Hi, I’m Osprey athlete Ben Clark. Today, I’m going to be showing you the Osprey Manta series, part of the innovative, new Osprey Hydraulics line. I spend a lot of time moving fast on the trails around my home in Telluride, Colorado and these packs are perfect for that pursuit. The foundation of all Osprey Hydraulics packs is the HydraForm reservoir. Osprey partnered with Nalgene to create this one-of-a-kind water carry system. The reservoir design sandwiches an anatomically-shaped, molded plastic sheet between a layer of nylon fabric and the reservoir back. This forces the reservoir to conform to the backs complex shape, even when full and eliminates barreling. The result is a more precise, stable, and comfortable fit. Additionally, this reservoir has a rigid handle and spine that stabilizes the load of the water while also serving as a more convenient design to slide the reservoir into the pack. The HydraLock internal frame provides a dedicated space for the full reservoir so that when loaded it does not affect cargo volume. It effectively squeezes the reservoir, supplying hydraulic pressure to increase the flow and minimize water motion. It also provides a perfect anchor point for the vertical spine of the reservoir, preventing lateral instability and locking the water load in the overall pack structure. The reservoir is further compressed at the top end with load lifter straps. This keeps the pack stabilized during recurring and unexpected motion. The Manta series back panel borrows from our tried, true and tested air speed technology. A peripheral light wire frame supports the ventilated mesh backpanel with the ridgefoam backing providing further comfort and stability. These packs also feature Osprey’s BioStretch harness, elastic sternum strap and built-in magnet for quick-bite valve attachment. The BioStretch hip belt features zippered side-pockets and a modified straight ergo-pull closure. Both are made with stretchable materials that allow free body motion with minimal pack balance. The Manta series comes in three volumes: the Manta 30 at 1800 cubic inches, the Manta 25 at 1500 cubic inches, and the Manta 20 at 1200 cubic inches. Now let’s look at some common features on the Manta packs – top zipper pocket for quick access, helmet attachment daisy, front stretch woven pocket, upper-side compression straps, separate pockets for your keys and sunglasses so you don’t get scratches, integrated rain cover, stow on-the-go trekking pole attachment, safety blinker patch, zippered hip belt pockets, 3 liter reservoir included. The Manta packs all come in two torso lengths for great fit. Check out the sizing and fitting page on Ospreypacks.com to figure out your size. All in all, the Manta series is a great multi-sport pack for active pursuits when you want your hydration hands-free.