We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more Forbes Vetted The 9 Best Hydration Packs That Keep Essential Fluids Within Reach Chris Haslam Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Following May 23, 2023, 12:49pm EDT | Share to
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Twitter Share to Linkedin Whether you're running, mountain biking, hiking or even dancing at a festival, the best hydration packs quench your thirst no matter the adventure. Compact yet comfortable, they feature a built-in water supply to keep you hydrated without interrupting your momentum. And although they usually offer less space than a traditional daypack , their ergonomic designs, adjustable straps and additional storage compartments make it easy to pack for fast and light travel in a variety of conditions. The best hydration packs make it easy to access essential fluids. Illustration: Forbes/Photo: Retailer Once only seen on the backs of mud-splattered mountain bikers, specialist hydration packs are now recommended for anyone taking part in high-output activities like hiking and trail running—and in some circumstances, they’re required. For example, anyone planning on running an ultra now legally needs to wear a hydration vest, and most seasoned ultra runners suggest wearing one anyway. Combine these reservoirs with the best in lightweight fabrics, well-engineered straps and fastenings, plus storage for any essentials, and you've got a selection of bags just waiting for adventure. Admittedly, a dedicated hydration pack can sometimes feel like overkill for short runs, rides and casual hikes, but having enough water with you, especially in warmer weather, is essential. If you're sweating, you need to replace lost fluids to protect yourself against heat stress, maintain normal body function, and importantly, maximize your performance levels. Below are our top hydration packs for hiking, cycling, day trips and even kids, each of which comes with either a water reservoir or soft flasks. Some are designed for specific sports, but we've also included a smattering of hybrid options that could help keep you hydrated throughout the day. Best Hydration Pack For Most People : CamelBak Octane 16 Best Hydration Pack For Hiking: Osprey Manta 24 Best Value Hiking Hydration Pack: Gregory Nano 18 Best Hydration Pack For Cycling: Thule Uptake 12L Best Hydration Pack For Mountain Biking: CamelBak Chase Best Lightweight Running Hydration Vest: Rab Veil 6L Best Hybrid Running Hydration Pack: Inov-8 Race Ultra Pro 2in1 Best Hydration Pack For Kids: Camelbak Mini M.U.L.E Best Festival Hydration Pack: Lunchbox Hydration Pack MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Tinted Sunscreens That Give A Protective Glow By Zoe Schaeffer Contributor The Best Twin Mattresses For Kids At Every Age And Stage By Korin Miller Contributor Best Hydration Pack For Most People Stylish, Versatile And Ready For Anything Backcountry CamelBak Octane 16L With Fusion 2L Hydration Pack Activity: Hiking, everyday use | Pack volume: 16 liters | Water volume: 2 liters | Weight: 1.43 pounds The CamelBak Octane stands out as a rare example of a dedicated hydration pack loaded with trail-specific features that's stylish enough to be used as a daypack, or even a work bag. The Cordura Nylon 75 denier fabric makes the bag super strong, and appreciably lighter than most, while the semi-ridged EVA foam back panel, with molded air channels, does an impressive
Job keeping your back cool when hiking. It's not as efficient or supportive as the Osprey's pack frame, but the payoff is a comfortable, go-anywhere, do-anything pack that will fit most people with ease. Camelbak has included the 2L Fusion reservoir, and we had no issues with it when refilling, or leakages. You do need finger strength to open and close the waterproof sipper, though. We noticed that the open Big Bite valve made it easier to take gulps, especially compared to the smaller bite valves on flasks, although we recommend you actually use the on/off lever to avoid dripping. Great for fast hiking, slow running and everything in-between, the layout of pockets—shout out to the elasticated mesh panels that are great at clinging onto discarded layers—is impressive, and if you need additional space, one side pocket has the capacity for a spare 32-ounce water bottle. There's also trekking pole attachment loops, and we even found room for our 15" laptop, although for safety sake, you may want to remove the hydration reservoir before stuffing your tech inside. And our final words of praise go to the combination of a roll-top closure, compression straps and side zip (much like a winter sports backpack) that makes accessing everything, even the stuff stashed in the bottom, quick and painless. The Octane is also available in a 12L and 22L capacity for those that require less or more space. Pros: Stylish and versatile Ingenious storage options All-day comfort Cons: High price for low capacity Best Hydration Pack For Hiking A Serious Trail Pack To Quench Your Thirst REI Osprey Manta 24 Activity: Hiking | Pack volume: 24 liters | Water volume: 2.5 liters | Weight: 2.95 pounds The Osprey Manta 24 is a compromise-free choice for anyone looking to cover distances with a loaded pack in the heat. Made with water-resistant Bluesign-approved fabrics, this serious hiking backpack has Osprey's latest adjustable (5 positions across 4 inches) version of the AirSpeed suspension system and tensioned mesh back panel that helps your back stay cool. It's