The Best Hydration Pack for Snowboarding

Once the snow starts falling and the temperatures start dropping the juice starts flowing. It’s almost time to hit the slopes and let the board take control of our entire existence.

We become free of everything this world tries to take from us. It’s time to unleash the beast and get that adrenaline pumping the only way we know how. On the snow…

We need the right gear to make our adventure easier and safer. Having the best hydration pack for snowboarding can make a huge difference on a faraway trail or just giving us added time to spend on the board.

We are giving you some much needed information as well as the best hydration pack for skiing or snowboarding you can find for every budget.

What are hydration packs?

A hydration pack isa backpack designed to carry or transport water and make it easy for the user to stay hydrated during an activity. So you won’t have to stop or slow down if you don’t want to when taking a drink from the bladder or water reservoir. The bladder usually has a tube connected to it making it easy for the user to conveniently access the liquid.

Our focus…

Winter hydration packs:  These packs are designed for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and mountain climbing. They are also designed with high grade materials intended to keep the liquid in the reservoir from freezing and therefore limiting your water supply. This protection calls for an insulation on the bladder, tubing and even the bite valve cover occasionally.

They also come equipped with helpful features for the specific sport or activity like ice axe loops, trampoline back panels, snow tool compartments or ski and snowboard carrying options.

Things to look for…

• Sports – All hydration packs are not created equally. Many manufacturers design these packs specifically for different sports or activities. Everything from running, cycling to skiing and snowboarding, which is what our focus is on today.
• Capacity – Another key thing to look for is the capacity of the bag and bladder, as well as the features it may have like the ability to carry your snowboard or a change of clothes.
• Reservoir Ready – Some hydration backpacks do not actually come with a bladder or reservoir included in the carry backpack, but may have a sleeve ready to fit a reservoir of your liking.
• Size – many of these daypacks come in different sizes, so finding one that fits the length of your torso and the width of your hips can really make a difference in terms of comfort.
• Features – often vary from pack to pack. You will have plenty of options and choosing a the right pack usually comes down to minor preferences the user may have. Look out for features like quick disconnect tubing, bite valve on and off sites or airbags.

Hydration Pack Types

You will usually find two main hydration packs, a backpack and a waist pack. These two version will then be broken into different categories of sport.

These categories as mentioned above may include running, cycling, snowboarding, climbing and other outdoor activities.

What makes them hydration packs is the fact that they carry a water reservoir for the user to conveniently access water in motion or at rest without the need to remove any equipment.

You may find bags that have both a hydration pack and a water bottle slot, although it is rare. Some others may have two water bottle slots giving you extra capacity. This can differ depending on design, but these are things you should be made aware of before purchasing your winter hydration pack.

Hydration Packs for Women

These packs are designed with the shape of women in mind for comfort. They are tinted for smaller frames which could be helpful to fit younger children.

Hydration Packs for Children

These packs are also a lot smaller similar to women packs. They almost always allow for adjustable suspension to fit smaller frames. As mentioned above women pack are sometimes suitable for younger adults.

DAKINE Heli Pack 12L (From US $60)

• Brand: Dakine
• Weight: 1 Pounds
• Pros: Vertical snowboard carry, Diagonal ski carry, Fleece lined goggle pocket, Hydration / Laptop sleeve fits most 15″ laptops
• Cons: Takes a couple of wears to brake in, compact

The Dakine Heli 12 backpack is perfect for carrying your snowboard or skis. It comes equipped with a hydration bladder or laptop sleeve. Easily secure your goggles in their own space. A bit compact if your looking for a lot of space in a pack, but to packs a punch at a great price.

Burton Day Hiker 25 L (US $75)

• Brand: Burton
• Weight: 1.5 Pounds
• Pros: Comfortable for snowboarding, Hydration / Laptop sleeve, vertical board carry
• Cons: Not a heavy fabric, Not fully waterproof

This pack features a modern, lightweight and clean design. It’s ride-ready for a comfortable day on your board. The carry system is perfectly designed for carrying your board up the mountain. with anything you may need for the outdoors. If you need it for school the open space design works well.

