The best hydration packs are extremely useful. Even with the advent of bib shorts with cargo pockets, nothing compares to a pack with a hydration bladder when it comes to water and gear-hauling capacity.
The best packs can help you be prepared out on the trails and organise your riding essentials. Plus, carrying up to three litres of water (the equivalent of four large bottles) comfortably allows for big, all-day rides.
Hydration packs, like everything else in the bike world, have evolved brilliantly. There’s a huge range of shapes, sizes and features.
Our list of the best hydration packs will help keep you hydrated, comfortable and ready to take on the trails. Keep reading until the end for our buyer's guide on what to consider when buying a hydration pack.
Editor's note: this list was updated on 22 July 2025 with the addition of our latest high-scoring reviews, including the Evoc Hydro Pro 6 and Rockrider Hydration backpack 4l/1l. We have also given awards to the best hydration packs and included information on how we test them.
Best hydration packs in 2025
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- Best performance: CamelBak Chase Bike Vest
- Best budget: Rockrider Hydration backpack 4l/1l
- Best in class: CamelBak H.A.W.G. Pro 20
Best performance: CamelBak Chase Bike Vest
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- £95 as tested
- Pros: Well thought-out storage; excellent bladder; super-comfortable and stable on the bike
- Cons: None
Broad shoulder straps make the Chase Vest very comfortable, while the quick-reach pockets are ideal for storing phones, tools or snacks.
The internal storage features two zipped inner compartments large enough to stash most kit, while the elasticated overflow pocket is big enough to carry a waterproof jacket in.
The Chase Vest is incredibly stable, even when jostled about on the gnarliest terrain.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 1.5l | Storage capacity: 4l
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Best budget: Rockrider Hydration backpack 4l/1l
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- £24.99 as tested
- Pros: Impressively stable; comfortable for long durations; great price
- Cons: Hose retention could be better
The Rockrider features significant padding throughout the entire back panel, which adds to its weight but helps with overall comfort.
Inside the main pocket, you’ll find additional mesh stash pockets, plus an extra zipped pocket, all of which help when it comes to stowing your kit effectively.
Chest and waist straps help to keep the Rockrider impressively secure while riding, even on steep trails or when hammering through jumps.
These work well to secure the wide, mesh shoulder straps which, although not padded, are really comfy in use.
That said, the thin nature of both the chest and shoulder straps mean they can dig in a little when breathing hard or hunkered over the front of the bike on steep climbs.
While the bite valve works just fine and can be locked easily enough, Rockrider hasn't provided a decent place to store it.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 1 litre | Storage capacity: 4 litres
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Best in class: CamelBak H.A.W.G. Pro 20
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- £170 / $170 / €175 as tested
- Pros: Impressive airflow; good organisation options; bladder included
- Cons: No rain cover; pocket entrance could be bigger
The H.A.W.G. Pro 20 is a great choice for those wanting large, comfortable carrying capacity for big days in the saddle.
We found the organisation of the bag handy, with the removable tool wrap helping to keep potentially damaging items out of the way of the rest of the bag's contents.
With exceptional airflow and adjustability, the H.A.W.G. Pro 20 was comfortable to wear for long durations and remained cool on warmer days.
However, we found the entrance to some of the pockets a little restrictive.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 3l | Storage capacity: 20l
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CamelBak Women's Chase Vest
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- £90 / $100 / €103 / AU$150 as tested
- Pros: Smartly arranged pockets; female-specific cut helps; robust
- Cons: Hose could be a little shorter
Designed as a vest, even though it appears more like a pack, the Chase has a women's-specific fit that does a great job and keeps the pack in place.
Eight smartly arranged pockets enable you to quickly access snacks and your phone, for instance, without having to take the vest off.
There is room for 1.5l of water and the Chase has a total capacity of 2.5l. This means there isn't a great deal of room if the bladder is full, but there is still enough for a light jacket, pump and other essentials.
This pack would be ideal for enduros and shorter rides.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 1.5l | Storage capacity: 2.5l
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Evoc Hydro Pro 6
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- £139.99 / €150 as tested
- Pros: Stable and comfortable design; well-organised layout; useful features
- Cons: Becomes unsettled on the roughest terrain; some care needed when opening the pocket
The Evoc Hydro Pro 6's wide shoulder straps make it comfortable for long days in the saddle and keep it stable on all but the roughest descents.
The pack features one pocket, with a separate internal pocket to attach the reservoir, which uses a quick-release hose for easy installation.
A small, mesh, zipped pocket on the inside is great for keeping valuables separated and prevents them from falling out of the pack when the main pocket is opened.
Maximising capacity, there is further storage in the massive shoulder straps, a great touch when storing something a little heavier, such as a multi-tool.
A magnetic clip keeps the reservoir’s hose in check over bumpy terrain and the lockable bite valve close to hand for quick drinks on the move.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 1.5l Storage capacity: 6l
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EVOC Stage 6
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- £120 as tested
- Pros: Wide and stable design; easy-access compartments; comfortable for long days
- Cons: No bladder included; hip pockets would be a big improvement
EVOC's Stage 6 offers steadfast security on technical trails, with large foam-padded straps making it comfy on long days out.
