Bike hydration

Osprey's new pack designed for bikers

Product

Osprey Predator

Promise

A hydration-packing rucksack that's designed just for mountain biking thirst-hounds.

Performance

With 35 years in the rucksack game, you hold out high hopes for Osprey's next big launch. The Predator will hit stores in early 2010, and has been created as a hydration pack that should meet the needs of the cycling community. On the inside, there's a neat water pouch that increases its flow when the rider's back is arched, pumping water out into your mouth harder when you need it to do so. There's also something called a 'hydraform reservoir', which is supposed to maintain shape no matter how much or how little liquid is in the pack, avoiding the irritating barreling that other hydration packs can suffer from when full. There is also the expected bite valve for drinking from, with the added extra of a magnetic clip to stow it out of the way while you're pumping pedals.

Verdict

Good ideas abound here, and if the Predator can overcome the ungainly effects felt by other hydration packs, they're on to a winner. Expect to read a full review on WideWorld when the pack launches next year.