9 Outstanding Hiking Backpacks With Water Bladder [2023 Updated]

Our Top 3 Recommendations

Best overall value

Osprey Manta 24

With the distinguished quality of Osprey, Manta 24 shines with tons of useful trail-friendly features and outstanding carrying comfort.

FEATURES:

• Premium Hydraulics LT 2.5L water reservoir by Hydrapak
• Highly ventilated AirSpeed back panel and adjustable harness
• Pocket-rich, with bite valve attachment on the sternum strap
• Included rain cover

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Runner up

CamelBak F. 26

The Fourteener 26 L amazed us with its highly functional hydration system, exceptional suspension, and generous storage options. But did we expect any different from CamelBak?

FEATURES:

• Ergonomic 3 L Crux reservoir that's super easy to operate with
• Big bite valve on the water hose self-seals after each sip to prevent spillage
• AirSupport back panel with body mapping technology provenly keeps you sweat-free
• Multiple organization pockets for strategic gear organization

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Best budget choice

Teton Sp. Oasis 20

Meet the hit Oasis model from Teton Sports! This pack will impress you not only with its ridiculously low price, but with proven durability, convenient adjustability, and dreamlike comfort.

FEATURES:

• Unbeatable price for its quality
• 3-L bladder with secured cushioned bite valve and slide top opening for easy cleaning and adding ice
• Fully adjustable harness for ultimate fit
• Rugged fabrics for extreme durability

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After meticulously comparing, testing, and researching the features and prices of all above-mentioned backpacks, it’s a pleasure to announce our Editor’s Choice this time - #6 Osprey Manta 24 L.

This top-notch Osprey model fits all the criteria and works fantastic both as a hydration system and as a backpack.

It also has the best price – performance ratio. As of this writing, the best price is at Amazon.

The Manta model ticks all the boxes when it comes to comfort, durability, and storage capacity. What makes strong impression is the mind-blowing AirSpeed™ suspension system as well as the unparalleled quality of the integrated hydration components including the 2.5 L Hydraulics™ LT water reservoir.

Last but not least, this is a bestseller with hundreds of five-star reviews.

Make sure to check it out.

Hiking Backpacks With Water Bladder: Quick Overview

Weighting only 2.45 lbs. (1.1 kg) when unfilled, this daypack is compact and lightweight enough for you to wear it comfortably for a long time. Let’s look at some important pros and cons so you have a better idea how the Oasis 1200 performs.

I suggest you also read our thorough Teton Sports Oasis 1100 review. This is the smaller model.

What we found strange is that the volume of the backpack is officially unknown. It’s mentioned nowhere. Based on our observation and comparison with other packs, it should be approximately 15 L. Other than that, the weight of the pack is excellent for its size – 1.5 lbs (0.69 kg), thus allowing a comfortable day hike.

What we love about this pack is that it feels like a feather. It’s only 1.72 lbs (0.78 kg). Sure enough, it’s not just the weight but the fit that matters. With the adjustability and the quality of the HydraHike you’ll be able to tighten up the rucksack so it fits closely to your torso, thus preventing load shift.

To have a clearer idea of how High Sierra organize the storage capacity of their packs, check out our Swerve 36.5 L backpack review.

For a backpack with a volume of 18 L, the Cloud Walker is only 1 lbs (600 gr). I found that amazing. It’s perfect for an ultralight day hike or a backpacking trip.

The popular Fourteener™ 26 hydro pack has a weight of only 1.2 lbs or 0.52 kg. Its compact dimensions make it perfect for carry-on luggage.

When it comes to  coloration, you have a choice. You can choose between black and green shade. Of course, the water reservoir capacity and the price stay intact. The weight of the pack is not bad at all – 2 lbs. 14.3 oz or 1.31 kg.

A nice benefit of the Gelindo is that it’s not heavy. The rucksack weights 0.9 kg or 1.9 lbs when not filled which is OK. To be honest, that doesn’t come as a surprise given the thin fabrics. Here’s the rest of our verdict.

With a reinforced bottom made out of 420D polyester, the Citro weighs 2.3 lbs or 1.05 kg. Being a daypack, the size fits perfectly as a carry-on as well. But let’s see the pros and cons.

One of the many things you will like about the Trail Hydro is the quality of the hydration sleeve. REI call it the Quickload pocket. It’s better than the sleeves on other packs on our list because it’s hard-sided.

So what, you’ll ask?

The stable structure of the pocket makes it easier for you to slide a hydration reservoir in it when the pack is fully loaded. That’s not the case with many other packs because their pocket is usually soft. That And because of that, often it’s quite difficult to put the reservoir in the pack if it’s already loaded with gear.

That’s especially handy when you have to refill the reservoir quickly and then put it back. No need to unload some items off your pack to get that done anymore.

The best part?

You can fold the sleeve when you don’t use it so that it doesn’t take up space. Isn’t that cool?

But the comfort features of the hydration system don’t end with that.

The bite-valve of the tube self-seals after each use, preventing water spillage. Drinking water from the tube is easy and effortless, and the flow is steady. Conveniently, the opening is wide-mouth. Many cheap hydration packs have problems with the irregular water flow of the tube. Not that one.

