Gear

Best Hydration Packs for Runners

June 12, 2019

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Best Hydration Packs for Runners

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Hydration packets do more than just offer a hands-free alternative to traditional water bottles. They serve a multitude of different purposes all geared towards making your running experience more enjoyable.

So whether you’re looking for a lightweight belt to stash a few more snacks in, or a heavy-duty pack to keep up with your version of extreme sports, there is a hydration pack ready to serve your every purpose.

Hydration can be done through more than just periodic sips of water. Sometimes having a juicy fruit with you on one of those long runs is just what your body needs to replenish its fluids (as well as its sugars and minerals).

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Hydration Packs for Runners

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  
  • Lightweight, breathable and does not move
  • Minimally obtrusive during activity
  • Fits all the running essentials in one bag
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  • Comfortable and Adjustable
  • Remains secure during workout
  • Plenty of room for all necessities
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  • Let’s the water stay cold, while your hand stays warm
  • Easy to access the water
  • Water stays cold for close to an hour even on the hottest of days
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BRINGIT Running Belt
  • Locking nozzle to ensure no spill bottles
  • Good for short, light runs
  • The water bottles in the front make accessing the drink easier
 
  • Comes in multiple sizes and has adjustable straps for perfect fit
  • Lightweight and allows for drinking without breaking stride
  • Easy to fill and use
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Best Rated Hydration Packets for Runners Reviewed

