Who makes the best hydration packs for mountain biking and do I even need one?
Should it have lots of side pockets? What about bladder capacity, surely that's important?
Choosing the right mountain biking hydration pack can be tricky - there are lots of things to consider. Fortunately, we've got you covered! Let's start with why a hydration pack could be your next best purchase.
Do You Need A Hydration Pack For MTB?
You don't need a hydration pack but you probably should have one.
It will keep you more hydrated than always reaching for a bottle. Being able to take a sip easily makes sure of this!
You will be able to carry enough water for your ride. This means you don't have to worry about where to fill up your bottle or what happens if you run out of water.
There's no need to worry about whether or not it will fit your bike - it just has to fit you!
It's the ideal place to store your bike gear, tools, spare parts, etc.
How To Choose The Right MTB Hydration Pack
1. Capacity
The best capacity for you will come down to what suits your needs most. However, there is no doubt something ideal out there as hydration packs come in all different sizes!
If you're the type of rider who needs a bag for water only, then go minimal. There's no point in carrying around more weight than you need, it's just going to slow you down.
Something around 9L or less could suit you perfectly, with a split focusing on bladder capacity. 3L bladder capacity vs 6L storage.
For riders who are looking for long days mountain biking then it's worth considering a large hydration pack.
Somewhere to store spare parts and a bit of food is ideal - plus plenty of liquid.
If this sounds like something that would work for you then look for packs around the 9L - 15L mark. These will provide the additional capacity to give you the space to pack everything you need for an epic adventure.
Anything above the 20L capacity is getting into backpack territory but could provide you with the capacity if you need to pack a lot of stuff.
2. Water Space
A lot of hydration packs are going to have a bladder size of around two to three liters.
We feel like that's a good amount, it doesn't add a huge amount of weight to your ride but it gives you enough water to stay hydrated and that's important!
One thing that is worth knowing about 2L hydration packs is that they can often accept around 3 liters of water. This will eat into your storage capacity for other things but a handy thing to know and use occasionally!
The best capacity tends to be around the 2.5 L - 3L mark for most riders. It strikes the right balance between weight and storage.
Just like the 2L capacity, you can always add a little extra for those times when you need to.
Whichever water capacity you decide to go for in your hydration pack, don't forget that water is heavy. You're looking at an extra kg for every liter of water.
Judging how long your ride will be versus how much water you need will come with time. You most likely wouldn't want to fill your 3L hydration pack up full if you're only going to be out an hour. You're just making work for yourself!
Did you know? When you're out riding you should be aiming to consume around 0.7L of water for every hour that you're out.
Some riders (like myself), find that they need more water than that. You will find what's right for you but the general rule is to drink before you're thirsty.
A good habit to get into is to hydrate well before a ride, rather than trying to squeeze in as much drinking while you're out.
3. Compartments
With every hydration pack, there is usually one main large compartment. This space is perfect for throwing in your spare tubes, tools, sandwiches, etc.
Usually, there will be mesh pockets inside too, allowing you to store smaller items so that they're easy to find.
On some packs, they have other compartments. Some riders find this useful, some don't. Sometimes it can be tricky remembering where you put what.
4. Size & Weight
The temptation can be to go big for the times when you may need it but that's not always the best tactic.
Low rider packs tend to be heavier but they hold their weight very well and often feel to be much lighter than they are on paper.
Anything over 1kg and it's a heavy pack so best avoided.
A lightweight pack is anything under 600g - though you can get ultra-lightweight, you will lose capacity.
5. Materials & Ventilation
Ventilation has been a challenge for manufacturers but they are cracking it.
Keeping the air flowing is important to keep you cooler.
Look out for hydration packs with lots of mesh fabric, especially in the back panel and shoulder straps.
6. Fit
Nobody wants a pack that is going to bounce around and generally be a nuisance so it's vitally important to get the right fit.
One key thing to look for is a waist belt. These things keep the pack in place at your waist. They also have a little pocket - ideal for keeping your snacks in!
Chest rings are also making an increasing appearance, this keeps them in place with the use of a chest strap.
