photo: Andrew Bydlon

You’re not one to show up at the trailhead with an Evian bottle in your shorts pocket. No, your dayhikes are sunrise-to-sunset adventures that demand a hydration pack to match. We rounded up 14 we hoped could handle a day’s worth of gear and plenty of easy-access water. Then we hammered them for nine months on four continents, in temps from triple-digits to subfreezing. In the end, we narrowed it down to these six packs. No matter how big your day, they’ll get you through with maximum comfort and stability.

Hydration Packs

[ubergrid id=”15237941″]

Clean Your Hydration Pack

• Fill reservoir with hot water and 2 teaspoons of baking soda or bleach. Shake.

• Let sit for 30 minutes; drain through tube.

• Wash bladder with hot water and a drop of mild dish soap. Rinse extremely well, flushing water through the tube.

• Air dry completely.