The first time I saw a hydration backpack was around two years ago at Crop Over. My friend had bought one to store his water in for the day. I was impressed at how convenient the backpack was. While the rest of us had to take trips to the drinks truck to get our drinks and water he was having a blast.

I would have written on this blog before of the importance of staying hydrated. Partying at carnival or any music festival for hours can drain you. That is why I would recommend getting yourself a hydration pack.

In addition, lines are ridiculous at the bar at carnival and music festivals on a whole. This offers an alternative to having to wait in long lines. In this article I will show you ten of the best hydration backpacks.  In addition, I will explain why you should have a hydration pack for your next carnival or music festival. 

Festival Hydration Packs

These are ten of the best hydration backpacks for carnival, music festivals and raves. Read on to get the full breakdown of the features and benefits of each of these backpacks.

Lunchbox Hydration Backpack

Mubasel Gear Insulated Hydration Backpack

Reinos Hydration Backpack

Vibedration Rave Hydration Pack

Sharkmouth Rave Hydration Backpack

Vibedration Transparent Rave Hydration Backpack

Lime Carnival Hydration Backpacks

Osprey Packs Raptor 14 Hydration Pack

CamelBak 2016 Lobo Hydration Pack

RaveRunner Festival Hydration Pack

What is a Hydration BackPack

A water backpack or hydration backpack is a backpack designed to store water. They usually have space for food and to carry your essentials such as a phone, wallet etc. The hydration pack will consist of a bladder to store the water that fits inside of a backpack.  The bladder attached to a long tube allows you to drink water.

Benefits of a Hydration Pack

You may ask yourself why would I spend money on a water backpack instead of just carrying a bottle. The truth is a bottle has its limitations while the hydration pack has many benefits:

• Convenience – You do not have to take a bottle out of your bag or even carry a bottle in your hands. Nothing can be more annoying than having constantly to carry a bottle in your hands. Not to mention continuously go inside a bag to take one out.
• Water stays cold longer – Hydration packs keep their contents cold for a considerable amount of time. This will be very convenient amidst the heat.
• You can carry more water – Due to the size of the bladder in the backpack, you can carry a lot more water. Most backpacks come in sizes of two or three litres.
• Carrying your own alcohol – Although water backpacks are designed to carry water the truth is you can put any liquid in them. Instead of having to head to the bar every time you want a drink you can bring your own alcohol.

Staying hydrated is essential, I have wrote about this constantly on this blog. It is one of my tips to get fit for carnival and one of my weight loss tips. If you were ever wondering how to stay hydrated at a music festival a hydration backpack is one the best way. These specially designed bags are perfect to store your water at any festival.

Well now that we can see the benefits, which is the best one to choose? There are different kinds of hydration backpacks some for running, cycling etc. However, I will focus on the ones that are multi-purpose and made for carnival, music festivals and raves.

I have made a list of some of the best hydration packs you can purchase. Whether you are going to carnival or your favourite music festival, you can party and stay hydrated.

Best Hydration Backpacks for Carnival and Music Festivals

If you are choosing a hydration backpack, you need one that can hold your phone, wallet and some snacks. All of the essentials you are travelling with for the day. The bag must also be comfortable, as you will be wearing it the whole day.

In addition to being comfortable, you will need one that is stylish. More importantly, one that can carry a lot of liquid and keeps it cool fairly long. There are many excellent brands out there such as Camelbak, Osprey and Mubasel Gear. The most popular out of the lot is definitely Camelbak.

Best Budget Hydration Pack

Mubasel Gear Insulated Hydration Backpack 

There are many affordable hydration backpacks on the market but this is my pick. This multi-purpose bag can be used for music festivals and other events.

• 70-Ounce (2 Litre) BPA free FDA approved hydration bladder.
• Thermal Insulation – The insulated bladder compartment keeps liquid cool for up to 4 hours.
• Includes three storage compartments that fits clothes, keys, purses, phones etc. The stretch mesh pockets allows you to pack even more items.
• Leakage Proof Design -The opening is large design, you will never be bothered to dry the bladder as the screw one, just bottom up, it will dry itself, with click in connection instead of traditional screw one, it will never get loose and causing leakage.

This is not only a great budget hydration pack but also one of the most popular on this list. It really is not hard to see why. This backpack is very stylish and comes in ten different colours. It is well built and has many compartments to store your items.

More importantly is the price; you get all this value at an affordable price. If you are looking for affordable festival hydration pack that is stylish, spacious and durable this is the one.

Reinos Hydration Backpack 

If you are going for the more stylish look for festivals, you can check out this backpack from Reinos. It comes in over fifteen different colours.

