Top choice
This pack is affordable, easy to use, and comfortable for travelers taller than 5-foot-8. The hydration system holds more than enough water (2.5 liters) for three to four hours of travel.
This slightly smaller version of the Osprey Skarab 18 has more water and shares that pack’s easy-to-use, comfortable design. Works great for anyone 5-foot-8 and under.
The Osprey Skarab 18 (best for people over 5-foot-8) and the Osprey Skimmer 16 (best for people under 5-foot-8) were our picks from 2017 for half-day trips.
They are comfortable enough and easy to use. Our testers found the design of the Skarab and Skimmer hydration packs to be comfortable when carrying loads of up to 15 to 20 pounds.
Unlike Osprey’s top packs (including our advanced picks, the Manta 24 and Mira 24), the Skarab and Skimmer don’t have a good suspension or ventilation system for your back, and they don’t have a specified hip belt. Instead, the back panel is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam covered with mesh, which is great for keeping the bag off your back on hot, sweaty days, and allows for good ventilation. Thanks to well-designed loops, the zippers are blessedly easy, and the bags have daisy-chain attachment points on the front, which can help if you want to attach more gear.
They have just enough storage. Although designed for short trips, these packs are not as small as many of their smaller competitors, such as the Camelbak Arete 18 Hydration Pack. Even when the 2.5-liter HydraPak bladder was full, we were able to easily fit a protective layer, shell, hat, gloves, first aid kit, and lunch into the pockets. Previously, this pack had two side pockets, capable of holding a water bottle; however, because the pockets weren’t fully closed at the bottom, you couldn’t tuck in a set of keys or another small item. In 2023, the company redesigned the side pockets of the pocket; now, they are fully contained and made of elastic, so that things do not fall.
The fit is easy to adjust. Like many of the packs we tested, the chest strap that connects the two shoulder straps can be adjusted up or down to accommodate both bags, though the process requires some elbow grease. A magnetic, adjustable, daisy-style clasp holds the hose nozzle close to your face, against the chest strap.
These HydraPak reservoirs are the best we’ve tested. With the 2023 redesign, they have been significantly improved and continue to beat other brands. HydraPak systems are easy to fill and drink from. The 2.5-liter bladder holds more than enough water for a short day’s travel, even in hot conditions, and we had no leaks.
When you slide the reservoir into the back of the pack, be sure to attach it to the strap on the bag to hold it upright. The hose in the Skarab’s and Skimmer’s hydration pack is not removable, but the bite valve has been redesigned to open or close easily to prevent leaks during transport, which is a very nice update.
The reservoir is easy to clean. These reservoirs have a zip-lock system: A plastic clip slides over the top of the reservoir panel to seal off the water after filling; this also makes it easier to remove any air bubbles. This design, which allows for a very wide mouth, makes the HydraPak pools quick to dry – after 12 hours there was no moisture left because the entire upper area could be held open; many competitors still show signs of moisture after 24 hours of drying. We noticed a dull, plastic taste in the water when we left the pools full overnight, and during our first few times using these bags. We recommend washing them once or twice before taking them out on the road for the first time.
They have the same warranty as our upgrade options. Bladders often fail before the bladders themselves – Osprey is one of the few companies that offer independent replacement bladders. Osprey also has an All-Power Guarantee: The company promises to repair or replace the pack if it encounters any kind of damage or defect – forever. (If the reservoir – made by another company, HydraPak, fails – your options depend on how it fails. If one of the bite valve parts breaks, for example, you can buy a replacement from Osprey’s site. But if the reservoir itself leaks, you can file a warranty claim with HydraPak citing the Osprey Guarantee All Mhlanga.
They come in larger sizes too. The Skimmer comes in additional (albeit more expensive) 20-liter and 28-liter capacities (with integrated hip belt with pockets); the Skarab comes in 22-liter or 30-liter configurations (again, with a tapered hip belt).
How did these bags get up?
Jenni has a Skimmer hydration pack that lasts nine years, and looks almost as good as it did on day one. Ripstop fabric is water resistant, easy to clean and hard to crease or tear. However, after four years the bladder was empty; it changed color and started to taste like plastic.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
They don’t offer much organization. Another downside to these bags is that the wide-mouth, bucket-style pocket setup can make you fish around for what you need, because the interior isn’t compartmentalized. (Previous iterations had multiple dividers and multiple pockets, so it was easier to keep gear organized; now, the pack has one internal mesh pocket.)
The waist belt is a simple, uncomplicated belt. This system doesn’t come close to the load-carrying hip belts of our upgrade picks, but it’s better than nothing for short hikes, and helps prevent shoulder and back pain.