Best Running Backpacks in 2021
If you're serious about running, you need the right gear.
You've got the expensive running shoes, you've got your Fitbit or Apple Watch on your wrist, and you've got the matching running clothes. The only thing you're missing is the perfect backpack, to carry your water and anything else you might need. Now, you can't just take any old backpack out running with you. If you grab your old college backpack, it's going to be bouncing around all over the place and completely ruin your rhythm. It can also cause damage to your back and shoulders if you don't have the right pack.
The backpacks in this list are the best running backpacks money can buy. They spread the weight evenly across your back and provide clever ways of storing your valuables and hydration equipment. The right running backpack is the piece of sports equipment that you really can't do without.
1. Mubasel Gear Insulated Hydration Backpack
Whether you love running, cycling, or just spending a long summers day outdoors, then this Mubasel Gear 2-liter hydration backpack, is a stylish and practical solution. Available in a wide selection of colors, it's suitable for men and women of all sizes and can be adjusted to accommodate up to a 50-inch chest. With a thermally insulated bladder, you can keep drinks cool for up to 5 hours. Besides the 2-liter BPA free, leak proof food and drink compartment, there's also ample storage capacity with additional pockets to hold clothes, keys and a phone. There's also stretch mesh pockets on the front of this running backpack, ideal for those of you who love hiking. The ultra-lightweight design makes this backpack incredibly versatile as well as being comfortable and ventilated too. Straps can be adjusted and tightened to prevent any unnecessary bouncing and it's also fitted with high-quality, sturdy straps as well as reflective safety piping for increased visibility.
2. Osprey Packs Daylite Daypack
The Osprey Daylite Backpack may well be super light and tiny to look at, but it's packed with features including comfortable and adjustable mesh shoulder straps. With side pockets as well as a sizeable panel-loading compartment, there's plenty of space for all your runners' needs. It's the perfect way to travel without adding on additional bulk or weight and can accommodate 18-liter capacity with a decent amount of pockets and organized storage. It comes in a wide range of contemporary color options and features a mesh-covered back panel with slotted foam, designed to be comfortable but breathable and to deliver onboard ventilation. It's ideal to use in conjunction with a hydration reservoir and as part of an extensive range of products from Osprey, has been designed so that it can be attached and added on to larger packs from their range. It's a versatile and stylish choice, incredibly lightweight and super practical.
3. TRIWONDER Hydration Pack Backpack 5.5L
If you're looking for a budget running backpack, there's few better than the TRIWONDER Hydration Pack. It might not have the same technology or high-quality materials as some of the other packs on this list, but at $29.99 you get a lot of backpack for your money. It has a similar vest-type design to the Salomon Advanced Skin Backpackwhich makes it the perfect running tool. You get the option to buy it with 2 water bottles or with a 2L water bladder, or both, giving you the option to tailor the backpack to your requirements. It a surprisingly high-quality product for the price; it's not going to last as long as a $100 backpack, but if you're just starting out this pack will tick all the boxes. The waterproof nylon and polyester mesh ismade to be breathable, and it's got plenty of secure little pockets to carry your belongings or even extra pair of running socks.
4. Teton Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Backpack
This Teton running backpack is stylish and practical in equal measures. There's little wonder it's such a popular choice with runners. It's been thoughtfully designed to be useful for commuting around town as well as for providing day-long hydration for runners, hikers and cyclists. With multiple compression straps, you can customize the fit. There's a separate external zippered water bladder department as well as a large main compartment, ideal for storing essential items. The backpack itself has been constructed from a high quality 210 D honeycomb ripstop nylon with strong and sturdy zippers on the front pockets, which also happen to be water resistant. There's a conveniently integrated rain fly included plus a practical bungee cord, ideal for attaching a cycling helmet or other essentials sports gear. Supported by two vertical foam pads along the back, it's comfortable to carry and provides plenty of breathable, ventilated air flow so is perfect to wear for extended periods.
5. Deuter Speed Lite 20 Athletic Running Backpack
The Deuter Speed Lite 20 Athletic Daypack is designed to be streamlined and lightweight. That makes it perfect for any fast-paced endurance sports like running, speed-climbing, or skiing. It also doubles up as a hiking and mountaineering backpack. It's Deuter's lightest and most simple backpack (it only weighs 1 pound), which makes it perfect for those of you serious about personal bests. It's doesn't come with a hydration system but has a specialized compartment to keep it in, as well as space for wet gear, dry gear, and valuables. Despite its simplicity, it's got plenty of handy little compartments for stuff like sunglasses, helmets, and water bottles.
