Hydration packs

[DominiqueD]

Hi everyone, I am looking for advice on which hydration pack to buy. Looking for something comfortable and that has storage space for snacks, keys and phone. I have seen you get waist packs too so looking for advice on which you find works best and most practical. Don't want to spend thousands on something too fancy either. Thanks so much 😊

[Skubarra]

Its a tricky one to answer because people have vastly different opinions on the usefulness of hydration packs, and also use it differently

For me the key would be what do you want the pack to do for you, how much water do you need to carry, is the idea to replace your water bottles or carry water in addition to your bottles? Likely what is the distance / time on the ride the hydration pack needs to last for you?

For me I chose the USWE Outlander 3 with 1,5 liter of water and an additional pocket of 1l that you can remove if you want. For me along with a water bottle that is more than enough water I would ever need between water points but some of my friends prefer a bigger bladder or not to ride with a bottle + pack.

If you can borrow one somewhere before you spend the money that might be a great help to figure out what would work for you.

 

[no calves]

Had a uswe. Sold it. I wanted something more running pack wise with snack space in front. Opted for an evoc. 

[Barry]

1 hour ago, no calves said:

Had a uswe. Sold it. I wanted something more running pack wise with snack space in front. Opted for an evoc. 

I have purchased a few from Temu and found the variety and quality to be excellent at a fraction of the price. If knock-offs are your thing, they offer those too. 

https://share.temu.com/1DAIhvY9E5B

Edited September 26, 2025 by Barry

[DieselnDust]

Uswe is stupidly overpriced.

the new Ryder pack is just as good and is just on R1000-00. NFW I’m spending R3000 on a overrated backpack 

 

https://rydercycling.co.za/product/ryder-flow-hydration-pack/

I’ve had many packs over the years. Camelback is the best in terms of reliability and longevity. I also have an USWE Outlander 2. I paid R991.00 landed direct from USWE. It retails for R2999.95 at sportsman’s warehouse. You can reduce that cost by 25% with vitality discount if you are on discovery. The Ryder Flow is pack is every bit as good with a similar harness and it retails for R1099,95 at sportsman’s and you can knock R275 off that with vitality. No way I’ll buy another USWE with the kind of prices they’re asking, ni empetho!

Edited September 27, 2025 by DieselnDust

[Pieter1]

I have used so many different back pack style packs and they are lekker but do not feel lekker on hot days. 
i started using a small Camelbak waist pak that has a bigish compartment. I SQUASH my phone, keys, two bars, tools and a gel or two in there. Then it has a SMALL zip pouch for cards cash or in my case a buff. 

It has a spot for a waterbottel. I switch between the 500ml and 750ml podium bottel and neither have fallen out. 
 

Yesterday I ordered the Mule waist pack. I did so because I can carry more water when hiking with my kids and has space for trail snacks for the two of them.

Edit: My spelling. 

Edited September 27, 2025 by Pieter1

[ChrisF]

Hydration packs can turn into a rabit hole quickly ....

 

. 1,5 liter bladder with a single pouch ... perfect on the road, even for long MTB rides.  Camelback seems to target this market - GOOD products.

 

. Longer rides starting in chilly winter temperatures .... you soon appreciate the benefits of the Camelback Mule ... just too big for the rest of the year, but the answer if you have to take of layers of clothing ....

 

. Bumpy rides, jumps ... USWE made their mark with special straps to stop the pack bouncing ....

 

. Food during long rides ... top tube bags ... back pockets .... even a spare energy bar in the hydration pack pocket.  Each with pro's and cons ...

 

. Runners packs.... simply insane the wide variety available !!  Just looking at the overlap .... similar storage on the back, but now you also get a range of pouches on your shoulder straps.  I know a couple of cyclists that prefer these packs, simply more versatile 

 

 

Have a look on Decathlon-EUROPE. (sadly their SA side has very limited options) .... you can spend a lot of time deep diving into this topic.

 

Then look on Take.a.Lot for the generic equivalents ... lots of options around R500 .... just check if it comes with a bladder.

Edited September 27, 2025 by ChrisF

[DominiqueD]

11 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

Uswe is stupidly overpriced.

the new Ryder pack is just as good and is just on R1000-00. NFW I’m spending R3000 on a overrated backpack 

 

https://rydercycling.co.za/product/ryder-flow-hydration-pack/

I’ve had many packs over the years. Camelback is the best in terms of reliability and longevity. I also have an USWE Outlander 2. I paid R991.00 landed direct from USWE. It retails for R2999.95 at sportsman’s warehouse. You can reduce that cost by 25% with vitality discount if you are on discovery. The Ryder Flow is pack is every bit as good with a similar harness and it retails for R1099,95 at sportsman’s and you can knock R275 off that with vitality. No way I’ll buy another USWE with the kind of prices they’re asking, ni empetho!

Thanks so much for the advice! I will go check it out 

 

[Pieter1]

On 9/27/2025 at 11:51 AM, ChrisF said:

Hydration packs can turn into a rabit hole quickly ....

 

. 1,5 liter bladder with a single pouch ... perfect on the road, even for long MTB rides.  Camelback seems to target this market - GOOD products.