You will want to find one with a decent amount of adjustability so you can get the best position for yourself.
Low Rider packs are proving popular. Aimed at giving a rider lumbar support and keeping your center of gravity low. The huge upshot of this is that your ride becomes more stable.
The Top 6 Recommendations
1. Osprey Raptor 14
If you've looked into hydration packs or backpacks, then you have probably stumbled across Osprey.
They are one of the top dogs when it comes to backpacks in the US. A well-deserved title indeed.
However, they aren't too well established in the mounting biking sector...yet.
Osprey uses its wealth of knowledge in the outdoor and backpack market and brings it to the mountain biking market - with style too!
That means that the Osprey hydration pack is one of the best mountain bike hydration packs money can buy.
Storage
You won't be surprised to learn that with the history in backpacks, Osprey has cracked the storage and compartment category.
One of the standout features of this hydration pack is a rollout toolkit pouch. Not something that can be found on other packs but having tools to hand when you need them is, well, it's nothing short of genius!
Sometimes you need to be able to access things quickly and with the Osprey Raptor 14, that's possible. There is a vertical zipper at the front, making it ideal for things you want to be able to get hold of.
A nice little bonus is the 'stash' pocket, which is at the top. This can be used for items you don't want to be stored in the main compartment - think phone, keys, things like that!
There are many more little hidden gems of pockets and storage area in this hydration pack, making it a great choice with lots of flexibility.
Comfort
Osprey has nailed comfort with this hydration pack.
The Raptor 14 is designed to wrap comfortably around your body and thanks to its foam frame, it does just that.
Don't be put off by the fact it wraps around you. The ventilation has been thought about and works brilliantly - one of the best hydration packs for ventilation.
While the Osprey Raptor 14 is designed to give you a nice comforting hug, it doesn't shift around when you're riding but nor does it feel restrictive. It actually moves with you, rather than against you.
The shoulder straps are worth a mention. They provide a good level of padding but not too much that they are intrusive.
To top things off, you get a waist belt with a nice zipper pocket to give you a bit of extra storage space and that further support, not often offered on hydration packs.
Size & Weight
The Osprey Raptor 14 comes in at around 800g so it's not ultra-lightweight but it isn't heavy.
Its weight comes from the offer of giving you a more comfortable experience - a compromise that will be worth making for a lot of mountain biking riders.
Water Capacity
The Osprey Raptor 14 comes with a 2.5L bladder capacity, although it is capable to take 3L if you need it.
One thing to note is the bite valve and the hose design makes it one of the best hydration packs- and you don't have to unclip it from a magnet. There's also a handy twist-lock so it can be shut off when you want.
Cleaning your hydration pack comes with the territory so I'm pleased to say that this is the best mtb hydration pack we looked at when it comes to cleaning and refilling.
The opening of the Raptor 14 is wide so this makes refilling it and cleaning it a doddle, something which is appreciated!
As a design, the water reservoir is one of the best, it's easy to get to when you need it and is supported very well - full or empty.
Gear Capacity: 11.5L
Water Capacity: 2.5L
Weight: 800 grams
Dimensions: 20" x 9" x 9"
One of the first companies to make hydration packs for the mountain biking sector, CamelBak knows a thing or two about what makes a good one!
You may be wondering what the "LR" stands for? Good question!
It means "Low Rider". These hydration packs are designed to sit lower on your pack. The idea behind this design is that it will provide lumbar support and reduce the stress on your shoulders.
Storage
This hydration pack perfect for riders who want all the essentials with them for a day out but not their full tool room.
There is plenty of storage space - 7 liters in fact, and a 3-liter bladder capacity so it's a great choice for long days.
As with most hydration packs, the main compartment is through a large zipper.
Inside you get lots of mesh pockets to keep smaller items in place - saves you hunting around for them!
Similar to the Osprey, there is a tool roll kit included, though this is found in the main part of the pack. Still, it's a really handy thing to have and something that the best hydration packs are starting to include as standard.