The bag maximises its capacity, with a wide opening to the main pocket, meaning you can fit all the essential trail-side tools inside.
There are plenty of mesh features on the rear of the bag to keep air flowing to your back, avoiding sweat build-up.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: Not included | Storage capacity: 6l
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Source Summit 15L
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- £110 / €140 as tested
- Pros: Well-organised storage; compression straps add stability; lots of extras
- Cons: Quite hefty and not that breathable
With 15l of capacity, the Summit is the biggest hydration pack from Source. This might feel excessive for shorter rides, but come long days in the saddle this extra space will be appreciated – especially because inside there are mesh dividers, making organisation easy.
Source includes its 3l Widepac hydration bladder, which is held in its own insulated compartment, keeping water at an even temperature. The hose is insulated too and unclips from the reservoir for easy filling.
The large capacity of the pack means it covers a lot of the back, which helps distribute weight, but it means the Summit can be warm to wear.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 3l | Storage capacity: 15l
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Thule Rail 8L
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- £120 as tested
- Pros: Wide opening and easy-to-access pockets; good tool organiser; magnetic hose retention
- Cons: Bladder is hard to remove
With great technical details, the Rail hydration pack offers great usability with handy access pockets on the hips.
The large main pocket features a generous organiser, with compartments for various tools and a pump.
The Rail is only let down by the lack of arm choice for the tube and a frustratingly tight loop for supporting the reservoir in the bag.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 2l | Storage capacity: 8l (tested), 12l and 18l
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Vaude Bike Alpin 30 + 5
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- £145 / €170 as tested
- Pros: Impressive versatility; brilliant airflow; plenty of adjustment
- Cons: Initial adjustment can be time-consuming; no whistle; bladder not included
The Bike Alpin 30 + 5 make for an excellent day pack, while offering the storage capacity for longer expeditions.
We were impressed by the pack's versatility and features, with a handy phone pocket that's easy to access while riding and plenty of storage compartments.
The lack of bladder at this price point is slightly disappointing, but the bag's comfort and quality make up for this.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 5l | Storage capacity: 30l
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Decathlon Rockrider Explore 7L/2L
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- £35 as tested
- Pros: Amazing value; handy mesh pockets; wide main pocket
- Cons: Can get sweaty; no tool compartment
The Rockrider Explore hydration pack crams high-end features into a budget bag, while also including a reservoir.
Zipped hip pockets allow for easy access to essentials, and are big enough to fit a phone inside.
The straps and rear feature mesh to allow airflow, and while not as complex as more expensive bags, they proved just as effective.
A locking bite valve is a nice addition at this price point, keeping car seats from being soaked on the way to a ride.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 2l | Storage capacity: 7l
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Osprey Escapist 30
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- £150 / $180 / €165 as tested
- Pros: Good adjustability; plenty of internal storage; easy access to bladder
- Cons: Not the most stable on descents; helmet carry not compatible with all lids
The Escapist 30 is a good choice for those long days in the saddle, with plenty of storage space and good versatility.
Well-considered external pockets and internal compartments do a good job of keeping things organised, although we would have liked more zipped pockets.
The pack offers good airflow and adjustability, helping to keep it comfortable for long distances, but it moved around quite a bit on bumpy descents.
Spec
Reservoir capacity: 3l | Storage capacity: 30l
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How we test hydration packs
We test hydration packs out on the trails, taking in flowing trail-centre and gnarly technical descents.
Our testers have years of experience using hydration packs and the know-how to separate the good from the best.
Ultimately, our hydration pack reviews are based on the following criteria:
- Comfort – is the pack comfortable to ride with for long days?
- Stability – does the pack remain in place over rough terrain?
- Capacity – is available space well used?
- Price – does the pack represent good value for money?
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Buyer’s guide to hydration packs
What is a hydration pack?
Hydration packs are either backpacks or hip packs that contain a reservoir for water, with a length of tube and a bite valve to get the water to your mouth. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit any type of riding.
Hydration packs have benefits over water bottles because they enable riders to carry more water – typically 2 to 3 litres rather than the 1.5 litres of two large bottles.
A pack enables you to bring along more food, tools, clothing and other riding essentials. In some instances, they can provide back and spine protection.
You might think of CamelBak when you hear the words 'hydration pack'. That’s common, and CamelBak created the original hydration pack back in 1989.
To say the first iteration was simple is an understatement. CamelBak founder Michael Eidson slid an IV bag into a tube sock when he was competing in a bike race in Texas called the Hotter ‘n Hell 100. The packs have come a long way since then.
Over the years, the number of manufacturers making hydration packs has exploded. Hydration packs tailored to the demands of hiking, running, snow sports and even the military now exist alongside cycling-specific bags.