one of the best framed backpack systems available. There's a dedicated zipped sleeve and 2.5-liter Osprey Hydraulics bladder for keeping you hydrated, and the clip-together-pull-apart tube system makes cleaning easy. We also appreciate the magnetic attachment on the sternum strap for the bite valve, which keeps everything tidy but accessible. Twin zipped hip pockets can store loads of gear, the main compartment has a wide-opening U-shaped zipper for easy access, there's two extra bottle holders, which can be accessed without having to take the pack off, plus a rain cover, robust trekking pole attachments and even an ice tool loop complete the impressive spec list. The Manta is also available in a larger capacity, and the Osprey Mira (22 and 32 liters) is essentially the same design in a women's-specific fit. Pros: Well-designed reservoir system Class-leading adjustable fit Intuitive pocket layout Cons: Not the lightest Best Value Hiking Hydration Pack Lots Of Bag For Minimal Budget REI Gregory Nano 18 Buy From REI Activity: Hiking, days out | Pack volume: 18 liters | Water volume: 3 liters | Weight: 1.15 pounds A full $120 cheaper than the Osprey, but still packing plenty of features, this multi-purpose hydration backpack from Gregory is ideal for anyone on a tight budget. It's a great day bag, with just enough capacity for lunch and layers, while the enormous 3-liter reservoir should keep the whole family hydrated. Three liters is a lot of water to carry, so don't expect this pack to be light when fully loaded, but it is at least versatile, with a top-zippered pocket, side stash pockets and a separate mesh water bottle holder (if you need even more water!). There's not a huge amount of back support, but the grooved foam panel helps to keep your back cool, and we were impressed by the comfort, especially given the bargain price. It's a no-frills choice to be sure, but given how well they've made the pack, that's not a bad thing, and we imagine many families will be grateful for the capacity, and huge amount of water it can carry. Just spare a thought for the mule who gets that job. Pros: Huge 3L reservoir Superb value Comfortable when loaded Cons: Not especially stylish Best Hydration Pack For Cycling Ingenious Reservoir Design evo Thule Uptake 12L Activity: Cycling | Pack volume: 12 liters | Water volume: 2.5 liters | Weight: 1.41 pounds Thule, like CamelBak, offer a wide range of versatile hydration packs that are justifiably popular with cyclists and hikers. The UpTake range, available in youth, 4, 8 and 12-liter capacities, is extremely well made, with plenty of considered features including a ridged and split back panel that helps you avoid a sweaty back, padded but mesh-covered straps and a waist strap that's essential when riding over bumpy terrain. The pack is slim, but our 12-liter sample has ample room for extra layers, plus loads of zipped pockets for stashing valuables (and snacks). But the main reason we recommend this hydration backpack is the superb ReTract handsfree magnetic hose attachment that keeps the mouthpiece tidy on the shoulder strap without needing fiddly clips. Compared to the rest of the packs we tested, it's a revelation, especially when cycling off-road. Pros: Magnetic hose attachment system Comfortable and breathable Cycling-specific fit Cons: Little of note Best Hydration Pack For Mountain Biking Super Stable, Great Capacity REI CamelBak Chase Activity: Mountain biking | Pack volume: 2.5 liters | Water volume: 1.5 liters | Weight: 0.62 pounds Borrowing the best aspects of a running vest and tweaking them for the needs of cyclists, the Chase has earned legions of fans thanks to its in-the-saddle comfort and versatility. Firstly, the design sits relatively high on the rider's back, keeping jersey pockets free, while the wide shoulder straps and twin sternum straps distribute the weight and help keep everything secure. On each strap there's a range of easy-to-reach zipped pockets and stretch stash zones ideal for a phone, snacks and keys. There's also enough storage for a separate soft flask. Around the back, the 1.5-liter Crux reservoir is kept away from your dry kit in a separate compartment, and the large lockable mouthpiece makes glugging easy. While 2.5 liters of extra storage doesn't sound like much, the way it has been designed means you can stuff extra layers in the external stretch pockets, while keeping bike essentials—like a pump, inner tubes, a repair kit and so on—organized in the main zipped compartment. It's not a design for multi-day adventures, but for long day trips when you need to be prepared, and you'll need more than water bottles for hydration, it's hard to fault. The CamelBak Chase is also available in a women's-specific fit . Pros: Stable fit across all terrain High-quality water reservoir Smart storage options Cons: Relatively small water capacity Day rides only Best Lightweight Running Hydration Vest Versatile And Extremely Comfortable RAB Rab Veil 6L Activity: Trail running | Pack volume: 6 liters | Water volume: 1 liter | Weight: 0.04 pounds This superb lightweight trail running vest from Rab comes with two short-hose bite-valve flasks (500ml each), and space for a traditional 2-liter reservoir (not included), if you're going to need maximum hydration. On one particular warm run, we really appreciated the breathable ripstop mesh fabric, and the fact there's enough space in the rear stuff pocket to shed a layer. The sternum straps are a little bit fiddly, but adjusting them on