Reviews You Can Rely On

Osprey Syncro 10 Review

The Syncro scores well across the board; this is a lightweight, yet fully featured, hydration pack
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osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review
Osprey Syncro 10
Credit: www.ospreypacks.com
Price:  $110 List
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Manufacturer:   Osprey
By Jason Cronk ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 15, 2017
81
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Ease of Drinking - 20% 7.0
  • Ease of Filling - 20% 9.0
  • Comfort - 20% 9.0
  • Storage - 20% 6.0
  • Weight - 10% 9.0
  • Ease of Cleaning - 10% 10.0

Our Verdict

The Osprey Syncro 10 shares many of the features of the other 3(ish) liter liquid/10 liter cargo capacity packs in our hydration pack review, but comes in at a lower weight. This pack is for the rider who wants new pack technology but in more of a minimalist package.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Comfortable
Decent storage
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Less support

Our Analysis and Test Results

While some hydration packs come equipped with gizmos and features galore, the Osprey Syncro 10 finds a sweet spot for riders, hikers, and runners. The pack has several cool features like an inline quick disconnect fitting for easy cleaning and filling, as well as several specialty storage pockets and even a removable rain cover. Maybe best of all is the highly breathable mesh back panel that keeps you cool.

Performance Comparison


osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the lightweight, bike-oriented pack even proved itself while spring...
The lightweight, bike-oriented pack even proved itself while spring backcountry ski touring.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Ease of Drinking


The Hydrapak Blaster valve didn't provide the highest flow rates in our test (that went to CamelBak's bite valve) but fell somewhere in the middle. While it was not difficult to find the best spot to bite on the valve, the Hydrapak bite valves are a bit positional. After using the valve a couple of times, the best location to bite for the maximum flow was apparent. The Hydrapak Blaster valves also feature a shut-off function, easily used by a 90-degree rotation of the valve itself - to a marked stop point on the housing of the valve.


The Syncro 10 is supplied with a 2.5-liter Hydraulics LT hydration bladder, which is similar to the Osprey Raptor 10 but 0.5 liters smaller. The bladder is stored inside the main compartment of the pack and has a quick disconnect fitting, which is conveniently located at the top of the bladder, in an inline position on the drinking tube.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - open the large compartment with the hydration sleeve.
Open the large compartment with the hydration sleeve.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Like the Raptor 10, the bladder is made from a flexible TPU film construction that is BPA, phthalate, lead-free and is of food grade quality. While seemingly not as puncture-resistant as the bladders of the Deuter Compact Air EXP 12 or the Platypus Duthie A.M. 10, it seemed on par with CamelBak's products and shouldn't be an issue if you keep the sharp and pokey things away from it. The Syncro's hydration bladder skips the stiffening and protective Hydrostatic Backerplate of the beefier Osprey Raptor 10 for further weight savings.

After the quick disconnect fitting, the drinking tube exits the pack through an opening at the top and routes down the left shoulder strap. The Syncro's drinking tube is a relatively flexible plastic material and is easily routed through the left shoulder strap. It's not too soft and not too firm; the flexibility is in the middle.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the inline quick disconnect fitting of the drinking tube.
The inline quick disconnect fitting of the drinking tube.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Attached to the tube is Osprey's Hydrapak Blaster bite valve. The bite valve has a magnetic clip that easily attaches to the opposite half of the sternum strap which keeps your water easily in reach and a controlled location - although we did occasionally dislodge it accidentally. Depending on your location and the makeup of your soils, you may find the magnetic clip attracting various dirt particles. This didn't affect the functionality of our test model.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - magnetism for drinking tube clips and for random rocks.
Magnetism for drinking tube clips and for random rocks.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Ease of Filling


The Syncro 10's hydration bladder, the Hydraulics LT 2.5-Liter features a wide opening bladder that makes filling up no problem. The fully-opening water bladder is similar to the Platypus Duthie A.M. 10 and the Deuter Compact Air EXP 12 in that they all provide complete and easy access for filling up. In shallow sinks, the Pour Shield makes filling easier.


osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - fill it up!
Fill it up!
Credit: Jason Cronk

The 2.5-liter bladder is housed in its dedicated sleeve inside the main compartment which keeps the wet stuff in its place, although not completely separating it from the rest of the pack in case of leaks or spills. Access is then gained by opening the zipper to the main compartment. Once your hydration bladder is topped off, fold the top flap of the bag over itself and slide the Slide Seal clamp across the upper part of the bladder.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the heavy-duty bladder closure.
The heavy-duty bladder closure.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Once you've secured that, go ahead, tip it upside down, shake it, and be impressed by the magic that keeps this bladder watertight! This system makes filling up an easy task no matter where your adventures take you.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the hydraulics lt 2.5 liter hydration bladder.
The Hydraulics LT 2.5 liter hydration bladder.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Comfort


The Syncro 10 is supported by a tensioned mesh sheet that attaches to the main pack bag where there is a wire frame, much like the Duthie A.M. 10's construction.


