The best hydration pack for mountain biking will keep you hydrated as you go through one mountain trail after another from one weekend to another.
Many mountain cyclists favor the CamelBak Skyline LR for a lot of reasons. Mainly because it’s designed not to slide around or hit you on the back of your head when riding down slopes.
Also, it’s fairly easy to organize with enough space for three liters of liquid, on top of a 7-liter cargo capacity.
Read More:
10 Best Hydration Packs For Mountain Biking
1. CamelBak Skyline LR 10
Best Overall Hydration Pack For Mountain Biking
We’d have to say that the CamelBak Skyline LR 10 hit the nail on the head, or so to speak. It’ll solve all of your hydration and minor cargo needs when you’re out riding.
It has a 3-liter water capacity with 7 liters worth of space for cargo. This means that you can carry more than enough for a day’s worths of rides with it.
The Skyline LR 10 is also unique in that it’s designed to provide better support and shift more of its weight towards the lumbar region.
This gives it a lower center of gravity compared to other hydration packs. This improves the pack’s stability on technical terrain and gives you more freedom to move your upper body.
An underrated benefit of this design is that you won’t have to worry about the hydration pack shifting too much to one side. The design also addresses the occasional bumps to the head when you’re going downhill fast.
The Skyline LR 10 is also made out of a lightweight and breathable material for optimal comfort.
Pros:
- Ventilated back panel
- Stable
- Magnetic tube for hydration hose
- Keeps your stuff well organized
Cons:
- Non-expandable
2. Thule Vital
Best for Lightweight
The Thule Vital is another premium product. It’s the best MTB hydration pack for those who want something more lightweight. But, even if it’s lighter than most hydration packs, it’s still heavy on features.
Case in point, it has a magnetic hose return system. This makes it easy for you to hydrate yourself in the mountains while on the go.
It’s also designed to have a lower center of gravity than most. The high-quality TPU bladder guarantees that your water tastes just as good as the moment you filled it.
Of course, the main selling point here is the light weight.
At its lightest configuration, the this hydration pack weighs just 450g. This comes with a 1.75L bladder and 3L of storage space. At just 100g more is the 550g variation. It more than doubles the bag volume at 8L with a 2.5L reservoir.
As a bonus, it’s packed full of venting holes and mesh with generous amounts of padding and a very comfortable design.
Pros:
- Convenient hands-free hydration
- Lightweight
- Healthy selection of interior and exterior pockets
Cons:
- Not suited for longer rides
3. Osprey Packs Raptor 10
Best for Comfort
The Osprey Packs Raptor is not nearly as stable than the other hydration packs on our list. However, it’s still fairly stable compared to the more affordable offerings.
Also, what it lacks in relative stability, it makes up for in having arguably the best dedicated hydration compartment on the market.
This hydration pack is also very comfortable to wear. It has winged shoulder straps, AirScape suspension, and a mesh-covered foam backpanel. All three combine to keep you comfortable and well-ventilated during your rides.
You also get plenty of bonus features on this hydration pack. There’s the magnetic sternum strap bite valve and LidLock bike helmet attachments.
It also comes with zippered slash and hipbelt pockets for smaller stuff like sunglasses. You’ll also get access to a roll-up tool pouch for bike tools, as well as a reflective safety patch and a blinker light attachment.
Had this hydration pack been more stable during rides, it’d be way higher on our list.
Pros:
- Great organizational design
- Food-grade-quality 2.5L bladder
- Fully-adjustable waist and chest straps
- Roll-up tool pouch
Cons:
- Not the most stable when riding steep declines
4. MIRACOL
Best for Those on a Budget
Have you spent most of your money on your mountain bike? Don’t worry. There’s still a hydration pack for you.
The MIRACOL Hydration Backpack is a good example of a value-packed purchased.
This hydration backpack sells for only a fraction of the price of the others on our list, and it does indeed come with a couple of compromises.
Like, for example, how heavy it weighs relative to how much it can carry. The material is also known to cause chafing. Not to mention, there’s little room left for other stuff with a full bladder.
Still, it’s hard to argue against the value of something this affordable that has a two-liter EVA and BPA-free bladder. The bladder is even thermal insulated.
This means that it can keep your beverages cool for as long as four hours. It’s also easy to add ice, thanks to the 3.1-inch-wide screw cap.
