Keep Dehydration at Bay: 3 Ways to Stay Hydrated on the Trail

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Hiking and trail walking is a great way to exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. When on the trail, your biggest priority is your safety, and one of the most critical aspects of trail safety is hydration. Dehydration can lead to serious health problems; therefore, you should carry a durable, unbreakable water bottle to ensure that you have access to clean water anytime, anywhere.

But you won't want to carry a water container in your hands all day long, especially on more challenging trails. Fortunately, there are three easy-to-carry and effective ways to stay hydrated in the outdoors and enjoy your adventures to the fullest.

Nowhere without a Tactical Hydration Pouch

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When weighing your options, keep dehydration at bay with a cleverly designed MOLLE tactical hydration pouch. It’s one of the safest options to carry your water bottle with ease. The MOLLE hydration pouch stands for modular lightweight load-carrying equipment. In short: a lightweight and modular carrying system for all your gear.

It’s an incredibly modular system of loops. These loops are 1.5” (3.8 cm) wide and located approximately 1” (2.5 cm) apart from each other. Sometimes you immediately spot these loops, sometimes they are slightly hidden. Even MOLLE hydration pouches that don't immediately take the MOLLE system into account can be enhanced with a MOLLE-compatible sheath.

In terms of design, hydration pouches have gone a long way since they first appeared on the market. Nowadays they’re available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. For instance, the cargo pouch with its large multifunctional design allows you to pack everything you need, and the buckled flap keeps trash out while the drawstring collar secures the contents. More gear can be added thanks to modular panels that are sewn to the bottom and sides. An elastic cord is used inside loops to decrease the empty volume.

On the other hand, there are easy-to-use, lightweight pouches that are specifically designed to fit common water bottles, such as the 1 litre Nalgene bottle or the USGI 1 quart canteen, with or without cups. These adjustable pouches can be used to cover smaller containers only.

The hydration cover is an equally valuable option to carry a water container. This roomy sleeve normally fits a single 3-litre bladder or two 2-litre bladders. It comes with two movable Fastex clips for closure, and because of its size, it may also be used to store long items. Additionally, it’s engineered to be installed on the rear of more substantial platforms, like the MVP Long or Chest Rig Back. Also, it features external connection points for smaller pouches and drainage grommets at the bottom for water operations and requires attachment to four MOLLE columns.

Hydration Backpacks Are a Must

Another equally great option to stay hydrated on the go besides the tactical hydration pouch is the hydration backpack. These are primarily designed to carry water and facilitate effective consumption. Most hydration packs allow you to drink from the inbuilt water reservoir by just grabbing the drink tube without having to stop or even slow down.

When narrowing down your choices, make sure it’s suitable for the activity you plan to use it for before taking into account things like capacity, fit, and features. Also, keep in mind that some packs are referred to as running vests and others as running backpacks. The distinction between the two can be hazy at times.

However, one of the most important considerations to take into account is the hydration pack's gear capacity. It can range from 5 litres up to about 50 litres. Those with small gear capacity are usually 5 litres or less. They are designed for activities that need little energy, like running, road biking, and light trekking. Their small and low-profile design only has the capacity for a few necessities, such as an extra layer, some energy bars, and your keys.

Conversely, mid-sized packs, with their 11–20 litre capacity, are perfect for trail running, mountain biking, and hiking. For longer trips, its larger carrying capacity allows you to pack extra clothing, food, equipment, and emergency supplies.

More than 21-litre hydration packs are usually designed for hiking. These offer the comfort, load-bearing qualities, and cargo capacity required to perform well on long ascents. Some are even big enough for short trips away over the weekend.

Consider the Convenience of Hydration Bladders

The hydration bladder drew the attention of many outdoor enthusiasts for its robust and intuitive design. Its thick, supple polymer composition resists tearing and delamination and is both flexible and robust. Its distinctive handle, which extends the entire length of the reservoir, maintains its rigidity even when filled. Sink reservoir filling is a breeze with this handle.

The well-made screw-top lid is simple to open and close without misthreading. It is quite simple to clean out and dry because all the parts disassemble fully. The drying hanger is quite helpful. Its excellent flow rate and magnetic attachment to the chest strap of a pack stop the hose from swaying while you're moving. Plus, if there's no zip-top, there aren't any rigid corners to poke into your back through a thin pack.