19 Best Backpack For Carrying Water Bottles (2023 Update)

I love the color of this Camelbak. The front pocket is big enough for sunscreen, a wallet, keys, and minimal first aid kit. I was even able to strap a thin layer on with the bungees on the outside. HOWEVER, it has a major flaw…. LEAKING BLADDER. I have tried to use this pack twice now. First time heading out with it, I filled up the bladder, set it with my backpack, then noticed my pack was SOAKED when packing the car. I didn't have time to sort out the leak, so I left the Camelbak at home and took a trusty water bottle. Next time out with it, I filled the bladder up, applied pressure, didn't see any leaks, so I hit the trail. About 1/2 a mile in, my back was soaked with water. I couldn't figure out where the water was leaking from. Tried to dry it off, disconnected and reconnected the hose; no leaks, so started hiking again. Minutes later, water was dripping from the bottom! I dumped the water out and continued the hike without water. My hiking partner had some, so I was ok, just wet and cold in the wind from the leaking bladder. Back at home, I can't figure out where the leak is coming from. I won't use the bladder anymore. I do like the pack though. So… not sure it's worth the money, since I need to find a replacement bladder now. Great small pack though for short hikes.LarkInTheDesert

Overall I really like this pack. It does its job well, but has a few drawbacks. First, the good: This pack is really light. Like don't-even-know-you're-wearing-it-if-it's-empty light. Even with a full water reservoir it's pretty light. The water reservoir has a nice big opening for filling and one of the best features is a handle built into the opening that allows you to hold it with one hand while you fill and work the faucet with the other hand. The screw-on cap seals easily and is held on by a plastic strap so it's always handy and you can't loose it. Another great feature is the quick release drinking hose. It pops off the reservoir with a press of a lever and the pack doesn't leak with it off. Much easier to deal with cleaning with it off. And the drinking hose has a valve on it! I have an older hydration pack that constantly drips so this is a big plus for me. The bag itself has a big pocket for the reservoir (with a fabric loop that wraps around a hook at the top to keep the reservoir in place) that makes it easy to get it in and out and is big enough to hold a few other things. There's also an external pocket that will hold more stuff. It's not a large amount of storage, but it's enough for some snacks, a multitool, an extra tube and other small stuff. The straps keep it in place well; I haven't had any issues with it shifting on me. The padding that rests against your back is nice and comfortable. I'm not sure if it will be too warm against the back in the heat, but I don't think it will. Now for the not so good: The straps are uncomfortable. They are lightweight and mostly mesh, but I find that they dig into the front of my shoulders. With multiple layers on it's not too bad, but with only one layer it's quite uncomfortable. I do seem to get used to it after a few minutes, but I'm not sure it will be comfortable enough on really long rides (I've only used to for about 90 minutes continuously so far). The worst part about the pack is drying the reservoir. This is a problem with every hydration pack I've used. To air dry it you need to stuff something in there that will hold it open. I usually use a tall water bottle. They do sell a plastic part that will do this, but really shouldn't that be included rather than a twelve dollar add-on? The hose is also tricky to get all the water out of and dried thoroughly. There are also a couple features listed that I can't figure out. There is a "helmet carry" feature which allows you to attach your helmet to the pack when you're not wearing it. But I can't figure out how that's supposed to work. And there are no instructions with the pack or online to show how to use it. There also claims to be "integrated tool organization". The only thing I can figure out here is that there is a pocket and inside the pocket is a small plastic carabiner style hook sewn in. It would be useful for keys, but it's not exactly "integrated tool organization". But, as I said initially it's a good pack and I'm happy I got it.ZutroyMN

I bought this hydration pak because it is fairly small. I needed it to fit into a tight spot in a rowing shell. Given that it is fairly small, it does not have much extra room for storage. I normally fill the water bag about a quarter full. I can store a small handheld VHF radio and a set of keys in a dry bag and that is about it. If you fill it completely with water, there will be very little room left for storage. This bag is best suited for uses where space is constrained. If you are walking, hiking or something else where space is not an issue, you might wish to choose another product with more storage capacity. I like the toggle switch for the water. Much easier to use rather than any sort of rotating valve. I have not used this pak long enough to know how durable the water nipple will be. The water bag is a bit of a strange design. There is a built-in handle like that on a hairbrush that is attached to the collar around the water filling opening. The water fill lid is threaded and spins on. You have to be careful to make sure the lid is done up tight. Tip: If you don't fill the bag completely with water, lay the bag on a flat surface before closing the lid. Let the bag sag onto the surface so that all the air is out of the water bag and the water is almost spilling out. Then close the lid. If you don't do this, the bag will be bigger than necessary due to trapped air which takes away from storage space.Ron

