Fitness Gear - ShoesJake

Running causes excessive sweating which in turn leads to dehydration. That’s why you need a hydration pack whenever you go out running. But which is the best hydration pack for trail running. Well, a perfect hydration pack should provide a comfortable means of carrying water and other necessities during trail running. See my reviews of seven best hydration packs for trail running. Related: Beginner’s Guide to Trail Running Reviews: 7 Best Hydration Pack for Trail Running 2021 1. CamelBak 2016 Hydration Vest Marathoner With CamelBak 2016, you can carry everything you need for trail running including water, cell phone, energy chews, wipes etc. The main hydration reservoir is a 2 L bladder which is equipped with a long hose for convenient hydration. The valve on the hose opens easily when hydrating and closes tightly to prevent leaking. Check On Amazon The two pockets on each side of the pack allow you to carry additional flasks or bottles in case you’re going to run for long hours. There’s also a waterproof pocket for carrying your cell phone and pockets for energy bars, gels and so on. The front straps close securely over your chest and have a means for adjusting to cater for different individuals. The side straps can also be adjusted to attain a snug fit so as to prevent bouncing. The mesh-like fabric used to make this vest ensures that there is no moisture accumulation on your body. What’s more, the reflective details on the back and front of this hydration pack keeps you visible whenever you’re running in dim light. Pros Lightweight and breathable fabric Sweat-proof pocket for cell phone Additional pockets for water bottle Reflective details Adjustable straps Cons Only one size https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDh8wu43wC4 2. Nathan Women’s 2.0 L Bladder Vapor Airess With this 9.3 oz hydration pack, you can hit the trails without too much weight on your back. It’s made with polyester and nylon which not only make it lightweight but also are comfortable to wear. The 2 L bladder will keep you going for long especially when there’re no refilling points along your running route. Check On Amazon The chest and side straps provide a means for adjusting the pack to fit runners of different sizes. The straps feel comfortable on your body and it’s easy to fasten them. Once tied down, this pack takes the shape of your body contours which reduces bouncing during running. Vapor Airess comes with two front pockets for carrying additional water or other liquids. There’re eight zipper pockets which allow you to carry essential items like phones, identity cards and so on. The water-resistant pockets are ideal for cell phones and items that might be damaged by water or sweat. The bladder comes with a convenient hose which allows quick hydration. The hose and valve are sturdy enough to withstand rigorous usage. In addition, you don’t have to worry about durability because the materials used to make this hydration pack are of high quality. Pros 2 L bladder 2 pockets for water bottles Water-resistant pockets for cell phone Contoured fit Convenient hose No bouncing Quality material Cons High price 3. Salomon Backpack Advanced Skin 1.5 L Throughout its upgrading, ADV Skin retains its quality build while promising better functionality and comfort. Wearing this pack feels like you’re actually carrying nothing. Plus it’s designed to make your running accessories and water easily reachable. Check On Amazon It comes with 1.5 L rear bladder which is equipped with a hose and reliable valve. On the chest, there’re two soft flasks each capable of carrying 500 ml of liquid. You can change the bladder with a bigger one during longer runs. The two front pockets allow you to carry additional bottles. Other pockets include the cell phone pocket, kangaroo pocket, chest pocket, zipped side pockets, back compartment and an internal pocket. The straps for this hydration pack allow quick adjustment to keep the bladder and flasks intact. Thus, you won’t experience bouncing during your trail running. It’s also designed to hug the contours of your body to prevent bouncing. The materials and design of this hydration pack makes it breathable to prevent moisture accumulation on your back. Overall, this a very comfortable hydration pack for running on trails. Pros Breathable Moisture-wicking fabric Streamlined designed Easily accessible pockets Ideal for running and hiking Cons Not ideal for running at night 4. Ultimate Women’s 2 L Direction Ultra Vesta If you are going to tackle long distances, then you’re ready to go with Ultra Vesta. It has the capacity to carry 2 L at the back and additional two 500 ml bottles in each of the front pockets. It gives female runners the convenience of hydrating and carrying important items such as cell phones, energy chews and so on. Check On Amazon There two small zipped pockets in the front for storing items such as tissue, snacks, energy chews etc. The back side features two small pockets and one big zipped pocket. Plus there’s the stuff pocket at the top which can be accessed over the shoulder. The design of Ultra Vesta hydration pack makes