Are you planning a half marathon this summer? Staying hydrated is incredibly important, especially in the sweltering heat. One of the best options to rely on is a hydration pack. Still, you don’t want to find out the day of the race that your hydration pack isn’t efficient. Instead, you want the best ones on the market. Which are those?
The best hydration packs for running a half marathon include:
- Nathan Hydration Running Belt Trail Mix
- High Sierra Women’s Propel 70 Hydration Pack
- Osprey Packs Dyna 1.5 Hydration Pack
- CamelBak Circuit Vest
- TETON Sports TrailRunner 2.0 Hydration Pack
- CamelBak 2016 Marathoner Hydration Vest
- Ultimate Direction Women’s Ultra Vest 4.0
- Salomon Adv Skin 12
If you’re interested in trying any of the above hydration packs, then you’re not going to want to miss this article. In it, we’ll explain each option in depth, covering things like designs and features so you can make a great choice for your half marathon.
Let’s get started!
The Best Hydration Packs for Running a Half Marathon
Nathan Hydration Running Belt Trail Mix
Our first pick come from the trusted Nathan(click to check the current price on Amazon) brand. Their Hydration Running Belt Trail Mix has two SpeedFit holsters with included bottles so you never have to run out of water during your race. Each bottle can hold 300 milliliters or 10 ounces of fluid. The holsters have a grip that makes them easy to handle and keep your bottles from shifting as you lap around the competition.
As for the belt, you can adjust it as needed without worrying about it rubbing, chafing, shifting, or bouncing against your skin. The included fanny pack can keep your iPhone secure if you have the 6, 7, or 8. Other smartphones that are at least 6.5 inches should fit as well.
The Nathan Hydration Running Belt Trail Mix has a range of fun colors, including Very Berry (red), Methyl Blue, Imperial Purple, Cockatoo (teal and white), and Safety Yellow (neon yellow). You can certainly find a hue that matches your running gear!
High Sierra Women’s Propel 70 Hydration Pack
It’s tough sometimes to track down a hydration pack just for women, at least until now. With the Propel 70 from High Sierra(click to check the current price on Amazon), you get a bag that fits your body. There’s no bulkiness weighing you down anymore.
This hydration pack includes a reflective loop for an LED blinker, padded straps and backing from Hex Vent, and an Add a Bag strap system. This way, you can connect your Propel 70 to a backpack or other bag for easy transportation to and from the sites of your runs.
The front-loading compartment can stash all your essentials and gear, and there’s also a rear hydration reservoir compartment that keeps your water supply nearby. With an insulated water tube cover, you never have to stress about a solid, frozen drink when you just want one that’s cold. The insulation keeps the water temperatures just where you like them. The included hydration system has a liquid capacity of two liters. It boasts antimicrobial properties and no BPAs. Sounds good to us!
Made of Duralite with mini-hex ripstop fabric, the Propel 70 measures 18 inches by nine inches by three inches. The vest comes in hues like tropic teal with true navy, yellow with mercury (gray), ash with boysenberry, and silver with black.
Osprey Packs Dyna 1.5 Hydration Pack
Another big name in hydration packs, Osprey (click to check the current price on Amazon) knocks it out of the park with their Dyna 1.5 vest. The comfortable mesh pockets can hold your favorite must-have items. Feel free to fit in what you can, as the pockets will stretch if necessary. By the way, each pocket has two zippers to keep your stuff secure as you jog.
You’ll quickly reach the main compartment with a front panel that also includes two zippers. The reservoir for holding water has a capacity of 2.5 liters. With a sternum magnet and quick-connect features, you can easily get your drink on during your race without ever breaking your concentration.
CamelBak Circuit Hydration Vest
You love them for their water bottles, so why not try CamelBak(click to check the current price on Amazon) for your hydration vest as well? The 50-ounce Circuit vest features back and front reflectivity, so even if you’re running in dark conditions, others can see you. That can save your life!
The vest includes two sets of sternum straps. You can adjust these straps every which way, customizing them for the most comfortable fit for you. The straps also promise better stability on your runs, a perk we’re sure you’ll quite like.