Salomon Advanced Skin Backpack
Product
Salomon Adv Skin 12 Set Black
Overall Score
Pros
  • Lightweight, breathable and does not move
  • Minimally obtrusive during activity
  • Fits all the running essentials in one bag
Cons
  • No size chart and product runs small
  • Rear water bladder not included
Pros
  • Lightweight, breathable and does not move
  • Minimally obtrusive during activity
  • Fits all the running essentials in one bag
Cons
  • No size chart and product runs small
  • Rear water bladder not included
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This packet was built to be comfortable, it has lightweight material that dries quickly and its stretch keeps the fabric from chafing against your skin. It wraps around your body easily and the bottle holder is located in the front of the packet, for easy drinking access. It’s not a bag, but rather a vest you can wear to simplify your carrying process.
MIRACOL Hydration Backpack
Product
MIRACOL Hydration Backpack
Overall Score
Pros
  • Comfortable and Adjustable
  • Remains secure during workout
  • Plenty of room for all necessities
Cons
  • Hard to suck water from hose
  • Bladder springs the occasional leak
  • Doesn’t fit a wide range of people
Pros
  • Comfortable and Adjustable
  • Remains secure during workout
  • Plenty of room for all necessities
Cons
  • Hard to suck water from hose
  • Bladder springs the occasional leak
  • Doesn’t fit a wide range of people
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This packet was designed with the runner in mind, it keeps your water cool for up to four hours with an internal thermal installation and has multiple storage pockets throughout the bag. With its prestigious military grade system, the bag manages to be sturdy while remaining lightweight. The bladder is FDA approved and replaceable and most importantly, the adjustable straps keep it comfortable.
Nathan SpeedDraw Insulated Flask
Product
Nathan NS4851
Overall Score
Pros
  • Let’s the water stay cold, while your hand stays warm
  • Easy to access the water
  • Water stays cold for close to an hour even on the hottest of days
Cons
  • Not long lasting – starts to break/leak after a little while
  • Causes chafing on between fingers
  • Gives the water a plastic taste
Pros
  • Let’s the water stay cold, while your hand stays warm
  • Easy to access the water
  • Water stays cold for close to an hour even on the hottest of days
Cons
  • Not long lasting – starts to break/leak after a little while
  • Causes chafing on between fingers
  • Gives the water a plastic taste
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This packet is secured on your hand with an adjustable strap that ensures grip-free running and slips free sweating. The pack is small enough to be lightweight and easily accessible, but big enough to fit 18 ounces of water, your phone, keys and even a snack for later. The double wall construction on this pack keeps the water cooler than the average insulated water bottle and ensures that the water stays colder for longer.
BRINGIT Running Belt
Product
BRINGIT Running Hydration Belt
Overall Score
Pros
  • Locking nozzle to ensure no spill bottles
  • Good for short, light runs
  • The water bottles in the front make accessing the drink easier
Cons
  • Straps slip loose
  • Holds only 10 ounce bottles and won’t fit any bigger bottles
  • Belt begins to bounce and slip if it gets too heavy
Pros
  • Locking nozzle to ensure no spill bottles
  • Good for short, light runs
  • The water bottles in the front make accessing the drink easier
Cons
  • Straps slip loose
  • Holds only 10 ounce bottles and won’t fit any bigger bottles
  • Belt begins to bounce and slip if it gets too heavy
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This waist packet holds two, ten ounce bottles, secured in neoprene pockets on either side of the waist. The packet has pocket space for all the running essentials as well as for your phone and keys. The gel-based interior creates a tight grip against your body and keeps the belt from bouncing and chafing during runs. This belt is suitable for all kinds of people and kind stretch up to 47 inches.
Hydrosleeve
Product
Hydrosleeve Package - Armband Hydration System for Runners
Overall Score
Pros
  • Comes in multiple sizes and has adjustable straps for perfect fit
  • Lightweight and allows for drinking without breaking stride
  • Easy to fill and use
Cons
  • Doesn’t hold enough water for long runs or big drinkers
  • Can’t sustain long term use
  • Doesn’t have a place to store anything else
Pros
  • Comes in multiple sizes and has adjustable straps for perfect fit
  • Lightweight and allows for drinking without breaking stride
  • Easy to fill and use
Cons
  • Doesn’t hold enough water for long runs or big drinkers
  • Can’t sustain long term use
  • Doesn’t have a place to store anything else
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This sleeve allows you to drink with the simple movement of your arm, and because the valve is adjustable it can be used on either arm (right or left). The bladder holds up to 7.5 ounces of water and the therma-cool insulation keeps the water in the bladder cold on those long runs. Moreover, the anti-slosh bladder will keep the water from the bottles from annoyingly swimming around with every movement.
URPOWER Running Belt
Product
Overall Score
Pros
  • This bag comes with a lifetime warranty, ensuring you’re always using the best product
  • Sturdy and easily adjustable to size of waist
  • Large pockets but still lightweight
Cons
  • Belt bounces around waist and rides up during running
  • Only holds about 12 ounces of water
  • Straps holding water bottles in place aren’t very durable
Pros
  • This bag comes with a lifetime warranty, ensuring you’re always using the best product
  • Sturdy and easily adjustable to size of waist
  • Large pockets but still lightweight
Cons
  • Belt bounces around waist and rides up during running
  • Only holds about 12 ounces of water
  • Straps holding water bottles in place aren’t very durable
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This packet is made with waterproof and tear resistant material and weighs less than 5 ounces. It’s built with zipper pockets that are perfect for your keys and phone and has a hole for headphones in the front of the pack. This belt fits two water bottles and has an adjustable strap that can not only change the size of the belt, but transform it into a shoulder bag with just the pull of a strap.
Buddy Pouch
Product
Buddy Pouch H2O
Overall Score
Pros
  • Lightweight and compact and barely noticeable
  • No bouncing during running and stays tightly secured
  • Easy to swiftly remove bottle from pouch
Cons
  • Magnets can come undone and slips if not positioned correctly
  • Magnet and water weight can weigh down waistband of running pants
  • Small and doesn’t hold much water
Pros
  • Lightweight and compact and barely noticeable
  • No bouncing during running and stays tightly secured
  • Easy to swiftly remove bottle from pouch
Cons
  • Magnets can come undone and slips if not positioned correctly
  • Magnet and water weight can weigh down waistband of running pants
  • Small and doesn’t hold much water
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This pouch easily, magnetically clasps to any waistband, it holds a 7 or 10-ounce bottle (depending on the size purchased) that is dishwasher safe and BPA free. The pouch allows for a compact, hands-free running experience, and ensures the security of the bottle through strong magnets and a bottle that is curved to fit your hip.
Lanzon Hydration Pack
Product
Overall Score
Pros
  • Reflective material on shoulder straps and back to create safe night time running
  • Front pockets (in addition to back ones) allow for easy access when needed
  • Additional padding keeps the weight off your back and shoulders and allows your body to breathe
Cons
  • Bladder needs to be purchased separately
  • Tends to be smaller than expected
  • Hose can begin to leak after multiple uses
Pros
  • Reflective material on shoulder straps and back to create safe night time running
  • Front pockets (in addition to back ones) allow for easy access when needed
  • Additional padding keeps the weight off your back and shoulders and allows your body to breathe
Cons
  • Bladder needs to be purchased separately
  • Tends to be smaller than expected
  • Hose can begin to leak after multiple uses
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This pack itself is 12 ounces and hold up to two liters of water in its bladder. It has padded and breathable shoulder straps, and adjustable waist and chest straps to ensure perfect fit. The pack comes with 7 different pockets to allow you to bring along all your running essentials. The material of the pack is sturdy and waterproof and the bladder is completely FDA approved.
Unigear Hydration Pack Backpack with 70 oz 2L Water
Product
Overall Score
Pros
  • Easy to assemble and easy to use
  • Heavy duty and extremely durable
  • Lots of storage while remaining sleek looking
Cons
  • The bladder can leak into the pack
  • Length tends to be awkward for shorter individuals
  • Not waterproof
Pros
  • Easy to assemble and easy to use
  • Heavy duty and extremely durable
  • Lots of storage while remaining sleek looking
Cons
  • The bladder can leak into the pack
  • Length tends to be awkward for shorter individuals
  • Not waterproof
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This pack holds up to 2.5 Liters of water and is protected by Polyester heavy-duty construction and PVC lining. The bladder has a wide screw cap to allow you to add ice to your water all while the pack itself is keeping the water fairly cool. This pack has a built in whistle on chest straps for emergencies, and can fit a multitude of sizes from small children to grown adults.
WATERFLY Fanny Pack
Product
WATERFLY Fanny Pack
Overall Score
Pros
  • Plenty of padded support to keep weight off waist and back
  • Spacious and with plenty of storage
  • Extremely durable and distributes weight evenly
Cons
  • Water bottles not included
  • Water bottle holders are small and flimsy
  • Gets heavy quickly – can disturb during workout
Pros
  • Plenty of padded support to keep weight off waist and back
  • Spacious and with plenty of storage
  • Extremely durable and distributes weight evenly
Cons
  • Water bottles not included
  • Water bottle holders are small and flimsy
  • Gets heavy quickly – can disturb during workout
Support
Breathability
Durability
Price
Customer Feedback
This fanny pack is a durable, versatile and multi-functional pack built for outdoor activities like running. The pack has place for two water bottles, a main compartment for larger items and other outer po\ckets as well. The straps, which wrap around the waist are built to keep the pressure off the waist and are fully adjustable to fit to size and help convert to multiple different bag styles (e.g. sling bag, shoulder bag, cross body pack).

