Mountain bikers know just how tiring biking can become. To combat dehydration, you should invest in a mtb hydration pack. These packs let you carry more water than a single bottle and drink from it without having to stop your activity. They are also worn comfortably on your back for easy transport. If you’re interested in a mtb hydration pack, take a look at our compiled list below of some of the best options available online.
What is the Best MTB Hydration Pack?
We have compiled for you the top 8 Best MTB Hydration Pack in 2024. In this article we go through the products that we have used ourselves, checked what other users thought about them and we ranked them accordingly.
With years of experience with MTB camelbaks and having used several MTB hydration packs you can trust our review.
Moreover, you can scroll to the end of this review to see our mini buying guide as well as the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about MTB hydration packs.
1. CamelBak Octane XCT Hydration Pack
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 2 liters Weight: 0.68 pounds (0.31 kg) Size: 16.5 x 10.2 x 5.5 inches (42 x 26 x 14 cm) Backpack included: Yes Materials: Polyethylene with TPU exterior for bladder |
The CamelBak Women’s Charm Hydration Pack, 50oz features a 2 liter water reservoir and a durably designed backpack. This hydration pack is a nice lightweight and comfortable pack with storage space for personal items. The shoulder straps are adjustable allowing for a secure fit. The drinking tube has a valve to close it to prevent leaks and a strap on the shoulder strap to help secure it. The water bladder has a large ergonomic opening that makes refilling and cleaning easy. There are some issues reported with leaking, but the lid needs careful attention to ensure it is properly threaded. This pack is also not well insulated for extreme temperatures. There are reflective details on the exterior for safety.
Pros
- Comfortable,
- Durable design,
- Lightweight,
- Storage space for personal items
Cons
- Not well insulated,
- Issues with leaking
2. CamelBak Women’s L.U.X.E. Mountain Bike Hydration Backpack
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 3 liters Size: 17.3 x 1.3 x 9.1 inches (44 x 3.3 x 23 cm) Backpack included: Yes Materials: Polyurethane |
The CamelBak Women’s L.U.X.E. Mountain Bike Hydration Backpack features a 3 liter water reservoir and a 10 liter storage capacity. The material is made of partially repurposed plastic and has a durable but lightweight design. This pack is covered by a lifetime warranty and is available in three different colors. It has a good amount of storage space for personal items but some users have complained that the straps are uncomfortable. The drinking tube has an on and off lever that helps to prevent leaks. The back panel has air flow channels to help provide maximum comfort. There is also a removable stability belt and adjustable sternum and shoulder straps for a secure fit.
Pros
- Good storage space,
- Lightweight,
- Available in 3 colors,
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Leaking issues,
- Uncomfortable
3. CamelBak HydroBak Hydration Pack
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 1.5 liters Weight: 0.33 pounds (0.15 kg) Size: 12.6 x 8.5 x 3.9 inches (32 x 21.6 x 9.9 cm) Backpack included: Yes Materials: Polyester |
The CamelBak HydroBak Hydration Pack 50 oz features a compact and lightweight polyester design. The water reservoir holds 1.5 liters of water, and the reservoir is not removed to fill it. There is a separate pocket for small personal items. The sternum strap is made of a breathable mesh polyester for maximum comfort. The straps are adjustable so it fits securely on various body types. The lid needs to be screwed on correctly, otherwise it will leak. The bright colors of the material make this easy to spot in a dim lighting. This pack is also covered by a lifetime warranty to ensure satisfaction.
Pros
- Reservoir can be filled without removing it from the pack,
- Lightweight and compact,
- Breathable mesh straps,
- Bright colors
Cons
- Not much room for storing extra personal items,
- Can leak if lid is not screwed on correctly
4. CamelBak Women’s Octane 9 Hydration Pack
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 2 liters Size: 15.6 x 10.2 x 7.1 inches (39.5 x 26 x 18 cm) Backpack included: Yes Materials: Nylon Cleaning Kit: No |
The CamelBak Women’s Octane 9 Hydration Pack 70 oz features two adjustable sternum straps made specifically with women in mind. It has a 2 Liter water storage ability and several storage pockets for a variety of additional personal items. The lightweight design includes breathable mesh for maximum comfort while wearing outdoors. There is a lifetime warranty included to ensure satisfaction. There are reflective materials that make this a good option for early morning or evening low light settings. The style can be a difficult fit for women with large busts, and the pockets can be in awkward positions so this is not a good pack for all body types.
