The Best Hydration Packs of 2024

Jack Haworth

March 5, 2021 at 8:54 AM·20 min read

No matter what you like to do outside—hiking, running, skiing, e-biking, etc.—proper hydration is essential. In the best-case scenario, not getting enough water during an outdoor workout will result in subpar performance. But if you’re miles into the wilderness without a drop to drink, the situation can quickly become serious. Hydration packs are a convenient way to carry water during high-intensity activities.

Hydration packs have come a long way, since the first one debuted in 1989 at Hotter’N Hell 100, a 100-mile bike race in Texas. As the story goes, to avoid dehydration (a serious concern given the August heat) an EMT filled an IV bag with water, piped in a drinking hose, and stuffed the bag into his jersey. Then he set out, sipping as he pedaled. That IV bag launched the company CamelBak, which was soon sending hydration packs to soldiers in the U.S. Army.

Today, these packs have been streamlined and adapted for all types of hikes—from aggressive peak bagging and overnight excursions to lunch-break jaunts. If you want easy access to water, odds are you’ll find a pack that meets your needs. We especially dig the Gregory Salvo 16 H20, which beat out all the other tested bags to be named our best overall hydration pack. But there are many different types available, including popular options from CamelBak, Osprey, and other brands. To find the best hydration pack for you, focus on how you’ll use the pack and the features you’ll need—then pick from our 18 top selections in multiple categories.

Best Overall Hydration Pack: Gregory Salvo 16 H20

Factoring in comfort, ease of filling and cleaning, and cost, Gregory Salvo is the pack we think works best for most hikers. The ventilated back panel and padded hip belt make for effortless hiking, and a magnet on the bite valve keeps the hose pinned neatly to the sternum strap. The hydration system—Gregory calls it the 3D Hydro—is one of our favorites. It has a wide mouth for cleaning, a reservoir handle that makes it easy to hold under a faucet, and a clip system that mounts the reservoir inside the bag without any fussy clips or snaps. We’re also big fans of the plastic hook on the bottom of the reservoir, which makes it easy to hang upside down to drip-dry after use.

Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
Water Volume: 3 liters
Storage Volume: 16 liters
Comes with reservoir? Yes

Best Hydration Pack for Overnight Hikes: Osprey Manta 24

The Manta has all the padding and customizable features you’d want for longer hikes. It also tied with Gregory for our favorite hydration system. The reservoir does not have a bottom-side hook for quick drying, but it makes up for that with a stronger magnetic clasp (keeping the hose reliably stuck to the chest strap) and a simple lever that makes it easy to turn the bite valve on or off with a press of the thumb.

Weight: 2 pounds, 15.2 ounces
Water Volume: 2.5 liters
Storage Volume: 24 liters
Comes with reservoir? Yes

Best Hydration Pack for Fast Hikes: CamelBak Octane 16

At 15 ounces, the CamelBak Octane will appeal to hikers who don’t mind suffering so long as they bag their peaks. Despite its minimalist design, this hydration pack has loop closures for hiking poles and loads of stretchy overflow pockets. In place of a hip belt, it uses dual chest straps to stabilize the water weight. The bag’s stretchy, ultralight materials are incredibly comfortable—and thanks to cleverly placed shock straps on the bag’s flanks, you can easily compress your loose weight to keep it from bouncing around when you break into a sprint.

Weight: 15 ounces
Water Volume: 2 liters
Storage Volume: 14 liters
Comes with reservoir? Yes

Best Hydration Hip Pack: Cotopaxi Lagos 5L Hydration Hip Pack

A common weakness with hydration hip packs is poor hose management. The bite valve has to clip somewhere on your waist, and if it’s not just right, you’ll wack it loose every time your hand swings too close to your hip. For this reason alone, Cotopaxi Lagos Hip Pack is a standout. Its hip belt has no pocket, which actually provides more waistline runway for adjusting the clip-and-magnet bite-valve landing pad. Ultimately, I found it to be the best hip bag for hose management. I was able to position the bite valve away from the arc of my swinging arm, and once I snapped it in, it held strong.

Weight: 10 ounces
Water Volume: 2 liters
Storage Volume: 5 liters
Comes with reservoir? Yes

Best Value Hydration Pack: CamelBak Arete 18

Budget-conscious hikers will find CamelBak's Arete 18 to be an excellent hydration pack. It has relatively few pockets and minimal strap padding, but it comes equipped with the brand's popular Crux bladder, which is better than most on the market. It’s easy to fill and clean (thanks to the handle and wide mouth), and the simple thumb lever lets you quickly turn the bite valve on or off.