Why Not a Water Bottle?

When it comes to hydration – especially during physical activity – a water bottle seems like the obvious answer. However, hydrations systems (like hydration packets) tend to come out on top when it comes to the hydration game.

  • A water bottle is generally smaller than the typical hydration packet. Even those that are larger, tend to be heavy and bulky – putting a damper on your speed and fluidity while running. Whereas a hydration packet is worn and out of the way.
  • It is easier to store one hydration packet, as opposed to a large number of heavy and space consuming water bottles.
  • Water bottles tend to be made from flimsy plastic, and wouldn’t be able to sustain multiple different temperatures. A hydration packet, on the other hand, can withstand and retain different temperatures of water.
  • Studies have proven that runners are less likely to drink from water when it’s hard to access, a hydration packet allows instant access to water without any hassle. (Which also means that you’re more likely to drink and stay hydrated during a workout.)
  • A hydration packet (especially those with cooling installations) can keep more water cooler for longer. Especially when compared to the water bottle which is generally made from clear plastic – and attracting sun and heat.
  • A hydration packet may be an initial expense, but overall you will save lots of money by stopping those pesky water bottle expenses every couple of weeks.
  • A hydration packet can be used multiple times over; making it not only cheaper but also more eco-friendly.

How to Choose a Hydration Pack

There are typically two types of hydration packets; lightweight and heavy duty.

  • Lightweight – Lightweight packs are made to serve as a place for short distance runners to store their bottles and other key items. (e.g. Keys, Phone, Snacks.) And are generally worn on the waist or arms for easy drinking access.
  • Heavy Duty – Heavy duty packs are generally worn on the back and meant for more experienced runners who would be running distances that require 2 – 3 liters of drinking water. These packs also generally have more storage space and connect to the reservoir by a drinking hose which allows the runner to keep a steady pace while also staying hydrated.

The Dangers of Dehydration

Being that water plays a major role in a whole slew of our bodily functions, being dehydrated can present many dangers to your health.

