Hydration Gear Reviews
Our team of testers put the best to the test: Yeti, Nalgene, Gregory, Katadyn, Nathan, Salomon and Hydro.
Eddie enjoys cold water high in the alpine environment of the San Juan mountains thanks to the Sawyer Squeeze.
Credit: Amber King
Guess who can say they have tested over 70 of backpacking water filters on the market? We can. We have the best team of testers, with the most years of experience, you will find out there on the interwebs. If you are needing more than a top water bottle, rest assured the market has a tool for every trade—the best hydration pack, or top hiking or running bladders that you can stuff anywhere. And no, you don't need to spend 50$ on a water bottle.
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Best Picks in Hydration Gear Reviews
10 Top Running Hydration Vests
The perfect hydration vest can make or break your run, whether it's a full-day adventure or an evening cruise. We've...
Running Vests for Men
Finding the perfect men's running hydration pack doesn't need to be a chore. We've run in more than 50 hydration packs...
Hydration Bladders
Searching for the best hydration bladder? Our experts have personally tested 11 of today's top models for hiking...
Running Vests for Women
Only recently have female-specific hydration vests become popular and we sure are glad they did. Our running-obsessed...
Hydration Packs
Are you ready for a new hydration pack? Whether you're replacing an older model or looking to try one for the first...
Backpacking Water Treatment
What's the best backpacking water filter? For over a decade, we have tested up to 50 unique models to find out. Our...Hydration Gear Reviews Learning Center
How to Buy a Hydration Bladder
There are many different hydration bladders out there, so where do you begin? Developed in the 90s as a means for...
How to Select a Backpacking Water Filter and Treatment System
Selecting a water treatment system is even more overwhelming than selecting proper footwear to hike in, which is a...
How to Choose a Hydration Pack
Buying advice on how to select the best hydration pack. We start by asking the most basic question: "Do you even need...
How to Choose a Women's Hydration Pack for Running
Our running-obsessed gearheads have been compulsively testing hydration packs so you don't have to. Over the years and...
How to Choose a Hydration Pack for Running
There are several factors to help choose a hydration pack for your running needs. This article systematically helps...Recent Product Reviews in Hydration Gear Reviews
Top Pick
MSR DromLite Bags Review
If you seek a versatile and lightweight liquid reservoir, the MSR DromLite Bag is our best recommendation. During our...
Top Pick
HydraPak HydraSleeve Review
Enjoy gushing cold water all summer long with the HydraPak Hydrasleeve hydration system. This tester favorite uses a...
Potable Aqua Purification Tablets Review
As an iodine-based chemical treatment, Potable Agua kills bacteria, viruses, and protozoa like Giardia (but not...
Top Pick
Hydrapak Flux 1.5L Review
The Hydrapak Flux 1.5L is a collapsible water filtration system that offers everything we look for in a bottle design:...
Salomon Sense Pro 5 Review
The elastane stretch construction provides a near-perfect fit, and expansive pockets make the form-fitting Salomon...
Editors' Choice
Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0 Review
Comfort typically dictates how often you reach for a trail running vest. The Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6 is as...
Best Buy
Salomon Active Skin 8 for Women Review
The Salomon Active Skin 8 is our top recommendation for runners looking for a durable, comfortable, and versatile...
Editors' Choice
Osprey Syncro 12 Review
The Osprey Syncro 12 earns our Editors' Choice Award with its high-quality construction, breathable and supportive...
Best Buy
CamelBak Classic Light 70 Review
The updated CamelBak Classic Light 70 is an ultra-lightweight pack for those who prefer minimalism. It features...
Editors' Choice
Nathan Pinnacle 12L for Women Review
The Nathan Pinnacle 12L is a comfortable hydration vest that provides an apparel-like fit with abundant space for...
Best Buy
Cherainti Reservoir Review
With a price far below that of much of the competition, the Cherainti Reservoir caught the attention of our review...
Top Pick
Hydrapak Contour Review
The Hydrapak Contour is one of the few hydration bladders we tested that can be washed in the top rack of the...
Editors' Choice
Gregory 3D Hydro Review
The Gregory 3D Hydro surprised us with its dominating performance, combining durability and ease of use better than...
Editors' Choice
LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Review
If you want a durable and versatile lightweight water filtration system, look no further than the LifeStraw Peak...
REI Co-op Swiftland 5 Review
After testing across various outings, the REI Swiftland 5 is an easy pack to recommend for those seeking an affordable...
Top Pick
Black Diamond Distance 15 Review
The Black Diamond Distance 15 is our go-to for quick overnights and self-supported ultras. The single main compartment...