• It is fashionable: You will stand out with the fashionable look of the REINOS hydration pack.
• Storing compartments: It has two independent compartments for your snacks, towels, cell phone, and other daily stuff, plus an extra-insulated bladder compartment.
• FDA approved bladder: The backpack can hold two litres of water
• Comfortable fit: Fully adjustable shoulder and chest straps that will fit chest sizes from 26” – 52” to guarantee the perfect fit, keeping the pack from bouncing while dancing. Designed with a unique padded back section to allow airflow between your back and the pack. The bag is also very lightweight.

I love this hydration pack as it is specifically designed for festivals. It has a wide range of colours to choose from so you can find at least one that will go with your outfit. The bag is also waterproof so you have no issues with the contents getting wet. In addition, the price it very affordable.

Lunchbox Hydration Backpack

This lunchbox hydration pack recently came to my attention and from my research I must admit it is an incredible backpack that needed to be on this list.

Key Features:

• 2 litre anti-leak bladder
• Anti theft design
• Customizable skins
• Lightshow wires
• Organizational top compartment
• Security line approved
• Durable build, the backpack is made from 1680D Coated Nylon, 420D Diamond Ripstop and air mesh which makes it strong and lightweight.

What makes this backpack stand out on this list for me is the anti theft design, not only are the zippers inverted they also come with a clip for the zippers. In addition, the main zippers are facing the under side of the backpack, meaning they can only be accessed when you take the backpack off making it not accessible to thieves. The backpack also has a special compartment for your cell phone which I have not seen in other backpacks on the market. There is an organizational top compartment with a chargeable wire pathway that leads to the phone compartment which means if you have a portable charger you can charge your phone on the go.

The bag is also made of air mesh which is a breathable material, this means that when you are wearing the backpack your back will not be kept hot like a lot of the other backpacks on the market. Finally the backpack has section to the side where you can refill the hydration pack which make it not a tedious process to refill the backpack with water or your desired beverage. This hydration pack was well thought out and is one of my top picks from this list, you can purchase the backpack by clicking the link here.

Vibedration Rave Hydration Pack 

• Two Litre BPA Free, Antimicrobial Water Bladder Included.
• Bag Dimensions: 16″ x 11″ x 3.25″ Comes with adjustable chest and shoulder straps to fit all sizes and a padded p-board backside for all-day comfort
• Interior Pocket: 11″ x 12″ Includes pouch for bladder, perfect for storing small articles of clothing, phone chargers, accessories, etc.
• Side Pocket: 7″ x 6″ Perfect for phone, keys, wallet, etc.
• Perfect for a long day at a music festival.

The Vibedration Rave hydration pack is another bag I believe is perfect for carnival and music festivals in general. This backpack comes in sixteen different designs and colours. In addition to being, spacious and storing water cool it is also a fashion statement.

Sharkmouth Rave Hydration Backpack 

• Made for Festivals and its Holographic: The unique styles designed for music festivals, raves, EDM or EDC events or going to theme parks. The Holographic Rainbow Glitter made of PVC material can shine in the light.
• Fashionable and Lightweight: Weight only 0.62lb. The fashionable appearance makes you stand out in the crowd.
• Hydration Bladder: Comes with a taste free odorless water bladder to keep you hydrated throughout your festival.
• Thermal Insulation Layer: Made of thickened aluminium foil material, the insulated hydration compartment fits up to 2 Litre bladders and keeps liquids cool for up to 4 hours.

Love this backpack because not only is it extremely affordable but it sturdy. This is bag is designed festivals and it comes in five colours. It is small and cute but large enough to carry your essentials.

Vibedration Transparent Rave Hydration Backpack 

• 100% Polyester
• 1.5 Liter BPA Free, Antimicrobial Water Bladder Included.
• Backpack Dimensions: 14″ x 11″ x 6″, Comes with adjustable and padded shoulder straps to fit all sizes and provide all-day comfort
• Tons of storage space Main Compartment Size: 13″ x 10″ x 4″, Front Pocket: 8″ x 6″ x 2″.
• Plenty of room to store spare clothing, wallet, phone, charger, sunscreen, snacks, accessories, and other festival goodies
• See-through the crowd and directly to mainstage with Vibedration’s newest line of clear and iridescent rave backpacks!

I love the look of this backpack it is stylish and is perfect for carnival. The bag is small and compact but spacious at the same time.

