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Colorado-based Osprey has been making bags and packs for over 50 years and you can find pretty much any thing you could need within their range. The Savu 2 is a lightweight and compact lumbar pack for carrying a single water bottle and some trail essentials. Whether you need a little extra to compliment your on-bike storage or just want something simple for quick rides, the Savu 2 is a versatile option. While I reviewed the pack primarily as a mountain and gravel bike bag, the versatility of something like this means it also could be used for hiking and other activities. My main testing involved a 5 day mountain and gravel bike tour through the Italian Dolomite mountains. Read on for my full Osprey Savu 2 review.
Comfort and Fit
In the past, I’ve had trouble with larger hip packs bouncing around while mountain biking and either throwing off my balance or dragging down and hitting my tire, so I was interested to see how the Osprey Savu 2 would perform. Keep in mind, at a listed capacity of 2 liters, the Savu 2 is sized for the basics and not to act as a backpack replacement. Because of this, the weight is nice and light at right around .59 of a pound. To secure the lumbar pack around your waist, the Airmesh wrap hipbelt combines with Osprey’s ErgoPull closure system, which is a fancy name for straps that tighten by pulling forward instead of backwards. Those Airmesh vented belt wraps were a welcome feature as the intense heat of the sun came down on me when we began a 3000 ft climb on tarmac. One of the obvious advantages of a hip pack compared to a backpack is minimizing the sweat build up on your back by allowing it to breathe. The small footprint of the Savu 2 combined with the vented belt sides worked well.
To test the Osprey Savu 2, I took it to the Dolomites for a 5 day bike tour and loaded it up each day with a Bivo stainless steel water bottle, some gels and gummies, and a packable rain jacket. The pack was pretty easy to cinch down to the right tightness with the pull forward straps but loosening them in small increments isn’t quite as smooth as I’d like. There is probably a trade off between security and adjustability. I always appreciate when a company adds loops for organizing the extra strap length and Osprey includes these on the waist straps. I wore the Savu 2 on huge 4000 ft descents and climbs on mixed and rocky terrain on both gravel and mountain bikes and I never was aware of its presence in a negative way. That is the best compliment I can give a lumbar pack. It didn’t bounce around or interfere with my riding in any way.
Storage and bottle access
Unlike larger packs, the Savu 2 isn’t going to carry a ton of water and the kitchen sink in it, as it’s designed for shorter rides or supplementing on-bike storage. That said, I was able to carry exactly what I needed in most situations. Starting with hydration, instead of a bladder and hose system, the Savu 2 gives you a dedicated slot for a water bottle and it can accommodate short or tall bottle sizes without issue. For rougher terrain, Osprey includes a little bungee strap that you slip over the bottle spout to keep it retained. While the angled position of the bottle carrier made it easy enough to access while riding, less advanced riders with less developed on-bike balance may have a bit of trouble removing the retaining strap and removing the bottle and replacing both while riding. There is no question that a hose with a magnet is easier to use. However, if you are stopped, I found it easy to spin the pack around to the front for access to the bottle and the zippered pockets.
Spin the Savu 2 around to the front if needed
Speaking of the zippered pockets, Osprey thankfully added a little touch of organization in there to help maximize the space. Each pocket has a mesh pocket on the side to keep smaller items in place. I used these for things like a small tube of sunblock and keys. There is even a key ring to make sure those don’t fall out. I found I could stuff a lightweight rain jacket into one of the pockets, while still having room for snacks in the other. I usually carried an extra pair of gloves in there for the long days in the Dolomites as well. Since I had a top tube bag and water bottle cage on my bike, I never felt the need for more storage space. However, think about your individual carry needs before deciding on a smaller sized lumbar pack.
Osprey Savu 2 Hip Pack Review: Summary
The Osprey Savu 2 is an excellent small lumbar pack for biking and should be a strong contender for anyone considering this style of bag. When combined with on-bike storage, it can be the perfect amount of storage for almost any occasion. For those who prefer water bottles to bladder and hose systems, the Savu 2 holds a bottle well and makes it pretty easy to get to while riding. Ride essentials like snacks and a layer stay organized in the zippered pockets. The well designed hip belt and ventilated padding lead to a secure and comfortable carry. Finally, as a bonus, the Savu 2 is also great for short hikes. For more info or to check one out for yourself, visit osprey.com or amazon.com.