True, this isn’t a buy-for-life kind of item. However, it should tide you over long enough until you can afford to buy better stuff.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Backed by 100-percent money-back guarantee
- Insulated water bladder
Cons:
- Average material and zipper quality
5. Gregory Mountain Products Men’s Endo
Best for Storage and Organization
We wouldn’t blame you if you thought that this was a traditional backpack. But, make no mistake, the Gregory Mountain Products Men’s Endo is a hydration pack.
It might even just be the best mountain biking backpack out there. This is especially if you plan on carrying a lot of stuff with you.
This hydration pack comes with a whopping 15L worth of storage space, as well as a 3D hydro reservoir with a 3L capacity.
It’s also got plenty of zippered internal and external pockets. You’ll even have access to hip belt pockets and a removable tool pouch.
Basically, if you have something that you’ll reasonably need on the trail, this pack has a pocket for it.
Unfortunately, all these storage options comes at the expense of added weight. It weighs more than 2 pounds on its own. Add your stuff, and the weight quickly adds up. The hydration system also lags behind its pricing contemporaries.
Pros:
- Plenty of storage and organization options
- Moisture-wicking back panel
- Fairly stable
- Keeps you and your stuff safe
Cons:
- Very heavy
6. SHARKMOUTH Tactical MOLLE
Best for Tactical Design
The SHARKMOUTH Tactical MOLLE looks just like something you’ve sworn you’ve seen the military use somewhere. It’s got that tactical design feel to it that makes it so utilitarian. Not that it’s a bad thing though.
In terms of function, you can’t exactly know on this hydration pack. It comes with an aluminium-insulated hydration compartment with insulated hydration tubes.
This allows the pack to keep liquid cool for hours on end. Meanwhile, the velcro straps guarantee that the bladder stays in place, regardless of how technical the terrain is.
In addition to the 2L water bladder, the backpack has plenty of compartments for other stuff. More importantly, it uses what’s known as a Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) lining. This makes it easier to attach all sorts of small stuff to the hydration pack for quick access.
It’s not just that small stuff that you can attach to this hydration pack. The D-rings on each shoulder strap also support larger items too.
Plus, for added comfort, it has a padded but well-ventilated back area, as well as adjustable chest, shoulder, and hip straps.
All of these is topped off with an affordable price point that makes it a good steal.
Pros:
- Reflective shoulder straps
- Affordable
- Multi-insulated hydration compartment
- Attachment-friendly
Cons:
- Divisive hydration system
- Material can’t be machine washed
7. CamelBak Classic
Best for Value
CamelBak is known for their high-quality hydration packs, among other things. However, not all of their quality items come at a premium price point.
Case in point, the CamelBak Classic Hydration Pack.
The CamelBak Classic Hydration Pack is an excellent choice for those with limited budgets but don’t want to settle for something unknown.
The minimalist design is available in six different colors. More importantly, the 2.5-liter reservoir means that you can carry a lot of liquid with you while out on rides.
Outside of its relatively affordable price, a huge selling point of this pack is its light weight. It weighs just a shade over 300 grams. This makes it one of the lightest hydration packs out there.
Naturally, you can’t really expect the Classic to carry a lot, and it doesn’t. It’s best for shorter day rides. However, that’s not exactly a huge compromise to make.
Not everyone needs something large or more robust. On the other hand, most riders would prefer to have something this light and useful, if only for certain occassions.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Competitive pricing
- Reflective strips
- High water flow bite valve
Cons:
- Refilling hole is notorious for leaks
8. TETON Sports Oasis 1100
Best for Multipurpose
The TETON Sports Oasis 1100 is great if you want a hydration pack for mountain biking AND for other adventures. It’s a multipurpose hydration back with 18L worth of space on top of a 2-liter hydration bladder.
The latter isn’t anything outstanding. It has a kink-free slip tube and a push-lock cushioned bite valve, which is pretty standard.
What isn’t standard is how much space this hydration pack has and how durable it is for the price.
This hydration pack has a honeycomb ripstop 600D PU outer shell that guarantees that it can withstand the elements. For comfort, it has a mesh covering with a notched foam stabilizer.
Then, for storage, it has a large main pocket for your gear. It also uses a bungee cord system to help you secure other important stuff like helmets.
With an adjustable fit and thousands of satisfied customers online, you could do a lot worse than giving this hydration pack a flier.
Pros:
- Cavernous storage space
- Budget-friendly
- Free hydration bladder
Cons:
- Not a good or comfort fit for individuals withlarger frames
9. MARCHWAY Tactical Molle
Best for Heavy Duty Use
“Affordable” and “built to take a beating”.