Weight: 11 ounces
Water Volume: 1.5 liters
Storage Volume: 16.5 liters
Comes with reservoir? Yes

Best Hydration Pack for a Close Fit: Salomon ADV Skin 12

Like its name suggests, the ADV Skin 12 was designed to fit like a second skin. Its breathable fabric hugs your back, shoulders, and chest to eliminate bouncing and chafing as you run. Integrated soft flasks located on the straps allow for hassle-free sips, while three open pockets and one zippered pocket offer easy-access stash spots for snacks and a phone. Additionally, the large internal pocket is compatible with a 1.5-liter bladder (sold separately), or you can use it to carry additional gear, like a jacket.

Weight: 10.3 ounces
Water Volume: 1.5 liters
Storage Volume: 12 liters
Comes with reservoir? No

Best Hydration Pack for Long Runs: Nathan VaporAir 2.0 7 Liter

Comfort is king during a long run, which is why the Nathan VaporAir 2.0 deserves a serious look. With its highly adjustable fit and streamlined shape, it’s designed to hug your upper back and shoulders and stay put, so it won’t distract you as you log your miles. Inside, there’s a two-liter hydration bladder with an integrated hose—and front storage pockets provide the option to bring along two 22-ounce bottles for added hydration on long-distance runs. Additionally, the pack has a kangaroo pocket that’s great for stashing layers, while the main compartment offers plenty of room for other essentials.

Weight: 12.2 ounces
Water Volume: 2 liters
Storage Volume: 7 liters
Comes with reservoir? Yes

Best Hydration Pack for Night Runs: The North Face Summit Series Run Race Day Vest 8

This lightweight running vest from The North Face will keep you hydrated and highly visible. The vest features two 500ml bottles in the front pockets that automatically retract via a leash system, so you don’t have to worry about dropping them while running. (You can also add a separate hydration reservoir in the pack’s reservoir compartment.) The breathable, moisture-wicking fabric will keep you cool and comfortable, and reflective material on the exterior of the pack enhances visibility in low-light environments. A kangaroo pocket can stash a jacket or trekking poles when not in use, and a zippered front pocket keeps your phone secure and within reach.

Weight: 4.4 ounces
Water Volume: 1.5 liters
Storage Volume: 8 liters
Comes with reservoir? No

Best Hydration Pack for the Minimalist: Teton Sports Trailrunner 2L

A no-frills hydration pack to satisfy budget-conscious folks, this option from Teton Sports gets the job done. In addition to its two-liter reservoir, this pack includes a mesh outer pocket for essentials and a bungee cord closure system for lashing additional gear. The ripstop shell provides good durability, and the reflective trim and safety whistle offer added peace of mind for evening runs or backcountry adventures.

Weight: 14.4 ounces
Water Volume: 2 liters
Storage Volume: NA
Comes with reservoir? Yes

More Hydration Packs We Love

Why You Should Trust Us

Jack Haworth is a writer and avid outdoorsman. As someone who believes everyone has a story to tell, he's passionate about documenting the people, places, and events that too often go unnoticed. Jack also specializes in researching and testing gear that helps people live better—both outdoors and at home.

Clint Carter has a decade of experience in gear testing. He's hiked all over the U.S., as well as Peru, Kenya, and Argentina, and has reviewed outdoor products for Men’s Journal, Wall Street Journal, and Men’s Health. To assess the packs, he filled, drained, and cleaned the reservoirs (check out how to clean a bladder), then spent 25 hours hiking and running with them on trails near his home in New Jersey. Stuffing the bags with puffy jackets, energy bars, and other things he might need along the way, he even shouldered a 20-pound weight on some hikes to see how the bag would handle the load. He looked for reservoirs that were easy to fill, remove, and install in the bag, while focusing on hydration packs with minimal water sloshing and hose-management features that prevented the valve from bouncing around.

What to Look for in a Hydration Pack

There are two basic components of a hydration pack: the hydration system and the bag that carries it. Let's look at the hydration system first. This can be broken down into a few essential components.

Reservoir or Bladder

The bag that holds water is made from tough, flexible TPU or polyurethane. It can typically carry anywhere from one to three liters. Look for a reservoir that’s easy to fill and clean. A wide mouth helps; it should be big enough to fit a brush through. Alternatively, Hydrapak, a brand that uses a zipper-style closure, makes a reservoir that you can turn inside-out like a sock—convenient for scrubbing and air drying. In addition, a good reservoir should limit how much water sloshes around. For this, look for features such as a slim design with internal baffles or partitions.

