Osprey Gets Hip to the Hip Pack for Mountain Biking with the Seral and Savu

Osprey introduces two new hip packs designed specifically for mountain biking: the Seral and Savu.

By Jeff Barber
September 19, 2018 Last Updated: July 19, 2021

11 comments

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The Osprey Savu hip pack. all photos: Jeff Barber

Osprey is officially getting into the hip pack game for mountain biking.

For years, mountain bikers have been choosing the Osprey Talon 6 for singletrack shenanigans, despite the fact that the pack was originally designed for hiking and trail running. We know plenty of riders who swear by this pack for mountain biking, but Osprey figured they could do better.

With that in mind, the company is offering not one but two new hips packs for 2019 designed specifically for mountain biking.

Osprey Seral

The Seral is the larger of the two new hip packs, and includes a 1.5L hydration reservoir. Osprey keeps the signature magnetic hose attachment the company is known for, and combines it with a wide waist belt and well-ventilated back panel.

Speaking of the waist belt, the design for both the Seral and Savu hip packs began with flipping the Talon belt upside. Hikers and bikers utilize very different body positions, so it was important for these bike-specific packs to take that into account.

The Seral offers a total of 7L of carrying capacity, and will retail for $85 USD which includes the hydration bladder.

Osprey Savu

A bungee-style cable keeps the bottle in place, while a rigid plastic plate (ride side of the pouch) gives the pack shape and adds to the overall stability.

The Savu packs plenty of easy-access storage while still offering the option for hauling a decent amount of water. Dual water-bottle holders feature a rigid plastic plate that allows the pack to keep its shape and stability. For those who choose to keep bottles on the bike, the plate can be shifted to flatten the pack and keep the load even more stable.

Both packs utilize dual cinch straps on each side to tighten up the load, and easy-access side pockets for small items like energy bars or a multi-tool.

The Osprey Savu is a more compact pack than the Seral with just 4L of storage capacity, and does not come with water bottles. MSRP: $55 USD.

The Seral and Savu are part of Osprey’s Spring 2019 collection, and should be available early next year.

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11 Comments

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Mr Mojo Risin West Virginia // 2015
Sep 19, 2018

@Jeff Barber- Doesn't the strap around your waist dig into your stomach? Especially when it's hot out? I'm skinny but the thought of a strap digging into my stomach vs my shoulders seems less than appealing. I'd have to assume there is a fine line between it being too tight and being uncomfortable vs too loose and sliding down? Still with the arguments you made, it seems like way more of a hassle with limited benefit.

To each their own, I'm glad it works for you. Life would be less fun if we all did things the same way.

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tommy2chainz Pennsylvania // 2017
Sep 20, 2018

I like not having a backpack on my pack when it's hot as well; there is more air flow and I sweat less without something covering my back. Most good backpacks have hip belts to intentionally put the load on the hips, all backpacking backpacks do; putting weight lower on your body creates a lower center of gravity (look at the new low rider Camelbak backpacks). Hip packs have been around for a bit in other sports as well, I started wearing a hip pack fishing and liked it so much that I started wearing it biking as well.

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Sep 19, 2018

Yeah, if the strap isn't configured the right way, it can be uncomfortable. The idea is for the weight to rest on your hips, so the band should be tight on the sides, but not on the front (stomach) if that makes sense. We're seeing the belts themselves getting wider and more contoured, which helps distribute the pressure better.

Called2RideMTB Maryland // 2017
Jul 25, 2019

I finally bought the Seral and I love it. It gets really hot and humid here and the Raptor was just too hot. Using the Seral meant rearranging some things and deciding what's important, but not having a "sweatbox" sitting on my back has helped me want to stay on the bike a bit longer in the heat. Spring and Fall will definitely see the Raptor go back in place as I like to carry a light jacket and sometimes a spare jersey, but for summer, the hip pack is a definite plus!

I'd bet a pretty penny that if hip packs had dominated the scene over the past dozen years or so and then backpack hydration packs started popping up, riders would be flocking to the backpacks. Hip packs come across as nothing but trendy to me. They can't hold as much and they bounce around much more on the trail. I'm all about new tech and progression but I just don't get hip packs. Wouldn't be shocked if the trend completely expires within the next 5 years.

Interesting. I stopped wearing backpacks 4 or 5 years ago and won't go back. I find them much more comfortable than a backpack, especially when it's hot.

With the return of the water bottle cage to FS bikes, and all the stash tools, bikepacking bags, etc. it's easy to get away with a small hip pack, even for long rides, if that's what you want to do. Some people are picking up hip packs as a second bag to use just for after work rides on local trails.

FredCook Texas // 2007
Sep 19, 2018

"I’d bet a pretty penny that if hip packs had dominated the scene over the past dozen years or so and then backpack hydration packs started popping up, riders would be flocking to the backpacks."

Agree!

I just can't imagine riding with the weight down around my hip is as comfortable or stable as a well fitted backpack. Not with the kind of body language riding rough terrain calls for. Maybe it's just me.

mpmoutside 2018
Dec 2, 2019

Love my osprey savu. Like others have said it’s much cooler in hot and humid weather and if put on your hips not around your gut it’s extremely comfortable. I myself will never go back to a backpack.

Mr Mojo Risin West Virginia // 2015
Nov 30, 2020

Okay, ready to eat some crow on this one. I bought the Osprey Savu last year and it's pretty rad I must admit. I always assumed hip packs would bounce around or dig into your stomach while riding like a tight belt, but that's simply not the case. I often forget mine is there and having a back that can breath and doesn't leave me sweaty is so nice. Yep, they are legit and not a gimmick.

Moto Bike Mike Alabama // 2018
Sep 22, 2018

Osprey makes awesome gear, so it is likely that these are top notch. That said, I LOVE my Osprey Raptor 14 pack and doubt I'll be buying anything else for some time.

Brad Beadles 2017
Sep 19, 2018

if my talon wasn't still going strong, i'd still opt for another osprey bag, that savu looks more comfortable with more features than the original talon

Osprey Seral

Osprey Savu

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