The included phone pocket has a zipper so your phone never accidentally falls out when you pick up the pace (no one likes smashed phone screens anyway). You’ll love the vest’s ventilated 3D mesh, as it promotes awesome breathability, comfort, cushioning, and max airflow.
What about your hydration needs? Don’t worry about those. The included Crux Reservoir has a lever that makes it practically leakproof. You also get a comfy refilling handle and the freedom to drink lots more water, up to a 20-percent increase compared to other hydration packs.
The CamelBak Circuit hydration vest is available in teal and ice green, fiery coral and deep amethyst, and lime punch and crimson red.
TETON Sports TrailRunner 2.0 Hydration Pack
An Amazon’s Choice product, the Sports TrailRunner 2.0 from TETON(click to check the current price on Amazon) is another top contender for your half marathon. Made to fit women, men, and even children, the TrailRunner is a versatile hydration pack with an included hydration bladder.
Said bladder has an opening that’s five centimeters or two inches. You can easily reach inside there with a sponge to wash the bladder out. If you want frosty cold beverages, just load the bladder with ice. It can handle it. The bladder even comes with a cushioned bite valve you can lock with a push of your finger. The sip tube promises not to tangle or kink up when you need it most.
You can select from a slew of colors for the TETON Sports TrailRunner 2.0, including red, orange, black, green, and blue.
CamelBak 2016 Marathoner Hydration Vest
Another solid pick from CamelBak, the 2016 Marathoner Hydration Vest(click to check the current price on Amazon) could be just what you’re looking for. Made of nylon, the vest includes zippered pockets: one in the interior and one in the exterior. You also get four slip pockets, also in the exterior of this vest.
You can keep items on your person such as your keys, a hat, a pair of gloves, your smartphone, a snack, a second layer, and of course, a water bottle. The external fill, a phone pocket with sweat-proof technology (no more soaked and broken phones), reservoir compression, cargo pockets, and harness system keeps all your belongings safe and secure.
The 2016 Marathoner’s low-profiling design includes center baffling for a better fit and a stabler hydration vest. You’ll get lots of use out of the reservoir, what with its easy-access cap and Quick Link features for carrying your water with you.
Ultimate Direction Women’s Ultra Vest 4.0
Here’s a second great hydration vest made just for women. The Ultra Vest 4.0 from Ultimate Direction(click to check the current price on Amazon) has everything you need for a great run. That includes a pole holder as well as sliding waist and sternum rail straps.
With Ultimate Direction’s Comfort Cinch technology, you can adjust your Ultra Vest 4.0 in many ways for a close fit that feels comfortable to you. As you do so, you’ll find up to six pockets in the vest. These have an overall storage capacity of 10 liters. Inside the pockets, you can fit your phone, water bottle, and so much more. You even get a front mesh storage pocket just for your smartphone.
The lightweight fit of the Ultra Vest 4.0 is due to its mono mesh base with 30D sil nylon 66, elastane, and MicroMono meshing. You can pick from two colors for the Ultimate Direction Women’s Ultra Vest 4.0: lichen (pale blue) and coral (light pink).
Salomon Adv Skin 12
Last but certainly not least, there’s the Salomon Adv Skin 12(click to check the current price on Amazon). This tends to come up again and again as a top hydration pack option. From the moment you put it on, you set the weight distribution as needed. Smoothed areas prevent chafing where you’d usually have it.
The breathable fabric will keep your skin and your hydration pack drier. That truly comes in handy during a half marathon or any other endurance running situation. Other great features are the Sensi Load Lifter for weight distribution, a 4D pole holder, motion fitting thanks to the elasticized jersey material, 3D air meshing, and power meshing throughout.
Although more expensive than the other picks on this list, we think you’ll quite appreciate your Salomon Adv Skin 12 once you wear it for your race.
Conclusion
You need reliable, consistent hydration for your half marathon, hence you considered getting a hydration pack or vest. The options we covered in this article are considered the cream of the crop. No matter which of them you choose, you’ll never go thirsty as you run. That confidence can propel you towards the finish line!