scorecard
BUSINESS
TECH
MARKETS
REVIEWS
AI
VIDEOS
  1. Home
  2. slideshows
  3. miscellaneous
  4. The best hydration packs you can buy

The best hydration packs you can buy

The best hydration pack overall

The best hydration packs you can buy

The best hydration pack for runners

The best hydration pack for runners
Runners don't want anything weighing them down, and CamelBak's HydroBak weighs just five ounces — before being filled with water, of course.

As companies like Osprey or Gregory brainstormed ideas for their first hydration packs, CamelBak had already firmly established itself as the go-to brand. Today, it still makes some of the most functional and appropriate options on the market, and its HydroBak continues this trend. For runners, it doesn't get much better.

Thanks to the new Crux reservoir, you can expect a full 20% more water with each swig which, for runners, means less time sucking on the tube and more time focusing on their stride. Additionally, the pack features easy-to-use leak-proof valves that you can flip on or off with a gentle push. This means less wasted water and no fumbling with the tube while running.

CamelBak also outfitted the Crux with a leak-proof cap and coated the tube with its anti-microbial HydroGuard technology, which is 100% BPA free and reduces the risk of bacteria growth.

CamelBak outfit the HydroBak with a mesh back panel and harness to help with ventilation, something runners of any skill level will surely appreciate. Its reflective accents also make it suitable for running early in the morning or as the sun is setting, allowing for headlights or flashlights to brightly reflect and spotlight the wearer.

Though it's small, the HydroBak still features a few zippered pockets perfect for keeping energy gels, granola bars, and some cash for those well-earned post-run beers.

Pros: Weighs just five ounces without water, mesh back panel and harness aid in ventilation, new Crux reservoir allows 20% more water per drink, and its leak-proof valves are easy to flick on or off

Cons: Doesn't offer much in the way of storage (not that runners need much of it, anyway)

Buy the CamelBak HydroBak on Amazon starting at $36.99

The best hydration pack for day hikes

The best hydration pack for day hikes
The Platypus Duthie A.M. 10.0 is a day hiker's dream, offering seven liters of storage, strategically-placed tool organizing loops and compartments, and a huge, three-liter water reservoir.

Known primarily as a purveyor of high-quality water reservoirs, Platypus also dabbles in manufacturing full-on hydration packs and its Duthie A.M. 10.0 would be the apple of any day hiker's eye. With plenty of internal and external storage options even for additional tools and gear, the Duthie's 7L capacity is perfect for short jaunts into the backcountry or several mile excursions.

Its strategic approach to organization also means you won't be digging past your car keys to get to your snacks — everything has its own place in the pack.

When it comes to the Duthie's hydration capability, few companies deliver as well as Platypus. Featuring a large three-liter reservoir, the brand's patented BigZip water pouch features a magnetic hose clip and also offers wearers the ability to route the house in multiple ways — a welcome function not typically seen in hydration packs.

For hardcore day hikers who also have other activities in mind, the Duthie also offers a useful carry system designed to hold pads or full-face helmets and even sports a fleece-lined pocket perfect for stashing a pair of shades.

Additionally, the pack easily conforms to a variety of body shapes and sizes with just a few adjustments of its straps and hip belt. After finding the perfect fit, Platypus' FloatAir back panel keeps you mostly sweat-free and comfortable, no matter how long the hike.

Pros: Plenty of storage options despite its modest 7L capacity, external tool and gear loops, capable of fitting many different body types, comes standard with huge three-liter BigZip water reservoir and magnetic hose, and FloatAir back panel offers comfort for even the longest day hikes

Cons: Its $140 price tag isn't exactly cheap for a hydration pack

Buy the Platypus Duthie A.M. 10.0 on Amazon for $139.95

The best hydration pack for cycling

The best hydration pack for cycling
Forget reaching down for any built-in water bottle holders because with Gelindo's Insulated Hydration Pack, staying hydrated while biking is as easy as simply drinking out of a straw.

No matter how much distance a cyclist covers, properly hydrating during a ride is incredibly important. While many (if not all) bikes have a space reserved for attaching a water bottle holder, a hydration pack makes staying quenched much easier and Gelindo's Insulated Hydration Pack is perfectly fit for the job.

Featuring an insulated pocket designed to carry its 2.5-liter water reservoir, its special design keeps body heat from warming the water — or anything else stored in the pack, for that matter. The insulation also helps keep liquids cool for up to four hours, so there will even be cold water available during longer rides.

