Quench your thirst with our pick of the best hydration packs
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Whether you’re training for a marathon, tackling your first ultra, or heading for a day out on the trails, a hydration pack can help you carry all the essentials you need in one place.
Hydration packs vary from the best running backpacks in that they tend to be more lightweight and minimalist, suitable for carrying gels, water, electrolytes, snacks and light clothing. A backpack will fit the bill for a hiking trip or if you're planning on adding a run commute to your weekly mileage, and need something more substantial for a laptop and a spare change of clothes.
Ready to shop? Here are our favourite, tried and tested hydration vests, at a glance. Or, keep scrolling to read our full reviews.
How to choose a hydration pack
Fit
A poorly fitting hydration pack can cause all kinds of grief, digging into your shoulders, chafing or riding up. Most of them offer highly adjustable back and cross-body straps that, along with other fitting elements, help you tailor a snug but comfortable fit that hugs your body without bouncing or shifting.
While a lot of hydration packs are unisex, some brands offer women-specific designs with more space around the chest and lower hydration pockets to accommodate a woman’s build.
Capacity
Most hydration packs are designed to hold between 2-12L of water, either in a bladder sat on your back or soft flasks in the front pockets.
The ideal pack size will depend on the time and distance you’re running. For shorter runs (under an hour), a 2L vest will be more than sufficient. For anything over three hours, a 6-10L vest will hold slightly more, as well as having room for extra layers and other items like a power bank.
Features
Planning on running with a credit card or keys? Look for a pack with a zip pocket to keep them secure. If you’re going to be taking on fuel, make sure there’s space for your gels or food to be easily reachable so you can keep moving. And lastly, if you're going to be using walking poles, make sure your hydration pack has a way that they can be attached securely.
How we test hydration vests
Every pack in this guide has been tested by the Runner's World editors. They've been worn over a number of runs and challenges in all weather conditions, from sun and light showers to wind, heavy downpours and nighttime jaunts. We assess each pack for its fit, comfort, capacity, features, price and more. Only the models with the best value, technical features, comfort, looks, and ability to haul all your stuff without bouncing made the cut.
Why trust us?
At Runner’s World, we’ve spent decades covering everything related to running, and our test team has evaluated gear from running shoes to smartwatches to sports bras. We are a team of runners writing for other runners and we understand what you are looking for when it comes to your gear.
The best hydration vests and packs, tested & reviewed
Adv Skin 5
You’ll see this pack on a lot of pro ultra-runners’ backs, and with good reason: it’s so comfortable and snug-fitting you forget it’s there almost instantly. In testing, there was zero bounce (so zero risk of chafing) and a deceptive amount of space for your kit that you can cram in like Mary Poppins' bag. It also features six stretchy mesh pockets, giving you plenty of room to stash valuables
The elastic lace-like fastening at the front feels strange at first but soon you realise all bags should do it, as it's secure and quick to undo. It comes with Salomon’s own 500ml flasks, which are longer and thinner than others in order to fit in the front pockets.
While it could use a smidge better ventilation, for our money, this is the best hydration pack out there.
Kiprun 5L Trail Running Bag
For under £40, this is the perfect bag for beginners making their first forays into running bags or packs. With room to hold two 500ml soft flasks on the front of the straps (you will need to buy these as an extra, however) and a roomy 5L of storage space in total, plus a one-litre bladder included, you have all you need to go long-distance. Great for ultras or long marathon training runs alike.
Kiprun 8L Women's Trail Running Bag
This pack has been specifically adapted to a women's body to keep it in place, with two height-adjustable front straps and an adjustable front strap. The shape of the 500ml soft flasks are designed to free up your chest, with the flasks located lower down than on a normal bag, too.
There's pockets a plenty, with no less than 11, including a handy waterproof phone pocket and lots of mini ones where you can store gels or energy bars.
Our female tester has put in hundreds of miles in this vest — including running a marathon in it — and describes it as 'lightweight and supremely comfortable', though it is a little more robust than some of the more premium packs on the market.
Camelbak Apex Pro
An excellent adjustable pack for race day or unsupported excursions, Camelbak’s running vest covers all your big-adventure bases. Two front-holstered soft flasks and an optional 2-litre bladder in the back handle the business of hydration, while there’s almost endless storage for all your other essential fuel and kit. The RECCO safety technology also helps rescue professionals to find you, should something go wrong.
Duro 6
Osprey knows its stuff when it comes to running packs, and the Duro 6 is perfect for marathon training or longer ultras. It’s lightweight, comfortable to run in, hugs your body and comes with a pair of 500ml soft flasks with handy extension hoses so all you have to do is tilt your head down to drink. The latest model has upped its eco credentials and is made with bluesign-approved fabrics and is PFC-free, as well as – like all Osprey products – eligible for Osprey’s free pack repair service.
