Osprey Packs Guest Post: How to pack for your ride

The folks over at Osprey Packs are experts when it comes to carrying gear on your back – they’ve been making innovative packs for just about any outdoor activity since 1974. They’ve recently applied their gear-hauling expertise, innovation and commitment to quality to bike hydration packs, and the result is their lineup of Osprey Hydraulics. Full of technical features like their AirScape Suspension back panel, Nalgene HydraForm Reservoir, LidLock helmet clip, magnetic bite valve mount, and loads of storage – Osprey hydration packs are a great option for the next time you hit the trail.

We often get asked what gear you should bring in your pack when you head to the trailhead, so we thought we’d go straight to the experts at Osprey for their advice:

If you have ever had a great ride cut short for unforeseen reasons such as a mechanical failure, flat tire or inclement weather, you know the importance of being prepared before embarking on your journey. Proper equipment and preparations will lead to a much more enjoyable ride and prevent a long walk back to civilization if something goes bad. Riding with a hydration pack provides easy access to an ample water supply as well as the ability to carry essential tools, spare parts and extra clothing. The location and type of ride you are embarking on as well as some personal preferences will ultimately determine your individual checklist but here are some suggestions for loading up your Osprey hydration pack.

Short MTB ride near an urban area or commuting to work:

Recommended pack – Viper  7 Hydration Pack or Verve 7 Women’s Hydration Pack

Essentials:

• Full reservoir of water for staying hydrated
• (1) Spare tube (proper size for your tire)
• Small tire pump and/or CO2 inflator with CO2 cartridge
• (2) Tire levers
• (1) Minimalistic multi-tool

Viper 7 pack and gear before the ride

Recommended:

• Cell phone
• Energy snack
• Rain jacket (if weather looks inclement)

Viper 7 pack fully packed for the ride

Intermediate length rides where immediate help may be more difficult to obtain:

Recommended pack – Viper 10 Hydration Pack or Verve 10 Women’s Hydration Pack, Raptor 10 Hydration Pack

Essentials:

• Full 3 liter reservoir of water for staying hydrated
• ID and emergency contact card
• (1) Spare tube (proper size for your tire)
• Small tire pump
• (2) Tire levers
• (1) Patch kit
• (1) Multi-tool with chain breaker
• Duct tape
• (2) Energy bars or gels
• Rain shell

Raptor 10 pack before it's loaded up

Recommended:

• Cell phone
• Waterproof wallet with $5-$10
• Sunscreen
• Small first aid kit
• Extra chain links

Raptor 10 pack fully packed for the ride

Epic full day rides into the backcountry:

Recommended pack – Raptor 14 Hydration Pack, Zealot 16 Hydration Pack

Zealot 16 pack with gear laid out for the ride

Essentials:

• Full 3 liter reservoir of water for staying hydrated
• ID and emergency contact card
• (2) Spare tubes (proper size for your tire)
• Small tire pump
• (2) Tire levers
• (1) Patch kit
• (1) Multi-tool with chain breaker
• Duct tape
• Spare parts depending on your bike (i.e. derailleur hanger)
• (2) Energy bars or gels
• Rain shell
• Sunscreen
• First aid kit
• Waterproof wallet with $5-$10
• Compass and map
• Headlamp or pen sized flashlight

Zealot 16 pack loaded up & tool pouch rolled out

Recommended:

• Superglue
• Toilet paper
• Swiss army knife
• Lighter
• Leg and arm warmers
• Cell phone
• Extra chain links
• Tire boot kit

Zealot 16 pack front strap pocket

Zealot 16 pack hipwing pocket