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Hydration vests have become the preferred method of carrying fluids for most runners, and you can find over 25 different options on the market this season. We tested them all. Vests carry liquids and supplies comfortably by distributing the weight evenly across your chest and upper back; the best ones become part of your body, fitting close to your torso and sloshing minimally. After months of testing, these picks stood out for their comfort and performance.

Update, April 2025: We replaced five vests with new highly-rated models from The North Face, Nathan Sports, Osprey, Patagonia, and REI Co-op.

At a Glance

• Best for Ultramarathons:
• Best for Hot Weather:
• Best of Hut Trips and Multi-day �����ԹϺ���s:
• Best for Short Runs:
• Best Pack with a Bladder: /
• Best for Mountain Runs:
• Best Value:
• How to Choose a Hydration Vest
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

Best for Ultramarathons

Salomon ADV Skin 12

Weight: 11.3 oz (with two included 500 ml flasks)
Sizing: XS-XL
Capacity: 12L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Well-thought-out gear organizing pockets
⊕ Customizable fit
⊗ Lacks a dedicated outlet for a hydration hose to thread smoothly to the front side

This vest is a perennial favorite due to its adaptable fit, carrying capacity, organization, and comfort over the long run. This season, it received some welcome updates that optimize fit and minimize bounce, including new shoulder straps and a new Y-shaped construction made with a mix of stretchy and supportive materials. Plus, it comes with new conical-shaped hydration flasks that slide easily in and out of the sleeves on the front shoulder straps.

One tester wore the ADV Skin 12 for 42 hours during a 100-mile race in the Swiss Alps on what she says was “very technical” terrain (we’re betting that’s an understatement), and reported that, “The pack held up fantastically.” She raved about the back storage that holds plenty of layers for the long haul and how well the front pockets carry water bottle flasks. “This pack is so lightweight and doesn’t jostle at all,” she said.

The other front pockets are plentiful enough to keep a phone, food, and miscellaneous items separate and organized. Paired with Salomon’s Custom Quiver Pole Sleeve ($30), which carries collapsible poles like Robin Hood’s arrows, this pack is ready for battle.

The ADV Skin 12 can fit everything you need for a triple-digit run, yet one tester also noted that the vest “wasn’t cumbersome for a six-mile run where I wasn’t carrying much.”

Best for Hot Weather

The North Face Summit Series Run Vest 5

Weight: 8.6 oz (with two included 500 ml flasks)
Sizing: XS-XL
Capacity: 5L

Pros and Cons
⊕Extremely lightweight
⊕Very breathable
⊗ Flasks can be tricky to access while moving

When it’s so hot that the last thing you want to do is put on a pack, that’s when you know you really need one. But you can ease the discomfort by wearing one that is ultra-light, airy, and doesn’t hold sweat. The North Face Summit Series Run Vest 5 weighs just 8.6 ounces with the two included 500 ml (17-ounce) soft flasks it carries in the chest pockets. The pack is made out of nylon/elastane mesh that doesn’t retain moisture and vents air like a screen door. One tester called the back panel “exceptionally breathable,” despite shedding copious amounts of sweat.

We liked that this pack’s tension cords are simple and easy to adjust for a fit that is so dialed-in, one tester exclaimed, “It’s easy to forget you’ve got this on at times.” Until, of course, she needed to access her fluids or phone, and then remembered the vest and was grateful to have it.

The hydration flasks, which come with the pack, are easy to fill and clean thanks to their wide openings. We could drink from the flasks easily without taking them out of their pockets. We found, however, that getting them in and out of the pocket on the fly requires a little extra effort, especially while carrying a phone in the zippered pocket, as the flasks tend to sink low in the compartments despite the tension cords.

Overall, we liked the pocketing and feel of this lightweight pack that, one tester said, carries “pretty much all you could need for most shorter trail adventures.”

Best for Multi-day �����ԹϺ���s

Black Diamond Distance 15L Pack

Weight: 12.5 oz
Sizing: S-L (men’s); S-L (women’s)
Capacity: 15L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Carries a ton of gear comfortably
⊕ Comes in men’s- and women’s-specific fits
⊗ Doesn’t come with soft flasks or bladder

Thanks to its roomy capacity in the main compartment plus ample pocketing, the Black Diamond 15L carries a decent amount of gear comfortably and with minimal sloshing, making it a great pack for adventures of all sorts. Thoughtfully-designed storage—a cinch-pull main compartment, seven exterior pockets and one of them zippered, an interior zippered pocket, and dedicated loops for trekking poles and ice axes—makes this an extremely livable pack.