Having somewhere to store your phone or more delicate items, CamelBak has fitted the Skyline with a fleece-lined pouch at the top so they will be protected.
A nice touch is the 'overflow' part, this allows you to store things you want to be able to get to quickly - snacks or rain jackets for example!
Making this the ideal choice of mtb riders, the straps are capable of both full-face helmets and half-shells.
Comfort
CamelBak's low rider style may not suit everyone.
It does tend to be popular with riders who aren't usually fans of hydration packs so if that's you, then you may have found the solution!
The weight is meant to sit as low as possible, easing the pressure off your shoulders.
Whilst different from the standard design of hydration packs, what it sets out to do, it does superbly.
Size & Weight
This pack is one of the larger ones with a weight of 995g. However, don't let that turn you off.
Due to its design, it feels a lot lighter than it is on paper. The weight really works for it.
The Low Rider series seem to be heavier than your more traditional hydration packs but they do feel lighter.
Water Capacity
This mountain bike hydration pack is one of the best to drink from. It's a pleasure!
It comes with a shut-off bite valve.
Getting water out of the Skyline is super easy - one of the easiest. That's something that can't be underrated when you need a drink on a warm day.
It's not the easiest to refill but it isn't difficult. The fact it is so easy to drink from the bite valve is worth the mild difficulty in refilling.
Gear Capacity: 7L
Water Capacity: 3L
Weight: 995 grams
Dimensions: 8 inches x 8 inches x 15 inches
If you don't actually want to wear a hydration pack then this could be the hydration pack for you!
Storage
A compact hydration pack that should hold everything you need for long rides and enough water to see you through, with 2.5L capacity.
Thule has departed from the traditional U shaped zipper access of the main part of the bag. Opting for a J shaped one instead.
Whilst it's different, it does make things more accessible so it gets our seal of approval!
There are plenty of pockets and sleeves to keep smaller items in and that's a nice feature to have - saves you digging around the bigger stuff to find what you're looking for!
The letdown of this hydration pack is there aren't any storage compartments externally. However, for this size pack, it's not a problem.
Comfort
Similar to the Low Rider design on the Skyline, the Thule sits quite low down on your back.
It's a comfortable hydration pack and the straps have been well designed, meaning they are well vented.
Smaller packs tend to be better for women and this one is no exception. Thanks to the ergonomic straps, women, in particular, are likely to find this very comfortable. Making the Vital one of the best women's hydration packs for mountain biking.
Size & Weight
Designed to be a compact hydration pack, this doesn't weigh a lot - only 540g.
The Thule is a fantastic option for riders who want something lightweight and comfortable.
Water Capacity
The great thing about this design is how easy it is to take a drink, while on the move. That's the whole point of hydration packs anyway, isn't it? So Thule firmly tick the box on this one!
The ReTrakt hose has a magnetic sleeve that goes around the entire hose. When you're finished taking a drink, it sticks straight back onto the shoulder strap.
Gear Capacity: 3.5L
Water Capacity: 2.5L
Weight: 540 grams
Dimensions: 8.7" x 3.5" x 17.5"
We already know that CamelBak makes fantastic hydration packs, the MULE is about as traditional as they get.
Don't let that fool you, it's ace and brings plenty of innovation to the market.
A no-nonsense hydration pack.
Storage
Storage shouldn't be a problem with this hydration pack. You get a decent 3-liter water reservoir and 12 liters for your essentials.
For most riders, this will be sufficient for everything they need.
In the main section of the pack, there aren't too many pockets but that does leave ample room for the larger stuff. Good use of space, it has to be said.
There is an additional section that is a decent size. Rather than having lots of smaller compartments, this works well.
As with many other hydrations packs, you get a rollout tool kit.
Cheekily hidden away three is an overflow section and somewhere to stow your helmet. At first glance, you may miss it and believe it's an extra layer of protection at the bottom. This keeps things neat when you aren't using them.
Comfort
CamelBak has opted for the Low Rider design with the MULE pack and it does feel like a step in the right direction.
