The Best Mountain Bike Hip Packs of 2024

While the Dirt Roamer is a medium-volume, 3-liter pack, we were consistently surprised by how much we could fit into it. With minimal padding and stretchy materials, it adapts to larger loads than expected, and the well-designed external strap system makes it easy to attach knee pads or a jacket on the outside.

The main, top entry pocket is surprisingly roomy, with two open compartments against your back for tools and a large open area for snacks, a first aid kit, or other bulky items. The smaller zippered front pocket holds a phone safely and has a key hook, so you’ll be able to drive home even if you forget to zip it up. Lastly, two zippered hip pockets are surprisingly spacious and allow for quick and easy access to snacks and other essentials while you ride.

Two bottle sleeves, one on each side of the main compartment, are quite easy to reach and fit standard-size water bottles snugly and securely with retention cords that keep them in place no matter how rough the trail gets. Depending on your needs, you can carry two, one, or no bottles, and the bottle sleeves can also double as a place to stash a light packable layer.

Even when fully loaded with gear and water, we found the Dirt Roamer to be exceptionally stable, secure, and barely noticeable on our hips and back in all riding, hiking, and even running situations.

Patagonia is often associated with high-end products and correspondingly high prices, but at $69, the Dirt Roamer Waist Pack is one of the least expensive models we tested and a great value. This pack looks good, fits great, carries well, and has your water and storage needs covered for most rides without breaking the bank.

The Seral 4 takes a relatively no-frills approach when it comes to storage. There’s a single zipper across the top to access the main compartment that comprises the entirety of the pack’s carry capabilities. Inside this compartment, the 1.5-liter bladder sits closest to the back, separated from the rest of your gear by a small nylon sleeve. Otherwise, it’s basically just an open area to toss your stuff into, along with a small zippered internal pocket on one side to keep important things separated.

The less refined design makes it a bit of a free-for-all storage-wise, but you can cram quite a bit into the 4-liter space. Even when fully loaded, the pack conforms nicely to the body and remains stable on the lower back, and when it isn’t full, compression straps tighten up the load.

The simple design continues through the hose routing, which exits the main compartment in an opening directly at the end of the zipper. This, along with the built-in bladder handle, makes it very easy to remove the bladder for refilling or cleaning.

The handle is a great touch, making it easy to work with and hold the wide, flat bladder while filling. We typically prefer a quick-connect system where the hose meets the bladder, but the open design and easy hose routing of the Seral 4 make it unnecessary.

At $90 retail (often found on sale for less in previous year’s colors), the Osprey Seral 4 is a solid value, especially for those who might prefer the more open storage design. It’s exceptionally easy to use, reasonably comfortable, quite stable, and should meet most riders’ basic needs quite well. Need more storage capacity? The Osprey Seral 7 ($110) fits nearly double the volume with two storage compartments, more organization, and zippered hip pockets.

The Zulo 6 has a broad, overlapping waistband, similar to the Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3L but even wider. It wraps comfortably around the waist and distributes the weight and pressure more evenly for extra comfort, even with a heavier load. The “banana shape” of the pack gives it contours that conform to the shape of the body when wrapped around the hips, contributing to its stability in use and overall comfort.

Compression straps keep the load close to your back, and the ventilated back panel does a reasonably good job of keeping things cool, although the extra width of the waistband does feel a bit warmer overall than those that are a bit narrower or more air-permeable.

The 6-liter storage capacity of the Zulo 6 is broken into two compartments. The main compartment opens wide and houses the 1.5-liter water bladder along with space for bulkier items like a tube, first-aid kit, mini-pump, and packable layer. The front compartment folds open to reveal three mesh sleeves and a zippered pocket for tools or other things you want to keep organized and easy to find when you need them.

Zippered hip pockets on the waistband add additional capacity and on-the-go access to smaller items like snacks. While it doesn’t necessarily look as voluminous as the 6-liter capacity might suggest, we always found a way to get everything we needed in this pack, and the extremely stable and comfortable fit kept us riding with the Zulo 6L even when we didn’t need its full volume.

The Zulo 6 comes with a 1.5-liter hydration bladder that makes drinking while you ride a breeze. It does not have the capability to carry any additional bottles, but when combined with a bottle on the bike, we found it to be adequate for just about any length of ride.