Burton AK 20L Backpack Women’s (US $89)

• Brand: Burton
• Weight: 1 Pounds
• Pros: Vertical snowboard carry, Fleece lined goggle pocket, Hydration bladder compatible
• Cons: No helmet carry, low volume carry

This is a light 20 L pack designed with women in mind. Easily carry your daily items, goggles and your snowboard with ease. You will have added option for polls, snow tools and other accessories. It is also hydration bladder compatible.

Thule Upslope Snowsports Backpack, 20L (US $99)

• Brand: Thule
• Weight: 1.75 Pounds
• Pros: Ski & Snowboard carry, tuck away ice axe loops, insulated hydration sleeve
• Cons: Waist-strap pockets not easy access for everyone

This is a light 20 L pack well designed for ski and snowboard carry options. The snowboard can be carried horizontally or vertically. The skis only horizontally. The ice axe can be stowed away to avoid snagging when put into the loop. The internal compression assist in keeping your gear from moving around.

CamelBak Powderhound 12 Ski Hydration Pack (US $100)

• Brand: CamelBak
• Weight: 1.7 Pounds
• Pros: Tri-zip carry, Snowboard Ski, andSnowshoe carry, Hydration reservoir sleeve, compatible
• Cons: low volume carry, slightly heavier than expected due to insulation

This is a light 12 L pack with an additional 6 L expansion available if necessary. Easily carry your board, skis or snowshoes. It is designed with an insulated water hose, mouth line and bladder. The curvature design is perfect for the snow.

DAKINE Heli Pro 24L (US $110)

• Brand: Dakine
• Weight: 1 Pounds
• Pros: Vertical & horizontal snowboard carry,
  Diagonal A-frame ski carry, Hydration bladder compatible, DK impact spine protector, snow tool pocket
• Cons: low volume carry, no quick access

This is a light 20 L pack designed with women in mind. Easily carry your daily items, goggles and your snowboard with ease. You will have added option for polls, snow tools and other accessories. It is also hydration bladder compatible.

Backcountry Access Stash 20 Backpack (US $115)

• Brand: BCA
• Weight: 2.9 Pounds
• Pros: Vertical Snowboard carry, Insulate hydration shoulder sleeve, Reservoir hanger, Dedicated tool pocket
• Cons: No hip belt pockets, No adjustable waist belt

A comfortable light weight 20 pack. Designed for the aggressive rider wether skiing, snowboarding or snowmobile. Comfortably pack a probe, shovel, blade, goggles or any repair tools. Easily carry your snowboard , skis and helmet. The insulated hydration sleeve is perfect for the cold weather.

Burton AK Incline 20L Backpack Mens (US $125)

• Brand: Burton
• Weight: 2.3 Pounds
• Pros: Trampoline back panel, Vertical snowboard/split-board carry, Hydration sleeve, Snow-tool compartment, helmet carry
• Cons: low volume carry

The awesome [ak] carry technology is written all over this bag. With excellent storage for snow tools and more. The trampoline back panel works great for venting moisture. The lifetime warranty speaks for itself when it comes to quality and tech. 

Gregory Mountain Targhee 32 (US $189)

• Brand: Gregory Mountain
• Weight: 3.4 Pounds
• Pros: Dedicated avalanche safety equipment, insulated hydration sleeve, ski, snowshoe, snowboard carry.
• Cons: Large split-board will not fit A frame carry

This is a really sweet award winning pack that comes with all the space you need for an all day adventure. You will also have all day riding comfort with the Fusion Flex suspension that provides exceptional performance. The is a winter pack so no need to worry about brush or light debris with the rienforced snow shedding fabric. Safety is a part of the design with the avalanche compartment for any snow tools or first aid equipment

Backcountry Access BCA Float 22 Airbag Pack (US $499)

• Brand: BCA
• Weight: 4.4 Pounds
• Pros: Hydration compatible, comfortable like any pack, mechanized for skiing and snowboarding, fair priced airbag pack
• Cons: Higher price range

The BCA Airbag Pack puts safety first with the 150-liter airbag. Its superior design and function blows the competetion away. It definitely increases your survival chances by helping you avoid being buried under the snow. It’s hydration compatible. It comes equipped with easy access pockets, snow tool storage and helmet carry. One of the safest winter hydration packs out there!