This pack does sit lower on your back and as you work your way through the water, the reservoir compresses. The result is that the packs and your center of gravity is kept stable and at a low level.
It's these simple touches that make it a quality product from CamelBak.
Size & Weight
No, this isn't the lightest of hydration packs at close to a kg. However, this isn't unusual for low rider style packs.
Surprisingly, it never feels as heavy as it is and it's a joy to wear.
Water Capacity
The MULE and the Skyline have the same reservoir so if you've read our review on the Skyline, you won't need to read this!
It's one of the easiest to drink from and that's a huge selling point. CamelBak has done a great job.
Refilling the bladder isn't the easiest task but drinking from it is and that's a compromise I'm happy to make!
Gear Capacity: 12L
Water Capacity: 3L
Weight: 990 grams
Dimensions: 21" x 10" x 9"
Dakine is known as a surfing company...or they were!
The fact is they spend just as much time up mountains as they do on the beach so they know a thing or two about making the best hydration packs!
Storage
With a 7 liter capacity for your storage, including side pockets, this hydration pack has a lot to shout about.
The great upside about this pack is that it has an extra layer to make sure it's water-resistant. This can be ideal when you're on your mountain bike and the weather turns.
There are plenty of easy-access pockets and the usual big compartment with the U style zipper. Why change the best design?
Comfort
Dakine are experts at keeping you comfortable while being out all day up a mountain and it shows. They produce some of the best hydration packs available today.
To aid you to keep cool, there is a ventilated suspension back panel.
You also get ergonomic shoulder straps and these go a long way to help keep you cool when things start to get warm.
Size & Weight
With a 10 liter capacity, it's one of the best all-rounders. It's a good size and weight but not too big, nor is it too heavy.
3-liter water capacity gives you plenty of flexibility - though remember you don't always have to fill it up!
Gear Capacity: 7L
Water Capacity: 3L
Weight: 878 grams
Dimensions: 19" x 12" x 8"
6. Evoc CC 16L
Storage
With seven different pockets, you won't be short on storage space with this pack.
You even get a dedicated tool compartment with 6 mesh pockets to keep your tools in the right places. Keeping things simple, you can open this completely so you're never struggling to get the tool when you need them most (probably up a mountain!).
Capacity is fantastic at 13 liters so you'll be able to bring a lot of things on your ride and that's what makes it the best hydration pack for epic rides.
Comfort
This is where CC (short for 'climate control') really shines. Comfort is considered at every point.
Being on a mountain bike is sweaty work, right?
Ventilation won't be an issue here. The back panel has six raised channels, this aids ventilation but also provides excellent support.
The straps work for you, not against you. This means that the load will be taken evenly.
Weight & Size
Yes, it's a big pack. Can't get away from that but somehow it doesn't feel like a big pack.
With a tidy weight of only 695g, it's lighter than some of the smaller packs we've looked at.
It's incredibly well balanced and the weight sits stable on the rider.
Gear Capacity: 13L
Water Capacity: 3L
Weight: 695 grams
Dimensions: 9" x 19" x 5.5"
Gear Capacity: 13L
Water Capacity: 3L
Weight: 695g
Dimensions: 9" x 19" x 5.5"
Final Verdict
After looking at some of the best hydration packs for mountain biking, the winner goes to Osprey Raptor 14. We feel Osprey is the best hydration pack for mountain biking as it's super comfortable and is fantastic in size. See you right on any ride!
Common Questions & Answers
1. Which hydration pack is the best?
This very much depends on your needs and what style of riding you do.
Do you want to be out all day? Then consider a pack with a large capacity. The CamelBak MULE is a great choice.
Perhaps something more compact? Then the Thule Vital has you covered!
Above we've put together a look at the best hydration packs so there should be something perfect for you!
2. Are hydration packs worth it?
Yes!
Having water to hand when you need it is incredibly practical. Removing the need for hands and bottles is perfection.
A hydration pack is a great way to make sure you have enough water to get you through those epic long rides, without worrying about where you can fill up your bottle.
You also get storage space, in most cases enough of it to pack everything you need.