Trying to find the best hydration pack for skiing? Then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve done all of the research so that you can find the best options for your exact needs.
Here are the top picks:
| Image | Product | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
 | TETON Sports Oasis 18L Hydration Pack | Check price |
 | Water Buffalo Hydration Pack Backpack - 2L Water Bladder | Check price |
 | Vibrelli Hydration Pack & 2L Hydration Bladder | Check price |
 | CamelBak Bootlegger Ski Hydration Pack, 50oz | Check price |
 | M.U.L.E. Mountain Biking Hydration Pack 100oz by CamelBak | Check price |
Contents
Best Skiing Hydration Pack Reviews
TETON Sports Oasis 18L Hydration Pack
This backpack looks like it’s ready for a hike – the shoulder straps seem strong enough to carry a fully loaded bag. The straps around the waist and chest always remain accessible without getting in the way.
It has reflective printing for safety. Near the bottom of it you can see two small reflective pieces.
The zipper pulls are designed nicely. They are made of a firm rubber material and they provide a good grip.
It has two nicely cushioned sections on the back for air flow purposes.
Though it is lightweight, the bag should be able to hold up under medium to heavy use.
Pros
- Water tube opening on both the left and right side
- Several zippered pockets to keep your items protected from dirt and water
- Plenty of storage area for items like a tablet, light jacket, or umbrella
- Reflective exterior areas for safety when skiing
Cons
- Water flow rate not enough if you are really thirsty
- It does not sit up straight when placed on the ground
- Quality is inferior to pricier hydration packs
M.U.L.E. Mountain Biking Hydration Pack 100oz by CamelBak
Not only does this hydration pack have plenty of room for all of the water that a skier will need when on the mountain, but it also has handy helmet carry attachment points. This frees up hands when riding on the lift or taking a break from the snow. With durable ski attachment points, it’s easy to attach skis to the pack’s outside.
At just 2.2 pounds, this pack is light enough to carry even when completely full of water, making it a comfortable option for all-day ski trips. With durable zippers and a tri-zip access, it’s easy to reach deep down into the pack for something that has fallen to the bottom, as well as to clean the pack and water storage. This makes digging in the pack with cold hands easier than ever.
Pros
- Four-point compression makes it easy to compress this pack for a sleek fit on the back
- Insulated harness makes it easy to zip tube into shoulder strap for additional insulation
- Low-profile shape rests comfortably against the back when on the lift and includes waist strap
- Expansion panel allows for six more liters of storage when necessary
- Large enough to provide space for gloves, phone, money, and keys
Cons
- Water seal cap can sometimes fail
- Seams aren’t very high quality and will not zip if the bag is overstuffed
- Quick release hose can sometimes leak
Water Buffalo Hydration Pack Backpack - 2L Water Bladder
This lightweight pack is perfect for shorter trips to the slopes. The durable material is not only breathable, but features plenty of foam padding, which means that this pack won’t be uncomfortable to wear for longer periods of time. This padding also helps to protect the bladder so that it won’t be damaged when skiing and accidentally spring a leak.
With three large compartments and a mesh pocket, this pack has plenty of room for all of the necessities when hitting the slopes. The SBS zippers will work even when it is freezing outside, and the pack is built to last during extreme conditions.
Read Also: Best OTG Goggles for Skiing
Pros
- Large bladder holds 2L of water, which is perfect for a day spent on the slopes
- Made with high quality materials and has good stitching
- Bladder can double as a pillow in an emergency situation
- Plenty of storage space makes bringing necessities easy
- Breathable mesh back is great for skiing on warmer days or for skiing all day long
Cons
- The bladder is black so it is difficult to see the water inside
- Small opening in the bladder makes it difficult to clean and hard to put ice cubes in
- Can be confusing to install the tubes and the bladder
CamelBak Bootlegger Ski Hydration Pack, 50oz
Thanks to the combined body heat of the skier and the insulation that this pack offers, it does a great job preventing water from freezing when on the slopes. Wearing the pack over clothing can result in the water freezing, so this is something that should only be done when it is warmer out.
The straps all adjust easily, and the mesh design of the shoulder straps prevents them from being hot or uncomfortable. With a fully protected hose and durable zipper, this pack has been designed to last for years when on the slopes. Loaded with insulation, there isn’t room for any storage, but it does a great job protecting water from freezing. It’s one of the best options for taking a hydration pack into incredibly cold weather.
Pros
- Insulated bite valve cover and tube help prevent water from freezing during extreme cold
- Slim enough to be worn underneath a ski jacket, as well as over clothing
- Ergonomic handle makes refilling the bladder faster and easier
- Bladder is highly insulated to protect water from freezing when on the slopes
- Dual sternum straps, as well as shoulder straps, are adjustable for ultimate comfort
Cons
- Doesn’t have storage for any other items than the water bladder
- Hose can easily detach from the bladder
- Even with the low profile, can be very uncomfortable to wear under a ski jacket
Vibrelli Hydration Pack & 2L Hydration Bladder
This hydration pack has been designed to provide skiers everything that they need when on the slopes, thanks to the ample room that it offers. The external bungee straps are great for holding a helmet when off the slopes, and ergonomic side stabilizers ensure that the pack is centered on the body and snug against the waist.
