8 Best Hiking Backpacks With Hydration
My choice for the best overall hydration pack is the Osprey Syncro 15. The pack comes with ample storage, a breathable mesh backing for excellent airflow, and can hold 2.5 liters of water, which is enough for mod summer day hikes. It’s also just a very comfortable pack to wear for hikes, bike rides, or scrambling.
Like most hydration packs on this list, this isn’t a very large pack, so careful organization is necessary if you plan to bring it out on a long day. Additionally, this option is a bit heavier than others, although the weight is still under 2 pounds when empty.
Given the comfort, bladder capacity, and included water reservoir, the Osprey Syncro 15 is a fantastic and high-value hydration pack.
I was backcountry skiing recently and had to climb a 45-degree couloir to start my run. The sun was out, and I was thirsty. I had water bottles, but with skis on my back, and a steep climb ahead of me, it felt unsafe trying to unearth them. I climbed the whole thing without any water, which was miserable. If I had a hiking backpack with hydration, I could’ve avoided all of that.
This scenario isn’t limited to skiing. With water bottles, you often have to unearth them from a difficult-to-reach pocket. In rugged terrain or blowdowns, this is a delicate procedure. You could easily lose your balance, drop your water bottle, or drop your hiking pack. A large, easy-access water solution in a backpack that holds it all is why hydration packs are so great.
To help you always remain hydrated on the trails, I’ve put together a shortlist of my favorites and a buying guide you can find below.
My Review Process
I’ve been hiking and backpacking for the better part of 30 years. In that time, I’ve tested numerous hydration strategies. Ultimately, I found hydration packs are the easiest to use. Over the last few years, some excellent options have emerged; I wanted to test them out.
Water bottles still work, but you don’t get the benefit of a near-constant drip of water. Instead, you’re left dry until your next break when you try to guzzle water to make up for energy lost. Keeping up with your hydration needs is so much easier with a hydration pack.
Each selection reviewed below can carry liters of water, fits well, and has useful additional features like mesh padding, hydration sleeves, and adjustable straps. With those things in mind, let’s take a look at the 8 best hydration packs of 2023.
Best Overall Hydration Pack
My choice for the best overall hydration pack is the Osprey Syncro 15. The pack comes with ample storage, a breathable mesh backing for excellent airflow, and can hold 2.5 liters of water, which is enough for mod summer day hikes. It’s also just a very comfortable pack to wear for hikes, bike rides, or scrambling.
Like most hydration packs on this list, this isn’t a very large pack, so careful organization is necessary if you plan to bring it out on a long day. Additionally, this option is a bit heavier than others, although the weight is still under 2 pounds when empty.
Given the comfort, bladder capacity, and included water reservoir, the Osprey Syncro 15 is a fantastic and high-value hydration pack.
Best Men’s Hydration Pack
The best men’s hydration pack, and another one of my favorite packs, is the Gregory Endo 15. This pack comes with a 3L reservoir, breathable back panel, and an easily adjustable hip belt. There are also quite a few thoughtful features included, like an easy sunglass quick stow system on the shoulders traps, quick access top pocket, and a zippered hydration sleeve.
Like the Osprey Syncro, the Endo is a bit heavier than some other models. However, unless you're an ultralight athlete counting ounces, the empty weight of 2 pounds should be just fine for most outdoor adventures. This is a reliable, high-capacity hydration pack that can accompany you on many rugged adventures.
Best Women’s Hydration Pack
I chose the larger capacity Skimmer 28 as the best hydration pack for women. This well-designed pack can fit a standard 2.5-liter reservoir and features plenty of pockets, including a convenient front one for quick storage. Like most Osprey products, the Skimmer 28 is also very durable.
The larger pack size is both a pro and con. On the plus side, you can carry heavy loads for committing day hikes, including ice axes, helmets, and extra gear. On the negative side, the bigger size won’t appeal to ultralight hikers or runners. The biggest issue with this pack is that the hydration reservoir isn’t included. However, finding a 2.5-liter reservoir to match is easy.
If you want a hydration pack with an above-average water capacity and the space to load up for rugged adventures, the Osprey Skimmer 28 is a winner.
Best Lightweight Hydration Pack
If you value speed and lightweight packs for your outdoor adventures, I recommend the CamelBak HydroBak Hydration pack. This pack is fantastic for both biking and running because its small size won’t get in the way while still providing easy access to water. Like the best hydration packs, this one also comes with a ventilated harness and is comfortable to wear.
The issues with the pack revolve around its size and water capacity. While 1.5 liters is usually enough for a moderate run or ride, it is on the small side. Plus, you can only carry a light load in the pack. However, the lightweight and convenience make the CamelBak HydroBack a hydration pack worth getting.
Best Hydration Pack For Kids
Similar to the Hydrobak but with multiple colors and ensign options, the Mimi M.U.L.E is the best hydration pack for kids. The pack is small, lightweight, and comes with reflective strips to make kids easier to see on predawn or post-twilight hikes. This is especially useful if you’re traveling near roads. The included reservoir can hold up to 1.5 liters of water.
A 1.5-liter reservoir is ok but near the bottom of what hydration packs can usually hold. In warm and dry environments, that may not be enough water. However, for shorter hikes, family outings, or day trips from a campsite, the pack is a fantastic option for young hikers and explorers.
Best Insulated Hydration Pack
Camelbak strikes again with the Powderhound 12, my choice for the best-insulated hydration pack. Winter sports are intensive, and having easy access to water is crucial. Featuring an insulated sleeve, diagonal ski carry straps, and a vertically adjustable sternum strap, this pack is built for winter enthusiasts.