These are two ways to describe something that usually don’t go together in the same sentence. But, apparently, these are the best ways to describe the MARCHWAY Tactical Molle.
This might just be the best hydration pack for mountain biking as far as durability goes. It’s made out of a heavy-duty and wear-resistant 1000D water-resistant nylon.
The engineered plastic buckle also feels solid and durable. Meanwhile, the webbing is military grade and resists fading. The SBS-brand zippers is also made to last long.
Of course, just because a hydration pack is made out of heavy-duty materials, doesn’t mean that it’s useful.
Luckily, this hydration pack is functional too. It comes with its own 3-liter TPU water bladder and is designed with proper ergonomics in mind. The chest, shoulders, and waist straps should fit comfortably on most body frames.
Speaking of the bladder, the quick-release valve and large opening guarantees easy drinking and an even easier clean-up process.
The bag also has multiple storage options. The big one is the main pocket, but there are two other pockets on the front as well. Also, this hydration pack uses the MOLLE system, allowing you to attach even more items outside.
This hydration pack would’ve been perfect if not for the quality of its bladder and how little space you can fit once it’s filled.
Pros:
- Low asking price
- Heavy-duty
- Streamlined design
- Padded
Cons:
- Chemical-like aftertaste from bladder
- Limit space if bladder is full
10. Mubasel Gear Insulated
Best for Color Options
We all have our own criteria for choosing the best hydration pack for mountain biking.
If your happens to be color options, then look no further than the Mubasel Gear.
This hydration backpack is available in 16 different colors. This gives you plenty of options to choose from. However, it’s not just stylish either. It should more than fill your need for a capable mountain biking hydration pack.
This pack comes with its very own 2-liter bladder that uses the company’s “100% leak-proof design”. Truth to this, the bladder uses a click-in connection.
The company claims that this, along with its large opening, will prevent any and all leaks. Also, the bladder is insulated too, so the temperature of your liquids will stay as is for hours.
This pack has a total of four storage compartments for you to choose from. The three main ones are spacious enough for most stuff. However, if you need more, the front mesh pocket is stretchable. You can also adjust the breathable shoulder straps to make the pack more comfortable to wear.
This lightweight hydration pack is an excellent choice so long as you’re not picky on storage space.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Adjustable straps
- Backed by 60-day guarantee
- Attractive price point
Cons:
- Limited storage space
- Rubber or plastic taste from bladder
Hydration Pack for Mountain Biking Buying Guide
Capacity
-
Water Carrying
Generally, the larger the hydration capacity of a hydration pack the better. You’re often better off sacrificing space for your other gear if it means filling the bladder with more water.
But, if you don’t like things to get heavy, you can opt for smaller and more lightweight hydration packs whose bladders have smaller capacities.
-
Storage
You’re not just going to bring water with you out on rides. You’ll also be bringing other essentials. This includes your smartphone, charger, keys, an emergency radio if possible, and of course, an extra set of clothes.
Get yourself a hydration pack that can fit all that you typically carry on rides if not more.
Ventilation
Added padding is easy for a hydration pack. It’s just that we recommend not getting extra padding at the expense of minima ventilation.
The best hydration pack for mountain biking is well-padded and made out of breathable materials. This is to help make sure that you remain cool despite riding under the scorching heat of the sun. (1)
Comfort
Another important factor when shopping for hydration packs for muontain biking is comfort.
The pack has to be designed to be comfortable to wear. This includes added padding, adjustable straps, and more. It’s also important that the pack doesn’t hamper your movement once worn.
Durability
As a general rule of thumb, the heavier hydration packs are usually more durable than the lighter ones. This is mostly because of the thicker design with generous amounts of padding and reinforcement.
Conclusion
You won’t make any mistake bringing the CamelBak Skyline LR 10 with you on your rides. It’s a tested and proven hydration pack that’ll remain stable all throughout. But, if your budget is limited, then you might want to consider the CamelBak Classic instead.
If you’ve got money to burn, the more lightweight Thule Vital is an excellent alternative. So too is the Osprey Raptor 10 , with its wide assortment of attachment options and is just an absolute joy to wear.
Regardless of which of these hydration packs you choose for mountain biking, make sure that you take your time. Always choose based on your own needs and preferences. Don’t forget to do your own research.
Doing this will allow you to make a much more informed purchasing decision.