With a quick-connect fitting at the bladder/hose junction, removing it for filling or cleaning is a breeze, and the slide top opens up nice and wide for both as well. Getting the full bladder back into the pack is a bit of a squeeze, however, so we found it best to leave the bladder inside when filling most of the time.

If you want the best of both worlds — to pack heavy but feel light in terms of pack stability and weight management, we feel the USWE Zulo 6L is one of the best options available today. If you’re looking for something smaller, USWE also makes the Zulo 2 Plus with a 1-liter bladder and 2 liters of cargo capacity.

While the dual pocket design is not ideal for larger or bulkier items, you can fit a surprising amount of gear and snacks into them. You can easily fit a multitool, tire levers, CO2, a tube, and small snacks like candy bars, gels, or bags of fruit snacks.

Where the pocket size can be limiting is with longer, flat items like cell phones or mini-pumps, but it swallows the essential tools well with a touch of room to spare for keys and a bit of food. It’s not really the ideal pack for rides where you’re carrying a spare layer, but we’ve seen riders stuff a super packable wind shell into one of the stretchy pockets in a pinch.

The central bottle sleeve holds a water bottle very securely, and it’s relatively easy to reach back and grab without needing to spin the pack toward the front. When used in combination with a bottle on the bike, we found it provided enough water storage for most short to medium-length rides.

And, even when fully loaded with a bottle and gear, the Rapid Pack is the most stable and unobtrusive of all the models we tested, nearly going unnoticed while out on the trail. It’s also slim enough that you could wear it under your jersey or mountain bike jacket.

If you’re looking for an affordable, sleek, and very well-executed hip pack to carry the essential gear plus a bottle, the Bontrager Rapid Pack is worthy of serious consideration. This pack is so comfortable and stable that you almost forget you’re wearing it, yet all your gear is still right within arm’s reach. Bontrager also makes a version of the Rapid Pack with a bladder called the Rapid Pack Hydro ($100), which is essentially identical but comes with a 1.5-liter hydration bladder.

The main things that set the Rail 4 apart from the competition are the shape of the pack and the way that the storage is organized and compartmentalized. The structured design forces you to follow its organizational strategy to get the most out of the low profile, medium volume pack, but we were happy to adapt to the very well-considered layout.

This isn’t the kind of pack you just stuff things into willy-nilly. Instead, everything has a place, and when you pack it as intended, it results in a very tight and well-organized package. It also holds its shape, for better or worse, better than pretty much any other pack we tried, maintaining its streamlined rectangular look for a super tidy appearance.

With a velcro flap front pocket, centered zippered phone sleeve, and compartmentalized main pocket/bladder area, the Rail 4 is a great choice for organized riders looking to separate snacks, cell phones, and tools. This pack holds the essentials and you can squeeze a light, packable layer in there if needed as well.

While it doesn’t have zippered pockets on the hip wings, there are two mesh pockets that Thule refers to as “jersey pockets” that are a great place for on-the-fly items like small snacks or gels. The zippered phone sleeve is also a nice touch as it keeps the phone separated from the rest of your gear in a soft pocket that’s relatively easy to reach back and access while riding or when stopped.

Even when packed full, the Rail 4 is stable and predictable, with the broad, overlapping mesh waistband holding it in place comfortably. The waistband is similar to those found on the Evoc Pro 3L, USWE Zulo 6, and the Deuter Pulse Pro 5, and it works in the same way to distribute pressure more evenly while keeping the pack from bouncing around over rough terrain.

The 1.5-liter bladder provides the water storage of the Rail 4 along with the unique ReTrakt hose management system. Instead of a tiny magnet, they’ve created longer magnetic strips on the hose and waistband that hold it super securely and make it very easy to remove and replace. We wished the bladder/hose connection had a quick release so the bladder could be more easily removed for filling and cleaning, but it’s easy enough to fill without removing it from the pack.

If you prioritize organization, then the Thule Rail 4 is a solid choice that’s well-designed, super stable, and competitively priced compared to similar options. If you don’t need that much storage capacity, the Thule Rail 2 and Thule Rail have similar designs in smaller packages.

