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Reviews > Osprey Packs Review: What´s In Our Backpacks?

It´s a question we get a lot; “what do you carry in your backpacks and what hydration pack do you use?” The answer to the second question is easy, we choose to use Osprey packs and at the moment we are using the Osprey Zealot 16 packs. In the main article I will go through a few of the features and why I think that they are so good. The answer to the first questions is, “almost everything we need!” Read on to have a look at what inside our Osprey backpacks when we are guiding our mountain bike holidays.

Osprey Zealot Pack review: Why Osprey?

Here are a few of the reasons we ride with Osprey packs.

1. They are comfortable.

Wide and well padded straps with lots of adjustments keep the pack sitting well on your shoulders and allow you to spread the weight well. Our packs are almost 10kg normally so this is really essential.

2. They last.

The Osprey packs just keep on going and going. I´m sure they´d get more sales if they made their packs wear out sooner! Ours have a hard life, stuffed full and thrown in and out of the van several times each day. The only thing which is worn on mine is the webbed side pockets which have a rip from where I caught them on a branch. Every now and then I pass mine through the washing machine and it comes out looking great again.

3. Well thought out storage.

Lots of well thought out compartments and pockets to keep almost everything in. The tool roll in the lower section of the pack which keeps the weight low is fantastic. I don´t know why so many packs have the heavy tools stored so high up, it´s a criticism I had, and passed on to Osprey, from their last generation of packs but the Raptor packs now have that fixed. The flap on the newer packs also is perfect so that you can carry more than the 16 litres of internal storage. This is also something that is much improved from the last generation of packs. The helmet clip is fantastic too and is great for us to keep our packs and helmets together in the van.

4. Fit.

Apart from being comfortable the packs sit really well on the back. The seem to be a good width and depth and hardly move about even when they are really full. Having the weight stored lower down undoubtably helps this.

Osprey Zealot Pack review: What our guides carry on every mountain bike holiday

Personal Equipment

  • Micro 4/3 Camera (Panasonic GH3). Usually only the attached lens.
  • Water. Generally 1-3l depending on the day.
  • Knee pads. Sometimes we will carry knee/shin and elbow pads, these fit in easily too.
  • Helmet. Attached to the pack when we are in the van to stop them banging about the trailer.
  • Rain Cover. The Osprey ones are great but we had some funky ones made up by a friend. The packs don´t come with rain covers.

Spare Parts Etc

  • Spare gear cables.
  • Spare gear outers, 2m.
  • Quick links, 6-8 Speed, 9 speed, 10 speed and 11 speed!
  • Spare spokes for Mavic wheels and normal wheels. 29″ and 27.5″.
  • Two spare tubes. (Even though we run tubeless!)
  • Brake pads for our brakes and a selection of others. All Rahox because they don´t need bedded in.
  • Puncture repair kit.
  • Tubeless tyre repair kit.
  • Spare battery.
  • Random bolts.
  • Sections of chain, 9 speed, 10 speed and 11 speed.
  • Spare tubeless valve.
  • Spoke key.
  • Derallieur Hanger for our bikes.
  • Universal derallieur hanger. Only for QR´s but better than nothing!
  • Spare derallieur. I carry SRAM and Antonio carries Shimano. In an emergency either would work.
  • Zip Ties.
  • Gaffer tape.

Tools Etc

  • Shock pump (sometimes left in the van after day 1 as the bikes should be set up right).
  • Tyre pump.
  • Valve core remover.
  • Adaptor for schrader->Presta valve.
  • Multi tool.
  • Allen Key Set (metric).
  • Allen Key Set (torx).
  • Tyre levers, super strong.
  • Mavic spoke and free hub tool.
  • Oil
  • CO2 canister and head.
  • Spoke key.
  • Chain tool.
  • Adjustable spanner.
  • Plyers.
  • Knife.

Safety

  • GPS. One on the bike and one always switched off in the pack.
  • Mobile phone.
  • Spare batteries for GPS.
  • Emergency blanket… not just the basic foil ones.
  • Depending on weather, a spare jacket. This normally isn´t required in Spain!

First Aid Kit

  • Sun cream. Essential!
  • Large Triangular Bandage
  • 2 x Elasticated Tubular Bandage
  • 2 x Instant Ice Pack
  • 1 x Large Wound Dressing
  • 1 x Medium Wound Dressing
  • 2 x crepe wrapping
  • First Aid Guide!
  • Foil blanket, back up.
  • Micropore tape
  • Cleaning towels.
  • Iodine
  • Finger dressing
  • Eye dressing
  • Scissors
  • Plasters
  • Sterile Gloves
  • Rebreathe mouth to mouth adaptor
  • Low adhesive pads… lots.
  • Adhesive pads. Great ones made from honey that help clean the wound too.
  • Antiseptic gel, also made from honey!
  • 2 x sterile eye wash.

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basqueMTB

Established 2008, basqueMTB have been offering amazing mountain bike holidays across the Pyrenees, San Sebastian and Northern Spain. Dedicated shuttles, the most experienced guides and more than a decade of experience organising our award winning mountain bike holidays, come and visit us and see what all the fuss is about.

Email: doug@basquemtb.com
Tel. +34 662 614 470
Agencia de viajes CI NA-148
Registro de turismo activo y cultural UETAC055