This is a super expensive pack, but I love the Hydro Flask water bottles so I trusted the brand enough to pull the trigger on this despite the cost. But holy mackerel is it not worth what I paid for it. Quality-wise it should have cost less than half what I paid. When I pulled it out of the packaging I literally cringed. I expected it to be an obviously durable, thick, substantive material. I expected the Hydro Flask level of quality. The cooling system is kind of a joke at this point and the water pack is small and the tube tastes bad. I'm just so disappointed. I wish I had never made this purchase.Caprise

Before I wasn't the biggest fan of biking with a backpack but Hydroflask really outdid themselves with this pack. The fit is nice and snug, the straps are a bit too long, but that can be fixed. Once tightened down the pack sits nicely on the back and hardly moves even when ripping through nasty rock gardens are hitting the jump line on tiddlywinks. Also, there's not a whole lot of non sense and flare to the pack. everything has a purpose and I love how big the front pocket is! I love being able to keep my water ice cold especially on those hot summer days. the whole hydration system is perfect too! Really top notch!josh_wray

Got a different pack for xmas but returned it for this. Put a winter kit on the hose for snowboarding. Real cold days were still a problem for the hose. I've hiked and biked with it already this spring a bunch. After a 2 hr ride I still have plenty of ice in the bladder. I love this pack.Charlie

Thule Aion Travel Backpack is incredibly versatile. I love that this Backpack can fit my laptop while still having so much space for my other items. Each compartment helps me to store my necessities neatly. This backpack is also made from recycled materials. I am so happy I can easily use one bag for any of my day or weekend trips.Mommylovesdiscounts

I use this as a second bag, domestically and internationally. It is a fantastic carry on bag, protective for computers and great access to the items in the bag. very nice.John316

I've never been much of one for hydration packs. Give me a good old water bottle and I'm happy. But the plain truth is that you drink more, and stay hydrated, when you use a pack with hydration bladder. It's easier and faster to drink; you can drink on the fly without stopping to pull out a water bottle. And with the CamelBak Lobo you don't even have to think hard about returning the drinking tube to its resting position thanks to the magnetic "tube trap". I've read several reviews saying that the magnet isn’t strong enough and the tube comes loose. I've used the Lobo on a variety of MTB rides and trails, including a race, and found the magnetic tube trap to function great. The one exception was at a notoriously rocky and techie trail system with lots of drops. The tube did continuously come loose there. But on flowier trails the magnetic trap worked great, allowing me to reattach it to the shoulder strap without any difficulty. I've also read reviews expressing concern over the lightweight construction of the Lobo, particularly of the shoulder straps. Yes, they're mesh. And maybe they won't hold up as well as stouter shoulder straps. But they are super light and well ventilated and the Lobo was a pleasure to use in this summer's intense heat. I barely noticed I was wearing it while racing. It’s meant to be lightweight and it is. Other things of note about the Lobo. It's pretty small, but that’s part of the plan. It has enough room for keys, spare tub, pump or CO2 canister, small tool set and an energy bar, but you'd be hard pressed to fit much more into it when the bladder is full. A pair of glasses, sure. And if you use the expandable pouch on the outside, you can add a light layer or shell. Not a ton of stuff, but the essentials. If you want more carrying capacity you can move up to CamelBak's 3-liter (that’s water, not gear storage) pack. I have mixed feelings about the helmet carry. It definitely held my helmet securely. I found it a little difficult to use at first, but that's probably also why it holds a helmet securely. I bombed down a 4-mile fire road with my helmet on the pack over rocks and washboard and the occasional water bar and never felt it moving (kids, don't do this at home). My mixed feelings come from the question of why. Why hang your helmet on your pack rather than on your head? I do this when I ski in the backcountry because it’s too hot to skin with a helmet on. But at least where I live pretty much all the MTB trails go up and down and it just seems like a better idea to keep your helmet firmly where it was meant to be. While it’s still tempting to jump on my bike with just a water bottle, I more often find myself reaching for the Lobo. It’s light and comfortable and keeps me better hydrated while holding all my essentials for a day of riding.gmaslowe