Lime Carnival Hydration Backpack 

• Rear zipper pockets offers security and enough room to store your keys, wallet or other necessities
• Front stretch mesh pockets are large enough to hold your cell phone (will fit up to an iPhone 7 plus)
• Carnival Pack is insulated to help keep your beverage ice cold, and includes a 2 Litre water bladder, with a convenient screw on cap for easy filling and cleaning
• Bite valve for drinking is easy to use—just bite and sip, the valve will shut off liquid to ensure no leakage when not in use
• Ventilated shoulder straps and padded mesh back panel offer a comfortable fit and keep cool air flowing; sternum strap adds stability

I love this hydration backpack because the reality it is the only one on the list that was specifically made for carnivals. It is clear that this business understands the needs of carnival revellers. Each of their hydration backpacks has a theme based on the Caribbean.

The hydration pack is well made, spacious and can carry two litres of water. I recommend this backpack to any carnival enthusiast who want to party and stay hydrated.

Multi-Purpose Hydration Backpacks

These last two backpacks are my premium picks as they have the best quality and are multi-purpose. Although not made especially for carnivals or music festivals they are some of the best on the market.

Osprey Packs Raptor 14 Hydration Pack 

• The front panel floating top pocket with a side zippered organizer pocket provides extra volume and organization when needed
• Side compression straps stabilize loads while lower, cross functional compression straps
• Pockets: Three interior slip, five exterior.
• Three-litre hydration bladder included.

This backpack is another great one to get; the words to describe this backpack as many others on this list are multi-purpose. For those who want to carry a little extra to carnival or music festival this is the bag for you. This bag is very spacious and can carry many items.

Ospreys build quality is also superb and they are a well-respected brand.

Camelbak Water Backpacks or Hydration Backpacks

If you do a simple google search for water backpacks more than likely, you will come across Camelback. Camelbak is a company that produces quality gear and has some of the best hydration backpacks on the market.

I decided to highlight one of the best Camelbak backpacks you can purchase.

CamelBak 2016 Lobo Hydration Pack 

• 100% Nylon
• Designed to carry Multi-tool, pump, Spare tube, phone, wallet, keys, energy bar
• Three exterior pockets

• Bladder Capacity: 100oz/3 Litres
• Hydration Capacity: 100oz/3 L
• Harness: Ultra-light 3D Mesh

Firstly, what I like about this bag is the amount of water it can carry 3 litres. The bag is well built and big enough to carry your phone, a camera, food and wallet. Although the bag can carry all of these things, it is not too big to get in the way while you are partying.

This has a really compact and lightweight design with so many compartments for storage. The bag also has a filtration system on the back to keep you cool. We all know how hot a backpack can keep you. Depending on what kind of event you are at if the sun is blazing this bag will make a difference.

Therefore, this is the perfect bag for all events. The only downside is that it is a little expensive. If you can afford it this is one of the best water backpacks on the market. This bag is honestly one of the best built on the list.

Festival Hydration Pack – RaveRunner

The RaveRunner was designed to be a blend of function, tech, and style. It is built for festivals and the rugged outdoors. It has the ability to go from a hike to a customized festival hydration pack by using interchangeable skins (you can print your own images, designs, and your favorite memes on their site.

• Comes with a 2 liter fast fill hydration bladder, you don’t have to fumble with the pack or remove the bladder access the fill port
• Constructed with slash proof nylon with no exterior zippers, the pack is virtually theft proof
• The company has upgrade packs to make the festival more friendly, including EL Wire integration and a patented sound reactive disco ball known as UnderGlow to light up your feet on the dance floor
• The straps feature pockets that can secure keep large cell phones, credit cards, & other valuables secured your chest in a convenient location while providing all day comfort
• GenZ will be releasing a 3 liter bladder upgrade and a solar panel charging attachment to keep your devices charged while you have fun in the sun.

How to Clean the Bladder

Once you have purchased a hydration pack, it is very important you clean it regularly. Bacteria can form inside the bladder that holds the water.  You should really clean it every time you use it especially if you put alcohol or anything other than water in it.

You can get some hot water and about two tablespoons of baking soda and mix it into a solution. Pour the solution in the bladder and let is pass through the tube used to drink as well. Afterwards leave the solution in the bladder for around 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes wash out the bladder with soap and hot water, use a brush to scrub the bladder thoroughly. Make sure you also clean the drinking tube. When you are finished let the bag air dry.

Well that was my list for some of my favourite picks in hydration packs. They really do come in very handy whether you are partying on the road for carnival, at a rave, J’ouvert or music festival.

Let us know of any of your favourite hydration packs that you think should be added to this list. As always keep up to date on the hottest carnivals and Caribbean parties on our site.