Gelindo included several different storage pockets capable of holding everything from energy bars and car keys to a smartphone or wallet. For the bigger compartments, a spare change of clothes, larger items of food, or spare tires fit perfectly without making the pack too cumbersome or heavy. Organization also scores highly as it's easy to reach for and access any of the interior contents, no matter how full the pack gets.

There's no secret cyclists care about comfort and with Gelindo's Insulated Hydration Pack, finding a perfectly comfortable fit is easily done via its adjustable shoulder straps and hip belt. Furthermore, its ergonomic mesh back allows for steady airflow to keep you from overheating, keeping you comfortable throughout the entirety of your ride.

Pros: Insulated water reservoir pocket keeps liquids cool for up to four hours, mesh back panel keeps airflow at a maximum, interior organization capable of holding a variety of items without feeling cluttered, and its easily adjustable straps are capable of fitting almost any body type

Cons: Limited reflective details

Buy the Gelindo Insulated Hydration Pack on Amazon starting at $29.99

The best hydration pack for commuting

The best hydration pack for commuting
Gregory's Inertia 30 makes it easy to stay hydrated while commuting with its easily accessible water tube, ample interior storage, and comfortable shoulder harness.

Staying hydrated even while simply commuting to work is important, and Gregory's Inertia 30 is designed to not only keep thirsts quenched but also to pack a work day's worth of gear. Be it a laptop, notebook, tablet, or otherwise, the Inertia offers enough interior storage space to tote along whatever the day calls for.

It even features several exterior pockets perfect for storing items that need to be quickly accessible (i.e. Snacks), as well as a padded zippered pocket designed for sunglasses or house keys.

To make sure you never go thirsty, Gregory includes a quick-drying three-liter water reservoir that even features a built-in drying hangar that's perfect for airing it out and avoiding any mold or mildew buildup. The Inertia's dedicated hydration sleeve makes it easy to just toss the reservoir into the pack, and it automatically stabilizes the pouch's weight to the center of your back. Gregory even made the reservoir's tube magnetic, making it easy to take on and off.

Though we chose it for its ability to act as a commuter bag, the Inertia 30 also excels as a day-hiking pack, offering exterior loops for trekking poles, compression straps on either side, and load lifters that help stabilize the pack when it gets heavy.

At $120, it's not the cheapest bag of the bunch but considering what it offers, and the Gregory name also means supreme durability, the Inertia 30 is worth every penny.

Pros: Plenty of storage for whatever the workday requires, quick-drying three-liter water reservoir is easy to fill up and features an integrated drying hangar, hydration sleeve auto-centers the water pouch to stabilize weight, and it's versatile enough to even act as a day-hiking pack

Cons: Expensive

Buy the Gregory Inertia 30 at REI for $119.95

Check out our other outdoors buying guides

Check out our other outdoors buying guides
The best fire starter you can buy

If you're headed out for a camping trip or assembling a disaster preparedness kit, always put a lighter and some emergency matches in there with the rest of the gear. But as lighters eventually run out of fuel or break, and as you can only carry a finite number of matches, it's a good idea to also bring along a fire starter. Here are our best picks for the best fire starter you can buy:

The best mosquito repellent products you can buy

Effective mosquito prevention requires a multi-pronged approach in which you remove breeding grounds, kill off adult insects, and deploy products that repel these dangerous pests. If you had to choose just one item for your anti-mosquito arsenal, a wise choice would be time-tested OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent with its 25% DEET concentration that wards off mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and more. Here are our top picks for the best mosquito repellent products:

The best sleeping bags you can buy

A sleeping bag is more than a matter of comfort. In extreme circumstances, having the right sleeping bag can be a matter of life and death. But that's no reason not to find one that's nice and cozy, too. The Hyke & Byke Quandary 15 Degree sleeping bag is warm and comfortable, lightweight and compactable, and it won't break the bank. Here are our best picks for the best sleeping bags you can buy:

The best tents for car camping you can buy

When you're car camping, you only need to haul your gear a short distance from the back of your vehicle, so go ahead and bring along a big, bulky tent with all sorts of special features. Choosing the best car camping tent starts with simply considering the size of the tent you need and the environment you'll be in, as well as budget. Here are our best picks for the best tents for car camping you can buy:

Popular Right Now

Advertisement