Interestingly, much like Evoc, Deuter makes the Pulse 5 and the Pulse 5 Pro with the “Pro” moniker denoting the overlapping waistband. This is an upgrade over the static belt, and along with the highly padded back, it keeps the Pulse Pro 5 comfortable on longer rides.

Given this pack’s greater cargo capacity, however, we found it to be a bit less stable over rough terrain compared to some other options when packed to the gills with water and gear. Not a deal breaker by any means, and the stability was also much better when carrying a lighter load. While it can’t fit quite as much gear, we found the Evoc Hip Pack Pro 3 to be more stable over rough terrain.

The Pulse Pro 5 has 5 liters of cargo capacity, but surprisingly, it feels like you can pack more into it than the larger volume USWE Zulo 6, primarily due to the shape of the pack and the layout of the storage. The main compartment houses the wide, winged 1.5-liter water bladder and has ample room for larger items like a tube, mini-pump, and packable layer.

The zippered front panel folds down to reveal two open mesh organization pockets for tools and one zippered mesh pocket for other small/medium-sized items. Moving outward, the rider’s left side has a water bottle sleeve with a retention strap, and the rider’s right side has a small zippered mesh hip pocket that’s good for keeping a phone or other essentials easily accessible. Additionally, a stowable strap system is included to lash bulkier gear, like knee pads, to the outside of the pack.

The wide, wing-shaped bladder of the Pulse Pro 5 is nice in that it spreads the volume of water out into the hip wings and over a larger area in the pack. That said, it makes it more difficult to worm back into the pack when it’s full. Regardless, the slider top of the bladder opens nice and wide for filling and cleaning with a handle of sorts that makes it easy to hold open under the faucet.

The hose also has a quick connect fitting and it secures on the waistband with a small clip that we found to be less likely to pop off than many of the magnetic attachments.

Overall, the Deuter Pulse Pro 5 is a great option for longer rides or heavy packers who like to carry lots of water, gear, and snacks. It’s not the most stable pack we tested, but it is quite comfortable and something we’d reach for all day over a backpack for rides where you’re bringing lots of gear.

While there is nowhere to stash an extra water bottle, the 3-liter cargo capacity, smart organization layout, and 1.5-liter water bladder should provide just enough space and water to be prepared on short to medium-length rides. Organizing the essentials into the Evoc Hip Pack 3 is intuitive — larger items like a tube, mini-pump, and packable layer fit easily into the main compartment with the water bladder.

Smaller items like a multitool, CO2 cartridges and nozzle, and tire plugs were easily organized in the compartments of the front, fold open pocket, a great area for anything that will live in the pack and you want to find easily. The small pockets on the hips are great for small items like snacks, chapstick, or keys, but they aren’t quite big enough to hold a phone.

The bladder is easy to remove, fill, and reconnect with the high-quality quick-connect fitting at the end of the hose. The slide top opens wide for easy filling and cleaning and has a great leak-free seal. The hose is attached to the waistband with a magnet and it is easy to reach, drink, and replace while riding. The grey color of the hose looks pretty cool, but it does hide any mold growing inside that would be more obvious with a clear tube.

Once loaded up, the small footprint and low profile of the Hip Pack 3L sits well in the small of the back, feeling very stable and secure. While the waist belt is not stretchy like the Pro version, it still feels quite comfortable in use. The strap system, while very secure and easy to get on and off, isn’t the easiest to adjust on the fly, however, as the slip lock slide buckles require some extra fiddling to tighten and loosen. It’s also not quite as comfortable or stable as the stretch waistband on the Pro version.

Beyond that, we feel the Evoc Hip Pack 3L + 1.5L Bladder is a great option that should serve most riders well. It’s well organized, relatively stable, and a good size for carrying the gear and water needed on most medium-length rides.

We love how the Rover is organized and constructed — a simple yet effective layout, comfortable back and hip padding, water-resistant Sailcloth fabric, waterproof zippers, and a dedicated, padded phone pocket. It feels very well made and durable, plus the materials provide great water resistance for riding in the rain or wet trails.

The roomy main pocket opens nice and wide and holds more gear than expected, given its 2.72L-capacity, with mesh pockets on both sides to keep things organized so you don’t have to fish around to find your tools. The neoprene-lined front pocket also keeps your phone relatively well protected in the event of a crash, while the small zippered pockets on the hip wings provide easy access to items you want to keep in arm’s reach.

