I used to think the best hydration packs were only for serious ultrarunners—the kind of people who sign up for 100-mile races and run with poles—but in the past few years, hydration packs are everywhere. I wear one for nearly everything now: long runs in the city, trail days, hikes, and sometimes even quick jogs around the block when I want to carry more water. (Pro Tip: You’re probably not hydrating enough.)
Hydration packs come in all shapes and sizes: Some are lightweight vests that hug your torso, while others are built more like backpacks, designed to carry a full day’s worth of gear. But they all serve the same purpose: The right one holds your water (obviously), but also your phone, keys, gels, electrolytes, windbreaker, headlamp, and maybe even a bagel with cream cheese. The wrong one bounces, chafes, or swallows your phone into some abyssal back pocket you can’t reach without stopping.
After months of testing on long runs and hikes in places like Moab and New York City, I’ve narrowed it down to a shortlist of my fav hydration packs—vests and backpacks included. The ones that made the cut stayed comfortable, kept gear accessible, and didn’t bounce or chafe (a.k.a. piss me off) after hours on the move.
The Best Hydration Packs, According to GQ
In This Guide
Best Hydration Pack Overall: Nathan Pinnacle 12L
I know it’s risky to test out new gear the day of a big event, but I broke nearly every rule of race-day prep and wore this running vest for the first time for a 55K trail race in Moab, Utah. The Pinnacle 12L fit like it was made for me—close to the body, no hotspots, and enough adjustability to keep everything snug even after hours on the move. It covered the usual chafe zones (for me, that’s underarms and lats) without feeling bulky or hot.
For my long run, I packed the front with essentials: my phone, headphones, headband, snacks, and a soft flask. In the back, there’s a cavernous pocket where I stuffed a couple extra layers, a 1.6L water bladder, a packet of tuna (don’t judge), and a few just-in-case items I thankfully never needed. Even fully loaded, the vest didn’t slosh or bounce.
For a 12L pack, it’s impressively versatile. It has more capacity than I typically need, but I’ve come to appreciate the flexibility—whether I’m out for an hour or all day, it never feels like too much pack. If I’m being nit-picky, the front clasps are a little annoying to loosen, especially with gloves on. But overall, this is the vest I reach for most. If you’re only getting one for multiple activities, start here.
Best Hydration Pack for Running: Salomon ADV Skin 5
If you’ve spent any time in trail running circles, you’ve seen this vest—or some version of it—on a lot of backs. The ADV Skin has become a go-to for a reason: It’s lightweight but substantial and breathable for long days. It stands out from the pack because Salomon has mastered the art of a “second skin” feel—nothing feels floppy or restrictive. I tested it on a few hour-long efforts where I wasn’t entirely sure how the weather would shake out, and I appreciated how much I could stash without feeling overloaded.
The front features two soft flasks that sit high on the chest and are easy to sip from without breaking stride. There’s also a zippered pocket, stash pouches, and one especially roomy kangaroo pocket in the back that can hold a rain jacket, water bladder, gloves, or enough gummy bears to get you through the pain cave on your long run. It’s much more minimal than the Nathan pack, which can be appealing if you don’t like fiddling with pockets, but can’t fit quite as much.
