Osprey Raven 14/Raptor 14 Hydration Pack Review

Bottom Line

As a hydration pack designed for mountain bikers, the Osprey Raven 14 / Raptor 14 is a great choice for shorter adventures that don’t require as much gear or water. Its durability and diversity of compartments are unmatched, making it perfect for the adventurer who prioritizes organization, longevity, and features. However, for those in search of an ultralight pack, waterproof or quick-drying materials, and extra space for layers, water, and additional gear, the Raven 14 may not be the best pick for you. 

While we didn’t test this pack on a mountain bike, we did take it on day hikes in Northern California, analyzing its fit, comfort, durability, water resistance, and features while on trail. This pack comes in two gender-specific designs — the Raven 14 for women and the Osprey Raptor 14 for me. Both models offer the same robust construction, pocket variety, and dependable hydration system, but with slightly different torsos and shoulder designs to better complement male and female anatomies. 

Overall, if weight, waterproofness, dry time, and ease of cleaning the hydration bladder aren’t your top concerns when picking a pack, then the Raven 14 will surely impress. For other hydration pack suggestions, check out our full gear guide for the best hydration packs.

How We Tested

We tested the Osprey Raven 14 in late winter in Northern California, hiking on trails in local state parks to explore creeks and waterfalls after recent rainstorms. While we weren’t able to test this pack’s performance on a mountain bike, we were still able to analyze its comfort, hydration system performance, durability, organization, water resistance, and weight. 

Some of our tests included pack adjustability to see how easily and in how many different ways we could customize the fit. We also checked for leaks in the hydration system and evaluated how easy it was to clean and air dry after use. We tested for accessibility of compartments and the hydration bladder on the go. And we evaluated the pack’s water resistance by holding it under running water for at least 30 seconds when there was no rain.

The main tester and writer for this review, Emily Parnay, has extensive experience hiking in California and Colorado and has meticulously analyzed and compared this hydration pack to others on the market to determine its value and performance, so we could offer the best recommendations.

Comfort & Fit

The Osprey Raven 14 is a women’s specific hydration pack offering comfort with a padded back panel and cushioned winged shoulder straps. The shoulders, chest strap, and waistbelt can all be adjusted. But, like most day packs, the torso length comes in one size only. Although Osprey put mesh in the back panel, we do feel that breathability could be improved on extra-hot or sweaty days. When carrying a full hydration bladder of water, the weight was distributed evenly on our back, hips, and shoulders, with no areas of discomfort, pinching, or chafing.

We also love how large and convenient the zipper pulls are on all the pockets, making gear easy to access on the go. However, one of our main gripes is the magnet that holds the hydration bladder tube’s mouthpiece to our chest. The tube has to be twisted just right before it’s zippered up so the mouthpiece can lie flat against the magnet. If it doesn’t lie flat, the tube keeps falling down and gets in the way of our arms.

Hydration System

The hydration system in the Osprey Raven 14 is leak-proof, and water is easy to suck from the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece also has a lock feature to engage when not drinking water. While the 2.5-liter bladder is large enough for a short day adventure, we would appreciate at least 3 liters for a full-day trip in hot weather. The handle on the bladder is convenient for filling with water, but the opening is much smaller than we’d like, especially for ease of cleaning and air-drying after use.

The direct-zip access sleeve for the tube on the pack’s shoulder strap is a unique feature, but we didn’t find it to add value to the pack’s design. It added more steps to removing the tube and bladder, making it less convenient if you’re in a pinch on the go. Upon first drinking from the hydration system (even after cleaning after purchase), there was a very intense, plasticky flavor that became more subtle with use, but never fully went away during our testing. 

Compartments

The Osprey Raven 14 is one of the most well-organized packs we tested, with its large variety of compartments, including a bladder pouch, large main compartments, two zippered hipbelt pockets, a smaller top zippered pocket, a dedicated tool pouch, a side water bottle holder, compression straps, and a lidlock helmet attachment. We love the diverse array of pocket sizes, making it easy to keep our gear organized. However, we would have liked the hipbelt pockets to be just a little larger — having hip pockets that fit a standard phone is always a huge bonus!

Overall, the pack holds enough gear for a short day out on the trail. However, for a full-day adventure or if hiking in a climate where layering is essential, we would prefer a larger pack volume to easily carry extra jackets, rain layers, and more water.

Waterproofing

The Osprey Raven 14 is not waterproof and doesn’t come with a rain cover, though it is coated with a durable water repellent (DWR) for water resistance. When only exposed to light moisture, water beads easily off the material without absorbing into the pack. During our field testing, we held each hydration pack under a steady stream of water for at least 30 seconds to see how they would hold up.

The Raven 14 performed about average for a non-waterproof pack. Water definitely soaked through the zippers and got the interior of the pack a bit damp. And the hipbelt, back panel, and shoulder straps (which lack any DWR) got wet immediately and absorbed a lot of water. We were disappointed by how long it took for the Raven 14 to completely dry out — the pack had to sit out overnight to air-dry. Because of this, we wouldn’t recommend this product for adventures in inclement weather.

Durability

The Osprey Raven 14 features durable, top-tier materials and quality construction, with padded straps, beefy plastic clasps, large zipper pulls, reinforced stitching, bluesign-approved 420D nylon, and an outer DWR coating. This pack also comes with Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee, which covers any damage for free for the expected product lifespan.

While hiking with the pack in the field, we did not notice any wear and tear from snagging on branches, brushing past boulders, or repeatedly zipping pockets and clamping/unclamping the chest and waist straps. This is a robust hydration pack that will definitely last for years to come, though it does come with the trade-off of being heavier.

Weight

At 1 pound, 14.4 ounces when empty, the Osprey Raven 14 is not an ultralight option by any means when the pack is empty. For its smaller volume, this pack is one of the heavier options to consider. For a long, strenuous adventure, we would opt for a hydration pack on the lighter and more breathable end of the spectrum. While the Raven 14 excels in durability, quality, compartments, features, and comfort, it comes at the cost of a heavier design.

Also, when this pack gets wet and absorbs moisture, it gets significantly heavier. That makes this pack even more so better suited for clear sunny days on the trail.

Should You Buy the Osprey Raven 14 Hydration Pack?

The Osprey Raven 14 is a top choice for mountain biking and still works well for day hikers. The helmet attachment can also work great for mountain climbers who plan on trekking in higher-class terrains. Although this pack weighs more than we’d like, its durability, secure fit, and numerous pockets make it a great option if you prioritize organization and comfort. The pack features many unique pockets that make it stand out in the market. While we’d prefer a larger pack to store jackets and gear for longer outings, it does the job for shorter adventurers.

If you are looking for a pack that breathes easily and dries quickly when wet, this one may not be your first pick. We did find that the Osprey Raven took a significant time to dry out completely after getting soaked, likely due to the heavier materials used in its construction.

What Other Hydration Packs Should You Consider?

Overall, the Osprey Raven 14 is a great pack to consider. But if it’s not for you, we recommend checking out other top picks in our best hydration packs gear guide, or check out the full reviews of similar packs below.

Osprey Mira/Manta 24 Review: If you want the excellent durability, organization features, and comfort of the Raven 14, but in a larger size with increased volume for gear storage and a better-ventilated back panel, check out the Osprey Mira/Manta packs.

CamelBak Cloudwalker 18 Review: Unlike the Osprey Raven, this pack has a unisex design with slightly more volume, though it comes with fewer organization features and a lighter weight.

Gregory Swift 16/Inertia 18 Review: This pack is also geared towards mountain biking, with a slightly larger hydration bladder capacity and a bit more versatility for day hiking.