I’ve been riding motorcycles since 2018, and bikes have been so enchanting that, by my count, I’ve owned a few dozen motorcycles and ridden tens of thousands of miles by now. I prefer a more old-school way to ride, where I don’t use a GPS, don’t have fancy heaters or coolers, and often don’t even have a windscreen. The most “techy” part of my motorcycle rides is my helmet comm system. But I was recently introduced to an incredibly simple motorcycle tool that I now cannot leave home without. That tool is a backpack, and the best part about it is that it eliminates the biggest issue I have doing anything outside on a hot day: Keeping hydrated.
Back in May, I joined 200 women at Dirtastic, the off-road motorcycle and camping event built by women, for women. Dirtastic was rather transformational for me. It was my first time on a real dirt bike, my first time really learning how to ride off-road, my first time getting a real injury, and honestly, it was an incredible confidence-booster.
But there was one element to Dirtastic that wasn’t really specific to dirt bikes that totally changed how I go outdoors. Amber DaSilva from Jalopnik recommended that I pick up a hydration pack backpack during the event. At first, I didn’t really see the point. If I needed water, what was stopping me from pulling over, busting out a bottle, and then taking a sip? As it turned out, my stubborn persistence in doing things the old way has meant that I missed out on such a great tool for years.
How My Rides Used To Go
I established a sort of routine not long after I got my motorcycle endorsement in 2018. I’d gear up, swing a leg over the saddle, and ride until I got thirsty, find a point of interest, or needed fuel. Then I’d get back on and ride again. My rides have been purposefully low tech. I navigate using my knowledge of how highways are designed, and all my phone does is provide music. I don’t even put my phone on a mount anymore.
Whenever I felt the need to wet my whistle, I usually rolled into the parking lot of a gas station, bought a Gatorade or water, and then chugged the whole thing right then and there. If I couldn’t drink the whole thing, maybe I’d toss it in a normal backpack or storage compartment for consumption later. Somehow, I rode like that for a whole eight years, and in hindsight, it was like I was a savage. Just imagine someone downing 28 ounces of purple while dressed like the black Power Ranger.
I suppose I didn’t think much about it because the method to my madness largely worked. If I got thirsty again, I’d just do the chugging thing again on my next stop. Most of my summer motorcycle rides have a stop at a lake or river, anyway, so I have alternative ways to cool off.
But there have been times when my hydration plans almost hurt me. Coincidentally, one of those times was during my motorcycle training class in 2018. As the class was learning friction zones, the 97-degree Fahrenheit heat started getting to me. Suddenly, I had about as much control of that Honda Rebel 250’s clutch as someone who probably hadn’t slept in three days. Thankfully, I was able to recover with tons of water and a bag of ice.
Another time was more recently, when I reviewed the Can-Am Origin and Can-Am Pulse in Austin, Texas. It was 114 degrees during our ride that day. Temperatures that hot can be fatal, and having wind blowing on you doesn’t even help because it just makes you feel like you’re on the hot side of a turbine engine. It was so hot that the press bikes were overheating and thermal throttling themselves.
But the human toll was even worse. The group of journalists on that wave were getting visibly pummeled by the heat. You could tell when someone was getting heat-soaked as their turns got sloppy and they started making mistakes. More than one journo laid their bike down, making choices that they might not have made if they weren’t overheated themselves. There was tons of sweat rolling down faces and backs.
That included myself. I don’t sweat much, so that wasn’t a problem. But every minute in that heat felt like it shortened my lifespan. By the time I got back to the hotel, I felt like I got hit by a train.
The press ride had only a few stops in it. So if you were like me and relied on bottles of water for hydration, there were long periods before you could get relief. That was most people in the group.
A Total Game Changer
That changed in May after Amber’s suggestion to get a hydration pack. Apparently, she’s had one since not long after she got her endorsement. I’ve known about the existence of hydration packs for some years now, but I never really thought much about them. I thought that a bag of water in a backpack didn’t do anything that a bottle of water couldn’t. Oh, I was so wrong.
