Best Hydration Packs for Hikers

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Best Hydration Packs for Hiking

Staying hydrated when you’re on the trail is one of the most important things you should do when you’re hiking. If you don’t need all the space that one of these top backpacks for hiking offers, consider one of the best hydration packs.

A hydration pack provides just enough room to carry a water bladder and a few essential items. Best of all, they give you instant access to your water through an easy-to-access mouthpiece, so you’ll be able to stay hydrated on your hike!

Since there are a variety of options on the market, use this guide on the best hydration packs to find the one that will perfectly suit your needs when you go hiking.

1. Best Hydration Pack for Women

The Osprey Skimmer 16 is the best hydration pack for women because it’s amazingly comfortable and provides just enough space for everything you need to bring on the trail.

The pack comes with a dedicated hydration compartment that includes a BPA-free Hydraulics LT 2.5-liter reservoir. The wide opening to the main compartment makes it easy to pack your essential items and then get them out when you need them.

The pack also features two mesh side pockets for items you want close at hand, an interior zip pocket for important items that need a little extra security, and a daisy chain attachment for carrying extra items on the outside.

Related: Top Hiking Pants for Women

2. Best Hydration Pack for Men

Since the Osprey Skimmer 16 is the best hydration pack for women, it should comes as no surprise that the Osprey Skarab 18 is the top hydration pack for men.

Even though the Osprey Skarab 18 doesn’t have any fancy suspension systems like backpacking packs, it still provides a comfortable fit for men. Like the pack for women, the Osprey Skarab 18 has a large main compartment and a dedicated hydration compartment with a BPA-free Hydraulics LT 2.5-liter reservoir.

To make sure you get the most comfortable fit possible, the bite valve attachment is located on an adjustable sternum strap. The reservoir is easy to fill and even easier to clean, especially if you pick up the Osprey Packs reservoir cleaning kit.

Related: The Best Hiking Boots for Men

3. Best Hydration Pack for Kids

If you’re doing some hiking with your kids, you want to make sure they stay hydrated. But you also don’t want to be stopping every 20 feet on the trail because they need a sip of water. That’s when the CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. comes in handy!

This kid-sized hydration pack is small enough for them to comfortably carry on their own. It includes a 1.5-liter high-flow reservoir that makes it easy for them to drink water during the hike. The pack’s bite valve has a simple, leak-proof On/Off lever that ensures water doesn’t leak out during the hike.

Plus, the lightweight pack features a breathable mesh back panel that provides a comfortable fit and a storage compartment where kids can stash the items they want to bring on their hike.

It also has some extra features that will give you a little more peace of mind when you’re on the trail, such as reflective accents for visibility in low-light conditions and a safety whistle built into the sternum strap.

4. Best Hydration Pack for an All-Day Hike

Most hydration packs are designed to offer just enough interior space for your essentials. But what if you know you’ll be on the trail most of the day and you need something that can carry the extra gear you need? That’s when you should choose the Gregory Mountain Endo 15.

This hydration pack offers outstanding storage and organization with pockets and sleeves for pretty much every single piece of gear you need to bring. In addition to the large main storage compartment that holds the included 3-liter water reservoir, the pack also has a zippered front compartment, internal mesh pockets, zippered hip belt pockets, and a sunglasses clip on the strap.

The pack also has a fully ventilated back panel with moisture-wicking technology that will help you stay dry and comfortable through all types of weather.

5. Best Budget-Friendly Hydration Pack

You don’t always have to spend a fortune to get decent hiking gear. If you’re just getting started with hiking, or you don’t plan on doing on a lot of hikes every year, the Mubasel Gear hydration pack is an outstanding option.

This pack has three storage compartments that make it easy to store your gear. Additionally, the insulated bladder compartment comes with a 2-liter BPA-free hydration bladder that can keep your drink cool for up to 4 hours.

Other impressive comfort features on this cheap hydration pack include a lightweight design, padded shoulder straps, and a breathable mesh back panel.

6. Best Hydration Pack for Hot Weather

When you’re hiking in hot weather, you don’t want a hydration pack that just adds extra weight and extra heat to your body. The Osprey Syncro 12 (men’s size) and Osprey Sylva 12 (women’s size) includes a cooling mesh back panel that provides unbeatable comfort and ventilation.

Although this pack is long and narrow because it was designed for biking, you’ll still find plenty of interior space to carry your essential hiking gear. It also has a dedicated hydration compartment that includes an Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5-liter reservoir.

Plus, since you never know what type of weather you might encounter when you’re on the trail, the pack even has an integrated raincover that helps keeps things dry.

7. Best Hydration Pack for Winter Hikes

While the Osprey Syncro and Sylva are fantastic for warm-weather hikes, what if you’re dealing with weather on the opposite end of the spectrum? For those winter hikes, pick up the Osprey Kamber 16 (men’s size) or Osprey Kresta 14 (women’s size).

These hydration packs are specifically designed for cold weather. They include an insulated hydration reservoir sleeve that will help prevent your water from freezing. You’ll also find extra-large compartments where you can stash the essentials you need for snowy hikes.

Plus, the pack even features glove-friendly buckles and zipper pulls that make it easy to open compartments without having to remove your gloves and freeze your fingers.

8. Best Lightweight Hydration Pack

Whether you’re a trail runner or you’re interested in ultra-light hiking, the CamelBak Rogue offers the ideal hydration pack to suit your needs. This streamlined and lightweight pack has a 2.5-liter Crux reservoir that’s easy to fill and drink from.

It also has two external pockets that can hold small items like a phone, wallet, and keys. Plus, to help keep you cool, it has a ventilated harness with breathable mesh straps.

8 Best Hydration Packs for Hikers

You always have to make sure you’re drinking enough water when you’re on a hike. But hauling heavy water bottles in your backpack isn’t convenient. That’s why you should choose one of these best hydration packs for your next hike.

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