the move was never an issue. Once secured, we soon forgot about them, and never experienced any pressure points or chaffing, even when sweating profusely. This could be thanks to the fact the mesh material holds 70% less water while being 50% lighter, according to Rab. As we've come to expect from premium running vests, there's plenty in the way of well-positioned stuff pockets—including two superb front zips—for snacks, keys and even a phone, and the neatly positioned key clip on the shoulder minimizes jangling. There's also an emergency whistle, although we recommend that you deploy it wisely or it may well send the neighborhood dogs running. Pros: Lightweight and comfortable Ideal for hot climates and long runs Intelligent pocket layout Cons: Not compatible with longer hose flasks Best Hybrid Running Hydration Pack Two-In-One Brilliance For Ultrarunners inov-8.com Inov-8 Ultrapac Pro 2in1 Buy From Inov-8 Activity: Hiking, days out | Pack volume: 5 + 7 liters | Water volume: 1 liter | Weight: 1.15 pounds
British trail running experts Inov-8 make exceptional footwear and world class hydration vests, and the Race Ultra Pro 5 is highly recommended, but for versatility, their new 2-in-1 vest can't be beat. Use it as a 5-liter, supremely comfortable hydration vest for shorter runs or when you're traveling light, but when the kit list does escalate, you can seamlessly attach a separate 7-liter bag for additional storage. The hydration flasks can be mounted either around the hips in a holster position, or in the chest pockets, and you can swap the sip tube lengths to suit. You can even use a back-mounted reservoir, although we liked how the holster option freed up bag capacity. The sheer number of pockets is another bonus, and the mesh side pockets can hold so much stuff, even with two full 500ml bottles. It's a treat for those who take their kit management seriously. Given how much mandatory gear is needed for ultra-running events these days, it's a hugely sensible option, although versatility doesn't come cheap. Made from stretchy fabric and boasting plenty of adjustable bungees to help dial-in the fit, the vest molds well to your torso, and the slide-and-click mounting system for the separate bag is ingenious, creating a seamless join to the vest, and minimizing bounce as a result. Our only real issue with the separate compartment was that it wasn't easily accessible when running. The top-to-bottom zip was great for packing, but make sure you don't load it with kit you're not prepared to stop for. Pros: Versatile capacity So many useful pockets Three practical hydration options Cons: The best doesn't come cheap Best Hydration Pack For Kids A Brilliant Design For Mini Rippers CAMELBAK CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Buy From CamelBak Activity: Everyday wear | Pack volume: 5 liters | Water volume: 1.5 liters | Weight: 0.94 pounds Boasting the same build quality, features and attention to detail as you'd find on their adult-sized packs, Camelbak's youth collection is easy to recommend. Made from a hardwearing recycled 200D poly fabric, the M.U.L.E. is compact, lightweight, adjustable and the mesh fabric used on the shoulder straps is very breathable. It has a MTB style, but the weight of the pack is nicely distributed, so it’s equally good for hikes or days out in the sunshine. Our eight-year-old tester wore her sample everywhere, and she liked how easy the bladder was to refill. It has a large screw-cap opening, which meant spillage was kept to a minimum. Adjustability is also impressive, and essential to fit a wide range of kids, and we appreciated being able to adjust the sternum strap so it doesn't slip off slender shoulders. Oh, and one final word of warning—don't show them the emergency whistle if you enjoy peace and quiet. Pros: Excellent attention to detail Adjustable fit Great value Easy-fill bladder Cons: Limited carry capacity Best Festival Hydration Pack Stay Hydrated Party People! Lunchbox Packs Lunchbox Hydration Pack Buy From Lunchbox Packs Activity: Festivals, dancing | Pack volume: 8 liters | Water volume: 2 liters | Weight: N/A In truth, all hydration packs could be taken to a summer festival and used as a practical way to carry water, while still being able to wave your hands like you just don't care. But after spending time with the Lunchbox, we were impressed by the comfort, build quality and especially the clever security details. The back panel is plush, supportive and breathable, so it's comfortable even if you work up a sweat. The ripstop nylon fabric feels durable, and while the shoulder straps feel a bit stiff, the unisex sizing fit my medium frame without issue. But the real selling point of this pack is its security measures which include anti-theft buckling zippers that should thwart would-be thieves, while pockets on the shoulder straps sit against your chest to keep valuables like a phone or wallet within reach. As for hydration, the 2-liter bladder is housed in a leak-proof pocket, and we appreciate that the hose is insulated and the rubber mouthpiece comes with a plastic cover to keep it clean. The brand also sells "skins" that let you personalize the design, as well as battery-powered LED string lights, which help you stand out in a crowd, although they do feel a bit gimmicky. Pros: Anti-theft features Insulated against heat Large capacity reservoir Cons: Unsuitable for high-output activities 'Extras' seem a bit gimmicky Chris Haslam Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions