Running tends to be hot, sweaty business, and poor hydration will not only hinder your performance, but can endanger your health. Wearing a hydration pack–usually a vest or small backpack with holsters for large water bottles or a reservoir–ensures you stay hydrated on long runs and lets you drink without losing your stride.
It’s especially helpful for ultramarathons and trail runs, where you may not be able to find water when you really need it. It’s useful for short-distance runners too, though: There’s no need to lose momentum if you can drink and run at the same time.
Thirsty? Check Out These Hydration Stories: Best Running Belts ● Best Hydration Powders ● Watch Out For These Dehydration Symptoms in Hot Weather
Best Hydration Packs
The Expert: I’ve been running both casually and competitively since middle school, and since then I’ve amassed over 20 years of experience hoofing it over road, treadmill, track, and trail. Over the course of all those years and miles I’ve used a wide range of gear, including hydration packs of all shapes and sizes.
What to Consider When Buying a Hydration Pack
Expert recommendations vary widely when it comes to exactly how much water you should drink while running, but when all is said and done it typically comes down to drinking when you’re thirsty. Most hydration packs come with a pair of water bottles, usually around 17 ounces apiece, which should keep most people hydrated for at least a couple of hours.
Larger packs often include a sleeve for a large, soft-bodied water pouch called a reservoir or bladder, which has a hose that runs out of the pack and connects at your shoulder, where there’s a nozzle of some sort for easy on-the-go sipping. A standard 3 liter (101 oz) reservoir will give you another 4-5 hours, though long-distance runners may try to stretch that out over a much longer period.
How We Selected The Best Hydration Packs
We evaluated and put these hydration packs through their paces personally. In addition to testing them on a variety of street and trail routes, I researched the latest features and hydration science, and surveyed user reviews on Amazon and other retailers to find the packs that the distance running community loves.
Only the models with the best value, technical features, comfort, looks, and ability to haul all your stuff without bouncing made the cut.
Salomon Adv Skin 5 Set Hydration Vest
Salomon Adv Skin 5 Set Hydration Vest
Pros
- Plenty of water storage
- Outstanding fit reduces bouncing
- Padding reduces chafing
Cons
- Suboptimal ventilation
- Reservoir not included
Key Specs
| Run length | Short to moderately long, depending on bladder size |
|---|---|
| Water capacity | Two 17 oz flasks, sleeve for 34-68 oz reservoir (sold separately) |
| No. of pockets | 6 |
The Salomon Adv Skin 5 does pretty much everything right. It fits well on both men and women, with front and side compression bungees to reduce bouncing and soft padding that minimizes chafing. It comes with a pair of 17 oz strap flasks, which allow you to carry enough water for a moderate-length run lasting under two hours. There’s an internal reservoir sleeve as well, so you can add an extra 34 to 102 oz (1-3 liters) across all three vessels.
It also features six stretchy mesh pockets, giving you plenty of room to stash valuables, a running jacket, and any other small accessories you might want to bring along on a run. While it could use a smidge better ventilation, for our money this is the best hydration pack out there.
CamelBak Ultra Pro Hydration Running Vest
CamelBak Ultra Pro Hydration Running Vest
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Designated phone pocket
Cons
- Only small pockets
Key Specs
| Run length | Short to medium-long |
|---|---|
| Water capacity | Two 17 oz flasks, sleeve for 50 oz reservoir (sold separately) |
| No. of pockets | 10 |
The CamelBak Ultra Pro is a comfortable, breathable vest you can get for a reasonable price. Its storage capacity is limited–it has a large number of small pockets, so there’s room for a phone, keys, cards, and small items, but you aren’t getting a rain jacket in there.
To keep you hydrated, it comes with two 17 oz water bottles, and there’s room for a 50 oz reservoir sleeve. The idea of wearing a CamelBak that doesn’t have one of the company’s signature reservoirs seems odd, but the vest is a bargain, even without one.
Nathan Quickstart 2.0 4L Hydration Pack
Nathan Quickstart 2.0 4L Hydration Pack
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Solid ventilation and moisture wicking
Cons
- Limited storage
Key Specs
| Run length | Short to medium-long |
|---|---|
| Water capacity | 50 oz reservoir, holsters for two 22 oz water bottles (sold separately) |
| No. of pockets | 5 |
Small and sleek, the Nathan Quickstart 2.0 is made for intense short-to-medium distance runs. Its comfortable, lightweight design features, outstanding ventilation and reliable moisture-wicking will help to keep you cool and dry. It comes with a 50 oz reservoir, and has strap pockets that allow you to add a pair of extra 22 oz water bottles.
While it offers five pockets of various sizes for fuel, keys, and other small items, its non-liquid storage capacity feels limited compared to our other picks. You probably don’t want to be carrying much, anyways, which is why we think it’s a perfect fit for race day.
Black Diamond Equipment Distance 4 Hydration Vest
Black Diamond Equipment Distance 4 Hydration Vest
Pros
- Plenty of storage
- Easy-access trail pole holder
- Comfortable and well ventilated
Cons
- No reservoir included
Key Specs
| Run length | Medium to long |
|---|---|
| Water capacity | Two 17 oz flasks, sleeve for 34-102 oz reservoir (sold separately) |
| No. of pockets | 4 |
The further into the backcountry your trail run brings you, the more stuff you’ll need to bring along. The Distance 4 vest from Black Diamond Equipment gives you lots of storage space for energy gels and other gear. It has a special easy-access holster for hiking poles, and a zip-up security pocket in the back to hold your keys and cards.
The design is well-ventilated and fits snugly around your torso. There’s a sleeve for an optional bladder if you want to add one; between that and the two included 17 oz soft flasks, you’ll be able to carry more than enough water to get you out of the woods.
Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 5
Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 5
Pros
- Lots of storage
- Great fit
- Durable
Cons
- Some users report leaking issues with included water bottles
Key Specs
| Run length | Long |
|---|---|
| Water capacity | Two 17 oz flasks, sleeve for up to 68 oz reservoir (sold separately) |
| No. of pockets | 10 |
For ultramarathoners, wearing a hydration pack gives you the extra storage space to carry everything you might need to deal with whatever the route throws at you. The Ultra Vest 5 from Ultimate Direction offers unrivaled storage across 10 pockets of varying sizes, including a large phone pocket that will fit a giant flagship device, convenient trekking pole holders, and an external elastic cord stash to carry a jacket.
It comes with two 17 oz flasks and space for a 68-oz reservoir, so it offers plenty of water capacity. It’s lightweight and adjusts well so you can get a comfortable and secure fit. At the same time, it’s durable and ready to handle the rigors of a long and taxing journey.
Salomon Sense Pro 5 Set Hydration Vest
Salomon Sense Pro 5 Set Hydration Vest
Pros
- Lightweight
- Decent cargo capacity
- Comfortable and breathable
Cons
- No reservoir sleeve
Key Specs
| Run length | Short to medium |
|---|---|
| Water capacity | Two 17 oz flasks |
| No. of pockets | 4 |
The Salomon Sense Pro 5 is the vest you want if you’re worried about a hydration pack weighing you down. At just under 145 grams, it’s as light as they come. Its four pockets are small (though there is one slightly larger main compartment), but it’s more than enough space for weight-conscious runners to avoid carrying all but the essentials.
It’s also highly comfortable and breathable, with a good fit that doesn’t bounce much. There’s no place for a reservoir, but again, that would only weigh you down. The two 17 oz high-quality water flasks it comes with will serve for hydration purposes just fine.
lululemon Fast and Free Running Vest
lululemon Fast and Free Running Vest
Pros
- Reflective details
- Comfortable
Cons
- Limited cargo capacity
Key Specs
| Run length | Short to medium |
|---|---|
| Water capacity | Two 17 oz flasks, sleeve for 50 oz reservoir (sold separately) |
| No. of pockets | 5 small pockets |
Even when you can adjust your way into a firm fit, most hydration vests feel like one-size-fits-all garments: Somehow, the cut of the Fast and Free vest feels like it was tailored for you. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a hydration pack that offers a better fit, ensuring that you stay comfortable and secure. We specifically recommend this one if you’ve tried other hydration packs and had trouble with chafing or ill-fitting vests.
The Fast and Free vest is made for trails, with an abrasion-resistant exterior made primarily out of tough, recycled polyester that repels encroaching tree branches, and features reflective elements for evening runners. Its five pockets are small, but they’re zippered to keep your essentials in place.
It comes with one major caveat, though. While the vest has holsters for two 500ml water bottles and a reservoir sleeve, it doesn’t come with any vessels for storing water. If you’re okay bringing your own water bottles and bladder, though, it’s a good fit for most runners.
Hydration Pack Tips and Tricks with Our Experts
NH: When adjusting your hydration pack before a run, you want to make sure it’s tight enough to fit snuggly against your torso so that it won’t bounce, without tightening to the point where it pinches or chafes.
Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.