it suitable for women runners. This actually some good news because many of the available unisex designs do not take into consideration a woman’s body shape. The fastening mechanism features sturdy strings which allow easy and convenient adjustment of the pack onto your body. This ensures that your water reservoirs do not go bouncing when you’re running. The strings are fastened using clips which slide smoothly on the built-in rails. The mesh on the back and front straps promotes breathability to keep your body cool and dry. What’s more, owing to the high quality build, you can be sure of using this hydration pack for quite a long time. Pros Large liquid-holding capacity Good fit with no bounce Quality build Breathable Cons Not unisex 5. Nathan Vaporhowe 1.5 L Bladder Hydration Vest As with many of Nathan’s hydration packs, Vaporhowe 1.8 L comes with superb features that make trail running more comfortable and enjoyable. It’s available in 6 sizes which allow you to choose the most comfortable hydration pack for running. Check On Amazon The main reservoir lies at the back and has a liquid capacity of 1.8 Litres. It’s designed in the shape of hour glass to minimise sloshing which can otherwise cause a lot of discomfort. The two big front pockets allow you to carry additional water bottles to cater for your long runs. There’re also plenty of pockets designed to carry different essential items. For instance, the two chest pockets come with zippers which makes them ideal for carrying your smartphone. In terms of fit and comfort, Vaporhowe 1.8 L makes use of both front and side straps. The purpose of this is to ensure that you get the most comfortable fit from this hydration pack. When you choose the correct size, this pack hugs your back snugly leaving no room for bouncing. Breathability is taken care of by the perforations at the back and pockets. This keeps you comfortable since there’s no moisture accumulation. Plus it’s made with lightweight materials to avoid excess burden. Pros Comfortable fit Breathable Six sizes to choose from Convenient and easily accessible pockets Lightweight Cons Expensive 6. CamelBak 1.5 Bladder Circuit Hydration Pack This unisex hydration vest brings with it a host of benefits and convenience during trail training. Not only does it keep you hydrated but it also provides a means for carrying essential stuff like cell phone, energy chews, wipes, keys and so on. Check On Amazon At only 6 oz, this will be a great hydration vest for beginner runners. The 1.5 L bladder will be ideal for running short distances. But you can also cover long trials if there’re places to refill the bladder. It comes with several storage pockets including a zipped front pocket for carrying a cell phone. The dual front sternum straps allow you to adjust the vest for a convenient fit. Plus the side straps can also be adjusted to fit runners of different sizes. A snug fit keeps the bladder intact thus preventing bouncing. The material used to make this vest is 3D mesh which provides some amount of cushioning while allowing ample air circulation. Pros Comfortable wear No bounce Zipped pocket for cell phone Reflective details Several storage pockets Unisex Cons High price 7. Nathan Race Vest Fireball Fireball hydration vest was specially designed with trail runners and hikers in mind. Not only does it keep hydration liquids with you but it also allows you carry essential items such as cell phone, map, energy chews, GPS device and so on. Check On Amazon Its lightweight and small shape design makes it attractive for runners who dislike carrying bulky stuff when running. The back side accommodates 1.5 L bladder which is bought separately. However, it comes with two 12-oz bottles which are insulted to keep your water at low temperature. The two bottles fit precisely in the two front pockets which are fitted with elastic seams for securing the bottles. There’s a front pocket for carrying cell phones and another waterproof pocket for storing small essentials such as energy chews, pills and so on. If the water in the two bottles is just enough, you may forego the rear pouch and use the compartment to carry larger items such as sunglasses or headphones. The shoulder straps come with a breathable mesh which also provides some cushion. They’re then fastened by two front straps which can be adjusted to fit runners of different sizes. Plus there’s a side strap on each side to further allow for adjustment. Pros Comfortable with no bounce Breathable Reflective details Pockets for cell phones and small essentials Quality materials Not heavy Cons Rear pouch not included Conclusion Most runners prefer hydration packs over water bottles or hydration belts. That’s because they offer the most comfortable hands-free storage for water and other essential items like cell phones, ID cards, energy chews, keys and so on. The above review features popular brands which have been tested and upgraded over time to give the best trail running experience. Related Articles Best Trail Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis Best Trail Running Shoes for Overpronation Best Trail Running Shoes for Supination