Osprey  Savu 5 Waist Pack

Our local trails have a variety from fast and flowy to chunky gnar, with some steep ups and downs, and the occasional big log thrown in. I took the Savu 5 out for a chilly morning ride with enough accoutrements to support a 2 hour ride: frame pump, multi-tool, tubeless tire plugs/tool, phone, snack. I keep a tube and levers on the bike, along with a bottle of water. The Savu sits comfortably on the waist and did not bounce, though I have not tested it yet with a larger load. Typically, a waist pack will get floppy when loaded with too much stuff so it's nice that the Savu has large side hip pockets to better balance the load rather than cramming everything into the main pack. The zippered hip pockets are large enough to fit a phone, though I wouldn't recommend that because if you fall on your side you can kiss your phone bye-bye. They are better for easy access items like snacks or tubeless repair (the quicker you can access a plug while your tire is psssst-ing, the better!). I do somewhat wish the pockets did not have zips but instead had the elastic material/closure, or at least one of the pockets was like that, but <shrugs>. Organization in the main pack is good, with an easy access outer pocket that is large enough for a phone, a main pocket with two inner zippered pockets - one with a key lanyard, and a security pocket closer to the body that would be good for holding a wallet or ID or other such thinner items. I used the pack on a chilly morning ride, so I can't speak to it's comfort level on a hot and humid summer ride. It is a bit of a let-down that the Savu 5 does not have the same Airscape backpanel as the Seral, even though the description makes it sound like they are the same -- look close and you see that the Seral has a ridged backpanel with a center channel, whereas the Savu just has the same material as used with the hip belt pockets. Osprey, why? I chose the Savu because in my experience a hydration bladder on a waist pack causes the pack to flop too much and the hose is annoying. Though I typically use a water bottle on the bike for shorter rides, or go to a pack/vest for longer rides requiring more water, I like having the option to hold a bottle on the waist pack - the Savu has large pockets to hold two full size bottles, and they appear to be very secure (though I have not tested). Time will tell how the Savu holds up. Pros: - comfortable and secure (no bounce!) on the waist - easy belt adjustment - good organization - large side hip belt pockets for holding easy access items like snacks or repair gear - easy access outer zippered pocket can hold phone - secure water bottle pockets Cons: - no ridged Airscape back panel with center channel, like the Seral - side hip belt pockets are zippered - wish at least one was a quick access elastic

New design generation is a big fail. Osprey removed the firm fabric around the water bottle holders, and replaced with flimsy, elastic collar fabric. It is nearly impossible to return and insert the water bottle to the holder without looking or single handed, definitely not while moving on your bike. No longer a true biker’s hip back. Too bad as Savu 5 was once a great, minimalist hip pack with easy, no-look water bottle pockets; now it’s ruined.

Your arms hit the bottle pockets when swinging normally. It’s really annoying and I found myself holding my arms forward and bent to avoid it.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The waist band is too wide for my body. When on hips, it interferes with leg movement. If worn high enough to give leg clearance, it interferes with breathing. Appreciate the features and construction. Lots of pockets in the right places. Plenty of capacity for gear and water bottles. Zippers, fabric, and construction are top notch. Bands to capture water bottles are brilliant. Wish the waistband was more narrow so it fit me.

Great quality but disappointed that it has lots of small pockets but not actually much space to put anything! A lot of lovely bag but not much space for tools, spares , first aid or a rain jacket.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] We use the Savu 5 while mountain biking, hiking and morning power 5K walks. Great storage capability.

Very comfortable and enough space for all the items I wanted it for.