  • Rising Body Temperature – When your body lacks water it becomes unable to regulate its own temperature. Without the right temperature, your organs can’t function properly and will eventually begin to overheat and slowly shut down
  • Heart Disease – One of the first bodily systems to suffer from fluid loss is the cardiovascular system. When there’s a lack of water in your body, your blood grows thicker and the heart is forced to work harder in order to spread your blood around your body. This causes subjects your arterial wall to added pressure and causes your blood pressure to rise – which in turn can cause heart disease.
  • Kidney Failure – One of the main causes of kidney related issues is dehydration. The kidney’s job is to filter out waste from the blood, and in order to do this job effectively, the kidneys require oxygenated blood. Without water to oxygenate the blood, the kidneys can’t function properly and waste begins to build up inside the kidneys.
  • Hypovolemic Shock – This comes as a cause of exaggerated water deficiency. When your blood volume drops, your blood pressure drops with it and results in a lack of blood to all vital organs. The problem with this is, if your organs aren’t receiving enough blood and oxygen then they can no longer function and your entire bodily system will begin to slowly shut down.

How to Avoid Dehydration While Running

Avoiding dehydration can be a pretty simple process:

Staying hydrated can be as easy as keeping water with you throughout the day and drinking when you get hungry or thirsty. (Thirst oftentimes manifests itself as hunger in the body.)

Fruit and fruit juice is another great way to keep yourself hydrated as long as it’s in addition to water and not instead

  • Drinking Before a Run – Drinking before a run ensures that you are hydrated to begin with. This helps to avoid dehydration once the physical activity begins.
  • Sipping Water During a Run – Because drinking a lot while running can cause sloshing and nausea, it’s best to just take small periodical sips when your mouth begins to feel dry. When it comes to when to drink, trust your gut.
  • Drinking After a Run – It is equally important to drink after a run in order to ensure that you remain hydrated.

Pro Tip – Drinking energy drinks and other similar fluids while running, helps replace the salts and minerals that are lost through sweat.

The Benefits of Staying Hydrated

Hydration comes with many benefits, not only can it keep you from getting sick, but it can even ensure that you are always on the top of your game.

  • Boosts Confidence and Energy – The lack of even just a little bit of fluid (as little as 1%) can affect your mood and cognitive function. Because the human brain is sensitive to even the slightest bit of dehydration, the lack of water can immediately affect its functioning ability. So to stay happy, stay hydrated.
  • Relieves Headaches – Studies have proven that fluid loss can be directly connected to headaches and migraines. So, perhaps if you have a recurring headache or a pounding migraine, that is your brains way of telling you to take a sip.
  • Eases Constipation – Drinking water can ensure that you don’t end up along with the 4.5 million Americans that are chronically constipated. Studies have proven that fluid intake has a direct correlation to constipation and the lack of fluid is a major risk factor within constipation as well.
  • Weight Loss – Studies have found that drinking water can quicken your metabolic rate up to 30%. Hydration supports thermogenesis, so by drinking at least 2 liters every day, you’ll begin to lose more calories. Moreover, drinking before meals will result in you eating less at meal time, and consuming less calories.
  • Physical Performance – Feeling tired all day can be a direct result form not drinking enough, we lose fluids while literally doing nothing and therefor need to be consistently replenishing. And since 75% of muscle tissue is made up of water, your physical performance is also affected when you don’t get enough water.

Hydration packets are the hands-free solution to the water bottle. They are generally waist packs or backpacks filled with accessible bottles or packets of water made from rubber or plastic. This hands-free solution makes hydration easy during even the most intense of workouts.

Final Thoughts

Hydration packets are a great way to keep every runner hydrated and happy, and with the wide range of different styles and functions, it should be no problem finding one that works perfectly for you. Hydration packets can serve as more than just a place to store water, it’s a great place to keep snacks, fruits and any other writing necessities. So, don’t put yourself at risk, when a hydration packet can make being prepared easy. After all, your run, doesn’t have to be your race against time.

Sources

https://besthiking.net/hydration-systems-vs-water-bottles/

https://www.hydrationinfo.com/dehydration-dangers-can-dehydration-kill-you/

https://www.hydrationinfo.com/health-benefits-proper-hydration-science/

https://www.verywellfit.com/how-to-prevent-dehydration-when-running-2911326

One Comment
  1. Fitoru

    I will definitely buy this one. I love to have a hydration pack.

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