Outdoor specialists Osprey will add three new hydration pack lines to their US range for 2012: the lightweight Syncro, the freeride-oriented Zealot, and the large-capacity Escapist for overnight adventures (which is already available in the UK).
Keeping things light is the focus for the new Syncro, which features ripstop nylon materials and a ventilated and mesh-covered molded back panel borrowed from the Manta range. It has a large main compartment, two top/side-access smaller pockets with tool organization and open-top mesh side pockets for quick-access items like food and gel packs.
Osprey will offer the Syncro, which also features their brilliant LidLock helmet holder, in three sizes – 10, 15 and 20L – in red or black and with two sizes each for a better fit. Suggested retail prices are US$99, $109 and $119, respectively, including a 3L reservoir.
The new Osprey Syncro is designed as a lightweight, medium-capacity hydration pack for longer rides
Freeriders get a more purpose-oriented pack in the new Zealot range, which incorporates specific holders for pads and a full-face helmet, a clever rear-opening main compartment that doesn't require users to remove their strapped-on gear to access contents, and a tool wrap tucked into the bottom of the pack for faster repair work.
All this is cushioned from your back by a molded and mesh-covered foam panel that's channeled for airflow, too. Osprey also include the LidLock feature here for when you don't need to don heavy-duty headgear, and larger packs also get zipped pockets on the hip belt.
Suggested retail price on the Zealot is $99 for the 10L size and $129 for the larger-capacity 16L version – both with 3L reservoirs. The Zealot will come in blue or black (both with trick graphics of Santa Cruz's V-10 printed on the outside) and in two sizes for a proper fit.
Santa Cruz lent Osprey some graphics for the new Zealot packs – you know, in case your V-10 breaks down on the trail and you're not sure where the parts are supposed to go
Finally, there's the new large-capacity Escapist for riders out for multi-day journeys. Capacities grow to a much more generous 20 or 30L, with the usual assortment of main of sub-compartments to organize your gear, compression straps to keep it all cinched down, and bike-specific features such as the LidLock and bottle-sized external mesh pockets.
The Escapist will cost $99 or $129 depending on size (no reservoir is included with these), with two color and size options. All of the new packs will be available beginning in February 2012.
UK riders have been enjoying the Escapist packs for a while now and Osprey are bringing them into the US for 2012