It took just one dirt bike ride through the hot forests of Oregon to convince me to waltz over to one of the vendors at Dirtastic and ask for a hydration pack. I was amazed that there was such a huge variety available, from little one-liter packs that weigh basically no more than the water you put inside, to hefty beasts that hold three liters of whatever you want to drink.
While Amber and some other riders recommended a fairly minimalist hydration pack from USWE, I chose a backpack-style two-liter Fly Racing XC 70 Hydro Pack instead. My logic was that I ride on the road pretty much 97 percent of the time, so I’d rather have a backpack that holds some riding essentials and my swim gear and water rather than a pack that was mostly just water.
Honestly, the hydration pack blew my mind. The pack consists of a backpack made from what seems to be durable textiles. Inside this bag is a bladder that holds two liters of water.
The watertight bladder has a pretty neat design. It’s sort of like a freezer bag on steroids. All I have to do is slide open the lock and add water. I was shocked at how well the lock keeps the water in!
Anyway, the bladder, which is held in place using a hook-and-loop fastener, feeds to a line that runs along the shoulder straps of the bag. If I want to take a sip, I just unlock the nipple, bite slightly, and drink like I’m pulling from a straw.
It’s so simple, yet it was a total game changer. When I was on the trails, I didn’t have to think about getting a cold drink once I got back to camp. I didn’t have to worry about getting a bottle in through my helmet, either. Instead, I just shoved the nipple into my mouth and took a sip. The hydration pack made the process of drinking so easy that I didn’t even have to think about it.
Even when I wasn’t wearing the pack, I kept it nearby for a quick drink.
Since getting the bag home, I’ve used it on the road and have fallen totally in love. I usually fill the pack up with water and then place my swimming clothes, some basic tools, and my identification inside. Then, I just hit the road. Now, I no longer need to stop to chug a Gatorade, and heat isn’t as big of a deal as it used to be. I’ve found that the pack is also fairly decent at keeping cold water cold. The bag is big enough that I bet I could fit some ice in there, too. But I haven’t needed to, yet.
I’ve even been impressed by the bag’s durability. I’ve crashed a Stark Varg onto my back at least twice while wearing it – including the crash that busted my knee – and the bag doesn’t even have a tear to show for it.
Something else that I love is that this bag isn’t just for motorcycling. Once my knee is back to 100 percent, I can see bringing it along for a hike. I also plan on bringing it with me to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. Every year, I tend to get pretty beaten by the mid-summer Wisconsin heat, which forces me to buy expensive drinks at concession stands. With this backpack, I won’t need to do that anymore. I’m also looking forward to ditching my purse during AirVenture, which also gets a little bothersome after I’ve walked numerous miles in a single day.
I can also see it being somewhat beneficial on the road. Do you drive a car without air-conditioning? Having liters of water on hand is great. Getting hot at an Autopian autocross day? Keep both hands on the wheel while you take a drink!
If I have any regret, it’s the fact that I didn’t get a hydration pack sooner. I just never saw the point in getting one when bottles of water existed. Well, I tell you what, it’s worth every penny. Aside from my helmet comm, the pack has been the biggest upgrade to my riding experience since I got into motorcycles.
Honestly, it doesn’t seem to matter what hydration pack you go for, so long as it has positive reviews and the features you want; you can’t seem to go wrong. A Fly Racing XC 70 pack like mine retails for $99.95, but if you don’t really care about having a hydration pack marketed towards motorcycling, you can get something like a Camelbak two-liter hydration backpack for $48.98. They get even cheaper on Amazon if you don’t mind taking a chance on quality. Besides, you could buy four of the cheap ones on Amazon before you match the cost of one Fly Racing pack. Again, you can’t really go wrong here.
But I definitely recommend getting a hydration pack of some kind. You might think that one of these backpacks is unnecessary or a bit superfluous. Look, I used to think the same. But having one has made my motorcycle rides surprisingly more enjoyable! I normally don’t even write articles about the little gadgets that I get, but this was so cool that I had to spread the word. No matter what you choose, stay cool out there!
Top graphic images: Fly Racing; Imc Raven
legit have been debating on getting one of these for a while, I dunno why I keep questioning it, def buying one now.