We love the cinch cords that trim the sides and reduce or expand the pack volume to secure whatever amount we’re carrying in the most compact bag possible. We also love the materials: soft, breathable mesh back paneling and shoulder straps, stretchy mesh pocketing, and durable ripstop nylon on the body of the bag.

Female testers also raved at how the pack fit their bodies, calling out the stretchy lower sternum strap, adjustable placement of both sternum straps, and shape and placement of the shoulder straps. “It’s really easy to fit the pack to the contours of your body using its harness system,” said one.

While it doesn’t come with a bladder or flasks, the bag can hold either—or both—comfortably, making it a great choice when your adventure calls for ample fluids.

Best for Short Runs

Nathan Sports Pinnacle Featherlite 1.5 Liter Hydration Vest

Weight: 5.5 oz (with included soft flask)
Sizing: XXS/XS-XXL
Capacity: 1.5L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Simple and comfortable for short runs
⊕ Extremely lightweight
⊗ Short zipper to back pocket makes using pocket difficult
⊗ Adjustment sliders on the front of the pack can cause some discomfort

Due to its simple, lightweight structure and ability to comfortably carry a flask or two, a phone, and other necessities without weighing you down, this is a good pack to leave in the car or by the front door, ready to grab whenever you just need a way to carry small items while running. We grabbed it often for short jaunts and liked its small, unobtrusive size.

The one 14-ounce flask that comes with the vest sits comfortably in one of four pockets on the shoulder straps (they can accommodate bottles and flasks up to 20 ounces). We used the other pockets for a phone, car key, dog poop bag, and dog leash. The back pocket, which offers 1.5L of storage, is large enough for a lightweight shell, or gloves and a hat, but the short (4 inches) zippered opening makes using the pocket a slight hassle.

Still, this is an efficient, breathable pack made of comfortable, stretchy mesh that secures to the body with two easy-to-use chest straps. “I love the way it hugs your body and does not move,” said a tester.

Best Pack With a Bladder

Osprey Dyna 1.5/Duro 1.5

Weight: 12.4–14.8 oz depending on size and gender
Sizing: S-L (women’s Dyna); S-L (men’s Duro)
Capacity: 1.5L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Insulated hose
⊕ Made with 100 percent recycled materials
⊗ Materials feel somewhat scratchy

This pack comes with a quality 1.5L hydration bladder and an insulated hose that keeps water cool in hot weather and prevents water from freezing in the cold. It is smartly routed from the bladder pocket to the front, which testers appreciated enough to call it out as the best bladder system in the test group.

We were also impressed with the fit of these gender-specific packs. “It’s easy to adjust and get fitted to the shape/contours of your body,” said a female tester. “It was lightweight and felt like part of my shirt,” said another.

The breathability of the back paneling also stood out even when we were sweating heavily. We found, however, that the all-recycled materials felt a bit stiff and scratchy, but we will take the trade off in favor of Mother Earth.

One knock: The upper shoulder strap pockets are unusually high, making it somewhat tricky to access them on the run.

Best for Mountain Running

Patagonia Slope Runner Vest

Weight: 6.9 oz
Sizing: XS-L
Capacity: 4����

Pros and Cons
⊕ Two flasks included
⊕ Great pass-through pocket
⊗ Lack of large main compartment can limit carrying capacity

The Slope Runner Vest was our go-to choice for mountain running, mostly because it is constructed out of breathable, lightweight materials with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish that repels precipitation that comes with higher altitudes. We also love that it breathes Patagonia ethos: it’s Fair Trade-Certified and made without PFAS/man-made chemicals).

The pack also carries flasks and/or a hydration bladder—securely and conveniently. The two included 500 milliliter flasks sit comfortably in deep mesh chest pockets, and a simple clip effectively holds a hydration bladder, when added. Six stretchy mesh pockets on the chest and waist straps are easy to access mid-run. The pass-through pocket on the backside proved a great place for a layer to be shoved through and accessed via either side. And the small zippered pocket at the top of the backside fits essentials like First Aid items (but nothing that big or bulky, like larger winter traction devices).

