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Hydration packs are so important to my outdoor activities I’ve lost track of how many I’ve tested. If I’m going for a long trail run or combo hike-and-run, I need a pack that wicks sweat and doesn’t bounce when I’m running, and I’ll need anything from two soft flasks to a full reservoir for hydrating. For more relaxed day hiking, a larger pack with more support is great, and for skiing and mountain biking, I want something that doesn’t move at all, helping maintain balance on tricky descents and tight turns. These packs can typically hold larger reservoirs with 2 or 3 liters of capacity.
Hydration packs come in both reservoir and bottle-compatible varieties, and many models also include soft flasks or reservoirs in the purchase price. Consider whether you’d rather drink from a hose or a bottle, and also look at the type of reservoir the pack includes, making sure it’ll be easy to fill and not leak in your pack.
Best Overall
Salomon Advanced Skin 12 Set Hydration Vest
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REI
When you consider a classic hydration pack, the running-vest style is often what comes to mind. Out of all the running vests I’ve tested, Salomon’s 12-liter Adv Skin is the one I reach for most often. There are very few day hikes where I need more than what this pack can hold — I can stash layers, snacks, water, my phone, and headphones in the larger zippered back pocket and the smaller front pockets. This pack holds a hydration reservoir as well as soft flasks, and it’s very stable for running, though you’ll encounter more bounce when you have a full reservoir.
This pack comes with two 17-ounce soft flasks, but you’ll have to buy a reservoir separately. I’ve packed this with both soft flasks and a 1.5-liter reservoir, and it fit everything comfortably for a long day hike.
Price at time of publish: $160
The Details: 12 liters | 9.8 ounces | 6 pockets plus main compartment
Best for Running
Salomon Sense Pro 5
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Amazon
The best running hydration packs don’t necessarily have the biggest capacity (if you’re running an ultra, look elsewhere), but they should be comfortable and bounce-free. This vest-style pack fits like a true vest, with a wide, sweat-wicking back and torso-hugging, wraparound design created for minimal movement. This pack can hold a compact layer in the back pocket, and it has a pass-through for collapsed trekking poles. It comes with two 17-ounce soft flasks, though it isn’t reservoir compatible, so if you need more than 1 liter of liquid capacity, you’ll have to bring a filter or rely on aid stations during races. This pack has nine additional pockets aside from the main back pocket, convenient for gels, phone, headphones, keys, and other small items.
Price at time of publish: $112
The Details: 5 liters | 5 ounces | 9 pockets plus main compartment
Best for Combo Hikes and Runs
Nathan Pinnacle 12
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REI
My outings often involve full days on routes where I’m hiking the steep sections and running the moderate parts. It’s a tricky excursion to pack for, because I need enough layers to get through the day at different altitudes for peak-bagging, but I also don’t want to be wearing a true day pack while running. The Nathan Pinnacle 12 fits the bill perfectly, with a deceptively large main capacity thanks to the deep pocket and stretchy fabric. It doesn’t feel overly bulky to carry fully loaded, and has minimal bounce when the gear is balanced. The buckle straps across the front are secure and easy to adjust, and I can reach pretty much everything in the pack without taking it off. This pack includes a 1.5-liter hydration reservoir. It also comes in a men’s version.
Price at time of publish: $200
The Details: 12 liters | 12.5 ounces | 13 pockets plus main compartment
Best for Resort Skiing
Osprey Glade 12
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Amazon
Carrying a slim hydration pack is a good solution for long resort days when you want to keep water on hand and avoid trekking back to your car for lunch. This 12-liter pack from Osprey can carry extra layers for when the wind picks up, sits close to your back for comfort on the lift, and doesn’t get in the way during fast descents. We like this pack for the ski resort, but it does have attachments for your snowboard or skis for the occasional side-country bootpack. I’ve also used this pack for cross-country skiing and snowshoe outings, and it has a goggle (or sunglasses) pocket with a non-abrasive liner. There are no side pockets for water bottles, but it does include a 2.5-liter Hydrapack reservoir with an insulated hose. If anything, we’d like to see this pack with a few other size options, as 12 liters is great for the slim fit, but it’s too small for anything besides resort days and moderate winter outings.
Price at time of publish: $120
The Details: 12 liters | 2 pounds| 1 pocket plus main compartment
Best for Backcountry Skiing
Gregory Targhee 32L
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REI
If you’re not carrying an airbag pack, you still need a ski or snowboard pack designed for winter backcountry travel, and it’s helpful if it’s reservoir-compatible with protection to keep the hose from freezing. This pack has a compartment for avalanche gear and a secure, reinforced external carrying system for packing your skis, snowshoes, or splitboard. It has an external helmet holder, a stabilizing suspension system for weight distribution during steep turns, and a wide front-zipper access so you can grab your gear without unloading the whole pack onto the snow. The shoulder strap also has a long zippered protector for the reservoir hose to keep it from freezing. As a bonus, the red color looks great in photos against the snow.
