Which CamelBak Should I Buy? [In-Depth Guide]

With well over 50 different hydration packs to choose from, deciding which CamelBak to buy can seem a bit overwhelming.  

But once you start to narrow down exactly what you need from your pack, the picture becomes a lot more clear. 

When choosing a CamelBak hydration pack, the quickest way to narrow down your options is to think about what activities you plan to use it for and compare that to what each pack offers.

The main things to consider are the pack’s reservoir size, gear capacity, weight, insulation, and ergonomics, alongside your budget. 

The Cloud Walker 18 is my preferred pack for day hikes because it’s durable, can comfortably fit a full day’s worth of gear, and is relatively light for what it can hold. For multi-day hikes, where you need to carry more gear, the Fourteener 32 is a better choice, with nearly double the capacity and a padded hip belt to redistribute the heavy load off your back and shoulders. 

The Repack LR 4 Waist Pack is the best CamelBak for cycling. It sits around your lumbar back, keeping your center of gravity low for increased stability and unrestricted movement in your upper body while riding. 

Vest-style CamelBaks, like the Circuit Run Vest are best suited for running and trail running, since they compress to your body to minimize the bouncing and shifting with each stride. 

Ultimately, the best CamelBak for you may be different than the best for someone else. 

It all depends on how you plan to use your pack. 

I own a few different CamelBaks, so each is more specialized to the specific activity that I use them for. I have one for day hikes and casual use, one for thru-hiking, one for cycling, and another for running. 

If you want a more versatile CamelBak, I’ve included a few additional uses for each recommended pack as well.  

How To Choose The Right CamelBak For You

Once you consider the activities you’ll be using your CamelBak for and what features work best for those activities, finding the right pack should become a lot easier.

Budget

Setting a realistic budget is an important first step when choosing which CamelBak to buy. 

If your budget’s firm, it’s an easy way to eliminate options. Just keep in mind, you can often find packs for a good deal less than their MSRP on Amazon — sometimes a lot less. 

CamelBaks aren’t cheap, but if you care for them properly they should last for many years.

If the only packs in your price range don’t offer what you need, it’s probably worth waiting a bit and setting aside some spare cash to save for the pack that suits you best.

Hydration Capacity

CamelBak bladders range in size from 1.5 liters to 3 liters, and all half liter intervals in between. 

Generally, larger reservoirs are useful for things like hiking and travel, where you need your water to last for a good portion of the day. 

Smaller reservoirs are better suited to shorter, higher-intensity activities like jogging and cycling, where the extra weight of a heavier bladder would be cumbersome and you don’t necessarily need to carry an entire day’s worth of water all at once.

I still typically recommend going for the largest bladder available. The reservoir itself hardly adds any weight since you don’t need to fill it all the way every time you use it, and you gain the added flexibility of carrying more water whenever needed.

That being said, many smaller, lighter packs only come with a 1.5 liter reservoir, so your options may be limited. 

Check out my deep dive on picking the CamelBak size that suits you best to learn more. 

Gear Capacity

A CamelBak’s gear capacity is the amount of stuff it can hold aside from the bladder. 

For cycling and running, where you probably only need to stick a few extra things in your pack (like a protein bar or phone), a few liters of gear space is plenty. 

When it comes to day hikes and longer rides, where you may need to pack a lunch and rain jacket as well, seven to fifteen liters or so gives a bit more flexibility without adding too much extra weight.

Packs made for thru-hiking and travel land in the 20 to 30 liter range — and are able to comfortably handle several days worth of gear on the higher end.  

Weight

The larger your bladder and the more gear your pack can carry, the heavier it’ll be. 

It may not matter so much for casual use, but when you’re doing something active, like hiking, cycling, or running, every ounce matters.

Weight is even more important with CamelBaks when compared to other backpacks, since you also have to consider the weight your water will add once your reservoir is filled.

Many larger CamelBaks can get pretty heavy when full of water and gear. 

Insulation

A common problem with using CamelBaks in freezing conditions is that the water in the tube and reservoir can freeze, leaving you without drinking water.  

While you can add insulation to your reservoir for occasional cold weather use, an insulated CamelBak will work much more efficiently for frequent use in freezing conditions.

Ergonomics 

Most CamelBaks fit more or less the same, but there are a few specialized ergonomic features that make some packs much better suited for certain activities. 

