We all know hydration is everything, but how do you carry that water then you’re out and about? There is a whole world of packs aimed at making your life easier. Which we thank the designers for but what do you choose when the packs all start to look the same?

The lines between daypacks and hydration packs are becoming more and more blurred as companies cater for every style of activity but there are still differences, especially at the extreme ends.

Daypacks outperform hydration packs when the activity requires more equipment to be carried. They tend to be larger, offer specialised features and are often hydration bladder compatible. However, hydration packs are lightweight and often hug the body, making them better for running.

Of course, you want a bit more depth than that so carry on reading for the differences in backpacks and how to make the choice that would suit you personally.

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What Is A Daypack?

As you likely have seen there are hundreds of different kind of bags of all sizes. Daypacks are your more traditional rucksack or backpack but on the smaller side. There is not a set size that means a pack is no longer a daypack but you are looking at roughly under the 20-25L mark.

A daypack only needs to carry what you need for the day. On a hike this tends to be food, water, layers and first aid kit. Of course, this is not an exhaustive kit list but you get the idea. Everything you need for a day so no need for a huge backpack and you really don’t want to be taking everything including the kitchen sink!

For a daypack, you can get a basic or as technical as you like. The major difference between a daypack and the larger hydration packs and that a hydration pack will always have a place for your hydration bladder should you choose to use one (more on that later!).

This means a separate compartment, and normally a place for your bite valve to come out the backpack and attach nicely to near your mouth. You really don’t want it swinging all over the place getting all dirty.

Most daypacks designed for outdoor use such as hiking or cycling will likely have a separate pouch for a hydration bladder with a suitable route for the tube. Which makes the differences between a daypack and large hydration pack even more minimal.

Technical daypacks are better for longer trips out in the hills than your conventional rucksack. They are designed to allow the wearer to comfortably carry more weight through padding, hip belts and built in frames to help support and distribute the weight efficiently.

These daypacks also can have a range of additional features. Hiking daypacks tend to have places to attach trekking poles or ice axes for the more extreme of us. If the bag is designed for cycling then it likely allows for the attachment of a helmet.

Although the original design would have had an idea in mind of how to use it, they are usually pretty adaptable to whatever you want to attach to your bag. Easy access pockets are by far my favourite because small items get lost to easily. No one wants to crush their sunglasses for example!

Can I Use Any Daypack For Hiking?

The joys of hiking is that you really do not need any specialised equipment to get started. This means even your everyday commuter daypack can be sufficient. Fill up a water bottle, pack a coat and you can head out for a few hours.

All your daypack needs to do is carry everything you need comfortably. For short hikes any daypack is suitable. You just need water bottles, raincoat, warm layers and some lunch. Your everyday daypack may only fall short on longer treks.

The main difference between a hiking or activity based daypack is that it usually has a space for a hydration bladder. Minimising the difference between hydration daypacks and regular daypacks.

This can be a bonus as retrofitting a water bladder to an ordinary daypack can be difficult. You need a clip to hold up your bladder to optimise water flow and to stop it becoming dead weight, a hole for the tube to come out your backpack and somewhere to attach your tube (usually done on the chest strap).

Also having a separate compartment can be handy for refills and you don’t want to be poking holes into your bladder by ramming in your kit.

A lot of daypacks for commuting and regular wear tend to have a good amount of padding on the shoulders to help keep the bag comfortable for longer durations, but not all. Hiking daypacks also come with frames to again help support the load on your back and some that allow airflow to help prevent your back being sweaty all day.

Every bag has its own list of features and depending on the style of hiking you do depends on whether you really need all those features. Try out bags you already have, you can always upgrade when you think you need to, otherwise you may find it overkill for your style of hiking.

This is where hydration packs can be very helpful for those who do not need a full list of specialised features but appreciate easy access to water in the most lightweight way possible.

Should you want to upgrade your pack, then I can recommend the one I use which is the Osprey tempest 30L. That’s the one in the photo above. I adore that back and it’s been on many holidays with me. You can get your own on Amazon by clicking the following link: https://amzn.to/44c4N7B or if you rather get the men’s version its the Osprey Talon 33L: https://amzn.to/3TCFQ0c (Amazon). There are also different sizes available in both varieties of bag should you need a smaller or larger one.

What is a Hydration Pack?

Hydration packs do what they say on the tin. There main purpose is to keep you hydrated, while adding the minimal amount of extra weight and bulk they can. The classic example is the running vest.

