🚴💡 E4.12 Review of the Osprey Savu 5 Lumbar Bag

[@mike.thomas]

I have an Osprey Syncro 5 and I like it quite a lot. I love how the bladder can easily be separated from the drinking tube. The secret to cleaning hydration packs is - don’t. I rinse mine out, refill with a few cups of water, and throw it in the freezer. I do this with the Syncro 5 and my Klim Nac Pac bladders, and never an issue. You do need to pull it out before use, and thaw a bit in the sink. I just do that while I’m getting ready before a ride. A big advantage is you start with a nice big ice cube in your water. I also have an Osprey Seral 7, which has a bladder. I really dislike using the bladder due to its weird shape and the fact that the drinking tube does not disconnect from the bag. It would not be as easy to do my freezer trick, and drying the damn thing is a real chore. So in this cooler weather I’ve just been using it as a tool/food bag and carrying a bottle on the bike. It does great in that role. I wish I could occasionally sneak a bottle onto it as the Savu allows. Aside from the bother of the Seral 7 bladder, I REALLY dislike carrying the weight of water in a hip bag. I find the weight of water kind of “disappears” with my Syncro pack on, but I never forget that bouncy, heavy burden strapped around my middle with the Seral 7. Everybody has different bodies and preferences, though. Back to the Syncro, I also LOVE the helmet fastener on it more than I could have ever predicted. I originally considered it a gimmick, but I realized I can get everything I need for a ride, aside from the bike, into - or onto - that bag and just wheel the bike out to the car with the bag over my shoulders. With the Seral, I end up throwing it, and my helmet into a different, larger, backpack to take to the car. It’s all trade-offs, and we’re fortunate to have choices like these. 👍

[@diegomadrid7468]

Thanks for the review! Watching this convinced me to buy one to give it a try. Time to ditch the old backpack and upgrade!

[@havefunandbikestuffOver40]

I'm a new convert to waist packs and I'm a roadie who likes using hi-viz shirts and my fixed gear and e-bike both have zero bottle cages so this bag will help me a bunch. I ordered the cheaper osprey savu 5.

[@bobejin1521]

love my SAVU. I carry a bottle on the bike and 2 bottles on the pack. Just rotate till empty.

[@meh1943]

Good interesting review. I like the information about the pockets and the belt. Helpful!

[@heyg7819]

Going to pick up one now see how I like it. Best way to keep a bladder is just throw it in the freezer after you're done, rarely have to clean it if you just use water.

[@heyg7819]

Update after a 14 mile ride: I had my reservations about the pack after trying the Dakine version a couple of years ago but this pack was super comfortable and had all my kit in it with room to spare, in all fairness I do keep the tire kit minus the tube in the frame storage but I'm sure it would have have fit. I had a bottle on the cage and carried another in the pack and that is enough H2O for a fall ride in the Midwest. A backpack is nice for the instant water but we stop plenty on group MTB rides so that is not a deal breaker. It a bit harder to grab the bottle while riding on a MTB versus a typical gravel ride. If you are on the fence I say grab one and give it a go, REI will accept returns even after a couple of tryouts. I would like to see bike oriented packs add MOLLE attachments to add say a small first aid kit.

[@mike.thomas]

@@heyg7819Agree with MOLLE. Not sure why most (all?) sports pack makers have not caught on.

[@trutheye1]

Thanks for the review, I just bought a Savu 5. Love it.

[@amcloughlin964]

I agree - hate cleaning the water bladder!!! Thanks for the video

[@umfilmmaker8253]

Nice review! I just purchased one for the same reasons that you mentioned. Especially cleaning the bladder on a pack. It’s always way too time consuming.

[@CarlosFlores-ih7dg]

I got one based on your review…. I like it a lot only 1 thing that really annoys me. When I am riding the hip pack tends to slip down making it really annoying but also dangerous when trying to stand up to clear obstacles and the pack getting stuck on the saddle… Am I doing something wrong???? No matter how tight i get it it still slips down. Thanks

[@svanhegan]

Waist size it will fit? 44"

[@kamilbrabec4691]

I have a question please. It s there a space for regular cycling jacket please or it s not possible. I really can t see from any video of there is enough space for that. Thanks for reply.

[@AirstreamMTB]

I am able to stuff my North Face rain jacket into the bag with some extra room on top. My rain jacket doesn't have an lining and collapses into one of its pockets.

[@loopygamer]

do you think this would fit underneath the mutant 38 backpack, when I'm wanting a little bit extra storage on a hike ?

[@geckomabster1625]

Hi, Just want clarify the material of this Davy 5 of yours which different from the newer made, is the honey comb design printed or it’s a weaving pattern? Thanks a lot!

[@geckomabster1625]

Typo error: Savu 5 rather

[@AlexeyDnepr]

Savu compatible with hydration bladder?

[@AirstreamMTB]

It is not compatible with a hydration bladder. The Seral 4 or Seral 7 come with bladders.

[@matticus6339]

Looks like my solution. My bike only has mounts for 1 bottle holder. I have only 1 bike at the moment and have started doing some 30 to 50 mile urban routes and need more than 1 bottle. I had on the back standard packs and I hate bladders. This hip back with 2 bottles sounds like a total winner. I can have 3 total bottles and use the one on bike until empty and then switch with a full bottle. Does the bag sag on 1 side at all if you have a full bottle on one side and an empty on the other?

[@matticus6339]

Meant to say I hate standard on the back packs.

[@AirstreamMTB]

I don't notice any sagging (side or otherwise) with only 1 bottle. When I have 2 bottles, the weight will cause some sagging, but I just tighten the straps a little more and it's good to go.

[@dashcoxon4727]

Nice review thanks, You have convinced me to buy one 😂😂

[@lirilane5190]

thanks for showing grams too :D

[@bryanpalafox1871]

Does anybody here know if this bag works well for running?

[@jaysonpascual3409]

Hi, what would be the difference between savu 4 and savu 5? Thanks from 🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@AirstreamMTB]

I'm not aware of a "Savu 4". There is a "Savu 2" which doesn't have the additional hip pockets or water bottle sleeves. There is a "Seral 4" which includes a hydration bag.

[@karenh2945]

your camera needs to be somewhere else so your hands and arms aren't blocking the view

[@amityislander7540]

Colin Robinson

[@JerryNelsonBike]

Terrible pack sent mine back.