In the last decade running packs have come a long way. Some barely resemble backpacks at all, built more like clothing with streamlined storage than a bag with straps. The best packs these days are lightweight, have pockets and storage options right where you need them and carry enough water for your race or all-day summit bid.
This test covered hydration packs specifically designed for running with less than 14 liters of storage. We combed the internet for the best available today and put them through their paces. Below are the results of this testing.
Best Overall Running Pack
Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set
Capacity: 12 liters
Weight: 9.7 oz (15.3 ounces with included soft flasks)
Hydration: 2 16-ounce soft flasks included, 1.5-liter bladder compatible
Front Storage: 2 flask pockets, 2 large stretch pockets, 2 large zipper pockets with small stuff pockets
Back Storage: large bottom kangaroo pocket, 1 large main zip pocket, 1 large bladder pocket
What we like:
- Flask and bladder compatible
- Fits close and moves with the body
- Many pockets on the front and back
- Bladder hose can be routed under the arm or over the shoulder
What we don’t:
- Flasks sit low to drink from
- Sternum strap clips are hard to attach
The Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set design is more like clothing than a pack. It carries water and small loads well and moves easily running without chafing. The fabric and pockets are well ventilated throughout and wick moisture.
The 12 liters of pockets and liquid storage are easy to access and well distributed. Two included 16-ounce soft flasks fit into the front vest pockets but are a little challenging to insert without squirting water as the tops don’t lock. Bottles that were not completely full did not provide enough rigidity and were hard to push into the pocket. Rigid or semi-rigid bottles slid in easily. There are no additional straps to hold longer bottle straws in place. Without straws, the bottles are a bit of a stretch to drink from.
Sizes in the ADV Skin Set 12 are 2XS, SX/S, M/L, and XL. We tested a Medium/Large which fit very well on a 40-inch chest leaving several inches of sternum strap adjustment tighter or looser. The sternum strap is stretchy and very comfortable but takes a bit of fiddling to attach the clip to the opposite strap.
With its exceptional fit, multiple hydration options and many pockets, the Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set earned our Best Overall Pack award in the running hydration category. MSRP: $180 Buy Now
Best Storage
Ultimate Direction Mountain Vest 4
Capacity: 13.27 liters
Weight: 9.24 oz (12.7 oz with included bottles)
Hydration: 2 included 16-ounce flasks, bladder compatible
Front Storage:Â 2 flask pockets, 2 small velcro pockets above flasks, 4 stuff pockets on flask pockets, 2 zip and stuff pockets below flasks and 2 zip pockets under arms
Back Storage: 1 large compartment with bladder pocket and small zip pocket inside, stuff pocket on the outside, bungee on the back
What we like:
- Impressive storage options
- Many combinations of compression
- Comfort Cinch for fit adjustments on the fly
What we don’t:
- The bottom end of sternum strap rails press into the stomach on short torsos
The Ultimate Direction Mountain Vest 4 is our runner up for Best Running Pack taking the award for Best Storage with 16 pockets, as well as a bungee and hiking pole straps. The included 16-ounce Body Bottles fit well in the front pockets. Above, below and on top of the flask pockets were other stuff and zip pockets, large and small, for gels, bars, and phones.
The fit was very close to the body. We tested a medium that should fit 30-39 inches around the bottom of the ribs with testers that had 38- to 39-inch measurements. The Comfort Cinch can adjust the measurement around the belt of the pack 2 to 3 inches increasing the range of testers that can use each pack size. Inside the pack, a mono-filament mesh breathes very well and does not absorb any moisture.
On the front rigid rails allow users to customize the height of the 2 sternum straps. The bottom of the rails dug into users stomachs if they had a shorter torso and bend over slightly. The back the large main compartment held a lot of gear but testers were still able to use the bungee and assortment of clips to cinch down the pack tightly. MSRP: $155 Buy Now
Best Large Running Pack
Arc’teryx Norvan 14 Hydration Vest
Capacity: 14 liters
Weight: 9 oz for pack only
Hydration: 2-liter bladder included, fits 12-ounce flasks
Front Storage: 2 flask pockets, 2 small stretch pockets, 2 small zip pockets
Back Storage: 1 large roll-top compartment with a small zip pocket inside
What we like:
- A large amount of weatherproof storage
- Bladder and flask options with 2-liter bladder included
- Comfortable vest
What we don’t:
- Minimal compress options
- Rigid bladder top presses into the back
- Bladder feels inexpensive
The Arc’teryx Norvan 14 Vest is a comfortable, large running vest for long runs or fast hikes. We tested the 14-liter version but a 7 is available. A large weather-resistant compartment is attached to a breathable, mesh-like Warpknit vest with 6 front pockets. 12 -ounce flasks fit well in the front pockets, but 16-ounce versions are a bit big. Elastic straps hold them down well. Poles can be stashed on either side. The large main compartment can be rolled down further for smaller loads. Aside from the rolltop, the Norvan has no other compression which allowed smaller loads to bounce slightly.
For hydration, a 2-liter Source-brand bladder is included. It’s clipped into a dedicated bladder pocket. The hose comes out the bottom of the pocket and runs under either arm. The top of the bladder feels inexpensive compared to other brands. When the hose port is facing away from the tester’s body, a rigid top handle pressed into their backs. The mouth-piece easily locks with a twist.