Welcome to the club! Best hydration bladder tip I’ve picked up over the years: after you fill it, flip it so the hose pickup is the highest point of the system, and suck all the air out to prevent sloshing. I HATE the sloshing. Also, if you’re planning a ride in hot weather, fill it about halfway and lay it flat in the freezer the night before (just try to prop it up to keep water from freezing in the pickup fitting).
I’ve always put ice in mine on hot days, but it still warms up quickly. I’ll have to try freezing it half full. Also, yes, sloshing sucks!
Not quite as useful as a watertight hard bag with an insulated cooler liner. throw some ice and whatever else in there and use the melting ice water for the neck cooling towel. take plenty of breaks I suppose. Many of us that have ridden forever started on and also prefer a non bagged bike, but I see where removables have there place. I also have a Camel Back for longer desert rides, but I am always unhappy about stagnant luke warm water in the end.
I own at least 7 hydration bladders.
I think Hydrapak currently makes the best ones out there. They even make insulated bladders and tubes. You can also get aftermarket neoprene insulating sleeves for the tubes that work pretty well.
If you want to put non-water in the bladder, look for one that can be turned inside-out because it will make cleaning easier. The bladder will be less flat because it doesn’t have an internal partition so it might not fit as well in a standard pack sleeve. Always a trade-off.
I don’t care for velcro hanging loops because I have found they tend to detach with the weight of a full 3 liter bag. Mini-carabiners, plastic hooks, and buckles are more reliable.
I like mouthpieces that rotate to shut off the water and easily detached hoses so I don’t have to bring the hose when I refill.
I like having a magnet on the back of the drinking tip and a corresponding magnet attached to the shoulder strap so the mouthpiece doesn’t flop around and is always where I expect to find it.
Ironically as I keep lightening my load (backpacking) I am transitioning away from bladders to lightweight bottles since they weigh considerably less.
“If you want to put non-water in the bladder, look for one that can be turned inside-out because it will make cleaning easier.”
What he/she said.
I mean this in a genuine way; I am always surprised at the pieces of knowledge that I consider to be universal that are most definitely not so. I’ve used hydration packs for literal decades. I don’t think that they are useful for every scenario, but they absolutely have their place. Just stick to water in them. Don’t be tempted by electrolytes.
Same. I mountainbike, and this is an essential piece of kit. Even the old school guys who ride fully rigid single speeds rock hydration packs.
Cycling was the original use case for hydration packs – the inventor/founder of Camelbak first used a water filled IV bag stuffed in the back of his jersey during a bike race in the late 80s.
I tend to find that the packs get a bit annoying (straps chafe, even the ones with mesh padding make for a sweaty back), so I’ve moved over to an Osprey Seral hip pack. 1.5L capacity, retains storage space for a long sleeve top if the weather changes, and it sits comfortably on the hips while both hiking and riding.
I can never do the Camelbaks. I am super sensitive to the taste of plastic and it just tastes like hose-water to me (no offense to the hose-water enthusiasts). If the choice is between dehydration and drinking from one of those things I take the tiniest sip that will keep me alive.
I don’t really notice that taste. One thing you can do is add something to the water, sometimes I’ll do half and half with water and a zero-sugar sports drink, usually blue Powerade.
I’m all for electrolyte powders, but not in a flexible reusable container. I’m lousy about rinsing them out at the end of the day, and next time I try to use my camelback the container is ruined.
That’s a me problem. The disciplined who remember to clean their containers will fare better.
Cleaning after a long day of strenuous physical exertion is nt something I like to do either.
Denture cleaning tablets. The cheap walmart ones work fine. Fill bag with water, toss in tablet, take your shower, run the now cleaning solution through the hose so it cleans that too, rinse out everything.
The drying after cleaning is the hard part on a lot of CamelBak bladders. I just put a bent hanger inside and let it try to dry out overnight.
Good ideas. Low effort and effective.
I think the cleaning kit tabs are likely the same thing.
I’m not great about cleaning mine, but I normally only run water in it. It can sit till the next time I ride and can be fine with just a quick rinse. If I run anything else in it, I make sure to clean it more promptly.
Also, replacement bladders aren’t that expensive, I recently picked up a 2 pack of 3L Camelback bladders for 40 bucks.