The basic vest just allows for a hydration bladder to be attached. Of course, there are a much wider range available now to suit even the most daring pursuits making them almost indistinguishable from technical daypacks.

A hydration pack will always have a designated place for your hydration bladder. Usually a separate compartment (although this can be the only one) with a clip to keep your bladder in place whatever movement your body is doing and places to attach the bite valve.

As designs have developed the hydration pack has also increased in size. No longer is it just a simple vest but a cleverly placed selection of pockets and clips. Some are even large enough to come with hip belts for those ultra marathon runners.

The main goal of a hydration daypack is to keep weight to a minimum. They normally are smaller, with every detail considered to make it lightweight. This means they often lack the extra attachments and pockets that a daypack normally has.

If they are able to carry bottles, or something large like that nature they tend to only be compatible with soft shell bottles. For example, my osprey hydration vest has a compartment for my hydration bladder, space for two soft shell bottles and a few small zipped pockets. Perfect for my phone and a windproof running jacket. Not so good if I wanted more than a few cereal bars during my route.

This type of backpacks are excellent if you want to hike super light weight. Or try and power walk or run the distance. They move with your body and can be a much nicer experience than a full daypack. Not to mention their smaller size means you really can’t overpack. Don’t underestimate how heavy a daypack can feel at the end of the day on your poor shoulders!

The hydration vest I have is the Osprey Dyna 6 which I can recommend if you want a new one. It fits lovely with the adjustable chest straps and the bag compartment has enough space for a wind shell alongside keys, phone and snacks. You can get your Osprey Dyna 6 on Amazon or the men’s equivalent the Osprey Duro 6 (Amazon).

Are daypacks better than hydration packs?

For hiking, daypacks are better than hydration packs. The extra space allows you to take as much as you need. In a climate with variable weather, where you need to pack for every season and a daypack allows for this with ease. Think waterproofs, an extra jumper and maybe even a nice warm flask of coffee.

If you are someone who wants to use a hydration bladder, make sure you get a daypack which is compatible with one. Most hiking daypacks will do, but check the description. Otherwise, any comfortable daypack will be fine with bottles in.

The only caveat to this is if you are only walking a short distance, or power walking or running parts where you don’t want a daypack weighing you down into your back. Then the lighter hydration packs can be better. I have both and for short trips, my hiking daypack is definitely overkill and a small hydration pack or my vest would make a lot more sense than a basically empty daypack.

The choice is up to you. Like most things in life it is entirely personal preference. If you need to carry more kit (or more water too) then a daypack is better, even if it means you can’t use your hydration bladder. If you just need to carry some water and rather not carry a bottle then a hydration pack may be a better option.

Some people simply don’t like using hydration bladders, and in this case a hydration pack will not be worth it for you. Some can be large enough to carry regular bottles but they ultimately are designed for hydration bladders. Soft shell bottles can also be compatible but in my experience they are small and are an addition to the bladder and not normally the sole water storage.

Are Bottles Better Than Hydration Bladders?

Bottles and hydration bladders both have their benefits and weaknesses. Whether one or the other is better for you is down to the conditions you are in and personal preferences. I personally take both when I am out on longer hikes so I get the best of both worlds. I will cover the pros and cons below.

1. Hygiene

It is extremely important to keep your water clean. In many cases it is easier to wash a bottle than a hydration bladder. Either pop it in your dishwater (if your bottle is dishwater safe) or give it a good scrub and let it dry.

Hydration bladders, on the other hand have tube which are a pain to clean. I tend to run soapy water through mine, and rinse well as no one wants to taste soap. I also take as much as I can apart in order to dry the tubes properly.

A tip I have learnt is to use centrifucial force to help the water clear out the tubes to speed up drying. Just don’t spin the tubes next to something you want to keep dry. Also, I doubt this does the tubes any good long term so take care not to break anything!

Another drying tip is use something to keep the bladder open whilst it dries to allow air to circulate. Place a tea towel or depending or a small cup. Anything that doesn’t stretch the bladder too much.

Fast and effective drying is the best protection again mould growth in your tubes. Other people suggest keeping it in the freezer. Alternatively there are other solutions to keeping it clean. You can buy purpose made cleaning kits or use a sterilisation solutions such as those used on baby bottles. I can imagine this will help you clean your bottle too.

As you can see, bottles are likely to keep cleaner. They also often come with lids as standard whereas hydration bladders don’t. You can buy a separate cap to keep your bite valve clean but they appear to be fairly expensive given what they are. If you are someone who tends to chuck their backpack down without a care in the world then I would suggest a cap to cover. Mud gets everywhere and last place you want it is in your mouth!

