The Best Hydration Packs of 2021
Hydration pack: a lightweight, body-hugging, functional bag with an internal water reservoir for quick sips between dodging trees and rolling over boulders. Easy-access pockets for necessities, trekking pole attachments, utility straps are among other features you'll find in the best hydration packs.
Water is life. And getting outside-no matter which adventures you choose-is next to necessity. It's water that keeps us headstrong in those adventures, especially as temperatures begin to rise with the spring and summer months. Carrying water bottles isn't always practical; being hands-free and taking what you need on your back is, though.
We've done the leg work, literally, taking a handful of these hydration packs out for a spin and getting into the nitty-gritty of what makes the best hydration packs for the average outdoor enthusiast.
1. Osprey Dyna 1.5L Hydration Pack
Running with the Osprey Dyna 1.5L Hydration Pack with a 1.5L reservoir felt like I was wearing a tactile sports bra. I will dare to say women with smaller chests could run sans sports bra throughout the hot summer months-the goods contained beneath an irritation-free, breathable mesh and perforated foam harness. The hydration vest offered a snug female-specific fit with removable, adjustable straps under the arms and across the chest for a smooth, bounce-free run.
The Osprey Dyna 1.5 was ideal for short to mid-range trail and road runs. It is littered with pockets, both mesh and zippered, ranging in size. On a 10-mile trail run, I carried a small first aid kit, a roll of tape, keys, phone, a buff, a full bladder and shoved an extra layer through an auxiliary loop without feeling too weighed down or off-balance. The accompanying 1.5-liter Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir with QuickConnect and the pack's sternum strap bite valve magnet made hauling water on the 10-miler feel like nothing.
For me, the vest's versatility made it the best hydration pack when running. After testing the pack and fully-filled reservoir out a long run, I took it for an early-morning slow 6. On the latter test, I ran with just two of my soft bottles in the front mesh chest pockets for hydration, no reservoir (I needed the room to shed layers as the sun came up). Safe to say, the Osprey Dyna 1.5 is my go-to for spring and summer runs, road or trail, rain, or shine. Read the in-depth review here.
2. Gregory Juno 24 Hydration Pack
Perfect for a long day hike in the local greenbelt or state park, the Gregory Juno 24 Hydration Pack has your back. It supported and kept my back and shoulders happy on a 12-mile hike with a wide, padded hip belt and the Perimeter wireframe.
The wireframe helped distribute the weight across my entire back, and the hip belt alleviated the pressure on my shoulders well. In the spring Texas heat and humidity, the VaporSpan ventilated suspension with moisture-wicking mesh was a key feature; I appreciated the continuous breeze and the moisture-wicking mesh. My day hikes stretch across breakfast and lunch, following the rising morning temperatures.
The pack has multiple compartments: two large zippered hip pockets, a zipped top pocket, and accessory pockets and straps around the pack's exterior. I found the Juno 24 happily fit a large, two to three-person first-aid kit, a small breakfast and lunch, raincoat, a mid-layer, extra hiking socks, my essentials, and a small camera with ease.
The 100% nylon material withstood beatings in the back of my truck and on the trail. Sitting down to eat or swim, I was confident my belongings were kept dry and secure. Read the in-depth review here.
3. CamelBak Chase Bike Hydration Pack
The CamelBak Chase Bike Hydration Pack is a significant departure from most hydration packs – the hydration bladder and all other riding tools and supplies are supported by a vest instead of shoulder straps. I preferred this method of transferring the load to my body for mountain biking compared to a standard hydration pack.
My cell phone and gels lived in the front pockets. I distributed my multitool, bars, and rain shell in the two main back pockets and stash pocket. The water reservoir hung in its dedicated pocket. I secured car keys in a small, zippered pocket with a key clip.
4. Nathan VaporAiress 2.0 Hydration Pack
My experience with the Nathan VaporAiress 2.0 was delightful. The snug, harness vest fit with a broad-shouldered back panel felt like a second skin while moving over rocky terrain.
Nathan claims the Adaptive-Fit Adjustable sizing system makes for a tailored, customizable fit, and I agreed. The fit made it a champion of marathon hydration packs. The adjustable straps under the arm pulled from the center of the chest rather than from the outside of the breasts, pulling everything snug towards the body's center rather than just cinching down the side panels. The armholes are large enough to avoid uncomfortable chafing under the arms, and the skin contact materials didn't bother me, even after pouring sweat 7 miles in.
