Hydration Packs: How To Comfortably Stay Hydrated On Any Adventure

There are *tons* of hydration packs out there, and choosing the right one can feel like a quest for the holy grail. Do you go budget-friendly or splurge on high-end? Do you prioritize storage space or streamlining? And the big question: how do you pick one that won’t flop around like a fish out of water while you’re trying to focus on, not falling off your paddleboard or longboard? First things first, I am not sponsored by any of these brands I purchased all of these packs myself to try.

Here are the main features I wanted from my bag:

• Keeping the pack secure against your body (nobody wants a wobbly backpack ).
• Hiding the weight, easy on the shoulders
• Staying minimalist enough to carry what you actually need without turning into a portable closet.

Platypus Water Pack

First up, I tried the Platypus hydration pack. While it’s nice and minimalist, it was too loose and didn’t sit flush against my body. I felt every ounce of water sloshing around, and that’s a fast track to early fatigue. Plus, the weight felt like it was doing a little dance, which definitely didn’t help my balance.

REI Link Hydro 10 Pack

Next, I gave the REI Link Hydro 10 a whirl. This pack I find similar to any mid level to higher end camelback, osprey and basically any of the mainstream hydration packs that are available. It was better—more comfortable on the shoulders and didn’t tire me out as quickly. But, like most packs, it had more space than I needed. I’m all about staying nimble, so this was a downside. Also, the weight didn’t stay centered, leaving me feeling like I had a passenger riding on my back. 

USWE Zulo 2L Hydration Waist Pack

Then I tried the USWE 1L bladder waist bag, and let me tell you, this thing was a game-changer! It was like I wasn’t even wearing a pack. No extra room, just the essentials, which I loved. But here’s the kicker—1L isn’t enough for a distance race, and swapping out the bladder wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. I did mod it with a Platypus bag for easier filling, but the 1L capacity still left me thirsty for more.

USWE Outlander Hydration Backpack

Finally, I landed on the Uswe Outlander, and this pack gets a gold star. With a max bladder size of 3L, it’s perfect for longer events. For anything crazy like a 5, 10, or 24-hour event, I modify it with smaller 2L Platypus bags (post coming soon to discuss why and how) that I can swap easily. What really sets this pack apart is its “No Dance Monkey” system—extra support straps that keep the pack glued to your body with zero bounce. Plus, there’s just enough space for the essentials: skate tool, granola bar, done. Minimal, streamlined, and no swinging weight to throw me off.