• Some CamelBaks come with a waist strap that helps offload the weight of your pack from your back and shoulders onto your hips. For longer hikes and heavier loads, it’s more or less mandatory. 
• Waist packs are designed to sit around your lumbar back rather than your upper back, which lowers your center of gravity and increases your stability and upper body range of motion while cycling. 
• Vests are much better suited for running, since backpack-style packs tend to bounce and shift around more with the impact of each stride. 

	Hydration	Gear Capacity	Weight	Designed For	Best For	MSRP
Arete 14 Hydration Pack	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	12.5 liters	250 grams	Unisex	Everyday Use, Day Hikes	$65
Arete 18 Hydration Pack	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	16.5 liters	640 grams	Unisex	Everyday Use, Day Hikes	$75
Chase Bike Vest 50oz	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	2.5 liters	285 grams	Mens	Cycling	$105
Chase 8 Vest	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	6 liters	420 grams	Unisex	Cycling	$130
Circuit Run Vest	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	5.5 liters	360 grams	Mens	Running, Cycling	$90
Classic Light 70oz	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	2 liters	190 grams	Unisex	Cycling	$75
Cloud Walker 18 Hydration Pack	Crux 2.5 liter Reservoir	15.5 liters	790 grams	Unisex	Day Hikes, Everyday Use	$90
Fourteener 26 Hydration Pack	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	23 liters	1060 grams	Unisex	Thru-Hikes	$155
Fourteener 32 Hiking Pack	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	29 liters	1190 grams	Mens	Thru-Hikes	$175
H.A.W.G. 100 oz Mil Spec Crux	Crux 3 liter Mil Spec Reservoir	20 liters	1150 grams	Mens	Military Spec	$207
H.A.W.G. Commute 30 Backpack	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	30 liters	1030 grams	Unisex	Everyday Use	$170
H.A.W.G. Pro 20	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	17 liters	1015 grams	Unisex	Cycling, Everyday Use	$170
Hydrobak 50 oz Mil Spec Crux	Crux 1.5 liter Mil Spec Reservoir	1 liter	400 grams	Mens	Military Spec	$57.50
Hydrobak Light 50oz	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	1 liter	170 grams	Mens	Cycling, Running	$65
Kid’s Mini M.U.L.E. Pack	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	1.5 liters	210 grams	Youth	Cycling	$55
Kid’s Scout Hydration Pack	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	12.5 liters	311 grams	Youth	Day Hikes, Thru-Hikes	$60
Lobo 100 oz Hydration Pack	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	6 liters	480 grams	Unisex	Cycling	$75
Lobo 9 Hydration Pack	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	6 liters	510 grams	Mens	Cycling	$100
M.U.L.E. 12 Hydration Pack	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	9 liters	580 grams	Mens	Cycling, Day Hikes	$130
M.U.L.E. Commute 22	Compatible but not included	22 liters	300 grams	Unisex	Everyday Use	$140
M.U.L.E. Evo 12	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	9 liters	790 grams	Unisex	Cycling, Day Hikes	$150
M.U.L.E. Pro 14	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	11 liters	845 grams	Mens	Cycling, Day Hikes	$160
Octane 12 Hiking Pack	Fusion 2 liter Reservoir	10 liters	540 grams	Unisex	Day Hikes	$130
Octane 16 Hiking Pack	Fusion 2 liter Reservoir	14 liters	650 grams	Unisex	Day Hikes	$150
Octane 22 Hiking Pack	Fusion 2 liter Reservoir	20 liters	890 grams	Unisex	Day Hikes, Thru-Hikes	$170
Octane Dart Hydration Pack	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	0.5 liters	200 grams	Unisex	Cycling	$70
Podium Flow 4 Hydration Belt	21 oz Podium Dirt Bottle	4 liters	220 grams	Unisex	Running, Day Hikes, Cycling	$60
Podium Flow Belt	21 oz Podium Dirt Bottle	2 liters	190 grams	Unisex	Running, Day Hikes, Cycling	$50
Powderhound 12 Hydration Pack	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	10 liters	850 grams	Unisex	Winter Sports	$110
Repack LR 4 Waist Pack	Crux 1.5L Lumbar Reservoir	3.5 liters	520 grams	Unisex	Cycling	$85
Rim Runner X22	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	22 liters	820 grams	Unisex	Day Hikes, Thru-Hikes	$100
Rogue Light 70 oz	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	5 liters	215 grams	Mens	Short Hikes	$85
Skyline LR 10 Hydration Pack	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	7 liters	650 grams	Unisex	Cycling	$135
SnoBlast 22 Hydration Pack	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	20 liters	1010 grams	Unisex	Winter Sports	$120
Stealth 85 oz Mil Spec Crux	Crux 2.5 liter Mil Spec Reservoir	1 liter	520 grams	Mens	Military Spec	$111.50
Trail Run Vest	2x 17 oz Quick Stow Flasks	6 liters	190 grams	Mens	Running	$100
Women’s Chase Bike Vest	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	2.5 liters	285 grams	Womens	Cycling	$105
Women’s Circuit Run Vest	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	5.5 liters	350 grams	Womens	Running	$90
Women’s Circuit Vest 50 oz	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	3.5 liters	160 grams	Womens	Running	$85
Women’s Fourteener 24	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	21 liters	970 grams	Womens	Thru-Hikes, Day Hikes	$140
Women’s Fourteener 30	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	27 liters	1170 grams	Womens	Thru-Hikes, Day Hikes	$175
Women’s Helena 20	Crux 2.5 liter Reservoir	17.5 liters	690 grams	Womens	Day Hikes, Thru-Hikes	$100
Women’s Hydrobak Light	Crux 1.5 liter Reservoir	1 liter	170 grams	Womens	Cycling, Running	$65
Women’s L.U.X.E. Hydration Pack	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	7 liters	590 grams	Womens	Day Hikes	$115
Women’s Lobo 9	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	6 liters	500 grams	Womens	Cycling, Running, Day Hikes	$100
Women’s M.U.L.E. 12	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	9 liters	790 grams	Womens	Cycling, Day Hikes	$130
Women’s M.U.L.E. Pro 14	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	11 liters	820 grams	Womens	Cycling, Day Hikes	$160
Women’s Magic Hydration Pack	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	5 liters	390 grams	Womens	Cycling	$100
Women’s Rim Runner X20	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	20 liters	770 grams	Womens	Day Hikes, Thru-Hikes	$100
Women’s Sequoia 24	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	20 liters	1020 grams	Womens	Day Hikes, Thru-Hikes	$155
Women’s Shasta 30	Crux 3 liter Reservoir	27 liters	1240 grams	Womens	Thru-Hikes, Day Hikes	$175
Women’s Trail Run Vest	2x 17 oz Quick Stow Flasks	6 liters	190 grams	Womens	Running	$100
Women’s Zephyr Pro Vest	2x 17 oz Quick Stow Flasks	11 liters	210 grams	Womens	Running	$160
Zoid Hydration Pack	Crux 2 liter Reservoir	1 liter	510 grams	Unisex	Winter Sports	$90

