Review

Team Tested: Osprey Rev 18 Litres Pack review

22.05.2014
by

The Osprey Rev series of packs is all about moving quickly across terrain, with lighter loads. Straight from Osprey, “The new Rev Series perfectly suits the highly technical needs of trail running and endurance racing while also serving as a perfect companion to anyone who appreciates smaller volume, streamlined hydration packs. These packs carry just the essentials for the efficient traveler who prefers not to stop.” Some will love the way it hugs the body, some won’t. I think it fits a great niche in the mountain biking world. Read on to find out if you are in that group.

Osprey Rev 18 pack. Great when your carrying needs are lighter loads.
Osprey Rev 18 pack. Great when your carrying needs are lighter loads.

Technical Details

  • Size: Medium/Large
  • Cubic Inches: 1098
  • Litres: 18
  • Weight: 1 lb 4 oz (.58kg)
  • Reservoir: 2.5 litres
The quick connect system from Osprey is a personal favorite.
The quick connect system from Osprey is a personal favorite.
Pockets on the belt make great places to carry gels, key, and a bit of cash.
Pockets on the belt make great places to carry gels, key, and a bit of cash.
"Digi Flip" pocket securely holds your phone, making your inner-Strava self happy.
“Digi Flip” pocket securely holds your phone, making your inner-Strava self happy.

Overall

I really like this pack. It fits like a glove, and is adjustable for multiple body types. I would highly recommend this bag to endurance XC type riders. I would also tell people who maybe only want one pack for biking, running, and a smaller day hiking pack, that this is a great pack for you. (Many of those people where I live. Fitness junkies.) I do think a lot of mountain bikers would be very happy with this pack. If you need to carry a helmet, or maybe even a DSLR camera, or heavier loads, this isn’t the bag for you, and especially not for enduro racers where you have to carry a second helmet.

Carrying two tubes, water, multi tool, CO2 inflator and/or mini-pump, a couple bars, a few gels, a phone, a light shell, maybe arm/knee warmers? Which describes myself on many rides, and many riders I know, than this pack would be perfect. I’ll certainly use it again. And again. It will actually become one of my more used pieces of gear, I like it that much. The quick connect system that allows you to un-couple the bag from the hose, while leaving the water hose strapped in and attached to the bag is great. Thereby making a process that is always a pain, something that isn’t one.The ease of removing the reservoir, filling it, and replacing back in bag, combined with fit of the pack on me, are key reasons which will cause me to grab this pack over others. It’s just not great for some situations or riders.

Things I like about this bike pack

  • The overall lightweight feel of the bag.
  • Quick connect system on reservoir.
  • Phone holder. Extra bonus, the protective plastic layer is a cool touch-through membrane.
  • How the bag rides on you.
  • Multiple chest straps. Customize the fit to you.
  • Magnetic attachment point for water hose bite valve. It works better than you might imagine it could. It’s great!
  • Waist strap (Osprey call it Biostretch Bodybelt), and having usable pockets on that strap.
  • How the pack carries reservoir.

What I don’t like

  • Lack of internal organizing pockets.
  • No structure/form to the pack.
  • No place to externally (or internally) carry a helmet.
  • Durability questions. (It’s so LIGHT!) Will it hold up?
Getting after it on a stormy day. Walker Ranch, Boulder, CO. Photo-Whitney James
Getting after it on a stormy day. Walker Ranch, Boulder, CO. Photo-Whitney James

Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn

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