FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—Osprey launched a line of hydration packs to the European bike market at Eurobike, where it exhibited for the first time.
Well-established in the outdoor industry, the 35-year-old pack brand is hoping to appeal to bike dealers with its new line of hydration packs designed for cycling.
“We are introducing the brand to a whole new set of people. We’re not going to rest on our laurels,” said Martin Garnish, marketing and technical support for Osprey Europe.
Garnish said although the hydration market is quite neatly sewn up by existing market leaders, Osprey has the technical expertise to make an impact. Osprey has spent the past three years developing its Hydraulics line, testing more than 100 prototypes during that time.
“We got ourselves established for the first season and we hope to make a small foothold. We’re not expecting to steal 50 percent of it from CamelBak and Deuter the first year,” Garnish said.
The Hydraulics line includes two series that integrate hydration into technical packs with an exclusive HydraLock system. Designed to increase water flow and minimize water motion, it has a specific reservoir with a stiff anatomically shaped backpanel and a front handle that slides into a dedicated sleeve in the frame.
The Raptor series has bike specific features including internal organization for ride accessories and the LidLock, an elastic that easily attaches a helmet to the outside of the pack. The Raptor is available in three colors and four sizes holding 6 to 18 liters.
The Manta series is larger volume multi-use packs designed for long-distance endurance races that have a built-in rain cover. The Manta comes in three colors and three sizes holding 17 to 30 liters.
Osprey Europe will make the Hydraulics line available to European outdoor and bike retailers this February. U.S. dealers will have to wait until spring 2011 when Osprey plans to launch the Hydraulics line in the U.S. bike market.
—Megan Tompkins
Photo: Martin Garnish displays the Osprey Raptor pack.