Which CamelBak Should I Buy For Hiking?

CamelBak offers well over 20 different packs designed with hiking in mind. 

Choosing the best one mostly comes down to how long your hikes will be and how much gear you need to carry. 

Cloud Walker 18 [Best for Day Hikes]

The Cloud Walker 18 is the perfect hydration pack for day hikes. 

It offers a 2.5 liter Crux reservoir (so you probably won’t have to stop and refill), 15.5 liters of gear space (more than enough room for lunch, snacks, and a light jacket), and a waist strap (to keep the weight of the pack off your back), all at a reasonable 790 grams. 

Also Works Well For: Everyday Use and Cycling

The Cloud Walker doubles as a decent pack for regular everyday use or longer bike rides where you may need to carry more gear than most cycling packs can hold. 

Fourteener 32 [Best for Thru-Hikes]

The Fourteener 32 and Women’s Fourteener 30 are my favorite CamelBaks for thru-hiking. 

Able to pack in 29 liters of gear (or 27 for the ladies) alongside a giant 3 liter Crux reservoir, the Fourteener series can handle whatever the trail throws at you. 

A breathable Air Support back and vented hip belt will help keep you cool and comfortable all day long.

Also Works Well For: Day Hiking and Travel

My biggest complaint with the Fourteener series is that the packs aren’t very versatile. 

They’re too bulky and heavy for most other uses, but that’s somewhat to be expected since thru-hiking packs need to be pretty specialized.

Still, the Fourteener works well enough for day hikes and travel, as long as you don’t mind the extra weight and bulk of the pack. 