I bought this pack for mountain bike riding in cooler weather to carry an extra layer in addition to a rain shell. I didn’t want a larger 20+ L pack, so thought this one, cargo capacity initially listed at 7L, would be perfect. Bottom line, I can fit a Gore jacket OR a thermal layer into the very hard to load storage compartment. Overall, I rated it a 3. But, there is a wide range of good and bad features, so here are details. Fit is excellent, comfortable on first use and 2 months later. Does not shift around on technical descents. Waist belt is small but well designed (does not loosen). Appreciate chest strap can be adjusted easily. Well designed pockets. Tool pocket with mesh sub-pockets. Smaller pocket for keys with lanyard. Cargo area for water also has a mesh pocket Very hard to load the pack- both water and any “cargo”. Seems to be due to excess flex in the back panel. Poor design on the outside straps, aka helmet carry. The location, right above the side mesh pockets makes it so very hard to get things in/out. Again, hard to load even a light jacket into the outside area under the tool pocket since these straps do not have clips which open.Kristine

I tried the Women’s Lobo 9 a few times, and, unfortunately, it did not work out for me due to my x-small torso. For reference I have a petite frame, torso length 15” and at 5’3”. I tried this pack while hiking, biking, and just walking around an outdoor day’s event. During all these times it sat low, and past my lower back. I initially thought it wouldn’t be a big deal since it was not too much of the pack that sat low, however, with a few hours into wearing it did become uncomfortable. The shoulder straps did not shorten enough for me and made due with its shortest; this was not enough as it was too loose, and just not as form fitting as I needed it (preference) for an active use. Also, I did not feel the benefits of its air support back panel nor its heat distribution; granted it was during very hot summer days. The ventilated harness straps were light and good, as well as its removable hip belt. I appreciated its intentional compartments; it had all the small pockets in the right places to fit a couple, flat snacks. The reservoir takes some maneuvering to take out and fill as I couldn’t successfully fill it while inside the pack; not a deal breaker. The magnetic tube trap is a great convenience. All in all this pack is not created for petite body size, and/or smaller torsos, perhaps it may be best to have sizing options.Oceanita_maymar

I purchased three of these in a matter of two weeks. The first was for a raffle. I received it two days after ordering. I was so happy with it’s stealth appearance I ordered one for my sister in law and then I had wine backpack envy and purchased one for myself. One of the packages took over a week to receive for some reason but that is not typical of their shipping. I own three of their bags and have given three others away.Sheila M.

The bag is nice, it is great for our day trips or just for quick walks around our lake/local communities, and I love that it has the side pockets for bottles or other items. I have not used it for any long hikes yet, so have been using it without the water pouch, but I'm sure that will work just fine knowing camelback water packs. The reason I give this a 4 star rating instead of 5 has more to do with the feel of the pack while wearing it. It could use better straps with more support and cushioning, though they are by far not the worst straps out there, just could be a bit better. I also find it leads my back feeling a bit sore even with a pretty light load, I am continuing to try different strap lengths to try to get around this and hope this is user error more than an issue with the pack design, but I have not yet been able to find a sweet spot that works well for my back. This might also be something that would improve with including the water pouch inside the pack, but that will be an experiment for another day. My rating does not take this into account since I still have faith in the pack, I just knocked it a star for not having better straps, I would love to see camelback up its strap game on their packs as this has seemed to me to be a fairly common thing when I've looked at their packs.Elliott P