God, I remember hose water fondly from when I was a kid! What I’ve found with good quality hydration packs is that the plastic taste fades pretty quickly. It might be there the first couple time, but generally it’s not worse than a plastic water bottle.
Been rocking a CamelBak for decades ever since I picked up an early prototype at a military trade show in the early 90s. Also have a neat little bottle with a manual pump inside connected to a small hose with a misting nozzle. Good for refreshing little shower when you need it. Had mine for nearly 40 years, so pretty durable. Do an 8-mile hike three times a week and, especially in this heat, a necessity. On the Appalachian Trail, was far superior to a canteen. When I ride bikes or bicycles any long distance really handy because I don’t have to feel around the frame or unbalance myself reaching for a water bottle.
I’ve had a super-minimal one for motorcycling for a long time- just a bladder pocket and a zippered area big enough for a wallet or keys, plus some bungee cordage on the back. REALLY handy, and I’ve occasionally clipped a glow-stick or bicycle tail light onto the bungee for some extra “notice me” points.
Bought my kids each a hydration pack before we went to Moab after school let out – just whatever they had at Sierra, which was “good enough” and got me out unde $20 a piece. Having kids able to transport their own water, snacks, etc is a parenting game-changer.
I second Droid’s reccomendation for the evaporative cooling vest, too. yeah, initially your shirt (and probably pants/undies) are soaked, but forced-air evaporation fixes that problem pretty quickly. I’ve also liked the evaporative neckties / bandannas you can get – those really do a good job of keeping your head clear since it’s cooling right at the main bloodflow to your brain.
There’s definitely not enough on the market for lighter-colored gear. I found my wife a very flattering white jacket, but men’s stuff is almost universally black until you get to the longer dual-sport / Dakar-style stuff.
it’s a narrower use-case than a hydration-pack, but an evaporative-cooling vest under mesh jacket helps me in the heat.
not so much if super-humid…
I think others mentioned it, but for the love of GOD if you put anything other than water in the bladder, clean it thoroughly. I think I fermented some Gatorade in one once, and that was not a pleasant surprise. Toilet wine is probably safer to drink.
I’m assuming you’re still alive and kicking, so clearly it wasn’t THAT baf
The one I’d get are some Qore Iceplates. They’re water bottles shaped like body armor plates as they were originally designed to be worn behind body armor plates.
Fill them full of water and freeze it and they provide a cooling effect and you get ice water as it melts.
Fill them full of hot water and they perform a heating effect and you got hot water on tap.
The best corporate swag I ever got from a job was a branded CamelBak. It’s the ultimate festival gear, just enough room for some contraband snacks and basic essentials to take along.
Use care with the bladder itself. They can get dirty / moldy if not stored correctly, or if you add things to your water. At some point they need to be replaced. The closure is the most important part by a mile. The ones with a screw closure are to be avoided like the plague, unless you enjoy randomly getting wet because the lid found a way to unscrew midride.
There are cleaning kits available for not too much through the manufacturer or REI. Those are worth the investment.
Or you could do what I do: store the bladder in the freezer. Just rinse it after use, make sure there’s no water in the valve, and toss it in the freezer. No mold, no swamp water odor, no fuss, and ready for the next use.
Even with frequent cleaning and freezing them they all develop a funk after some use. Cleaning is another reason to avoid the screw lids as they tend to be more difficult to clean because the opening is smaller. The issue I have had with the cleaning kits is the material then takes on the taste of the cleaner no matter how much you rinse them.
I use these things constantly so just trying to share info so people new to them know what they are getting into 🙂
Have you tried the cleaning solution used by home brewers? I like Five Star Star San
Not that one specifically, but I have tried around a dozen different solutions that the internet said were the one thing that actually do the job. Most do fine for a wash or two, but then the bladder over time just starts tasting funky. I do not think it is the cleaning solutions causing it, my opinion is the material used for these bladders just inherently absorbs flavor from things. Personally, that bothers me so I end up buying a new bladder every 6’ish months. Lately I have been using water bottles more and the water bottle can be cleaned with dish soap and be fine for as long as I don’t lose it.
