It all began in 1974 in California, where thanks to a sewing machine and the inspiration of Mike Pfotenhauer, the Osprey brand took shape
The philosophy has remained the same, with the desire to experiment and create outdoor equipment that allows people to enjoy their passions to the fullest.
We had the opportunity to wear one of their products dedicated to MTB, the Raptor 14 backpack. A medium-sized product, with a distribution of compartments that allowed us to better stow everything we needed to tackle our laps.
Data Sheet
There are many technological solutions that allow this Raptor14 to remain light, comfortable and roomy. The back in expanded foam that creates an airy space and allows the back to breathe; the belts in Bio stretch, designed to offer a high possibility of transpiration.
The fabric with which this backpack is built is a 210 d Diamond rip stop nylon, which guarantees a very abrasion resistant structure.
IN this Raptor 14 there are many spaces dedicated to single objects; we find a compartment to house the repair kit, a small front pocket for windproof and a series of compartments that allow you to organize the contents in an easily accessible way
Very interesting is the double possibility of housing the helmet, both through the classic pouch pocket, and with the lidlock attachment specifically designed by Osprey.
There is also a compartment for the water bladder, with a convenient asymmetrical zipper that guarantees ease of insertion and hides the tube, making everything cleaner to the eye and less bulky.
The upper belt has a magnetic hook, also present on the mouthpiece of the hydration bladder.
Try it now
I have used the Raptor 14 in many outings, even extra bikes, to fully test its characteristics. Comfort is at the highest levels. Even when fully loaded it adheres perfectly to the body, favoring movements in the best possible way.
In this way, the guide is always fluid and free from clutter.
The design of the spaces allows to diversify the positioning of the different materials, making it quicker to find what you need.
I also used this backpack while filming a ride in the Vergante, a situation where it is necessary to open and close the compartments several times to get the equipment and where speed and practicality are very important.
In this context, the Raptor 14 proved to be very versatile, managing to make me earn precious minutes.
In winter it is more difficult to test the ventilation, but the feeling of lightness it gave me gives me hope even in the summer. The absence of the back protector is not perceived, since the expanded foam structure gives the rigidity necessary to separate the back from the contents of the backpack itself.
I found the placement of the tool compartment in the lower part of the Raptor very clever.
A solution that allows you to divide the tools, often dirty from the rest of the content.
Even the integrated mat in this case seemed to me to be an intelligent solution, which allows you to have a space where you can store spare parts.
Two notes can be made to this raptor 14; the first concerns the absence of the waterproof shell and the second is the fastening device of the mouthpiece.
The magnet is quick and very practical, but in off-road driving it is perhaps a slightly weak coupling, in fact, I often found myself with the tube fluttering free.
Conclusions
Osprey's Raptor 14 is a backpack that uses a clever distribution of space. comfortable and comfortable, even when fully loaded it guarantees excellent riding of the MTB.
The division of the different areas is intuitive and makes it easy to find every object we need, as long as it has not stayed at home ... A backpack centered for one day outings, perhaps the lack of rain protection should be sought in this location. , the only drawback of this product.
