How to Choose a Hydration System

ater. It's the outdoor athlete's most precious commodity. Until recently, transporting water was limited to how many canteens you could strap on your belt or fit in your pack. However, through the miracle of modern materials and some clever engineering, water is now easier to carry with you than ever before.

Which Option Is Best for You?
Water Bottle—For the casual hiker or biker, a water bottle stuffed into a daypack or a bottle cage is sufficient. However, if the hike goes for more than an hour or the bike ride is more than a few miles, you'll need to start adding water bottles. REI offers several hip packs and backpacks designed to carry 1, 2 or even 3 water bottles, and most recreational bikes can carry the same. Anything more, however, and you'll want a hydration pack.

Hydration Pack—A fairly new invention, hydration packs were developed for the mountain biker in need of a hands-free way to drink water while dodging trees. Now, athletes find them useful in almost every sport. Hydration packs use a tube with a valve at the end so that a simple bend of the neck and a bite introduces your mouth to the water it craves. The first packs were simple, collapsible reservoirs surrounded by neoprene and attached via shoulder straps. Today's options are more stylish and comfortable and include hip or backpack styles, 1 reservoir or 2 and streamlined or robust, with extra room for lunch and gear.

The Advantages of Hydration Packs
Sure, hydration packs are all the rage, but is their convenience worth their cost? Here's a look at some of their features and benefits to help you decide.

Reservoir capacity—Some hydration packs carry as much as 110 fluid ounces, providing more hydration for longer or hotter journeys.
Fit—Hydration packs are as utilitarian and comfortable as any backpack.
Care and cleaning—While hydration packs do take more maintenance than water bottles, new features such as wide fill-mouths and zippered bladders make careand cleaning a simple matter.
Insulation—Surrounded by a protective shell, hydration packs keep your water cool—or warm—depending on your need.
Options—Some hydration packs now offer 2 reservoirs in 1 pack. One can hold a sports drink, the other, just water.
Tough enough?—To test the sturdiness of hydration packs, some inventive folks at REI dropped theirs from a cliff. (OK, it was dropped by accident.) But the pack held up fine.

Not Sure? Consider a Collapsible Bottle
If a water bottle is too inflexible and a hydration pack is more than you need, you may want to consider a collapsible water bottle. These have been around for even less time than hydration packs, but they offer the advantage of taking up less space when empty. Coming in a variety of sizes, most will slip easily into any pack. Even your bike's saddlebag can provide all the space these handy bottles need.

If you're still carrying around your grandpa's canteen, it may be time to rethink your hydration needs. From water bottles to hydration packs, REI can help you take along that vital sip of water.