Price at time of publish: $200
The Details: 32 liters | 3.25 pounds | 6 pockets plus main compartment
Best for Day Hiking
Gregory Mountain Products Nano 18 Backpack
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Amazon
This affordable day pack has everything you need and is also extremely versatile — I’ve used it for travel, commuting, and as a gym bag. The main storage compartment is the entire width of the pack, perfect for packing bulky layers and other high-volume items. It has a 3-liter reservoir capacity and a sleek build that doesn’t feel clunky or overly complex. Eighteen liters is a great size for a day pack — large enough to carry water, food, layers, and other small trail items, but not too big where you’ll be tempted to pack the kitchen sink. The reservoir is included, and while it does have a water bottle pocket, it’s pretty small. This pack was designed with reservoir use in mind, and I’ve found that to be more convenient.
Price at time of publish: $80
The Details: 18 liters | 18 ounces | 3 pockets plus main compartment
Best for Mountain Biking
CamelBak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack
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Amazon
Similar to running and skiing hydration packs, mountain biking packs need to fit close to your body and have minimal sway and bounce. And since so much of mountain biking requires physical exertion on the climbs, the back panel needs to be breathable and well-ventilated. This pack has four pockets that open to the front like a file folder, which makes it easy to grab your gear quickly, but does make it more challenging to pack bulkier layers. The straps are easily adjustable and snug, and there is minimal bounce on the descents. We also love the backup hose loop on the shoulder strap so you’re never in danger of a fully loose hose. See the men’s version here.
Price at time of publish: $115
The Details: 9 liters | 1.75 pounds | 4 pockets plus main compartment
Best Budget
Outdoor Products Tadpole
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Amazon
This budget-friendly pack is simple and streamlined, designed primarily to carry a hydration reservoir and not much else. It does have two front-opening pockets for small items like snacks and keys, and you can probably fit a light wind layer in there too. The side compression straps help keep this close to your body, and it has comfortable S-shaped shoulder straps for easy carrying. The shoulder straps are also made with a light, breathable mesh, and the pack comes with a 1.5-liter reservoir included.
Price at time of publish: $22
The Details: 3.5 liters | 14 ounces | 2 pockets plus reservoir holder
Best Hydration Waist Pack
Osprey Savu 5
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REI
Less common than hydration backpacks but just as useful for low-volume needs, a waist pack is popular with mountain bikers and hikers who don’t want to wear a full pack. This pack has a deceptively large capacity at 5 liters, with expandable side pockets to hold two water bottles. This is not a reservoir-compatible waist pack (though those do exist) so this is best for cyclists and hikers who prefer bottles over hoses. Two zippered side pockets hold small items and snacks, and the shock cords can be used over the top of taller bottles to keep them in place. This pack uses Osprey’s AirScape back paneling for extra breathability on hot days.
Price at time of publish: $59
The Details: 5 liters | 11 ounces | 3 pockets plus main compartment
Tips for Buying Hydration Packs
Consider cleaning needs
Reservoirs are convenient and high capacity, but they can get mildewed if you don’t dry them out completely before storage. They can also be difficult to get entirely dry, and if you find mildew in the hose and main reservoir, good luck getting it clean. Before you stash it for the season (or even between uses) make sure to expel all water from the hose, and hang the reservoir open until completely dry. An easy way to get these awkward-shaped vessels dry is with a special hanger that props them open for maximum air flow. I also avoid using hydration mixes or concentrates in my reservoir, as they can be harder to clean than just using water. As for cleaning your pack, follow the manufacturer’s instructions at the end of each season to get rid of grime and make sure your zippers stay working smoothly.
Pocket placement is important
One of the best parts of a hydration pack, whether it’s for running, skiing, or biking, are the external organizing pockets. Each endeavor has different needs, so consider the pocket placement and what you’ll be using them for. Mountain bikers need small tools and spare tubes, runners need pockets for their phones and headphones, and hikers need larger pockets to organize layers and trail gear. And everyone will be packing layers, water, and snacks. Running packs that allow you to reach your pockets without taking the pack off are the best, while backcountry skiers need an easy-access, dedicated pocket for their avalanche gear. When trying on your pack, experiment with accessing the pockets without taking the pack off, and plan out where you’re going to keep your gear for efficiency and convenience.
Consider ease of use
Filling a reservoir is one annoying thing about these otherwise convenient packs. Most reservoirs these days have large, threaded openings on the front, allowing you to fill them horizontally in the sink. Others have a combo zip and slider top that closes like a ZipLock bag. These are easier to fill in smaller sinks, but can be difficult to securely close and also have a higher rate of accidentally opening in your pack.
Each brand has different bite valve styles as well, and some are easier to drink from than others. Some reservoirs included with Nathan and Osprey packs don’t have locks on the bite valves (be careful not to sit on them), while most CamelBak reservoirs have flick-locks to open and close the valve. Check out the specs and photos of the reservoirs before committing, and you can always buy aftermarket valves to attach to the hoses.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Maggie Slepian is a Montana-based writer and editor with a decade of professional gear-testing experience in the outdoor world. She is an avid backpacker, bikepacker, skier, and camping fiend, heading out backpacking and frontcountry camping in all seasons. She has tested dozens of hydration packs for running, skiing, cycling, and hiking.
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