 

. Longer rides starting in chilly winter temperatures .... you soon appreciate the benefits of the Camelback Mule ... just too big for the rest of the year, but the answer if you have to take of layers of clothing ....

 

. Bumpy rides, jumps ... USWE made their mark with special straps to stop the pack bouncing ....

 

. Food during long rides ... top tube bags ... back pockets .... even a spare energy bar in the hydration pack pocket.  Each with pro's and cons ...

 

. Runners packs.... simply insane the wide variety available !!  Just looking at the overlap .... similar storage on the back, but now you also get a range of pouches on your shoulder straps.  I know a couple of cyclists that prefer these packs, simply more versatile 

 

 

Have a look on Decathlon-EUROPE. (sadly their SA side has very limited options) .... you can spend a lot of time deep diving into this topic.

 

Then look on Take.a.Lot for the generic equivalents ... lots of options around R500 .... just check if it comes with a bladder.

That first line is spot on. I get a little uit *** everytime I get one but I swear one does not fit all. 

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Pieter1 said:

That first line is spot on. I get a little uit *** everytime I get one but I swear one does not fit all. 

 

Too true ....

 

First there was the Camelback Rogue ... LOVE this pack.

 

Then the Mule ... cos you "need" packing space to delayer ....

 

Modified a large backpack for stage racing, adding a hydration pack to what is actually a backpack.  Actually works nice.

 

Used the Rogue on longer trailruns  a few times .... then a friend brought in a lightweight hicking pack from Decathlon in Europe. NICE !!!  Until I saw the benefits of the hicking packs with the hip straps with pockets ....

[Pieter1]

I had this little blue pack to start with. Could fit my phone a piesang and a gel in there. 
then I got this Deuter one. That one was actually really lekker. 
Next was a Camlebak Kudu which in theory seems lekker but it is heavy and hot. 
I got a lekker trail running pack, not sure what model it is but wirks lekker for solo hikes, runs. 
First hip pack was the Flow I think. But like one of the first models. Works really well but I’m tired of having to go back to the car to refil water etc. And I was looking for something that could take water and snaks for me and the boys so thats why I got this new Mule hip pack. 1.5L bladder and two water bottol jacks that apparantly can hold a long tom quite well… 

I’m really into the hip packs at the moment it is nice to feel more ventilated. Esp here in the tropics. 
 

[GLuvsMtb]

I have both the Camelbak Mule 5 hip pack and the Leatt 1.5 hydration core. I prefer the Leatt. Ventilation is better and it can store more than the mule. Camelbak bladders are easier with the skrew lid opposed to the slider system to fill your bladder. 

[The architect]

I've been riding an USWE for the past 3 years and recently purchased a Salomon 12l Running vest. You run a 2l bladder at the back and my oversized Iphone fits perfectly in the front where the flasks go in. And there's loads of space for snack. Not sure why the cycling community hasn't figured this out yet. It's also 10 times more comfortable than an USWE..

[dave303e]

1 hour ago, The architect said:

I've been riding an USWE for the past 3 years and recently purchased a Salomon 12l Running vest. You run a 2l bladder at the back and my oversized Iphone fits perfectly in the front where the flasks go in. And there's loads of space for snack. Not sure why the cycling community hasn't figured this out yet. It's also 10 times more comfortable than an USWE..

Been using one of these for about 8 years now, still get confused looks from cyclists.

Bikepacking racers are starting to come around, Apidura, PEdALED are both making similar now cycling focused.

Salomons are good though, my current one was red, but now 5 years later it is more an orange colour, but still going strong.

[DieselnDust]

5 hours ago, The architect said:

I've been riding an USWE for the past 3 years and recently purchased a Salomon 12l Running vest. You run a 2l bladder at the back and my oversized Iphone fits perfectly in the front where the flasks go in. And there's loads of space for snack. Not sure why the cycling community hasn't figured this out yet. It's also 10 times more comfortable than an USWE..

a lot of the trail runners packs are better than the cycling packs, including the USWE.

[Bub Marley]

On 9/27/2025 at 12:06 AM, DieselnDust said:

Uswe is stupidly overpriced.

the new Ryder pack is just as good and is just on R1000-00. NFW I’m spending R3000 on a overrated backpack 

 

https://rydercycling.co.za/product/ryder-flow-hydration-pack/

I’ve had many packs over the years. Camelback is the best in terms of reliability and longevity. I also have an USWE Outlander 2. I paid R991.00 landed direct from USWE. It retails for R2999.95 at sportsman’s warehouse. You can reduce that cost by 25% with vitality discount if you are on discovery. The Ryder Flow is pack is every bit as good with a similar harness and it retails for R1099,95 at sportsman’s and you can knock R275 off that with vitality. No way I’ll buy another USWE with the kind of prices they’re asking, ni empetho!

This looks like an exact replica of the Uswe haha.

 

How is the nozzle functionality? Also the same?

 

Uswe is expensive but honestly, they’ve been such a great investment for me. They’re light, breathable, dont move at all and the nozzle works flawlessly.