i like this bag! it’s a little stiff to start but after a couple wears it’s gotten more comfy on my back. I wanted a good sized camelbak to bring on day hikes and i was torn between this and the Mule and i’m glad i got the Cloud Walker! i compared it to my partners Camelbak Mule and it is almost the exact same size, the Cloud Waker extends out more to fit more stuff but the footprint is almost identical if that makes sense. a few things that make it 4/5: – it comes with a 2.5L reservoir instead of 3L but the side pockets make it super easy to carry extra water and a 3L reservoir will fit inside if you have an extra one. – be careful with closing the reservoir. there’s something weird about the seal that makes it super finicky to close properly. this hasn’t been an issue with other camelbak reservoirs i’ve owned. it’s fine once it’s closed but make sure you have it sealed right before you put it into your bag. this is the main reason i’m giving it 4/5 stars – the shoulder strap clasp seems cheaper than the ones on my other backpacks and i’m worried it might eventually break? it hasn’t yet so maybe i shouldn’t fault it for that. overall this is a good little bag! i’m really happy with it.ann_

I love this little pack. I use it for my 24 hour bag and on day hikes. It has a lot of organization in different places and carries a lot more than you think it can. I love the bottom and side straps, which I use to lash on loose items such as a jacket that I shed. The small zippered pocket on the left lower side is easy to reach and a great place to put my phone. there are even pockets in the water bladder compartment that are usable when you are not using the bladder. This backpack perfectly fit my needs and I highly recommend it.Tracy L

I purchased this for a two day camping trip and it was my only water source. I didn’t bring any sports bottles since my frame bag took up the whole space. The backpack has a lot of nice features (sunglass pouch, key ring, and several side pockets) I especially liked the magnetic clip for the straw. I also used the helmet clips to hold my helmet when not in use. The only thing I think it was missing was a cover for the whole thing just in case it started to rain while you’re on a ride. I was afraid I was going to have back pain from all the weight but it was well balanced. I’m very impressed !ScottieDrippin

Going to a festival and need a bag. This one. Going skiing and need a hydration pack and gear bag. This one Going hiking …. This one. This bag has plenty of storage in a slim profile with comfortable straps. Can't recommend enoughMark

The design is horrible. There is no zip to close nor velcor to close the bag. The person who designed never taught about this or the person is not a good designer. Everything from bag will fall when you keep in plane cabin or any other place. I wouldn't recommend to any one. if you buy better buy the one which closes.ashok 2

Bought this bag for our trip to Hawaii. It came in really handy for the beach and all our adventures. We took it with us everywhere we went. Never really had a chance to test out the bags waterproofness but it seems it would hold up. We did spill a bottle of sunscreen in it. That was a mess. But we wiped it out and put it through the washing machine for a cycle and it came out like new. Now that we are home this is our go to bag for the boat and the kayaks. Love it.Kyles85

I work on the water (SCUBA diver) and use this bag constantly. I also love that it folds up very small so I have a lightweight day pack when traveling. However, the clip that fastens the top flap together (when rolled) broke within the first month of use. I replaced it myself (bought a more durable clip, cut the loop that held the original clip, "installed" the new one, and sewed the loop back together). Yes, a pain but I would still buy it again.WaterBlossoms

I logged over 100+ miles thru the Smokies and Appalachian Trail with this pack in the last 2 weeks. I filled the reservoir, packed lunch and snacks each day with it. Plus fit my compass, map and Garmin inReach inside it. The bite valve worked flawlessly. It got rained on multiple times and dried out quickly in the hot sun. The pack is super light and I hardly new I had it on. Even though the should straps are thin, there is plenty of padding on the shoulder straps for what weight you will be carrying with it. It would be nice to have maybe some side mesh pockets on each side at the bottom.Shivers

I wanted to take it out a couple times before writing my review. So here it is. The Arete 18 is extremely light and versatile making it even a better buy love the material you can tell it will hold up to some abuse obviously within reason so for I have used on a mountain bike expedition and a short hike through the sierra’s it definitely exceeded my expectations. I wish there was a little more padding on the shoulder straps but I get trying to save weight overall great bang for buck you can throw a shell and some lunch along with a bladder and not even fill the bag weight. All in all I would recommend.Quino

