Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack Review

The Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack was designed with mountain biking in mind but could easily be used for day hiking and trail running adventures, as well.

I’d recommend this hydration pack to a variety of different users. Day hikers, cyclists, and trail runners for sure. It holds a lot of water, a little bit of gear, and it’s lightweight and comfortable to wear.

In this review, I’ll focus on comfort, storage, hydration, and the pros and cons of the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack based on my personal experience using it for hiking, cycling, and trail running.

Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack Overview

Let’s take a look at the basic overview of the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack.

The Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack has a gear capacity of 8 liters. There is a 2.5-liter hydration bladder included, but you could easily downgrade to a 1 or 1.5-liter hydration bladder if you would prefer a smaller one. There is a lot of room for gear and some features for attaching items to the pack.

The hydration system includes a special compartment for the water bladder. There is a clip where you can easily secure the bladder in place. The bladder hose and reservoir go through a secure hose path through the shoulder strap system of the pack.

I chose this hydration pack out of other Osprey hydration packs based on the liter capacity. I needed something that could carry the basics that I need when doing shorter hikes, trail running, or cycling trips. I also wanted to be able to take a decent amount of water with me, which is why I chose this with the 2.5-liter water bladder that was included in the purchase.

Fit, Comfort, and Carry System

Now, let’s discuss the fit, comfort, and carry system of the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack.

It’s a frameless pack that was designed for comfort and stability during use. It can fit a 17-to-21-inch torso and a waist of 25 to 50 inches. There are adjustable straps to make the pack fit you properly and be secured for use.

The straps are very breathable, and the pack is very ventilated. This pack was comfortable to wear during trail running in 109-degree summer heat with high humidity. Like with any pack, my back sweated, but the pack was vented enough that it would dry quickly.

The harness system is fully featured and very comfortable. You can adjust the straps to fit the pack better around your figure and even move the chest harness straps up and down to your preferred level. The pack is very stable when I am trail running, hiking, and cycling.

Storage and Organization

The storage and organization of the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack is one of the main reasons I got the pack in the first place.

The main compartment (zipper) is a deep pocket that can hold extra layers and bigger gear. There are a few pockets within the main compartment, with one being able to zip up and the others being on the bottom without zippers. There is a separate compartment for your hydration bladder, which is also a zipper-based compartment.

There is also an adjustable pocket on the outside of the pack. There are numerous features on the pack, including a key clip inside, a helmet holder on the outside, and a blinker light attachment (also reflective) for your bike light or something like that. The zipper compartments are a U-shape zipper design.

I usually carry the same things in the pack for all my activities. I will carry a small microfiber towel in the outside pocket. On the inside, I carry a small first aid kit, toilet paper, gels and snacks, a water bottle full of electrolytes, a flashlight, and a knife, as well as my wallet and keys, and everything feels secure and comfortable.

Build Quality and Materials

The Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack is made from 400-denier recycled high-tenacity nylon. It is BPA-free. The frame includes Atilon foam and is made from recycled materials.

The zippers are high-quality. I can zip up fast and slowly without any issues. The stitching seems to be very strong and durable.

The Material is made from recycled nylon with a PFAS-free durable water repellent (DWR) finish. I have worn the pack in rainy conditions, and the gear inside the packed stayed dry. It did not seem damp inside the pack, either.

The reservoir has a 2.5-liter water bladder, and it is BPA-free. There is a hose routing throughout the pack to bring the bite valve to my front for easy access. The bladder has never leaked and is very easy to take out and clean.

Osprey has good overall craftsmanship. They also have great warranties where they will fix or replace gear that is ripped or broken. My last day pack lasted me about 8 years before it started showing signs of wear and tear, and I’m on my gear.

Real-World Performance

Now we can take a look at how the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack performs during rugged outdoor activities.

I’ve used the pack for short hikes. If I go to a nature preserve or a short loop where I don’t require a lot of gear, I’ll take this pack to help take the weight off my back. It holds everything I need and is very lightweight and comfortable.

I use the pack when I go mountain biking and when I race a gravel ride every early spring. The pack has always done great and has never given me any issues. I like how it conforms to my body when I’m on really tight and narrow single-track trail on a bike, so that nothing gets snagged or caught on natural debris,

I mainly bought and use this pack for trail running. I used to run a half-marathon and had zero issues while running it. The pack stayed on me securely and never felt imbalanced as I ran with it full of water.

Over a long period of time, wearing the pack, I never noticed any sort of discomfort. There are a lot of strengths to this pack. The only weakness I see is the lack of a waistbelt, and sometimes the little strap-based waistbelt it has would get under my shirt and ride up a little bit.

Pros and Cons of the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack

Now let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack.

Pros

• Lightweight and breathable
• Comfortable fit
• Smart storage layout
• Trusted Osprey quality

Cons

• Limited storage for longer hikes
• Not ideal for heavy loads
• Lack of a good waistbelt
• Appears to be discontinued

Who the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack is Best For

• Day hikers (short trips)
• Cyclists
• Trail runners who need more storage
• Shorter outdoor activities

Who Should Skip this Pack

• Backpackers
• Winter hikers with bulky gear
• Users who prefer frame-supported packs
• Those who take a lot of gear

Final Verdict of the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack

I’m very satisfied with the Osprey Siskin 8 Hydration Pack. It was a great purchase, and it has served me well in hiking, cycling, and especially trail running. My only real complaint is the lack of a better waistbelt system.

You can purchase this hydration pack from REI for around $97. It’s being discontinued because Osprey tends to upgrade their packs each year. If you can get one before they quit selling it, I’d recommend you do. Using my link will give me a commission, but it doesn’t impact your price.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!