Not Drinking Enough Water While Doing Cardio? These Hydration Packs Are Your Answer.

Runners in our testing group were really drawn to this vest from Salomon. With a plethora of colors and sizes, you're bound to get the perfect fit and look. No matter how hard or long we ran, the pair of soft water flasks just didn't move, which is exactly what you want either on the pavement or the trail for extended periods.

The Y-shaped design allows for ample arm motion and the breathable fabric is great for those big and strenuous outings. You get eight pockets in total and the band can be adjusted even on the fly to keep things snug and aerodynamic.

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CamelBak has been a revolutionary brand in the hydration pack game, and this product is another great issue from the brand. You get the signature hose and nozzle in an extremely lightweight build at just 12 ounces. Your water capacity is 1.5 liters and the mesh harness kept us from overheating when on long journeys.

You can fit a laptop in the pack with a low bladder (or water removed entirely), making it a nice hybrid of sorts you can use on commutes to the office. Best, you can up your water capacity but utilizing that stretch pocket and packing an extra full bottle for hotter or longer adventures.

We did, however, notice that the pack can feel a little awkward when being really active as it does not come with a stabilizing and supportive waist belt.

If you’re after something for long-haul jogs and runs, this is your hydration pack. Super-lightweight at just 14 ounces, it’s the thing you barely want to notice you’re wearing when you’re putting in some serious miles. You get 12 liters of gear capacity and about 1.6 liters of water, dispensed via a convenient hose and kept cold by way of a nice, insulated hourglass-shaped bladder in the back.

You can keep up to four trekking poles in this vest (if you want to use for hikes) and, while a bit expensive, it really is the sports car of hydration vests. Running versions need to be nimble while still affording you all the things you need (clip-ons, gear compartments, enough water, etc.) and this one wowed the crowd. There’s a minimalism to this vest that does not sacrifice any of the amenities you rely on.

Meant for all-day adventures, this Teton model is one of the best hydration packs for mountain biking or heavy-duty hiking. And it very much looks the part, a bit burlier than some. The pack itself is roomy so you can fit plenty of gear in addition to your water, which our testers found to stay chilled for approximately five hours.

There's padding pretty much everywhere, making this pack a go-to for backcountry enthusiasts who like to log the trail miles. The three-liter bladder is a good size and the well-placed hydration ports make sipping convenient. The paddlers and skiers among us loved the pack too. There's even bungee cords to tie on even more gear, like trekking poles.

And the coolest part might just be the rain cover, which stows away neatly and pops out like a parachute when you need it most.

Set up with all kinds of reflective flair, the Summit Series was always a shoe-in for the best option when night falls. Great adjustability means the proper fit even when you’re wearing an extra layer during a chilly evening run. And, given its slim build, it’s all the better for quick outings in the dark, like run club outings with your friends or trail jogs with a good headlamp.

But do wear it during the day too, especially when conditions are hot. The moisture-wicking is actually quite impressive and our editors loved the overall fit. All of the pockets are quite accessible and the pair of bungee sternum straps make for a nice wear, even several miles along. There’s even an ice axe compartment in the back for you mountain-conquering warriors.

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The Raptor has a special helmet attachment point for easy access while crushing some mileage, or just keeping you hydrated on your daily commute in the bike lane. The hip belt keeps your pack securely in place, but don’t fear sweat, because the whole pack is designed to be breathable.

The sternum strap magnet is a nice touch for convenient sipping and the slash pocket is great as it'll protect sensitive items like sunglasses. Our bikers fell for this bag, drawn to the roll-up tool pouch, helmet latch, and superior ventilation. There are even hip belt pockets to stores those protein pouches or other snacks.

Trail running puts a little more stress on runner and vest. You need some SUV-like qualities to keep up with all those bumps along the route. This one impressed even our most discerning dirt joggers, with its ergonomic and stay-in-place fit. Adjusting cords and straps even while running is no problem and the stretchy front pockets are great for stashing extra fuel in the form of gels and protein bars.

There are nice safety features too, like pockets compatible with personal locator beacons and the ability to add extra water with an additional hydration reservoir. You can basically stow three liters of water and a couple of sandwiches in this one without adding bulk and it staying secure on your chest.

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