Hydration packs are among the best ways to stay hydrated while staying active outdoors. This simple piece of outdoor gear is designed to carry all the equipment associated with on-the-go hydration—usually a bladder, and an attached straw that rests close to your mouth.
Depending on the type of pack, they may sit flush on your back and hold little more than the hydration equipment for easy hydration while moving quickly, or be big enough, like a hiking daypack, to carry equipment and supplies for longer activities.
Here's more info on why hydration packs are a great way to stay hydrated and how to choose the right one for you.
Staying Hydrated While Exercising Is Crucial
As we exercise, our body loses fluids, and the hotter it is, the harder we work, and the more fluids we need to replace. It’s obviously nice to have something to drink while on the move, but more importantly, dehydration can quickly take a hike from fun to total disaster.
Finding clean drinking water while out on the trail isn’t always a given, so it’s critically important to pack enough liquid to last you the entirety of your activity. Here's how to choose a hydration pack for outdoor activities to ensure you have enough liquid while outdoors.
What Is a Hydration Pack?
Hydration packs are backpacks or waist belts that hold comprehensive hydration systems. They include bladders that can hold several liters of water, usually on your back in small or large backpack-like equipment. You refill this bladder with a liquid of your choice, which is fed to your mouth via a straw typically run over your shoulder and located close to your mouth.
Hydration packs are effortless to use. They consist of a rubber water bladder or hydration reservoir that sits in your backpack and contains a large volume of water. A long rubber straw connects this bladder to your mouth, and by exerting a bit of pressure on a bite valve with your teeth and sucking gently, you will effortlessly deliver water into your mouth.
Key Features of Hydration Packs
There are hydration packs for different activities, and the features of each will depend on the sport you’re undertaking. Some features to look out for include:
- Bite valve Bite valves are central to how easy it is to use a hydration pack. You’ll want to find one that closes so it doesn’t deliver water unless you want it to. The safest bite valve for a hydration pack to opt for is one that is built sturdy and delivers water fast.
- Shoulder clips A shoulder clip is a nice feature that keeps your tube straight while hiking so you don’t have to fish around for it when you need a drink.
- Tubes Tubes are almost universal in the world of hydration packs, but how they disconnect from the bladder isn’t. If you want to quickly disconnect your tube from your bladder when refilling, look for one with this feature—this is particularly useful if you don’t want to unthread your tube through your pack’s portal.
- Tube portals Tube portals are standard to most hydration packs—but if you’re undecided on which side you’d like to drink from, consider a pack with dual-tube portals.
- Mouth opening When it comes to external fill on a hydration pack, you’ll want to go for a wide mouth opening. This allows you to quickly and easily fill your pack without fussing over a tiny hole.
- Rain and cold protection If you’re hiking in cold or rainy weather, look for packs that offer features like rain covers and winterized add-ons to keep your hydration source from freezing.
Types of Hydration Packs
There are two types of hydration packs: those that sit on your back and those that sit on your waist. Within each of these high-level categories are packs built for specific types of sport—so whether you’re a runner, hiker, biker, kayaker, or skier, there’s a back or waist hydration pack for your needs.
What it's like to use a hydration pack depends specifically on which type you choose and which sport you embark on, so it pays to spend some time thinking about the one best suited to your needs. Hydration packs for running, for example, are different from those built specifically for hiking.
Although there are many ways to carry water while on a hike, choosing a hydration-compatible pack or a water backpack for hiking is one of the best ways to do it.
Hydration-compatible packs are an ideal go-between for the occasional hiker, too. These have the ability to house a bladder in a separate compartment, and can accommodate a straw - but they are also able to be used like a typical backpack when hydration isn't essential.
Hydration Pack Types and How They Work
Hydration packs are suitable for all types of activities and hikes. How long your activity will take depends on the kind of hydration pack to bring along.
- Hiking Hiking hydration packs are a great way to carry water while hiking, usually mid-size packs perfect for many different types of hiking. They're lightweight and can usually accommodate a few additional supplies, but may not have enough space to carry clothing and equipment for longer treks or multi-day hikes.
- Trekking Multi-day hikes require a lot of water and much more space to carry supplies. Trekking hydrations packs will usually allow for larger bladders, and can also hold additional equipment, like sleeping bags, clothing, and tents, in separate compartments.
- Cycling Cycling hydration packs can be slightly bigger than lightweight running packs and don't need to fit as snugly, but they must have straws that are easily accessible while on the move. They may also have small compartments for essential supplies, like snacks and phones, for longer rides.
- Running Running hydration packs are usually smaller and fit snugly to the back. This is to avoid the pack bouncing around while on the move. The trade-off of this snugger, more comfortable fit, is that they hold smaller bladders and have less room to store supplies.
Either way, if you’re asking whether hydration packs are worth it, the short answer is yes—they’ll keep you hydrated throughout your activity, and, with an easy-access straw resting right on your chest, they’ll ensure that you’re always drinking that all-important water. Take a look at these hydration packs for sale for inspiration on which is right for you.