Summer is here, and it’s hot.
If you go out on a mountain bike ride, you’re going to need to bring some water.
But what’s the best way to carry that water?
I’ll give you a hint, those disposable plastic bottles aren’t it, mate.
I recommend that you ride with a hydration pack of some sort. Thankfully since mountain biking’s popularity is growing exponentially, there are a plethora of options to choose from.
So today, let’s look at what’s the best hydration pack for mountain biking.
The Best Hydration Pack For Mountain Biking
First, I want to get this out of the way. There is no one best hydration pack for mountain biking. What works the best for you depends on various factors, including how much you want to carry and what carrying solution you like the best. It’ll take time to figure out what works best for you.
Regardless, I’m going to highlight some of my favorite options.
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The Best Hydration Backpacks
Dakine Drafter 14 L
The Dakine Drafter 14 L represents a new crop of mountain-bike-specific hydration packs. I love how it features a ventilated back panel and a large fleece-lined hip pocket. The internal storage makes it easy to separate your tools, layers, and sunglasses. The 3 L water reservoir provides you with 100 ounces of hydration, giving you an all-day range. Lastly, it even features an optional pocket for a backup e-bike battery. Dakine has really covered all of the bases here.
EVOC Trail Pro 16
EVOC makes hydration packs with a built-in back protector. I like their Trail Pro 16 because of its size and features. Like any good mountain-bike-specific pack, it features a designated tool, gear, and sunglass pocket. What makes this pack unique is that it comes with a rain fly that you can deploy to keep your bag dry if you get caught in a late afternoon shower. Lastly, it has a built-in back protector. If you like to ride aggressively, it’s nice to know that your backpack has got your back in more than one way.
Camelbak MULE Pro 14
Camelbak has inarguably dominated the hydration pack market for many years, and rightly so. Their MULE Pro 14 slots in with the other top-level hydration packs. It features the same compartment division, water capacity, and hip pockets found on other bags. But what makes this pack stand out is the included tool roll and the full-length side zipper pocket, making it easy to access the 3 L bladder. All of these features combined with the lightweight construction make it a contender for my next pack.
Mountain Bike Hydration Vests
Hydration vests have been used in trail running for quite a while. However, they are just making their way over to mountain biking. These packs differ from traditional backpacks because they are smaller, ride closer to your body, and have front pockets.
(Love mountain biking? Treat yourself, and get a pair of new knees pads to keep you protected on the trails.)
Osprey Duro 1.5L
The Osprey Duro 1.5 L vest is perfect for those long missions where you only want the essentials. It includes a bladder that holds 50 ounces of water. The front of the pack features four stretch pockets that make extra water and snacks easily accessible. Further, it includes one zippered front pouch so you can store your phone. The Duro line also comes in two larger sizes if you like the minimalist approach but want to carry just a bit more.
CamelBak Chase Vest
The Chase Bike Vest closely resembles the Osprey pack. However, it has fewer pockets on the front but gains additional storage in the rear with two zipper pockets and one mesh stuff pouch. This is another excellent option for keeping it lightweight on the bike. But be warned, your back will be sweaty with any of these options.
Salomon Active Skin 8
The Solomon Active Skin 8 features six front pockets to keep your nutrition right in front of you. Two of those pockets are devoted to a pair of 500 mL soft water bottles, which are included with the pack. At the rear, there is one large zipper pouch giving you access to the 8 liters of storage. There is also room for a hydration bladder you will have to purchase in addition to the pack. I think this pack, with its included bottles, is a great way to maximize your carrying capacity while maintaining excellent maneuverability.
Mountain Bike Waist/Hip Pack
The legendary fanny pack has made a comeback and now finds itself in the heart of the mountain scene. Hip packs are great for short rides when you don’t need to carry a lot but don’t want to fill up your pockets.
Dakine Hot Laps 1 L
The Dakine Hot Laps 1 L pack is my personal favorite hip pack. It features a small internal fleece pocket for your phone, small organizational pouches, elastic tool loops, and a key hook. The outside of the pack features a water bottle holder with a stretchy loop to keep it in place. This pack is ideal for shuttle laps, quick rides, and anything under two hours. At $40, this pack is a steal.
EVOC Hip Pack 3L
The EVOC Hip Pack 3 L is an excellent solution if you love hip packs and want to carry more. It includes a 1.5 L water bladder that attaches to the waist belt. The pack also features a quick access outside tool compartment, a roomy main storage pocket, and two waist belt pouches. I have a couple of buddies who swear by this pack. Personally, if I need to carry this much water, I will wear a backpack. Too much weight on my hips ends up hurting my back.
High Above The Venture
Hailing from Bellingham, Washington, High Above is a small boutique hip pack manufacturer. The Venture pack is a small hip pack that is customizable. It is waterproof and features three internal pockets. Further, you can choose your color and the type of buckle you would like on your pack. I love the look of The Venture, and I love how it’s made in the USA. If you want to support a small brand, check out High Above.
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