Osprey Packs Men’s Kamber 42 Ski Pack (From US $190)

• Brand: Osprey
• Weight: 3.4 Pounds
• Pros: Snowboard / Ski carry, Main dry pocket, Insulated hydration sleeve, Adjustable sternum strap
• Cons: Higher price range

[/one_half]No matter what you are carrying the LightWire suspension system with the padded hip belt and comfortable shoulder straps distributes weight perfectly to keep you going all day. Easily carry your skis or snowboard. The pack also allows for snow tools, ice axe, ropes, probes, a helmet and many other options making it just about the perfect bag for any situation. And we can’t forget bout the insulated hydration sleeve.
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Hydration Pack Capacity Guide

Make sure the hydration pack you choose can carry enough water and gear to meet your needs. Also keep in mind that water is heavy. 3 liters of water can weigh about 6 pounds, so keep in mind how long or where you will be when you’re riding.

Will your location have somewhere where you can get more water so you can refill? If so, a small reservoir should be sufficient. If you will be located in a place where fresh water is scarce then you may want to go with a bigger bladder.

Another way to think of it is if you’re planning on doing a mix of short and long distances then a big bladder can be good for both since you don’t have to fill it to max capacity.

Reservoir Capacity

Small = 1 liter or less: These are pretty small packs usually waist packs that carry an amount of water thats perfect for a comfortable run or a nice walk.

Medium = 1 – 1.5 liters:  These are good for a decent bike ride, hike or a long run.

Large = 2 – 2.5 liters: This is maybe the most common size reservoir perfect for just about all activities. It has the right size for either refilling every once in a while, or just filling it halfway for a shorter distance activity.

XL = 3 liters +: This is a great size for those of us that do not like to refill. These reservoirs are also common for athletes who perform in locations where running fresh water may be hard to find.

Hydration Backpack Capacity

What size hydration backpack should I get?

You will have a wide variety of sizes to choose from on these packs. The size or volume is generally measured in liters. The packs can range from 3 liters to 50.

How you figure out which on is right for you is by thinking of the gear you will carry. Are you carrying just a change of clothes and some food or will you be carrying a lot of gear?

Under 5 liters: These packs are intended for activities that do not require a lot of equipment. The lightweight design helps you easily move and carry only essential items like a phone, keys and a light jacket. Good for running, skiing, snowboarding, cycling and short hikes.

Under 10 liters: These packs are made to easily carry a change of clothes, food, a small camera and keys and a phone. Good for snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, short hikes and trail running.

Under 20 liters: These packs are perfect for hiking, mountain biking or trail running and carrying snow gear. They are designed to carry a larger capacity of equipment and tend to offer additional features for your convenient. Easily carry clothes, food, first aid kit and other gear for a day exploring.

Above 21 liters: These bigger packs are excellent for longer hikes or multi day excursions. They have a lot of space for all kinds of gear and equipment. You shouldn’t have a problem taking this pack on an overnight adventure.

Hydration Pack Fit

Now that you have an idea of the capacity of your hydration pack, it’s important to understand how they fit you.

• Make sure it’s the right size for your torso (no hip belt – only torso size is important)
• If the pack has a hip belt, make sure it fits tightly on your body.

Size of Torso

All manufacturers make a variety of bag sizes that fit different torso lengths. They can also vary depending on gender. A good way to find exact information on that is by looking at manufacturer specifications for size details.

To make it easy for yourself you can look for packs that offer adjustable suspension making it easy to adjust the fitting for your torso. This is also helpful if your right in between sizes and finding the correct size is not easy.

Size of Waist

Hip belts go around your hips and are adjustable to fit hips of all sizes. They can average fitting hip sizes of a range of about 18 – 40 inches. If you’re not sure you can always look at the specifications tab.

Key Hydration Pack Features

The best hydration pack for snowboarding and for all other sports should meet the requirements you need to achieve your goals. We will provide you with an extended list of features you can find in the different packs offered by manufactureres.

A minor set of features can make a difference whether your hitting the slopes or scaling mountains. You need to purchase a bag suited for your activities.

You may want snowboard attachments to carry your board, goggle cases for easy storage and a system to help you carry your helmet.

Maybe you only want a light pack with some minor features to keep you safe and hydrated while your in motion. Whatever your choice may be, it’s important to know all of the features available to you before purchase.

Hydration Reservoir Compatible

Some packs do not come with a bladder, but are hydration bladder compatible. What this means is that the pack has an inner sleeve specifically designed to hold a water reservoir.