Other than the superior hydration system, Rei Co-op Trail Hydro, boasts with advanced trail-friendly features.

The adjustable suspension includes a sternum strap and a waist belt with zippered pockets. Don’t expect too much space from those, though. Still, they are perfect for storing small piece of snack and a smaller smartphone. A small quibble about the hip belt is that it could have been wider. Then it’d be also easier to reach the hip pockets.

The back panel is padded with EVA foam, which adds cushioning, making the pack comfortable to carry for longer periods. Buyers report that they carry up to 25 lbs. comfortably the whole day.

There’s a ventilation channel too that allows the heat to evaporate. So you will enjoy a sweat-free back on those summer days.

Trail Hydro has enough pockets for you to organize your gear in a way that everything will have its own place. What’s cool is the soft pocket on top of the pack. It’s ideal for storing your sunglasses or any other fragile item.

What we also like is that there are daisy chains on the front of the pack. You can attach external gear easily such as a sleeping mat, windbreaker, trail boots, and anything else that makes sense.

This is a panel loading pack, which has its benefits. You don’t need to unload anything from the top to access the middle part. The weight of this stylish backpack is 2.1 lbs. or 950 grams.

Buying Guide & Advice (Including Valuable Tips)

So far so good, but how you decide which hydration pack would serve you best?

It’s true that there are plenty of options on the market and it’s easy to get confused.

In this section, I’ll help you better understand how to make the right choice for you and pick a pack that will be comfortable, reliable, and priceworthy.

First things first.

Understanding Hiking Backpacks With Water Reservoir

If you have never used a hydro backpack before, it’s necessary to grasp the conception of how do hydration backpacks work as well as their pros and cons. It will give you a firm understanding of what to expect when owning a pack with a water bladder.

In brief, a hydro pack allows you to drink water on the go thanks to a sip hose that is connected to a reservoir which is stored in a dedicated sleeve.

The drinking tube hangs over one of your shoulders and passes through a tiny hole in the backpack. On its end, there’s a bite valve or the so-called mouthpiece that you bite to allow water flow.

Here’s a nice illustration for a better understanding.

You refill the bladder with liquid by disconnecting the tube (if the specific model has this option), pulling it out of the sleeve, and filling it with water. Usually the opening of the bladder is large enough so that you can clean it easily and even put ice cubes into it. After that, you carefully stow the reservoir back in the pocket, reconnect the hose and you are ready to go.

In terms of volume, it’s good to know that most of the hiking rucksacks with water reservoir are daypacks. That means their storage capacity is roughly in the range of 6 – 30 L. Keep that in mind.

Don’t prepare for thru-hiking or long backpacking trips with your hydration pack on your mind. It’s designed to accommodate a 1-2 day adventure or a short overnight hike.

Regarding the capacity of the water bladder, the most common volume is between 1L – 3L.

Why It’s Beneficial To Use A Hydration Backpack

The main benefit of hydro packs comes from the unmatched, seamless hydration they provide.

You don’t need to stop or slow down your pace and fight your access to the water bottle that is often difficult to reach, stored in a side pocket.

Using a pack with water bladder is also incredibly handy when you walk on technical terrains during hot summer days. Often in such cases, you need to drink small sips of water every 10 minutes without wasting time and energy to stop and pull out the bottle from a pocket.

Furthermore, having a hydration pack allows you to carry bigger amounts of water (up to 3L) more comfortably. Often, putting one or two water bottles in either side pouch disturbs the overall balance of the load, making your backpack swing side to side.

Having a water bladder is much more convenient because of its ergonomic shape. It easily allows the reservoir to fit closely to your back. In that way, the load is distributed more evenly which is crucial to your stamina, back health, and comfort.

What To Look For When Buying A Pack With Water Bladder

Let’s begin by something that you don’t want to overlook.

Health Considerations

Probably the most important thing you have to pay attention to when purchasing a hydro pack is whether the reservoir is BPA-free.

The abbreviation stands for the industrial chemical bisphenol A. It is found in plastics and without entering into details, do know that it’s dangerous to health. That’s why always look for bladders that are marked BPA-free and FDA (food and drug administration) approved.

Usually some manufacturers even give certificates stating their reservoirs are harmless and free of this chemical compound. Be careful when choosing a pack from low-budgeted, shoddy brands. All of the respectful names in the industry produce bladders that are BPA-free and FDA-approved.

You will find that all backpacks in our list obey to this health standard too.

Hydration System Considerations

You are purchasing a hydro pack so undoubtedly you want to be able to drink water effortlessly with it.

First off, it’s best to decide on the volume capacity of the bladder. To ease the decision, you need to compare it to the overall volume of the backpack.

Will you have enough space left for your gear once the reservoir is full? Are you going to use the pack for longer hikes or short day adventures?

Know that often, it’s possible to change the bladder. That means you can put a smaller or a bigger water reservoir in the sleeve. Make sure to verify if that’s doable, though.

You can to that by reading all the information and customer reviews about the pack. Don’t hesitate to ask relevant questions the seller or contact directly the manufacturer.

