Spring is here and kicking off the riding season for most of the country. It’s an excellent time to sort through your old hydration pack and get rid of those energy bar wrappers and punctured tubes. If you’re like us and are hard on your equipment, you’re likely due for a new pack.



1 Lone wolf: The Camelbak Lobo is a mid-sized pack designed for a few hours of saddle time. It features their Antidote reservoir and Quick Link system. The
quick-snap cap tightens in just a quarter of a turn, and the ultralight fill ports reduce weight. The Lobo has a stash pocket for a multitool or cell phone, and also carries a pump, spare tube, MP3 player, wallet and keys and even has room for extra food. Camelbak has your back, as the Lobo comes with a lifetime guarantee. $75, (800) 767-8725

2 Not poisonous: The Osprey Viper 7 is ideal for an afternoon cross-country ride. This mid-sized pack features a blinker attachment, bungee lacing system, internal organizational pockets, a shoulder strap pocket, a stash pocket for your keys and a magnetic bite valve. The reservoir holds 2 liters. The Viper 7 is available in three colors.  $74, (866) 284-7830

3 Wanderer: The Dakine Nomad is a super-popular pack and is light enough for a two-hour trail ride, but can carry plenty of supplies for an all-day excursion. The Nomad features Dri-Mesh shoulder straps, a lined sunglass pocket, a compression-molded back panel and a removable waist belt. It can carry a cross-country helmet and armor, and has pockets for an inner tube, pump and MP3 player. The Nomad has a 3-liter reservoir. $100, (541) 386-3166

4 All-day ready: The BC2 is Ergon’s hydration pack designed for all-day trail rides. It features a flexible Profax frame that is designed to transfer 80 percent of the load to the hips, while the Flink ball joint allows freedom of movement for the upper body. The BC2 has a bladder sleeve, integrated rain cover, helmet stowage and smaller pockets to keep your gear organized. The bag can also be expanded for 4 liters of capacity. $179, (323) 656-2788

5 Fox skin: Fox Racing doesn’t just make killer riding gear; they’re in the hydration pack biz, too. The Low Pro hydration pack has a 2-liter reservoir with a slide-top
opening and a detachable hose. Small zippered pockets will hold all of your riding essentials for an afternoon trail ride. $59, (888) 772-2242

6 High-performance purse: Dakine has an impressive line of women’s riding gear. The women’s version of their Drafter pack is ideal for cross-country riding and features a Nalgene reservoir with Aquaguard. The Drafter can carry helmets and armor, and has internal organizational pockets. There are padded and lined pockets for eyewear and an MP3 player, and the harness is specifically designed to fit female riders. $85, (541) 386-3166

7 Tool time: Oakley’s Tool Pouch provides enough storage for all-day trail rides. The pockets will keep your essentials, like a spare inner tube, pump and ID, organized, while the clamshell opening can cinch down on your helmet when you’re not wearing it. There is a holster strap to hold your cell phone. The reservoir has a slide-top
opening, which makes cleaning easier. $90, (800) 431-1439

8 Hawg wild: Ideal for ride guides or riders who pack like they’re running away, the Camelbak Hawg NV has enough cargo room for extra tools, food and riding gear. It features the Antidote reservoir and Quick Link system, can carry a cross-country helmet, and has an integrated rain cover and pockets for rain gear, multitools, a pump, lunch, phone, wallet, keys, and whatever else you think you might need to ride into oblivion and drop off the grid for good. $129, (800) 767-8725

9 Extra cargo: The Morro Hydrapak is built to carry enough gear, food and tools to keep your riding crew rolling for an entire epic excursion. Featuring a large main compartment, the Morro also has two zippered organizer pockets, a front organizer top pouch, a reflective light loop, a dedicated audio port, dual side-bottle pockets, padded shoulder straps, a moisture-wicking back panel and a stowable waist belt.
$109, (541) 632-8318.