Staying hydrated on the slopes is critical and having a place to stash a snack, tools and extra layers doesn’t hurt either. The Osprey Manta backpack ($140) comes with a custom-fitted Nalgene water holder. A mesh suspension back does its job to make you never feel like you’re carrying around a sack of water. Adding a magnet to the on-off pivoting bite valve lets it snap to the sternum strap, keeping the tube from flying around while you’re flying around.
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Riding with a backpack has never been more trendy thanks to the Osprey Manta 25 Hydration pack. Personally I really don’t care to shove loads of junk in my jersey pockets. Its uncomfortable and I know one of these days they will tear apart. If you’re on the fence about riding with a pack or not, hear me out. The Osprey Manta will do you good.
When we had a look at three of the Osprey Raptor hydration packs, we obviously tested them as a mountain bike product. However, there is another line of packs under the Hydraulic line-up, and that is the Manta series of hydration packs. We thought it might be worth some time to compare the two lines of packs so that you, our dear readers, could have as much information as possible to make your purchasing decision an easy one.
I’ve been using the Manta on day hikes and more recently while paddling my kayak. I am so impressed with the fit and function of this pack. I have been consciously trying to drink more water, and the Manta has been a great help while active. The ease of use is the biggest factor. I can easily fill it before heading out. I have used it numerous times, and have not noticed any ‘plastic’ or off taste. The reservoir is made by Nalgene, and is BPA and PVC free. The the AquaGuard anti-microbial formula is designed to prevent bacteria and mold from developing. This appears to be working because the reservoir has not developed any mold, and the water still tastes fine. Keeping the water clean and tasting good is the easiest way to keep me drinking it.
Not too long ago trek7k did a write up on the Osprey Raptor 6 and if you recall he raved over its sleek and comfortable design. Today I’m writing about another offering in the Osprey hydraulics line-up – the Manta 20. Unlike the Raptor, the Manta is a larger pack designed for day trips and epic rides.
This smartly designed daypack carries well, protects itself from rainstorms, and makes sure you stay properly hydrated.
This daypack combines an ultracomfortable carry, a smart, hydration system that’s easy to fill and drink from, and a smattering of features that will set you up for a smooth dayhike, no matter what you carry or what weather you encounter.
The team at Osprey has always thought about pack design a little differently than most. And when they set about to create what they felt was the perfect hydration pack, the thought process was no different. To them, it was not about simply creating a better hydration pack, because a poor reservoir design would defeat the system. They also felt that simply designing a better reservoir wasn’t enough either, because if the pack wasn’t
ideally matched, it too would create an imperfect marriage. So, Osprey founder and chief mad scientist Mike Pfotenhauer worked with his design team to conjure up a new hydration pack system, with the pack and reservoir fully integrated. They call it the Hydraulics line of packs. Eager to test what Osprey claims to be “the most innovative and best-designed hydration packs,” we ordered a Mantra 30 hydration pack, and from February through May 2010 our tester wore it backcountry skiing, mountain biking, during a 24-hour adventure race, and day hiking.
I own a number of packs for a variety of pursuits and they all have hydration support. What this usually means is a compartment for a bladder and on the higher end packs, elastic bands for tube routing. That’s really the extent of the “advanced” features when it comes to hydration packs – until now. Osprey, a name synonymous with high-end technical packs, has recently introduced their Hydraulics line and their engineers have come up with some really unique features that make so much sense, it makes you wonder why nobody thought of them earlier. The Raptor is geared towards mountain bikers and comes in four sizes, all the way down to a minimalistic 6 liters. It touts a dedicated tool pocket, blinker light attachment, reflective graphics among its features. The Manta is their answer to a modern daypack and the one I am most excited about. Three sizes (20, 25, 30L) means anything from a full day outing to a light overnight. It boasts a built in raincover and trekking pole attachment among its lengthy feature list.
What really sets this series apart are the best-in-class innovations. First is the bladder, which was developed by Nalgene. The stiff back allows you to easily slide it into a pack even when loaded. It provides support that molds along your back and you can refill it even when the pack is full. It also is designed to prevent barreling while creating positive water pressure. Another feature I really like is the magnetic attachment for the bite-valve. Great innovations by Osprey, check it out.
Osprey has just introduced two new hydration packs, the Raptor (above) and the Manta. The Raptor is the smaller of the two and is available in four sizes. It was designed specifically with mountain biking in mind and features dedicated tool, pump and other pockets inside the main compartment.
CORTEZ – This week’s Colorado Company to Watch believes it has come up with the perfect hydration backpack.
Osprey Packs says their new Hydraulics line of backpacks, which hit the market this week, do not slosh around or push into your back.
The company’s location in the four corners region of Colorado, means its employees have plenty of opportunities to test out their products during day hikes near Telluride or bike treks in Moab, Utah.
During all this “research,” the company’s staff realized there was a need for a better hydration pack and they set out to design one that resolved all their complaints.
The company worked with water bottle maker Nalgene to build a new kind of reservoir, with the focus of making it fit users better and more comfortably. The water pouch is made from special material that matches the contour of your back. The company’s patented Hydralock system compresses as it empties, which minimizes water sloshing, making the pack more stable.