Pros
- Two adjustable sternum straps,
- Several pockets,
- Durable design suitable for ultra marathons,
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Not a great fit with large busts,
- Front pockets can be difficult to reach
5. MIRACOL Hydration Backpack with 2L BPA-Free BladderSkiing
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 2 liters Weight: 0.66 pounds (0.3 kg) Size: 16.5 x 3.5 x 8.2 inches (41.9 x 9 x 20.9 cm) Backpack included: Yes Materials: Nylon |
The MIRACOL Hydration Backpack with 2L BPA-Free Bladder features a 2 liter water bladder and up to 8 liters of storage capacity. The water bladder and drinking tube are insulated so this hydration bladder is a good choice for colder climates. There are reflective details on the nylon exterior for safety. There is also a security whistle but it has been reported that many of them don’t work. There are a few different storage compartments for personal items. The opening for the water bladder is large to help make filling and cleaning easy. This pack has adjustable shoulder and sternum straps and can fit a wide variety of sizes.
Pros
- Lightweight,
- Comfortable,
- Insulated drinking tube,
- Adjustable for wide range in sizes
Cons
- Security whistle is low quality,
- Drinking tube leaks
6. CamelBak HydroBak Light Bike Hydration Backpack
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 1.5 liters Size: 13.8 x 9.1 x 5.9 inches (35 x 23 x 15 cm) Backpack included: Yes Materials: Polyethylene with TPU exterior for bladder |
The CamelBak HydroBak Light Bike Hydration Backpack features a 1.5 liter water reservoir. The lightweight and durable material makes this easy to carry for various outdoor activities. This pack also has a breathable back panel made with body mapping technology to keep this comfortable on the users back cool and dry. The shoulder straps are made with a breathable mesh material that also helps with comfort from heat, but they do not have any padding. There is a zippered pocket to store small personal items. The adjustable sternum strap allows for a secure fit for various body sizes. There are also reflective details and a loop for a light for safety. There is no insulation to protect your water from the extreme temperatures. This pack is covered by the lifetime CamelBak warranty.
Pros
- Easy to fill and clean,
- Lightweight,
- Extra storage for personal items,
- Available in a variety of colors
Cons
- Shoulder straps are not padded,
- No insulation
7. Unigear Hydration Pack Backpack
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 2 liters Size: 18.1 x 9.5 x 1.5 inches (46 x 24.1 x 3.8 cm) Backpack included: Yes Materials: Nylon |
The Unigear Hydration Pack Backpack features a 2 liter water reservoir and a total storage capacity of 18 liters. There is some storage space for small personal items. The ripstop nylon material is lightweight and the shoulder straps have clips to hold the drinking tube and headphones in place while running. This pack also has adjustable shoulder, chest and waist straps to allow for a secure fit. There is a bungee system on the outside to allow for extra storage. The water bladder has a large opening to make it easy to fill and clean. The drinking tube has an on and off lever to help prevent leaks. This water bladder needs to be cleaned a few times to help prevent the plastic taste in your water.
Pros
- Lightweight,
- Storage space for personal items,
- Clips to hold mouthpiece and headphones,
- Comfortable shoulder straps
Cons
- Low water flow from drinking tube,
- Very small space for storage
8. Barbarians Tactical Hydration Pack
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Capacity: 3 liters Backpack included: Yes Materials: Nylon Cleaning Kit: No |
The Barbarians Tactical Hydration Pack Lightweight Military Molle Water Backpack with 3L Bladder Black features a 3 Liter water bladder. The high density 600D polyester nylon is very durable and also waterproof making it useful in a variety of climates. The water bladder is made of a BPA free TPU which does not have a strange taste or smell. There are external pockets to allow for storage of various personal items. The back side has a breathable design to provide comfort while wearing. This pack comes with a one year manufacturers warranty to ensure reliability. The opening of the water bladder is wide which allows for easy cleaning and also allows for the insertion of ice cubes for colder water. The water that sits in the drinking tube can get extremely warm.