The reservoir makes it easy to stay hydrated while you’re snowboarding. You won’t have to stop or take your backpack off to get a drink.

Since these are winter sports packs they should come insulated to protect the bladder, hose and tubing.

Wide mouth opening

This is not something many consumers think about before purchasing a reservoir. A wide mouth opening allows you to easily clean the inside of your reservoir. The alternative in purchasing smaller mouth opening can be the hassle of purchasing a cleaning kit or taking more time to properly clean it.

Bite valve shut-off switch

This is a cool feature you can purchase separately or it may come included with your pack. This is a convenient option that allows you to bite down and in some cases to twist open and close the valve. Other bite valves have switch to prevent water from getting out when not in use. Camel bak has one that you bite down and it open and closes similar to a fish mouth if that makes sense.

Tube portal

Think of this as a slot on the pack that allows the tubing to go from the inside of the backpack to the outside through a slit for easy access. Pack usually come with a single, centered or double tube portal. Giving you the option to choose either shoulder or just one for the tubing to hang over.

Strap clips

This is a common feature used to hold your tubing in place for easy access. It prevents movement at all times.

Quick disconnect tubing

A convenient solution for refilling your reservoir quickly when you run out of water. The tube disconnects easily allowing for easy access to the reservoir. All you have to do is press a button and pull the reservoir. A perfect feature for tubes that are routed through the tube portals.

Winter weather add-on

If your pack does not come equipped properly for cold weather you can purchase additional add0ons to prevent your water from freezing. This includes insulated reservoirs, sip tubes and covers for the tube and reservoir. Be sure that the added equipment will fit in your pack before purchase.

Weatherproof construction

Of course, if you’re in the snow you and your pack will get wet. All snow bags should come with weather proof materials, but it’s not always the case because the bag you choose may not be intended for your specific sport.

Weatherproof features can range depending on the manufacturer you choose. Some common winter pack features can be water resistant exteriors, storm flaps, special back panels and sealed seams.

The features you choose should make sense based on the activities you partake in. You can purchase dry bags or rain covers if you do not want to spend extra money on a winter ready pack

Durability

Outdoor sports can wreak havoc on your equipment quickly. With the cold and moisture pounding the bag you will also have branches or boulders scraping the exterior causing unwanted damage.

Not only does Mother Nature play a role in beating up your pack but the constant load of your equipment can also cause natural wear and tear over time.

Purchasing packs mad with high quality water resistant material can really make the difference in saving you money. Making sure the bags can withstand abrasions and scratches is something to look for. Some fabrics come with resistant qualities in the bottom or other areas that are more susceptible to damage.

Reinforced padding and seaming can also help with the overall quality of a well-designed pack.

Suspension System

A suspension system serves an important purpose in the overall comfort and stability of the user. Compression straps can help secure the pack closer to your body for added stability. Having the proper sternum straps and waist belts can really improve the amount of weight you can carry and also help with stability. Padded shoulder straps and waist belts are always an added bonus.

Key Hydration Pack Safety Features

Storing Safety Gear

Easy access to emergency equipment at a moments notice can be the difference in a bad situation. If you plan on being in location where safety is a concern then having your safety gear secured inside of your backpack is important. This will help you to not lose any gear while your riding or in a boulder or avalanche

Airbags

This feature can be a life saver incase you ever get caught in an avalanche. The airbags are not guaranteed to save your life, but they can provide you with added protection specifically to the neck and head area.

If your caught in an avalanche airbags can help in reducing injury and preventing your from getting buried under the snow.

These bags can help search teams find you quicker since your body will be closer to the surface of the snow. Overall they increase your chances of surviving a possible life ending incident.

These airbags are more expensive and you do not have to purchase them, but its a good feature to familiarize yourself with in case you ever decide to snowboard in a high risk location. Always practice safety first and do not take Mother Nature lightly.

AvaLung

Avalung is another safety feature that could possibly save your life. It’s designed by Black Diamond and it is a lightweight safety device created to help you breathe under snow directly from the pack.

It pulls fresh air from the snow pack and removes CO2 from the users face through an exhaust port. The Avalung increases usable air supply when your trapped under the snow. The best hydration pack for snowboarding deserves an Avalung for your safety,

Junyuan Bags

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