water (prevent imbalances) and allows it to mould to fit the precise shape of the wearer’s back (for increased comfort).

While the HydraForm™ reservoirs are available by themselves and their general size and shape mean that they should work with most other hydration packs on the market; without the HydraLock™ system the benefits are limited. Therefore it makes sense to only purchase a HydraForm™ reservoir if you already have an Osprey hydration pack with the full HydraLock™ system integrated into it.