Gear Review: Hydration Packs

If you are doing day hikes, and want a lightweight, comfortable way to carry water and other small items, a hydration pack may be just what you're looking for.

You have a lot of selection when it comes to hydration packs, so before you start looking, decide what you want to use it for. There is a wide range of backpack and water reservoir sizes, so it's a good idea to try on packs before buying them



If you are like me and want to use your pack for a variety of activities - hiking, cycling, snowboarding, even while at festivals, look for something versatile. I tried out a 2-Liter hydration pack from Outdoor Products with lots of compartments but still small and lightweight. Outdoor Products offers great starter packs at affordable prices - and mine has proved to be very durable.

I realized that having lots of smaller storage pockets rather than one large compartment makes it easier to find your stuff quickly. Some packs have a separate compartment for a CD payer or iPod - with a convenient outlet for your headset cord.

Also, the extra padding and "moisture-wicking" fabric on the shoulder straps and back make this a really comfortable pack, something you may not think about until after you start using it.

  • To see and compare different Outdoor Products hydration backpacks and fannypacks, click here >> Outdoor Products Hydration Packs 
  • For photos and ratings on hydration packs from Burton, CamelBak, DAKINE, The North Face and more, click here >> New Hydration Packs   
  • If you want to save money, Back Country Outlet has cool packs for 30%-50% off. Click here >> Hydration Packs on Sale