With a tester-approved, lightweight, simple corded system that secures the pack to the body, this is an overall comfortable pack, ready for adventure.

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Ultimate Direction Xodus Hydration Vesta

For all-day mountain runs and race efforts where every detail matters, the Ultimate Direction Xodus Vesta delivers streamlined support, bounce-free storage, and dialed-in comfort. Its 6.5-liter capacity fits hydration, nutrition, and backup layers, while seven front pockets provide fast access to fuel and essentials. Customize your fit with a full-length zip closure and adjustable chest cinch system, plus stash away poles with the trekking pole loops and stay visible with reflective details.

Best Value

REI Co-op Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest

Weight: 9 oz
Sizing: XS-2X-3X
Capacity: 5L

Pros and Cons
⊕ 1.5L bladder included at bargain price
⊕ Good routing system for hydration hose
⊗ Fit isn’t as streamlined as some packs

A hundred-dollar hydration pack that comes with a reservoir is a great value. The REI Swiftland 5’s 1.5-liter HydraPak Elite reservoir fits easily and seamlessly into the main compartment of the pack and stays put with a simple clip. The hose then routes, on either the right or left side, through a loop and two-clip system that keeps it secure, and your liquids easily accessible.

Chest pockets hold soft flasks (not included), should that be your hydration preference or if you need additional liquids. A zippered pocket securely holds a phone while a second mesh pocket on the front and a large one on the back add storage options.

The bulk of this pack sits in the center of the back, making the fit not as streamlined and close-to-body as some other packs. And the materials, while breathable, aren’t as soft as some (though we applaud the use of bluesign-approved recycled nylon). But as the least expensive option with easy adjustment straps and crossover capability to other activities like mountain biking and hiking, the REI Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest is a great choice.

How to Choose a Hydration Vest

Fit

The best way to shop for a pack is to read our reviews and then try on some options, making sure your final choice is comfortable and fits your specific body. If you can shop in person, assess how the chest straps sit on your body, and if there are any points of irritation. See if you can adjust all the straps to get the pack nice and snug to your body, and jog around to make sure the pack doesn’t move too much.

Size

Since sizes vary between brands, start by checking the brand’s measurement guide on their website, and then measure yourself. The vest should feel snug, but not restrictive. If it’s hard to take a full breath without battling the straps, it’s too small. If there are gaps in the fabric around the shoulders and the pack moves too much on your back when you run, it’s likely too big. If you are maxing out the straps in either direction—cinched all the way in, or fully expanded—consider shifting sizes.

After all of these steps, if you’re still having trouble finding packs that fit properly, try a different style. If men’s packs aren’t fitting right, try a unisex or women’s-specific model and see if that helps. Women’s packs typically have more room around the bust, are narrower in the shoulders, and are shorter overall. For the final test, load up the pack (at the very least with a full flask) and see how it feels with a little bit of weight.

Preferences and Intended Use

The final consideration comes down to personal preferences and how you plan to use the vest. Some people, for example, demand a zippered front pocket, or pole storage, or large pockets capable of holding many easy-to-access snacks. Make sure the pack meets your specific needs: You’ll likely need a different pack for short runs around the neighborhood than for full-day (or multi-day) adventures.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 6
• Number of products tested: 26
• Gnarliest test conditions: A 100-mile ultramarathon through the Swiss Alps
• Most common testing grounds: Trails along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains

Most of our testing took place in Boulder, Colorado, and on trails deeper into the Rocky Mountains. Our test team included six women, each of whom tested mostly apples-to-apples packs: small volume, medium volume, or large volume, while one tester put every pack through the paces.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Lisa Jhung has been running in hydration packs for roughly 25 years, since she traipsed through the wilds of places like Morocco and Switzerland as part of multi-day adventure racing teams. In more tame periods of her life, like now, she regularly throws on a pack to hit the trails of Boulder, Colorado, and the high-alpine routes in the Indian Peaks of the Rocky Mountains with girlfriends or sometimes, her dog Lulu. Lisa is also the lead tester and writer of our women’s running apparel and sports bra categories, and co-leads our running shoe tests.