When it came to breathability, our testers remained undecided between the Platypus Duthie A.M. 10 and the Syncro 10. Both packs did a superior job in keeping the pack to back contact to a minimum and were the coolest in our test.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the tensioned mesh frame of the syncro keeps your back well...
The tensioned mesh frame of the Syncro keeps your back well ventilated, adding to the comfort levels.
Credit: Jason Cronk

An aid in keeping you cool, Osprey utilizes breathable mesh for all surfaces that contact your body, including a minimalist air mesh/webbing hip belt and well-ventilated shoulder straps.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - testing breathability on a long sweaty climb at 7700'. the lidlock...
Testing breathability on a long sweaty climb at 7700'. The LidLock on the Syncro comes in handy for your helmet, too.
Credit: Jason Cronk

We used the pack for mountain biking, hiking, as well as trail running and found the pack was comfortable, well-ventilated, and moved well with us even with the wire frame.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the pack stays put and moves with the torso no matter what the...
The pack stays put and moves with the torso no matter what the activity.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Storage


While the Syncro 10 isn't the largest capacity in our hydration pack review, this Best Buy winner does contain ample storage for fast and light riding, hiking, running, and yes, even spring skiing missions.


With two main compartments for storage, the Syncro 10 is a much simpler pack than its sibling, the Osprey Raptor 10, with its bike-specific extras. When looking at the front of the pack (the side away from the back), there are two zippers present. The top zip houses a "Front Stash Pocket" which is a scratch-free material for glasses, goggles, or phone storage, while the lower zipper access the small compartment that houses the integrated rain cover. Similar to the Deuter Compact Air EXP 12, the safety yellow cover stretches over the entire pack to keep it dry.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - shown here is the integrated rain cover, included with your purchase!
Shown here is the integrated rain cover, included with your purchase!
Credit: Jason Cronk

To lessen the weight, the cover can easily be removed if you're not riding in wet areas. The Syncro also has a LidLock helmet keeper for carrying your helmet when you're climbing on hot days. The large outer pocket houses a sewn-in key clip up top. Immediately below this are two stretchy mesh pockets that span the width of the pack and are ~ 7"x4.5". Next to the mesh pockets are three elasticized loops stitched to the left side of the pouch (for pump storage). The lower portion of this compartment is just open space.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the main compartment storage found on the syncro 10. this model is...
The main compartment storage found on the Syncro 10. This model is bested by several models in this metric.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Inside the next compartment is the largest chamber, which opens with double zipper sliders and contains the hydration bladder which is stored in a thin nylon divider, away from your gear. The lower portions of the sides of the pack each have stretch mesh pockets, although these don't have any means to secure equipment stored inside them.

Weight


At 1 lb 9.6 oz, the Syncro 10 is the lightweight for its volume. If shaving ounces is your idea of fun, this pack might be for you!


If you're after more of a minimalist model, we recommend the CamelBak Rogue or the Camelbak Classic, which weigh 12.8 and 11.2 ounces, respectively.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the syncro is comfortable on both the uphill and downhill while...
The Syncro is comfortable on both the uphill and downhill while hiking.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Ease of Cleaning


The Syncro 10 outscored its relative, the Osprey Raptor 10, scoring a perfect 10 out of 10.


The Syncro edged out the Raptor with its quick disconnect fitting and quick access main compartment location.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - push the button of the quick disconnect fitting.
Push the button of the quick disconnect fitting.
Credit: Jason Cronk

The hydration bladder is easily accessed through the main compartment zipper. You can then unbuckle the small keeper buckle and lift the bladder out with the integrated handle.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - lift the bladder out of the hydration sleeve with the handle.
Lift the bladder out of the hydration sleeve with the handle.
Credit: Jason Cronk

The cleaning process is easy, and our testers were able to reach their whole hand in with various brushes and sponges to scrub and dry the inside of the bladder.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - a wide opening, like one found on the syncro, provides complete...
A wide opening, like one found on the Syncro, provides complete access for cleaning.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Best Applications


This pack not only performed great while on the bike, but it also shined while hiking and running too.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the syncro hits the downhill in south lake tahoe.
The Syncro hits the downhill in South Lake Tahoe.
Credit: Jason Cronk

The Syncro 10 even skied with us this spring! While it doesn't have the degree support of the Platypus Duthie A.M. 10 or the Osprey Skarab 18 when we loaded the pack down with more weight, it performs admirably with lighter loads.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - the syncro is at home hiking as well as on the mountain bike.
The Syncro is at home hiking as well as on the mountain bike.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Value


With a price similar to that of the CamelBak M.U.L.E., the Osprey Syncro 10 comes in a bit cheaper than several of the other competitors in our lineup of higher capacity packs. Osprey products are also covered by their "All Mighty Guarantee" which covers your pack from "any damage or any defect" for the lifetime of the pack. They will replace it if they can't repair it. It is the best warranty of all the packs we tested.

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - after a sweaty uphill, it's nice to have a dry back for the downhill...
After a sweaty uphill, it's nice to have a dry back for the downhill thanks to the stretch mesh back sheet.
Credit: Jason Cronk

Conclusion


Are you someone who likes endurance activities like mountain biking, trail running, and hiking? Do you count the ounces or even grams on your back? If you fall into this category, the Osprey Syncro 10 just might be the hydration pack for you!

osprey syncro 10 hydration pack review - whether on foot or wheels, the syncro is a solid performer
Whether on foot or wheels, the Syncro is a solid performer
Credit: Jason Cronk

Jason Cronk