Inov8 RacePac 8
Founded in the Lake District in 2003, where you can still find the brand’s testing ground and design centre, Inov8 produces some excellent trail shoes and apparel. And its RacePac is no exception, boasting excellent quality and value for just £60.
The pack comes in three different capacities: 4L, 8L and 20L, in either a S, M or L. We tested the 8L pack, which is best suited to marathon training runs and ultras. It's big enough to fit two 500ml soft flasks in its front pockets and while you'll need to purchase these separately, we found that they were very easy to remove and replace, even with a full pack.
The main rear compartment can hold all the kit and nutrition you need for a day on the trails. Plus, there’s four quick-access pockets on the front for easy stashing, including one with a zip to keep your phone secure. There's also two pole attachments.
The actual material of the Inov8 RacePac feels a little thicker and more robust than the likes of Salomon, so this perhaps isn’t one for front-of-the-pack runners looking to minimise every gram. However, comfort is still fantastic, and what you’re getting for the price here is brilliant value.
Our only other criticism is that we wish it came in a broader range of sizes. Our 5'9", 67kg female tester found the S provided the most optimal fit around the waist, even though they usually wear a M in top/bottoms. Smaller runners than this who usually opt for a XS might find the pack isn't tight enough; vice versa an XL.
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3
As minimalist as you can get with a hydration vest, this one might be the reserve of those looking to race fast up mountains, but it’s a great option for half marathoners and marathoners too who want to carry some fluids/gels but don’t like race belts.
It comes supplied with two, 250ml soft flasks, there are two front stash pockets, there’s neat back pocket at the top of the pack that can be reached when on the move and can hold a light layer, as well as a pocket at the base of the back that has room to carry a 500ml flask, a jacket or even some poles.
Women's Vital Hydration 3
With 8L of expandable cargo storage, there’s room for a jacket, gloves, food, phone, keys and other essentials – plus a generous 2.5L of water in the Hydrapak bladder.
The women's-specific design provides a secure fit with the adjustable sternum strap sitting comfortably just above the breasts – keeping the bag secure against the body without feeling restrictive. The excellent ReTrakt magnetic hose return system snaps the water hose back in place after use, making drinking on the move fuss-free. Grabbing gels is also easy thanks to jersey-style pockets on each side. We also appreciated the soft-lined, quick-access front pocket keeping phone and sunglasses accessible but protected.
OMM TrailFire Running Vest
A minimal lightweight vest for short runs or races where you’d like to carry some water, snacks and a spare layer or two if the temperature is set to change. Sling it on on your way out the door and you will barely tell it’s on your back. Seven pockets are more than enough to stash gels and whatnot and the rear section can hold 3L and a bladder.
Montane Gecko VP 5L
Montane’s Gecko VP hydration vest comes in a few different capacities, but the 5L is our top pick for single day races (for anything that requires carrying more gear, look to the 12L or 20L versions).
The stretchy, velcro, wraparound design hugs your body tight, while two additional chest straps offer multiple attachment points so you can find a fit that’s secure but not restrictive. While the pack is bounce free, it’s worth noting that the opening system is quite hard to take off/put on while running.
Storage wise, the 5L pack is able to carry a waterproof and an additional layer, plus there's multiple pole attachment points. The hydration and nutrition placements work well, too. Our only other criticism is that the zips on the pockets can become a bit stiff after a while (our tester has had this for around 18 months).
We’d recommend sizing down from your usual top size for the most body-hugging, bounce-free fit.
Rab Veil 6L Light
A great vest for mountain runners and day trips on warmer days (and colder ones), the Rab Veil 6 feels unencumbered, stripped back and comfy.
The structure of the mono-mesh body of the vest offers very little stretch, especially compared with other packs, and can feel somewhat at odds with the thinner material used in other low-capacity vests, but it’s very breathable and feels reassuringly secure, offering no bounce at all, even when loaded with full bottles, food and kit.
The adjustability of the chest straps when on the run impressed too, plus little touches like silicone grippers on the hem to improve fit, a key hook tucked away on the shoulder and a bungee pole holder.
£135.00 at cotswoldoutdoor.com
Harrier Curbar 5L Race Vest
This 5L pack is ideal for longer races or even a commute where carrying that bit more is needed. It’s got a multitude of storage options and pockets; the flask pockets are nice and high (and the Harrier flasks are decent too), with plenty of room for supplies at the front of the pack (lots of stash pockets and zipped side pockets), plus loads of room for more at the back and for poles.
You can move the front straps to achieve the best fit, but sizing was the only issue we had; one tester found the pack true to size, whereas one found sizing down was needed to get a snug, bounce-free fit. The vest material is stretchy, so if you find yourself between sizes, then it might be best to choose the smaller.
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