Pros
- Durable anti-rip material,
- Space for personal items,
- Budget friendly,
- Padded shoulder straps for comfort
Cons
- Water in drinking tube gets hot,
- Buckles and zippers are not great quality
Verdict
To summarize, we have gone through dozens of MTB hydration packs and decided that 8 are worth your consideration. Out of these, the absolute Best MTB Hydration Pack is CamelBak Octane XCT Hydration Pack which we highly recommend as our overall best.
If money is not an issue, you can consider CamelBak Women’s L.U.X.E. Mountain Bike Hydration Backpack as this is our Premium Pick.
Otherwise, there’s no shame in spending prudently, CamelBak HydroBak Hydration Pack is the Budget Option.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying MTB hydration packs
Price Range
Hydration bladders aren’t a one-price-fits-all game. For those seeking a basic, frills-free water carrier, you could find yourself with a trusty trail companion in the $15-25 range. However, more advanced packs boasting added backpack storage conveniences aren’t as light on the wallet, often requiring a leap of faith over the $100 mark. The cost equation is ultimately built around your ride requirements and spending comfort zone. If you’re looking for hydrating gear that can withstand the harshness of the trails while keeping the hydration game on point, expect a bill thereabouts $40-50.
Materials
Hydration bladders come crafted from various materials, with rubber, plastic, and metal being the most common. If flexibility and lightness rank top on your priority list, opt for packs made of rubber or plastic. These aren’t exactly the champions of durability, but they sure do a terrific job when it comes to comfort. It’s also worth noting that their lack of toughness is compensated by the outer layers of the pack.
On the other side of the spectrum are metal hydration packs. Often tucked into bigger backpacks, these packs are more resilient and are less likely to break. They also have an edge in terms of heat insulation, keeping your water refreshingly cool for a longer stretch. But be prepared for the extra weight they add to your load.
In-built Protection
In the realm of hydration bladders, it’s crucial to not overlook the aspect of in-built protection. Look beyond their sleek design—durability is key. Etramping suggests that you choose options designed with substantial materials like thick plastic or rubber ensuring a lower risk of breakage. A bladder holed up in a rugged outer layer with sturdy straps would offer extra defense against bursting from overfilling or due to undue pressure. Some innovative layouts also have in-built leak protection that gradually releases water via the straw to prevent bursting. Just make sure to check the product description thoroughly to confirm these features before you dive in to make the final purchase.
Questions and Answers About MTB hydration packs
How to choose a good hydration pack for kids?
There are many hydration packs out there that are great for kids. The best options are either vests or full backpacks with chest clips so that the pack doesn’t accidentally slip off of your child. You also need to make sure the pack is lightweight and doesn’t have too large of a capacity, as kids won’t be able to physically handle an adult-sized hydration pack. Make sure your child is capable of carrying the weight of the pack you’re considering for them before purchasing!
Do road cyclists wear hydration packs?
Yes! Many road cyclists use hydration packs. Hydration packs make staying hydrated on the road much easier. Carrying a normal water bottle is often difficult when cycling as you need to keep your hands on the handlebars. Hydration packs are a relatively lightweight way to carry your water on your back so you don’t have to stop just to get a drink!
Can I put Gatorade in my CamelBak?
Yes! If you prefer something other than water in your CamelBak, you can definitely put Gatorade in it. Because it isn’t carbonated, you don’t have to worry about gas buildup or accidental leaking. However, you will have to deep-clean your CamelBak afterwards to make sure that no sticky residue remains from the Gatorade. This includes cleaning the tubing and mouthpieces, so make sure you’re committed to cleaning it out when you’re done if you want Gatorade!
How do you get mold out of a CamelBak mouthpiece?
There are a few different ways you can get mold out of your CamelBak mouthpiece. One is to use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol to remove specific residue before soaking it in bleach. This will kill any mold that was present in your mouthpiece. A method that is less harsh than bleach is to soak the mouthpiece in white vinegar, as white vinegar is known to naturally kill mold. Always make sure any residue is gone before using the mouthpiece again. If you’re concerned, you may be able to replace the mouthpiece entirely.