Within cycling, there are now low-profile packs for road use, hip packs for shorter rides, all-day packs with enough room for food, clothes and gear and even pint-size packs for kids.
What to consider when buying a hydration pack
Water capacity
Hydration pack fluid capacity varies from about 1 to 3 litres. How much do you need? That depends on you. It also depends on the temperature, how long you plan to be out and the availability of refills.
How much should you drink? Drinking water is essential for maintaining performance and a very general baseline recommendation is roughly half a litre for every hour. This, of course, is highly dependent on heat, humidity and your personal chemistry.
Capacity for gear
One of the best reasons to use a hydration pack as opposed to bottles is the ability to haul gear. Mountain bikes have become more reliable, but flat tyres, bent wheels and broken chains can still happen. When they do, in the middle of nowhere, it’s essential to have the parts and ability to fix them.
Carrying food and extra clothes is also relatively easy with a pack. Most hydration packs also have fleece-lined pockets for sunglasses, goggles and cameras.
Straps and harnesses
Almost all rucksack-style hydration packs are built with the features you can expect from the best cycling backpacks. These include padded, ventilated shoulder straps, hip belts for stability, and sternum straps to pull the shoulder straps together.
On the back panel, where the pack sits on your back, look out for channels to get a bit of airflow in there and help you stay cool. Some packs even have a suspended mesh back.
Hip packs
The best hip packs help you stay hydrated and carry tools on a ride.
Compared to rucksack-style hydration packs, they tend to offer less storage capacity and have smaller bladder sizes. This makes them ideal for when you don’t need to carry so much kit and don’t need to drink as much water. They are also good if you simply prefer to not have a rucksack against your back whilst riding, which can be a nuisance, particularly in hot weather.
Hip packs tend to have capacity for about 1.5 litres of water, so they still provide enough hydration for a decent ride. Storage capacity is lower than rucksacks and is often around 2 litres, but some hip packs go up to 5 litres.
Bite valve and hose
The bite valve is crucial because it’s where the water meets your mouth.
Bite valves are typically comprised of soft rubber. Some require a simple squeeze to unleash the flow of water, others involve pressing a button with your tongue. Almost all bite valves have a lock or shut-off feature, which is invaluable when tossing a hydration pack in a car or another larger gear bag.
The hose on most packs can be trimmed to length. On the pack itself, there will be hose guides and mounting clips to keep the hose from swinging about when riding.
Optional hose accessories include sleeves to keep the water warm or cold (depending on the season) and even semi-rigid setups for angling the bite valve closer to your mouth.
Built-in body armour
A few pack manufacturers incorporate body armour-style padding and impact-absorbing plates into their packs to enhance protection. Reservoirs are built tough so they’re able to withstand the force of a hit.
Access and filling the reservoir
Hydration packs vary in how you get at the bladder itself. Some reservoirs reside inside the main pack, which saves weight, while others have their own dedicated compartment for protection from pokey tyre pumps, tube valves and multi-tools.
Most reservoirs feature a detachable hose to make filling easier. To fill bladders with a permanent hose requires either slipping the hose out of the bag or carrying the whole bag over to the tap.
Looking after your hydration pack
Cleanliness is essential to hydration pack bladders. Ideally, they should be emptied immediately after use and hung out to dry. Several companies make drying inserts to keep the internal surfaces apart, and many riders modify a coat hanger for the job.
Another solution is keeping it in the fridge, where the cold keeps nasty stuff from growing.
It’s recommended to only put water in the reservoir, simply because cleaning out sports drinks thoroughly is almost impossible. This inevitably leads to bacteria growth and then buying a new hose, bite valve or entire reservoir.
Other features
Hydration pack makers have really nailed the organisation part of the bags.
All sorts of features are found in packs: special pockets for pumps and tools; hooks for keys; whistles; elastic cords for lashing on a jacket; helmet carry straps for when you’re off the bike; expandable compartments; headphone ports; and many others.
It’s worth reading the detailed specs to find out what’s on offer and thinking about what extra benefits would be useful for your riding style.
Jargon
Harness: The arrangement of shoulder straps, sternum (chest) strap and waist belt that secures the pack to your back. Some designs do away with the waist belt and rely on an extra sternum strap to pull the shoulder straps in tight.
Compression straps: On bigger packs especially, additional external straps are useful for cinching down your cargo to stop it shifting around when the bag isn’t stuffed to full capacity.
Certified back protector: Level 1 or level 2 certification indicates the amount of impact energy transmitted through/absorbed by a CE-approved back protector. Level 2 designs offer more protection but are likely to be bulkier.
Bite valve: The rubber mouthpiece at the drinking end of the hose. This is usually replaceable and most have a twist-lock or lever closure to prevent leakage. Some come with a protective cap too, which is a plus for muddy rides.
HydraPak: A third-party supplier of hydration systems. A lot of brands use HydraPak reservoirs, hoses and bite valves in their packs, and we’ve rarely had a problem with them. Spares of nearly every component are available too.