The PNW Rover comes with one detachable bottle holder, and you can add an additional Booster Bag Water Bottle Holder for $15, giving it water storage nearly on par with most packs that have 1.5-liter water bladders. Of course, you can also stuff a packable layer or other gear into the bottle holders to expand the cargo capacity.

The only issue we really had with the Rover, however, is that when carrying bottles, they tend to swing around over rough terrain. This doesn’t really affect the pack’s stability, though we found it to be a bit distracting and something that could be improved on an otherwise stellar pack. We did find that you can mount the bottle holder inside of the compression strap for enhanced stability, though that doesn’t appear to be the recommended way to do it.

Still, the PNW Rover is a great-looking and well-made pack that’s got your cargo-carrying needs handled for most rides. With good weather resistance and a tough, durable feel, we think it’s a solid choice that should last a long time and is great value at $79.

The Hotlaps is available in 1, 2, and 5-liter capacities, with the 5 also coming with a 2-liter water bladder. Whether you’re going for a quick local ride or out for a long day, the Hot Laps has the storage and hydration capacity for you to bring adequate sustenance and supplies. The storage consists of a large water bladder compartment that also has room to stuff some other items inside along with it.

The front pocket opens nice and wide with ample space for bulkier items along with some organizational pockets and straps to keep it from becoming a free-for-all. Stowable straps on the bottom of the pack are there when you need them to attach pads or a jacket to the outside of the pack, and the sizeable hip pocket on the right side of the waist belt fits a phone or a pair of shades.

The 2-liter capacity of the Hydrapak reservoir is more than most hip packs and provides ample water for just about any length of ride. It’s quite easy to pull out the pack and the slide-top closure makes it easy to fill and clean. The hose nests in a magnetic clip that’s easy to reach and replace whether you’re still rolling or stopping for a break.

The large hip wings and back panel are covered in Airflow mesh that provides decent breathability and relatively good stability. The one caveat, however, is that when this pack is fully loaded with gear and water, it tends to bulge a bit which results in slightly reduced stability. Also, the 2-liter bladder takes up a bit of the cargo space when full, effectively making the storage feel a bit smaller than 5 liters. The USWE Zulo 6 avoids this issue and handles a full load of water and gear more gracefully.

Regardless, the Dakine Hot Laps 5L is still a solid option for any length of ride, but especially on big days when you need to bring lots of water. Assuming you don’t overpack it, it’s comfortable and stable, good-looking, and ready to stand up to years of use. Plus, the wealth of color and pattern options means you should be able to find something that suits your personal style, and the $100 price tag comes in a bit lower than most other bladder-equipped competitors.

The Standard Hip Pack has a very slim rectangular shape with storage split into two zippered compartments. The main compartment holds the bulk of the cargo capacity and is best for larger items like a tube, first aid kit, and a mini pump with small divider pockets to keep tools organized. The zippered front panel folds down to reveal a zippered mesh pocket and additional space for smaller items.

The only real downside to the slim shape of the pack is that oddly shaped tools or snack containers may be more difficult to fit, and there aren’t any hip pockets for those things you want to access on the go. That said, you can wear it under a mountain bike jacket or jersey if you aren’t carrying any bottles.

The two bottle sleeves hold regular-size water bottles and they collapse down when not in use to maintain the sleek looks of the Standard Hip Pack. You can carry up to 40 or 50 ounces of water depending on bottle size, which is roughly the equivalent of packs with a 1.5-liter bladder, and they’re relatively easy to reach back and pull out on the fly. We did notice, however, that with two full bottles, the pack had a tendency to bounce a bit over the rough stuff compared to some other options like the Patagonia Dirt Roamer.

Overall, at $70, the Fox Standard Hip Pack is an affordable, low-volume option for bringing the essentials on your daily rides. With a well-organized 2-liter cargo capacity and the ability to carry up to two bottles, it has you covered for short to medium-length rides where you don’t need to bring tons of gear. Should you need more cargo capacity, Fox also makes the Lumbar 5-Liter Pack ($125), which has 5 liters of storage space and comes with a 2-liter bladder.