So far, this CamelBak Arete 18 has been a nice lightweight pack! The body doesn't have much structure, especially when the bladder isn't full. This can be a pro or a con, depending on your preferences and needs. On one hand, it makes it super light and breathable. On the other hand, if you stuff the pack full or with lots of heavy stuff, I imagine it may not be as comfortable in the long term. It's worth noting that there's only one size and you can't adjust the torso length… for longer treks and heavier packs, a well-fitted pack is essential, so if this doesn't fit you well, you're unfortunately out of luck. However, at 18L, I don't plan on using this pack for anything more than short day hikes, bike rides, or casual outings. The side pockets are deep enough to fit 32 oz Nalgenes without falling out, and the top pocket is big enough to hold all my necessities that I want to easily access. I like this pack– it's simple and effective. I would recommend it for someone who doesn't want or need anything with a bunch of frills or add-ons.Sandra

Holds all you need and then some! 100% watertight! The pattern is so cool everyone asks about it. Oddly enough it also is a really great gym bag holding damp towel/ clothes with ease and clean up is simple as a wipe down.Ian R.

Cannot say enough about this backpack. Use it for everyday work, travel and out door adventures. Has a lot of storage and zippers are secure so you know it’s water proof but still fluid so you can open.Blew

I live in the Rockies, and the weather is spastic. I.e. it can go from 70’s to 80’s to the 50’s with snow, rain, and hail and back to the 70’s to 80’s in the same week. It’s nice to have a bag that you don’t have to worry about when the weather turns south for 20 minutes.Jeffrey B.

I bought this for my grandson. It’s a nice backpack but it was dirty. It was wrapped but the backpack had dirt all over it. I didn’t return it because my grandson loved it. I washed it and used spray and wash. It came out but not all of it.Drlores

I bought one of the east west backpacks at least a year ago. Itis still going with no rips or tears! No broken zipper. I have my pack really full and heavy. They are amazing. I bought this one to replenish the ones I have given away. My husband Carrie’s a lot of stuff in his for work. You can not beat the price. At least for this backpack being less expensive does not mean we have to give up quality!!Sandywag

I got this perfectly good, sturdy backpack for less than $5! It is truly a steal. I needed something to take on an airline trip to pack in my checked luggage, that didn’t take up much room, and that I could put souvenirs and what not acquired from my trips inside it. Last trip 2 of my daughters ended up buying a duffle bag to fit their extra stuff, and the cheapest they found was one at a discount store for $15. Mine is every bit as good! I’m a bit of a brand snob, but for xcess vacation buys this was a lifesaver.Liberty69

AWESOME! Overall great and affordable hydration pack. Used it recently on some of my long distance bike rides. This could also be used for hikes if thats what you’re into. The pack also has a compartment that fits a few personal items. Just what I needed and would highly reccomend.Melanie

AWESOME! Overall great and affordable hydration pack. Used it recently on some of my long distance bike rides. This could also be used for hikes if thats what you’re into. The pack also has a compartment that fits a few personal items. Just what I needed and would highly reccomend.Melanie

The backpack works great! But how do you get the tubes to dry? It took mine a couple weeks before it was completely dry. Do the ends come off?Sue Inlow

I'm a long time Hydro Flask fan, so when I saw they had a hydration pack, I knew it's what I wanted for a planned colorado hike I had coming up. It's on the small side, but it's perfect for a day hike. I fit a multi tool, external phone battery, life straw, small towel, head lamp, windbreaker, kleenex, and so many snacks, with still some room to spare. I love that the water bladder sits at the bottom of the pack, allowing the weight to be at your hips. The water stayed cool, and 2L was plenty for my 9 mi, 2400 elevation gain hike in the mountains. The bladder was also surprisingly easy to remove for cleaning.JulieRene

Got a different pack for xmas but returned it for this. Put a winter kit on the hose for snowboarding. Real cold days were still a problem for the hose. I've hiked and biked with it already this spring a bunch. After a 2 hr ride I still have plenty of ice in the bladder. I love this pack.Charlie

I love the material that it is made of. It feels very durable! I have received so many compliments on it already. It also had a nice bit of storage space and is super lightweight. This bag has very comfortable straps and padding great for any outdoor event. The water pouch was easy to clean and easy to fill when I was on the road. I am excited to use it for hikes and other camping trips.I like the size of this bag for carrying just what i need for the day and keeping me hydrated along the way. Kept my water cold with only a little ice for more than 6 hours. No leaking, zippers are good quality.js57