Of course, you can always wipe it down with soap or perhaps hand gel and give it a good rinse but again, that isn’t going to make your bite valve last longer or taste great. Bottles on the other hand tend to keep the opening fairly clean, even when chucked in your backpack or side pouch. Although this does depend on your bottle. My flask and sports bottle for example, does not offer any covering for the mouth piece.

2. Ease Of Drinking

The hydration bladder wins hands down on this one. I can take a sip of water every step should I want to. The alternative is to stop and take out your bottles which is a lot more time consuming and you are likely to drink less as a result. Especially, if you are with the rest of a party that all have bladders because they wont be feeling the thirst.

I managed a 3 hour hike in 35 degrees Celsius in Spain without any signs of dehydration and that was purely due to my hydration bladder. UK born and bred, I am not used to that heat and was sipping water every other step. Those without a bladder started to feel the effects of dehydration.

Bladders are especially good for those who know they wont drink enough on a hike, like me. Make the job of obtaining water easier by having it right in front of your face.

3. Rationing Water

Another reason people tend to dislike hydration bladders is because it is hard to know how much water you have left. It stays on your back and you don’t know it’s gone till it’s gone. I simply counter this by taking an extra bottle. Once my hydration bladder is empty, I know I have a set amount of water left which I monitor by sight and feel on the bottle.

4. Ease Of Filling

At home, I find filling a bottle is just as easy as my hydration bladder. They both fit nicely in my sink. I find the hydration bladders with the wide opening the most convenient but filling bladders out when your hiking can be more of a challenge due to their odd shape. Again, many people find taking an additional bottle helpful to pour water into the bladder.

5. Robustness

Although I am yet to experience a leak, it can be easy to see that a bottle in most cases will be more robust. They are made of thick plastic or metal and I have dropped mine many times, yet they remain functional (albeit dented).

I do worry that when I am too rough shoving things in my bag that I may tear my bladder. Fingers crossed it does not happen but you can buy additional insulation which will add an extra protective layer than the fabric compartment.

6. Water Temperature

Again, hydration bladders do not routinely come with insulation or protection of any kind. The water that is sat in the tubes are the most exposed to the elements. This means the sun in hot weather, warming the water up. This is not normally an issue, just less pleasant to drink.

On the other hand, I have many tell me that the water in their hydration bladder started to freeze in higher altitudes. Bottles, on the other hand, can be exposed too if in side pouches but the movement and larger volumes of water means it can take longer for this to take effect.

7. Taste

Some people find that they cannot stomach the plastic taste that can be associated with hydration bladders. There are ways in which to minimise the taste and I also find not leaving water sitting in it for long periods prior to your hike also help. Personally, I have not found it a problem but different brands and tastes will vary between people.

So are hydration bladders better than bottles?

I still love my hydration bladder (the Osprey hydraulics 1.5L (Amazon)) purely because I simply would dehydrate myself otherwise. That at least ruins a good hike, and at worst can be extremely dangerous. In most cases I would always take my hydration bladder despite the little bit of extra preparation work it requires.

I would also like to say, that I always take an additional bottle as a back up. It means should I run out of water in my bladder, I know I have some more and can ration it more effectively should I need to. Or fill up easier. I also find once you have settled for the night, say a campsite, bottles are easier to drink from. Hydration bladders aren’t much fun when they are off your back!

I would also recommend not getting the cheapest hydration bladder you can find. I started with that and found it unpleasant. Firstly, because the small opening was making filling and emptying (for cleaning) the bladder difficult. I also found that the bite valve barely let any water through so it felt like you were simply sucking the plastic like a dummy to get enough water. My new hydration bladder (it is Osprey) is so much nicer and I do appreciate the additional places to remove it for easy filling.

Conclusion

Daypacks are better than hydration packs for most activities. The exception being running or perhaps power walking. If speed is the aim of the game then you need to save weight where ever you can and minimise stops for food or water.

For most hikers, the daypack will be a lot more comfortable to hours on the trail. Of course, this is dependant on the daypack as not all are made equal. Any daypack is suitable if you do not wish to use a hydration bladder so long as it is big enough to cover your needs. Should you want a bag compatible then look into more specialist daypacks for hiking rather than the regular commuter bag. These daypacks will also have useful additional features to keep you happy on the trails.

I hope this helped you choose between the different styles and whatever you choose, happy hiking.