Hose

This is what feeds water to your mouth. Most hoses are transparent, which is the best choice for most people. This allows you to notice if and when funk starts to grow in the line. Opaque hoses, on the other hand, may offer better insulation. This could be good if you hike in extreme cold, and you don’t want your hose to freeze up.

Hose Coupling

This is where the hose attaches to the reservoir. Some hoses are fixed permanently to the bag, while others detach with a quick-release button. Fixed hoses may offer an advantage for durability, but most people will prefer a quick-release. Popping the hose off makes it significantly easier to remove the reservoir for filling. Most quick-release hoses plug in at the bottom of the reservoir, but some attach at the top. The latter saves you from the annoyance of having to stuff your hand into the bottom of an overstuffed bag to get your hose on or off.

Bite Valve

The purpose of the bite valve is to prevent water from leaking. The flow shouldn’t begin until you pinch it with your teeth. The type or shape of the valve comes down to personal preference, but one feature to look for is some sort of mechanism for shutting the valve off. This prevents water from dripping out when the hose is banging against your chest—and it’s the best way to avoid having an unattended hydration pack slowly drain out on your living room floor. Trust us, this sucks.

Bag

As for the bag that carries the hydration system, these are as varied as you might imagine. First, it’s important to consider how you’ll be using it. For a fast, lightweight hike or run, you should look for a bag that’s slim and tight-fitting. It should hold the reservoir right against your back so it doesn’t swing around and throw you off balance. For a long, multi-day backpack trip, you’d be better off with a big, roomy bag with padded straps and a support system designed to manage weight. Comfort is key, so you should also look for a webbed back panel that holds the reservoir a couple inches off your back. The extra air flow will make long hikes more tolerable.

Other Considerations

It’s also important to consider whether you’re open to buying a “hydration compatible” bag. This means it’s built to accommodate a reservoir and hose, but it’s sold without them. In that case, you'll have to buy the reservoir separately or use one you already own. We prefer bags which include them. It’s simply more convenient to buy the hydration system at the same time as the bag. Also, bags sold as complete kits are often better integrated, and they feature more hydration-specific features, like hose-routing clips on the shoulder straps. For these reasons, hydration-compatible bags generally rated poorer on my hikes. In fact, all of my selections are sold with hydration systems.

When Do You Need a Hydration Pack?

When exercising for extended periods of time, a good rule of thumb is to always carry more water than you think you’ll need. Hydration packs are an ideal way to do that. They have large capacities (around two liters or more), and allow you to carry all that water on your back where it’s more stable and easier to haul. They also double as a handy storage compartment for food, gear, and other essentials.

The Main Types of Hydration Packs

There are four main types of hydration packs designed for specific sports: hiking, running, mountain biking, and skiing. There are also some models designed for niche sports like climbing and standup paddling, but the vast majority of hydration packs on the market fall into the categories below.

Hiking Packs

These are usually the most straightforward option. They include a large reservoir for staying hydrated during long trail journeys. The reservoir is connected to a drinking hose that comes out of the bag and over your shoulder, usually attached to one of the pack's straps. This setup allows you to drink directly from the water bladder without pouring liquid into a separate cup or container. Hiking hydration packs often have ample storage space for food, gear, and other essentials as well.

Running Packs

These hydration packs are optimized for low weight and comfort, so they won’t slow you down or cause irritation when running. Many running packs feature hydration bottles in the front for easy access as you move.

Mountain Bike Packs

MTB packs have hydration reservoirs, drinking tubes, and gear storage, just like hiking packs, but they’re also built with back protector panels (or they have a slot where you can slide one in). This foam panel absorbs impact forces and protects your back in the event of a fall.

Ski and Snowboard Packs

Snow packs feature similar designs to MTB packs, with hydration bladders and gear storage space. They also put safety at the forefront. Most ski and snowboard hydration packs feature easy-access compartments designed specifically for avalanche safety gear.

Key Features of Hydration Packs

A hydration pack has one core job: to keep you hydrated all day long. While every hydration pack boasts unique features, the main thing to look for is its water capacity. A two-liter reservoir is generally a safe bet for most activities, but if the temperature is high or the ride is long, you’ll want to opt for a larger water bladder.

In addition to its water capacity, the pack should be easy to drink from. Look for packs that have a magnetic clasp for holding the hydration hose—which makes it easy to reach when you need it while keeping it from bouncing around while you move.

Ample and organized storage is another key feature to look for, especially if you’ll need to carry extra layers, food, or other gear. Easy-access pockets on the shoulder straps are a helpful add-on, allowing you to grab essentials without removing the entire pack.

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