I am not knocking bladders, they are awesome and I use one all the time. I am simply putting it out there that if you are picky they may become a consumable.
Gatorade mix and help with the flavor and with hydration.
Love the helmet. I always hated hydration backpacks ever since the first one where I could never get the plastic taste out of it. Maybe it was just a bad brand.
I have a 20 year old Camel Back that still smells so strongly of plastic that I’ve never used it.
I bought my first Camelbak back in 2008. It’s the backpack style and I have used it for damn near everything. It took a bit of break for a couple of years but is back in action now. Hiking, just being used as a backpack, currently carrying tools for work. Have replaced the bladder a couple of times but really has held up well over the years
My CamelBak was easily 4x the cost of my wife’s cheap Amazon knock-off. But my CamelBak is closing on 20+ years of service and hers lasted almost a full summer. She’s since upgraded to an Osprey, couldn’t quite give me the satisfaction of telling her to buy a CamelBak since it’ll last forever.
Will check into these. Due to medical issues I have my OH SH*T backpack for when I go to the ER. I make sure it is packed with everything I need just in case.
The longest I ride is my 45 mile commute, so I’ve never really needed to worry about hydration. Storage was the game changer for me. In 2021 I bought a Suzuki Bandit that had a huge Givi pod on the back. Sure it looks lame, but I could stuff so much groceries in it that I’d accidentally wheelie. Then I swapped the Bandit for a Honda VFR800 with factory side luggage that’s even better.
Yeah, riding in 100 degree heat doesn’t cool at all. It’s like standing in front of a giant hair dryer.
Luggage on bikes is a game changer. All my bikes for the last 20 years have at least a 45L topcase on the back.
I could use one of these for yardwork.
I discovered the Camelbak when I got my R1200RT and started riding 300 miles or more on a tank of gas. Even with a great wind screen, you get dehydrated without it.
Fun fact: the original Camelbak prototype (1989) was made from an IV bag and the device itself was invented for bicycle road racers. Soon after going into production, it was adopted by off-road riders/racers in events like the [former] Paris-Dakar.
I’m not a fan of backpacks combined with motorcycles so my hydration bladder goes in my tank bag. Works the same but I don’t have backpack blocking airflow through my jacket vents. I’ve also recently added an airbag vest to my riding gear so that means a backpack won’t work regardless of temperature.
As to staying cool. I HIGHLY recommend ditching that black riding gear and going to a light color that doesn’t just soak up that solar gain.
Oh yeah, my gear definitely needs an upgrade. It’s proven itself to be tough, but not flattering or particularly cool when the temps get really high. I also discovered that there are gear companies that finally make plus-size women’s gear that doesn’t make you look like a giant grizzly bear. lol
i like your idea of hydration bladder in tank bag instead of on back.
I also join you in vigorously encouraging MB to ditch the “high-visibility-black” gear, both for thermal mitigation AND safety – be seen and be safe.
wearing black looks cool, being dead is not cool.
the Hurt Report indicated that light-colored helmets, jackets and fairings are “under-represented in fatality statistics”.
Came here to comment about airbag vests. Any backpack would interfere with the airbag inflation. Airbag > backpack; I see that some riders use a tank bag with hydration. That’s the way to go. I’ll check those out myself.
Most hiking backpacks will have provision for a hydration pouch these days. I had a two litre one in my bag when I did the Camino de Santiago a couple of years back – being able to regularly take a few sips while on the go rather than stopping and taking a big chug really does make a difference. Also, having that weight so close to your back rather than up high or off to one side on a backpack is a lot better for balance.
Fly Racing makes good stuff that usually reflects thoughtful design at a reasonable price point. I’m a fan.
I have a neat reflective vest from it that’s actually designed with motorcycling in mind – it’s shorter than many on the market, and has the reflective panels vertically/up high, which is actually what you want when you’re on a bike in riding position. Simple but smart design.
I bought a Camelbak Mule Mil Spec back in 2020 for like $70 because back then, the Mil spec was the cheapest option. I now see they have gotten way more expensive.
Definitely a game changer for hiking and biking, it also has neoprene insulation on the tube which works quite well at keeping the water cooler than just a regular tube