Second off, inform yourself how easy the water flow passes through the sip hose and reaches the bite valve. Many cheap brands fail on that and this is something that could be pretty annoying on the trail.

Another important criterion is whether the water bladder is leak-proof and puncture resistant. Again, be careful with the cheaper brands. Read as many customer testimonials as possible.

Yes, you can always change the bladder if something happens, but it’s best to spare yourself the time and money.

Watch the video below which gives some useful insights on the topic.

Depending on your budget and preference, it’s not a bad idea to invest more money on some cool extras that will contribute to your comfort and better hydration. For example, you can choose an insulated bladder that keeps your liquid cold for hours.

Furthermore, you may have a pack whose bladder have the option to dry fast thanks to its design and ergonomic shape. That helps eliminate bacteria. Some of the bladders even have dry hangers, which often comes in handy too.

Last but not least, you might want to consider a hydration pack that has an anti-dirt cover on the mouthpiece. This is great because it protects the bite-valve when you put your pack on the ground. Something that’s especially useful is having a magnetic clip on the chest strap or on the shoulder strap where you can position your sip hose for easier access.

So consider every option and decide whether or not you need those additional features. Always think long term.

General Backpack Considerations

Comfort.

That’s the most important thing about a hiking backpack. You can a have great capacity, excellent fabrics, lifetime warranty, and many other perks such as an integrated rain cover, for instance. But all that doesn’t matter if the pack feels uncomfortable on your back. If that’s the case, it’s unwearable.

Here’s what to look for if you want to make sure you’re choosing a good backpack:

That’s it.

These are the basics. If you have that, you will feel good while wearing your backpack. You can make compromises with every other feature to achieve a good price. However, we highly recommend you go for a pack that have the basics. It’s important.

The good news?

Most of the packs these days have those options. And all the packs described in our list above have them too. Sure enough, some backpacks are better than others in some aspects.

Therefore, based on your needs and preference, you have to decide what’s most important to you – to have better padding or better ventilation, for instance. Of course, you can have both but in that case, it’s highly likely that the price will be bigger. By the way, if the price is a serious factor for you, check out the best cheap hiking backpacks of 2021.

Here’s our advice on what else to look for when it comes to other additional backpack features:

Honestly, you’ll be good if you pack doesn’t have other features.  Everything additional comes as a bonus. An integrated rain cover? Yes, it’s pretty handy but not essential. If your hikes involve significant amounts of water, consider investing in a hiking dry bag. And read our review of the Unigear dry bag. 

 A safety whistle or a small pocket for your shades on the shoulder strap? It’s awesome but again, not absolutely necessary.

I hope you get the idea.

Price Considerations

Depending on your budget, you will face different dilemmas.

If you’re looking to buy a cheaper hydration pack and that’s roughly below $60, then inevitably you will have to choose between quality and price.

In most of the cases, there’s an unavoidable trade-off between price and quality and this is something you should keep in mind. Of course, there are many exceptions.

It’s true that there are some hidden gems. In fact, in our list you’ll find packs below $40 that perform surprisingly well. Still, there’s some sort of a trade-off involved.

Either the hydration system doesn’t work so well, either there’s no good ventilation on the back panel. That’s why we included a Pros and Cons section in our reviews.

When you’re looking for a hiking pack with a water bladder, you’re not only purchasing a backpack or a hydration system. You’re purchasing a hydration backpack with a hydration system, as a whole.

It’s important that your desired pack performs equally well both as a backpack and as a hydration system.

If you want to achieve that, then most probably you’ll have to sneeze more than $70. Typically, it would be something in the range of $80 - $130.

Our advice is to be ready to invest more money on your next hydration backpack while at the same time keeping an eye on the cheaper packs.

As mentioned above, there are some hidden gems among them that definitely deserve your attention.

Think of the process as a long-term investment that will enhance your life. It’s true.

Tips For Maintaining Your Hydro Pack

If a standard backpack needs a good care, a hiking pack with water bladder requires a little more effort to stay in a good shape for longer.

Don’t be scared, though, it’s nothing complicated.

Always clean the reservoir after each use and let it air dry completely before using it again. Rinse it with hot water. You can use baking soda or dish soap for maximum effect. It’s easier if you scrub it with a brush too.

If you use it for the first time, it’s possible that you sense a plastic or rubbery smell. To eliminate the odor, wash the bladder with a bleach or with a lemon juice. It helps a lot.

Enough with the dos. Let’s talk about the donts.

Don’t use any other liquids but water in the bladder, especially alcohol or milk. That will help prevent bacteria growth. Also, it’s important not to expose the reservoir to UV lights for long periods and to extreme temperatures.

Avoid using it extensively when the temperature is below - 20° or above 40°.

Keep those elementary rules and your backpack will serve you well for many years.

Conclusion

I truly hope that this list will serve you well on your way of choosing the best possible hydration backpack. We made sure to cover high-quality packs with included water bladder and with various prices that have everything you need to spend some great time outdoors.

Let this diversity not confuse you but help you see the bigger picture and make the best choice. Don’t forget to consult the buying guide. I dare to say it’s very useful.

Should you have any questions, comments, or remarks, leave them in the comments below.

Have fun and happy hiking!