The 13 Best Hydration Packs
When engaging in any form of strenuous physical activity, there is nothing more important than staying hydrated. In order to replace all of the liquid your body loses through sweating, it is essential that you replenish with water or other sports drink. Without adequate hydration practices, you may suffer the symptoms of dehydration, which include dizziness, shortness of breath, and headaches. In cases of severe dehydration, you may even need to be hospitalized.
In order to stay properly hydrated while engaging in physical activity, you need some sort of vessel to carry your liquids. Traditionally, people have used water bottles for this purpose, but water bottles are a burden to carry when participating is most forms of exercise and can only hold a limited amount of liquid. Who wants to carry around a water bottle while going on a jog? Wouldn't you much rather have both of your hands free?
There are a wide range of hydration packs on the market today, each with their own unique advantages and features. Here are 13 of the best hydration packs available:
Terra Hiker Hydration Pack
The Terra Hiker Hydration Pack is a hydration pack that is primarily focused on providing the user with hydration. The center compartment contains a water bladder that holds up to 2 liters of liquid, and the side pockets hold pockets that are designed to carry water bottles for back-up hydration purposes. This pack is especially light, weighing less than half a pound when the water bladder is not included. The pack is also designed in a fashion via which the user wears the pack like a vest, meaning the weight of the pack when the bladder is filled is efficiently distributed across the user's back, chest, and shoulders.
While the pack may be extremely light, there is still room to pack any gear you may want to bring with you on your adventure. Also, the shell of the pack is built with waterproof ripstop nylon, meaning the pack will stay totally waterproof on those rainy days. The main appeal of this particular pack, however, is the amazingly low price. For those looking for a high-quality hydration pack at a low cost, the Terra Hiker Hydration Pack is a great option to consider.
CamelBak M.U.L.E.
The CamelBak M.U.L.E, while initially designed for mountain bikers, has become one of CamelBak's best selling items for all different kinds of athletes. The main reason why the M.U.L.E has become so popular is that it is able to carry enough water for a full day of exercise, up to 3 liters, while also staying lightweight enough that it doesn't become a burdensome weight. It also has enough room to carry your gear and anything else you might need for a long exercise regiment, such as snacks, keys, and electronics.
There are also a number of other features that make the M.U.L.E an excellent choice in hydration pack. It is built with a Crux reservoir, allowing you to take in much more water with each sip than with a traditional hose system. Specially designed small passageways have been added to the back of unit, in order to allow air to travel through and keep your back cool while exercising. The latest model also includes a magnetic tube strap that stays securely in place, allowing you to drink from the bladder hands-free without worrying that the valve will fall to the side.
Osprey Escapist 32 Daypack
This hydration pack is Osprey's best-selling item in the hydration pack category, and for good reason. The pack is perfect for hikers who are looking to haul a large amount of water for a multi-day hike. It is also equipped with a BioStretch hip belt and harness, which allows you to secure the pack to your body in a way that ensures the pack won't shake around as you move. It also distributes the weight of the pack in a manner that makes the hydration pack feel much lighter than it is in actuality.
Additionally, the pack is equipped with an external hydration sleeve, which allows the user to conveniently refill the bladder without having to unpack the entire bag. Other features include an attachment for carrying helmets, a specially designed pocket that carries sunglasses without scratching them, a built-in rain cover that can be employed in rainy situations when you want to make sure your valuables don't get wet, and an attachment for a blinker light. The size of the bag and the flexible materials also allow you to carry lots of gear, ideal for someone who wants a bag that can both carry a large quantity of water and important gear.
Gambler Ski Hydration Pack
The Gambler Ski Hydration Pack is ideal for those people looking for a hydration pack that can handle cold weather conditions, whether for a ski trip, snowboarding expedition, or other cold adventure. Yet, while this pack was certainly designed for outings in cold temperatures, the Gambler has also become popular with mountain bikers and motocross riders, as its stability and balance make it an attractive option. The Gambler's bladder holds up to 3 liters of water, which is enough for a day of long activities without being too heavy.
There is one main feature that makes the Gambler work well in sub-zero conditions. The water reservoir and the water tubes are super-insulated, meaning the liquids in your pack won't turn into a block of ice if the temperatures drop below freezing. This is a key feature, as a frozen water supply can ruin an entire day of activities. The water bladder is also oriented vertically, meaning the weight is distributed up and down the back rather than just on the lower back. Also, there's plenty of room in the pack for other winter gear that is necessary in order to survive in freezing conditions.
Rabosky Hydration Pack
The Rabosky Hydration Pack is a great choice for people looking for a hydration pack for day hikes. The bladder is centralized in the pack, meaning the pack never slopes to one side and is particularly well-balanced. The bladder holds up to 2 liters, which is plenty for a day hike say on your local nature trails, and unlike with some other hydration packs, it is built with a sizable screw top that allows the pack to be easily opened. This is especially useful for people who may have difficulty gripping smaller screw tops. The bladder is also built with thermal insulation, that ensures the water can be kept very cold for hours on end.
The hydration pack also boasts fully adjustable chest, shoulder, and waist straps, making it easy to carry, and enough storage space to carry anything you might need for a day of adventuring. All Rabosky hydration packs are built with a state-of-the-art airflow system, with makes sure your back and shoulders won't get overheated as a result of carrying the bag. The shell is built out of a durable polyester material that is both waterproof and tear resistant, meaning the Rabosky Hydration Pack is a great choice for anyone looking for a hydration pack that will last for years to come.
Osprey Viper 9
The Viper 9 made by Osprey, which holds 3 liters of liquid, is a great multi-use hydration pack; it is owned by hikers, runners, and bikers alike. The pack's body is made with a 210-Denier Poly Honeycomb fabric, an unbelievably durable material that makes sure the pack will last for a long period of time without sustaining any visible damage. The Viper 9 comes with an elastic system for easily attaching your helmet to the pack, as well as a space on the front panel that allows you to attach a blinker light, a crucial functionality for people looking to run/bike in nighttime conditions.
A few other features also make the Viper 9 a top-notch hydration pack. It is built with a Biostretch harness that not only effectively distributes weight to minimize stress on your shoulders and back, but also feels comfortable on your skin. Additionally, the 3-liter bladder is designed in a way that matches the shape of the back panel, which helps to stop the water from sloshing around during movement and provides the user with a better sense of balance. The back panel is also built with Osprey's Airscape technology, which stops the pack from adjusting when moving quickly and keeps the back cool.