In extreme temperatures, the insulated tube can still freeze. By extreme, I mean single digits and negative temperatures (in Fahrenheit). For the vast majority of resort skiing or winter hiking days, the insulation will work fine. On top of all the other benefits, this option can carry a 3-liter water bladder, which is a perfect amount for up to a full day of winter adventures.
Best Hydration Vest
Hydration vests are ultralight packs with a minimalist design, and the Salomon Advanced Skin 12 is the best. If you’re a trail runner or Mountain biker, you’ll love the tight, lightweight fit, the small size, and the hydration pockets. There aren’t many features, but if you just need to store rain gear, water, and essential supplies, this pack is the most efficient way to do so.
The biggest drawback to hydration vests, is that there is no space for a water bladder. However, you can fit two collapsible water bottles into the Salomon. With a pump or purifying tabs, you could fill up during your adventure, but that won’t work in dry environments. Having said that, if you’re a runner who needs something small to carry the bare essentials, this is the best option.
Best Budget Hydration Pack
The TETON Sports Oasis is my choice for the best budget hydration pack. For a great price, you get a solid pack with decent storage, a sewn-in rain cover, and a 2-liter reservoir. It’s got a lot of the features of more expensive packs.
The main difference between this pack and others is comfort. The shoulder straps can pinch on broader folks, and the zippers are not smooth; you may be fighting with them on occasion. Additionally, while 2 liters is good, this pack doesn’t hold as much as some of the options above.
Still, for less than half the price of more expensive models, the TETON Sports Oasis Hydration is an affordable pack worth considering.
Quick Hydration Pack Use Tips
If you’ve never used a water reservoir in a hydration pack, use the following tips to stay refreshed on the trails.
- Make sure to clean your reservoir regularly to prevent mold buildup.
- Make sure the connection from the reservoir to the tube is secure. If this connection fails, your whole pack gets wet.
- Don’t fill your reservoir up to the absolute maximum; it makes it really hard to close.
- In cold weather, the hoses can freeze. Insulated sleeves are best if you’re going out in cold weather.
- Be aware of constantly sipping water. If you sip water as a reflex, you’ll run out faster than you would with bottles. Sip when you need it, but try to space out your consumption so the reservoir lasts for your whole adventure.
Backpack With Hydration Buying Guide
Despite the overwhelming amount of options out there, it’s pretty easy to narrow down an excellent hydration pack choice. Focus on the points below before you buy to make sure you’re getting something that will support your outdoor goals.
Cost
The cost varies with hydration packs but generally falls within $50-200. The packs at the upper end of that range feature excellent durability, breathability, and comfort while supporting larger water bladders. If you’re looking for a bargain, anything near or under $100 with any of the features in the previous sentence is worth considering.
Features
Hydration packs have a few key features that set them apart from others. A good hydration pack will be able to handle 1-3 liters of extra water. They will also have zippered pockets for secure storage. Many models have an easy-access pocket where you can hold valuables or stuff rain gear into quickly.
Additional features include:
- Rain covers
- Ventilated mesh
- Padded shoulder straps
- Insulated hydration sleeves
- Cushioned hip belts and pockets
- Sternum strap adjusters
One of my favorite features is an easy-store sunglass pocket or loop.
Not all packs need or come with the features above, but when they are artfully designed, it adds a ton of value to the offering.
Weight
Hydration packs are usually smaller than normal day packs. With that, you can expect the weight of the packs (when empty) to oscillate between about 1-2 pounds. In general, this is really light. Keep in mind, of course, that when you fill-up the reservoir, the weight will increase.
Pack Capacity
The largest pack on this list only has a 28-liter volume. Most fall in between 10-20 liters of volume. This means that these packs are fairly small and can support lighter loads. There's usually enough space to store extra layers, nutrition, essentials, microspikes, or some small combination of gear.
If the packs have loops or daisy chains on the outside, you’ll be able to secure helmets and ice axes to them.
Fit
Most hydration packs come in a one size fits all variety. However, several options have different-sized hip straps. Before you buy, make sure to measure your waist size so the pack fits well across your lower back.
Some packs, like the TETON Sports Oasis, aren’t the best for broad-shouldered people, as the straps tend to pinch. However, the Ospreys, Gregory’s, and Camelback options fit as described. Also note that the fit for men will be different than for woman.
Women-Specific Packs
For years, when offering women-specific products, outdoor companies would simply shrink it and pink it. Thankfully, that thinking has changed. Women and men have different body shapes. On average, women’s hips are a little wider, while men’s shoulders are a bit wider.
With those ergonomic considerations in mind, women-specific packs are now made specifically to fit most female body types. You can absolutely wear whatever pack you think you want, but several miles into the hike, you’ll wish you went with the one that fit better.
Summary
The best overall and one of my favorite hydration packs is the Osprey Syncro 15. For all the adventure ladies out there, I’d go with the Osprey Skimmer 28.
For winter sports enthusiasts, I’d take a hard look at the excellent CamelBak Powderhound Ski Hydration Pack. And, of course, for the budget oriented, the TETON Sports Oasis Hydration Pack is the best value selection on the list.
Common questions
I’m happiest on long backpacking trips into little-known pockets of wilderness, skiing down backcountry mountains, and on all-fours, scrambling the rocky spines of alpine ridges. When I'm not adventuring in the outdoors, I'm most likely writing about them.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