The Norvan 14 Vest could use an upgraded bladder but is very comfortable for runs and fast hikes with larger loads. It takes our recommendation for Best Large Running Pack. MSRP: $189 Buy Now
Best Small Racing Pack
Nathan Sports VaporZach
Capacity: 2.5 liters
Weight: 4 oz (7.2 oz with flasks)
Hydration: 2 included 12-ounce flasks
Front Storage: 2 12-ounce flask pockets, 2 small velcro stuff pockets
Back Storage: 1 medium size main compartment, 1 small bottom kangaroo pocket, 1 small zip pocket
What we like:
- Bottle pockets with straps work well
- Included bottles feature straws and stiffeners
- Easy to use sternum strap clips
- Lightweight
What we don’t:
- Hard to use shallow side pockets under arms
- Limited storage.
The Nathan VaporZach was designed with pro runner Zach Miller. It’s compact, lightweight and only has the essentials. 2 flask pockets on the front easily hold the included 12 oz ExoShot flasks with straps for long straws. The 16-ounce soft flask fit as well but have less room for long straws. The ExoShot flasks are soft but have a light stiffener so you can push them into pockets and work very well with the long straws. Two Velcro pockets on top of the flask pockets can fit a couple of gels each.
Large, open pockets below the arms lead into the medium-sized kangaroo pocket on the back. The underarm pockets are so shallow that testers didn’t trust items to stay there. They mostly used the pockets to guide their hands into the kangaroo pocket for extra bottles or layers there.
Sizes include XS, S, M, L, XL. The large is designed for a 43- to 45-inch chest but still fits well with a 40-inch chest.
With only 2.5 liters of storage, the VaporZach won’t be holding much for long runs but works very well as a lightweight essentials holder and is our pick for Best Small Race Pack. MSRP: $124.99 Buy Now
Best Multi-Sport Running Pack
CamelBak Octane 10
Capacity: 10 liters (8 with 2 liters of water)
Weight: 13 oz (20 oz with bladder)
Hydration: 2-liter bladder included
Front Storage: 2 flask pockets, deep zip pocket on left, small stretch pocket on right
Back Storage: 1 large top-load compartment with 2 small mesh pockets inside, 1 large mesh stretch pocket, 1 large zip bladder pocket, 1 small zip pocket on right
What we like:
- More traditional pack with straps works well for hiking or biking
- Bladder, nozzle and hose clips very easy to use
- A large amount of storage in the main compartment
- Flask and bladder compatible
What we don’t:
- Straps don’t wrap body as well as vest style
- No quick access pocket on back
- Minimal compression
The CamelBak Octane 10 is a great small pack for running, hiking and mountain biking as well. It’s a good mix of a traditional backpack with straps and vest with storage options up front.
On the front, 4 pockets can hold 2 flasks, iPhone 7-sized phone, and a few gels. The main storage is on the back with a large top-loading compartment. A mesh stretch pocket can hold wet gear or quick access items when the lid is clipped. 2 bungees on the left side can hold poles. Aside from the lid, there were no compression options for smaller loads.
CamelBak knows how to make bladders. The 2-liter Crux bladder is easy to disconnect at the hose. The large opening has an integrated handle which made it easy to fill and clean. 2 hose clips on the shoulder strap held well while running and the nozzle was easy to unlock with one hand and provided more flow than any other bladder.
Testers liked how well it worked for running, hiking and biking. The CamelBak Octane 10 takes our pick for Best Multi-Sport Running Pack. MSRP: $100 Buy Now
Other Recommended Packs
Cotopaxi Veloz 6
Capacity: 6 liter
Weight: 13 oz
Hydration: 2-liter bladder included, fits 12-ounce flasks
Front Storage: 2 zip pockets
Back Storage: 1 large zip compartment with a small zip pocket inside, 1 small zip pocket, 1 small stuff pocket, 1 bladder pocket
What we like:
- Unisex Cruz harness
- Unique design
- High-quality bladder included
 What we don’t:
- The learning curve to the chest clip
- No hiking pole holders
Like everything Cotopaxi builds, the Veloz 6 has a unique design. The chest harness comes together at one aluminum chest clip. After a bit of a learning curve, testers were easily able to attach the clip and go. The lower belt webbing pulls forward to adjust.
A 2-liter Hydrapak bladder is included and routes over either shoulder. The front harness has 2 long zip pockets that can hold 12-ounce soft flasks. On the back 1 large and 1 small zip pockets are the bulk of the storage. Testers wanted more compression on the large compartment when the loads were small. A stuff pocket at the bottom can hold small jackets and has a small light pocket showing out the back. MSRP: $140 Buy Now
Montane VIA Fang 5
Capacity: 5 liters
Weight: 9.5 oz
Hydration: 2 500ml soft flasks, bladder compatible
Front Storage: 2 flask pockets (1 open, 1 zip), 2 small pockets, 2 stuff pockets under the arms
Back Storage: 1 large zip pocket, 1 small zip pocket, bungee on pack
What we like:
- Polygiene odor control
- Bladder hose can be run under-arm or over-shoulder
- Quick trekking pole attachments
What we don’t:
- Main zip on the back runs under a bungee
- Large velcro strap reduces breathability
The Montane VIA Fang 5 running pack is a small, comfortable pack with a velcro closure on the front. The upper sternum strap clips to one of 4 webbing loops to either side while the lower strap is a large, stretchy velcro strap that is very adjustable. The strap is comfortable but reduces breathability. We tested a small/medium and found it slightly on the small side for users with 40-inch chests and above.
The right side has a stuff pocket for the flask while the left has a zipper. Both were easy to use with the included 16-ounce soft flasks. The flasks were not as easy to open with cold or wet hands and did not have locks on the nozzles.
The lightweight mesh breathed well during testing. With its anti-bacterial Polygiene coating, it resisted picking up smells that other packs did. MSRP: $145 Buy Now