Longer trips – multi-day hikes, mountain climbs, and so on – may also require more storage capacity than the average hydration pack affords. Some hydration packs are designed for specific activities. For instance, the CamelBak Race Baku is intended for bikers.

Most packs are available in one liter (or 1. 5 liter), two liter, and three liter varieties. [3] X Research source

Look for deals when shopping for a hydration pack. Outdoor equipment retailers often have sales during the holidays. Compare prices online, too. Be prepared to spend $50 to $150 (US) on a hydration pack.

With screw-topped bladders, cleaning can be difficult, especially when compared to the ease of cleaning a water bottle or even a standalone water bladder. The average opening of a screw-top water bladder in most hydration packs is only about three inches (about six centimeters) in diameter. With bladders that clip or slide closed, you can often turn them completely inside out to easily clean them. [7] X Research source If you use electrolyte/sugar mixes in your water, the tube and pack will need to be cleaned more frequently than one where you use only pure water. But eventually, every hydration pack will need to be emptied and cleaned completely.

Some people find pressurized packs superior to non-pressurized packs because they can get to that last drop of water with minimal effort. The other benefit of a pressurized hydration pack is that you can turn the pack to uses other than a source of drinking water. Hikers and climbers tend to favor these packs for their ability to spray mud off of hands, clean dishes, and clean up messy pets before they jump in the car or tent. [9] X Research source Pressurized packs are more expensive and heavier than non-pressurized packs, but require less cleaning because nothing can backwash into the tube.

Bikers, runners, and skiers might prefer a slender backpack-style pack. Hikers and mountain climbers will probably prefer a pack with greater storage capacity. Female packs will accommodate the shorter average torso length of women. Be sure to get a pack that is sized properly for you. Sizes usually run small/medium/large. Play with the straps and clips to find a fit that works for you.

One liter of water weighs one kilogram, so you can also add the weight of the water to the weight of the pack to get the loaded weight. Pressurized hydration packs are heavier than unpressurized hydration packs. Packs that hold more water will be heavier than packs that hold less water.

Most backpacks designed for outdoor use have a hole for a water bladder hose that allows you to easily poke the drinking tube of a separate water bladder through.

Use cooler water if you’re headed out for a summer run, and warmer water if you’re headed out during the winter. Consult manufacturer directions for specific steps on how to fill your hydration pack.

The process is similar to putting on a backpack.

Some drinking tubes might require you to twist a valve on the bite piece open. [15] X Research source If you have a pressurized hydration pack, you’ll need to build the pressure inside the pack by squeezing the pressure valve (attached to the air tube) eight to ten times before biting down on the drink tube.

When you’re done cleaning the interior of the bladder, open it up as best you can and hang it upside down for several hours so that all excess liquid drains out. Always consult manufacturer directions for cleaning in order to clean your pack in the optimal way. Never use bleach or boiling water to clean the reservoir. [17] X Research source Clean the bladder every time you use it if you’re putting sweetened drink mixes into the bladder. If you’re using only water in the bladder, you can get away with cleaning it once a week or even less.

Always consult manufacturer directions for cleaning in order to clean your pack in the optimal way.

Because the water in the actual bladder stays closer to your body, there is little chance that it will freeze. Another tip to prevent water from freezing in the hose is to blow water back into the bladder after drinking when the temperature is below freezing. (This only works with non-pressurized hoses, of course. )[19] X Research source