Top Pick
Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set Review
Built with all-day comfort and storage in mind, the Salomon ADV Skin 12 is one of our favorite long-distance hydration...
Teton Sports Oasis Review
This pack has an attractive price point and good storage. However, its hydration system is hard to use and hard to...
Top Pick
Naked High Capacity for Women Review
The Naked HC is unlike any other hydration vest we've tested in that it takes its female-specific design to a whole...
Top Pick
Osprey Dyna 6 for Women Review
The Osprey Dyna 6 is a rugged trail-running specific vest that wears like a mini backpack. We found a lot to love...
Top Pick
Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 6.0 for Women Review
If ultra-distance running is in your future, the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta 6.0 is a solid 10-liter contender...
LifeStraw Peak Gravity 3L Review
If you're looking for a high-quality gravity-fed filtration system available at a more affordable price, the LifeStraw...
Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets Review
Due to the precautionary statements and careful handling of the Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets, our testers do...
Katadyn Pocket Review
The Katadyn Pocket is constructed from high-quality, durable materials and is backed by a 20-year warranty. After...
Top Pick
Nathan Pinnacle 12L Review
One vest stands out even among the best running hydration packs for the amazingly designed pockets that offer...
Katadyn BeFree 0.6L Review
The Katadyn BeFree 0.6L is a competitive lightweight filter for when you're on the move. It features a small high-flow...
Katadyn BeFree Gravity 6L Review
The Katadyn BeFree Gravity 6L offers a lightweight, intuitive design that is simple to clean and maintain. It removes...
Nathan TrailMix 7L for Women Review
The Nathan TrailMix 7 is a heartily engineered, trail-specific hydration system. It wears like a small, snug backpack...
Evoc Ride 12L Review
The EVOC Ride 12 has an easy-to-access bladder, good storage, and well-thought-out features such as an integrated...
Best Buy
Gregory Nano 18 H2O Review
A huge 18-liter storage volume and 3-liter water capacity combined with a tiny price tag earn the Gregory Nano 18 H2O...
CamelBak M.U.L.E. Pro 14 Review
The Camelbak Mule Pro 14L is built for all-day adventures where you need to carry lots of items and lots of water. The...
Top Pick
Thule Vital 6L Review
With its cleverly executed ReTrakt drinking hose retention system, the Thule Vital 6L earns a Top Pick Award for Best...
Osprey Skarab 18 Review
The Osprey Skarab 18 has you covered with reliable all-around performance in a large-volume hydration pack. With a...
MSR Hyperflow Microfilter Review
Enjoy the fast flow and lightweight design of the MSR Hyperflow Microfilter. If you love to fish, canoe, hike, and...
MSR Miniworks EX Review
The MSR MiniWorks EX is a classic amongst hand-pump filter lovers. MSR claims it's one of the top-selling pumps out...
Katadyn Hiker Review
The Katadyn Hiker offers middle-of-the-road performance at a great upfront cost, earning our Best Buy Award for high...
Top Pick
MSR Guardian Purifier Review
The MSR Guardian Purifier is truly the Cadillac of hand pump filters. It's fast, easy to use, and expensive. As one of...
Top Pick
Platypus Hoser Review
The Platypus Hoser is a lightweight and packable bladder offered at a great price. It has a simple design that'll keep...
Sawyer Squeeze Review
If a lightweight personal filtration system is next on your wishlist this season, consider the Sawyer Squeeze as one...
MSR AutoFlow XL Review
Do you need clean water for large groups of people? The MSR AutoFlow XL gravity filter stands out for its large...
Katadyn Hiker Pro Review
The Katadyn Hiker Pro is a classic and reliable hand pump. It filters out bacteria and protozoans like Giardia and...
LifeStraw Review
The Lifestraw Personal Filter can easily pick up water from puddles and other water sources on your next adventure...
Sawyer Micro Squeeze Review
The Sawyer Micro Squeeze is a good on-to-go system that recently lost its Editor's Choice status. Of the Sawyer...
SteriPEN Ultra Review
The Ultra SteriPEN is a unique, rechargeable purification system that utilizes UV light. The wavelengths emitted...
MSR Aquatabs Review
The MSR Aquatabs stand out as an ultra lightweight purification method that offers protection from bacteria, viruses...
Sawyer Mini Review
The Sawyer Mini is one of the lightest and most versatile options we've tested and a reliable filtration system for...
Best Buy
Aquamira Water Treatment Drops Review
If you're seeking a bare-bones water treatment approach, the Aquamira Water Treatment Drops is the best out there...
Editors' Choice