Hydrobak Light [Best for Short Hikes]

For quick hikes, where I don’t really need to carry any gear, the Hydrobak Light and Women’s Hydrobak Light are perfect.

Weighing in at only 170 grams, the Hydrobak Light is the second lightest CamelBak pack (only 10 grams heavier than the Women’s Circuit Vest) and holds a 1.5 liter Crux reservoir, which is more than enough for a few hours on the trail. 

It may only have enough gear space for your keys, wallet, and phone, but for shorter hikes that’s often all you really need.

Also Works Well For: Cycling and Running

Thanks to its super light weight, the Hydrobak light makes a decent pack for cycling and running as well — at least as long as you don’t need to carry much else. 

Which CamelBak Should I Buy For Cycling?

In the last few years, hydration packs have fallen out of favor a bit among cyclists, since carrying any unneeded weight above the waist reduces stability and restricts range of motion in the upper body. 

The Repack LR 4 Waist Pack helps solve those concerns.

It sits comfortably around the waist at the lumbar back, keeping your arms free to move, your center of gravity low, and your back (less) soaked in sweat.

For any ride where one of my Podium bottles just isn’t enough, I always find myself reaching for my Repack.

Also Works Well For: Day Hikes

The Repack works well enough for day hikes if you want to keep your shoulders from getting sore and your back from getting sweaty but, for some body types, it can fit a bit awkward when standing upright. 

Which CamelBak Should I Buy For Running or Trail Running?

CamelBaks designed for running need to handle the repetitive impact of each stride without much shifting or bouncing. 

Lighter backpack-style CamelBaks, like the Hydrobak Light, do a decent enough job. But if running is your main concern, a vest is the way to go.

The Circuit Run Vest and the Women’s Circuit Run Vest compress snugly against your body, preventing excessive movement of the pack. 

Lightweight, breathable mesh helps keep you cool and reflective accents make sure you’re visible no matter when you train.

Also Works Well For: Cycling

Despite the name, the Circuit Run Vest also works great for cycling, thanks to its lightweight and comfortable fit. 

Which CamelBak Should I Buy For Casual Everyday Use?

If you want a pack that you can take to the office, around town, or as a carry on while traveling, the Arete 14 Hydration Pack fits the bill perfectly. 

It offers 12.5 liters of storage, a padded sleeve for a 13” laptop, and an easily accessible cell phone pocket. If you need a bit more space, the Arete 18 holds 4 more liters of gear, and comes with a sleeve for 15” laptops.

Whichever you choose, the Arete series is perfect for casual hydration on the go. 

Also Works Well For: Day Hikes

While they’re not quite as rugged as many other CamelBaks designed for hiking, the Arete series still works perfectly for less demanding day hikes.

Which CamelBak Should I Buy For Winter Sports?

If you need a pack that’ll prevent your water from freezing in even the nastiest conditions, the Zoid Hydration Pack or SnoBlast 22 Hydration Pack are the way to go. 

For skiing, snowboarding, and other cold weather activities where you don’t need to carry much extra gear, the fully insulated Zoid Hydration Pack is the perfect match. 

Weighing in at only 510 grams (insulated packs always weigh more than non-insulated ones), it won’t bog you down on the slopes. 

For cold weather hiking or cross-country skiing, where you need to carry more gear, the SnoBlast 22 can pack in 22 liters alongside its 2 liter Crux reservoir. 

Also Works Well For: Cycling (Zoid) and Hiking (SnoBlast 22)

Insulated packs aren’t only helpful in cold weather, they also help keep your water cold longer in the summer heat. 

The Zoid works great for cycling, while the SnoBlast 22 works well for day hikes or minimalist thru-hikes. 

Which CamelBak Should I Buy For My Kid?

CamelBak makes two specialty hydration packs for children — the Kid’s Mini M.U.L.E. and Kid’s Scout Hydration Pack. 

The Mini M.U.L.E. is a super lightweight minimalist pack with a 1.5 liter Crux reservoir. It’s great for cycling and hikes where your kid won’t be carrying much gear (either because it’s a quick hike or simply because you’re doing all the carrying).

The Scout Hydration Pack offers a bit more space (12.5 liters worth), and is great for casual everyday use and day hikes or thru-hikes where they’ll be lugging some of their own gear. 

By the time your kid hits their early teens, any of the adult CamelBaks should work just fine.  

Check out my deep dive on the best CamelBaks for kids to learn more.