The 420D ripstop fabric has been designed to prevent the bag from ripping and being damaged during a fall on the mountain, and does a great job protecting the inside of the pack. An included key attachment is perfect for storing keys, and the reflective safety tabs are a great security and safety measure.
Pros
- Weighs just 14 ounces, and is streamlined for comfort
- Bladder is free from both PVC and BPA and won’t make water smell or taste funny
- Features multiple storage options for taking along gear and other necessities
- One-hand shutoff button prevents any leaking
- Great for use on warmer days of skiing
Cons
- Water tube isn’t insulated, so skiers need to blow the water back into the pack to prevent it from freezing
- Bladder can sometimes develop a leak in extreme conditions
- Shoulder straps aren’t very comfortable due to exposed seams, which can rub through fabric
Features You Must Consider
Insulation
The amount of insulation that a hydration pack has is incredibly important, as this insulation is what will prevent the water in the pack from freezing. Both the hose and the bladder are at risk of freezing when the temperature drops too low, but high-quality insulation can help prevent this problem.
One problem that skiers need to take into consideration when looking for a pack with a lot of insulation is that this can make the pack heavier and also bulkier. This additional bulk can slow down a skier by giving them a larger profile. It’s important to find the perfect balance between insulation and size and shape of the pack.
Stability
Water that is moving back and forth in a hydration pack can make skiing not only difficult, but dangerous. For this reason, it’s important that the hydration pack offers tons of stability thanks to a snug fit, as well as straps that can be easily adjusted.
The stability of a hydration pack depends not only on the straps that it has to help control the pack, but also how well the pack is built. Lighter packs will often be less stable simply due to their lower weight and how they are constructed.
Weight
Water is very heavy, especially when wearing a hydration pack for hours at a time. While a few ounces may not seem like they will make much of a difference when shopping for a hydration pack, lighter ones are usually much better choices, as they won’t hinder movement or cause the person wearing the pack to fatigue throughout the day.
Just a few ounces can make a huge difference in how comfortable a hydration pack is and whether or not a skier can wear it all day without shoulder or back pain. Skiers who want to be able to bring snacks, cell phones, keys, or other necessities on the slopes will want to look for a pack that isn’t already too heavy when considering the additional weight they will add.
Additional Storage
In addition to carrying water, a great hydration pack will have storage room for other necessities when outside. These storage areas won’t need to be very big, as it will cause the pack to become unbalanced, however, they need to be large enough to fit necessities and also easily accessible.
There is often some storage near the water bladder, but there may also be some storage in zippered pockets on the waist straps. This storage is useful since the pack doesn’t have to be removed from the back to access those items.
Shoulder Strap Construction
Most of the weight of a hydration pack is going to rest on the shoulders, so it’s important that these straps are not only thick, but also well padded. Straps that are thinner will dig into the shoulders, which can be very uncomfortable when skiing. Thicker straps that are adjustable and have enough padding to protect the shoulders will reduce the amount of pain that a wearer feels when using a hydration pack.
Any buckles on the shoulder straps that are used for adjusting the strap also need to be durable and very high quality so that they will not break if they are adjusted in the freezing weather. Some buckles simply aren’t durable enough to handle cold temperatures, especially if they are hit during a fall, which can cause them to break.
Waist Straps
An adjustable waist strap makes it easy to help manage the weight of the pack and will evenly distribute it to reduce shoulder stress and strain. Not all hydration packs have a waist strap, but they are also useful because they help hold the pack in place. Hydration packs will shift from side to side, especially when skiing at high speeds, but a waist strap will help to hold the pack in place.
Ergonomic Profile
Any type of pack worn on the back will change the profile of a skier and can cause them to suffer from wind resistance, which will slow them down. Rather than dealing with a larger backpack that will slow a skier down, choosing something that is a bit more ergonomic is a better option. A low profile pack helps to cut down wind resistance and will allow skiers to obtain and maintain much higher speeds.
Compression Straps
Unlike other straps that help to hold the hydration pack on the skier’s back, compression straps are used to cinch down the pack to reduce problems with wind resistance. Compression straps aren’t available on all packs, but are a great way to help maintain a low profile. Being able to adjust the pack using these straps before hitting the mountain, as well as during skiing, increases speed and gives skiers control over their speed and movement.
Overall Size
Skiers are not likely to be taking a lot of supplies with them on their trip to the mountains, but having ample room for plenty of water is important. There are a number of great smaller hydration packs that are ideal for shorter skiing trips. Longer day trips, however, and trips into the woods for cross-country skiing will require a larger pack that will be able to easily hold more water.
Cleaning
While most skiers are more focused on getting their pack on their back for a trip to the snow, taking care of the pack after a trip is incredibly important. Some hydration packs are much easier to clean than others, which will decrease the possibility of mold and mildew growing in the pack.
Zip-top bladders are much easier to clean than bladders that have a very small opening. Regular skiers will want to make sure that they choose a pack that they will not be frustrated cleaning after each trip.
Airflow
Some hydration packs have a mesh back and sometimes mesh shoulder straps that allow for plenty of airflow around the body. While many people think that skiers will always be cold, the opposite is true, especially after hours on the snow. Having improved airflow will ensure that skiers won’t overheat due to the weight and warmth of their pack.
Wrap Up
Considering all the features, our favorite pick is the M.U.L.E. Mountain Biking Hydration Pack 100oz by CamelBak. It provides a great balance of affordability and function and can do way more than just keep you hydrated on the slopes.
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