5 Best Running Backpacks – 2017 Reviews and Top Picks

Running is no longer limited to professional athletes, as it has become a lifestyle for everyone, a trend for people who want to lose weight and maintain it. Runners often bring stuff with them when they run and their number one problem is how to carry their stuff.

best-running-backpack

Most runners tote a bag but if you have a few number of items to carry, you might need to carry a backpack, but how to choose the right one? This review will help you choose the best running backpack among the hundreds of brands and types available today.

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Brand/Product

Specifications

Features

Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Durable Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack

Size: 8.5 x 2.2 x 9 inches

Weight: 0.7 lbs.

  • High-quality and durable tear and waterproof material
  • 2-way SBS metal zipper
  • Bar tacks on major stress points
  • Breathable mesh shoulder straps with whistle buckle
  • With multi-compartments
  • 35-liter storage capacity
  • Foldable

TETON Sports Trail runner 2 Liter Hydration Backpack

Size: 2 x 10 x 16 inches

Weight: 0.9 lbs.

  • Lightweight
  • 2-liter BPA-Free Hydration bladder
  • 2-inch wide bladder opening to put in ice
  • Cushioned breathable mesh panel with drip hole
  • Built in orange whistle as safety feature
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Camden Gear Hydration Pack with 1.5 L Backpack Water Bladder

Size: 2.8 x 10.3 x 15.9 inches

Weight: 0.9 lbs.

  • Adjustable chest and shoulder straps to fit from 27 – 50 inches
  • Includes multi-storage compartments
  • Strong nylon material to make it durable and water proof
  • Replaceable 1.5-liter BPA-free water bladder and wide screw cap to fit in ice cubes
  • Full refund guarantee

Ungears Tactical Hydration Pack Backpacks with 2.5L Bladder

Size: 9.84 x 1.38 x 18.9 inches

Weight:1.37 lbs.

  • Adjustable chest and shoulder and strap to fit from 27 – 50 inches
  • 600 denier polyester
  • Replaceable 2.5-liter BPA-free hydration bladder
  • Hands-free hydration hose
  • 60-day satisfaction guarantee

Maisel Gear Ultra lightweight Hydration Pack with Updated 70 oz. 2L Bladder

Size: 7 x 4 x 5 inches

Weight:0.6 lbs.

  • Includes a 2-liter FDA Approved Food Grade hydration bladder
  • Includes an extra hydration bag
  • Storage compartments and mesh pockets
  • Super light
  • 60-day satisfaction guarantee

Reviews Of The Best Running Backpack

**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

best-running-backpack

The Venture Pal is a foldable bag. This is ideal for people who go to work in the morning and do their runs on their way back home. If you want to bring stuff back home, just unfold the bag cram all your stuff in.

It has a double layer bottom that makes it convenient to carry more stuff when you travel. The bat tacks strategically placed on the stress points will ensure wear and tear endurance.

Your shoulders will get tired easily due to the breathable mesh shoulder strap and extra padded cushions.

Organizing your stuff is easy with the main compartment and four more pockets at the front and at the sides. It can hold a 13 inch Mac book and with room to spare.

The Venture Pal will work fine for either short or long distance travel. The lightweight bag is no burden at all even if you put tons of things inside.


Things we like:

  • Foldable, allowing ease of storage for later use
  • Lightweight and roomy
  • Durable
  • Water proof

Things we don’t like:

  • No hydration provision
  • No back padding
  • Pockets are not insulated

best-running-backpack

You can carry fluids without the bag being bulky because of its adjustable fit.

It has a high-quality bladder that can withstand punctures and meets FDA standards for food containers. The sip tube connects with a gasket and its cushioned bite valve comes with a push lock that prevents leaks.

Covered by a limited lifetime warranty against materials and workmanship defects.


Things we like:

  • Lightweight
  • FDA-compliant 2-liter Hydration bottle
  • Sip tube with cushioned bite valve and push locks
  • Bungee with barrel lock
  • ​Safety feature
  • Chest shock absotber cushion
  • Lifetime warranty

Things we don’t like:

  • The bite valve is a bit tricky to use
  • The mesh pocket is not secure
  • Refilling takes time because you have to remove the entire bladder

best-running-backpack

Camden Gear is confident of their product that they are willing to give a 60-day 100% satisfaction guarantee.

The bag is made of durable nylon that will all keep your belongings dry, protected against light to medium rains, and ensures durability to keep your bag last longer.

It has both adjustable chest and shoulder straps to keep the bag tight and snugged against your body.


Things we like:

  • 60 day 100% satisfaction guarantee
  • Adjustable strap to fit any chest size
  • Strong nylon material
  • Replaceable hydration bladder

Things we don’t like:

  • Chemical taste on the hydration bottle
  • Poor design of hydration pack causing it to leak
  • The shoulder and chest strap adjustment is not in sync

best-running-backpack

The Unigear Tactical Hydration pack features a MOLLE system for attaching MOLLE gear to the pack.

Designed with 600-denier rip stop polyester that will stand up even to the most demanding environment.

It includes a 2.5L BPA-free bladder with wide mouth and hands-free sip tube. The wide mouth will allow you to clean the bladder easily and add ice cubes for cooler water. The hands-free sip tube also helps keep your balance.

Just like Camden, Unigear is confident of their product and willing to give a 60-day 100% satisfaction guarantee.


Things we like:

  • 60-denier polyester material
  • Big hydration bladder
  • 60-day 100% satisfaction guarantee
  • Padded back and shoulder straps
  • Hands-free hydration tube

Things we don’t like:

  • Not insulated
  • Heaviest pack among the five

best-running-backpack

Adjustable chest and shoulder straps. Fits chest sizes from teenagers to adults. The chest straps help prevent bouncing from exercising.

Features an extendable bite valve.

Fuss-free cleaning with warm water to rinse out the bladder.

Three Storage Pockets that allows you to conveniently bring your things with you.


Things we like:

  • Includes 2-liter FDA-Approved Food Grade hydration bladder
  • Includes an extra hydration bag
  • Storage compartments and mesh pockets
  • Lightweight
  • 60-day satisfaction guarantee

Things we don’t like:

  • Too small

Value Section

Running with a backpack

best-running-backpack

If you want lose weight fast, running is your best option. Running has become a popular form of exercise specially for working people.

Runners, nowadays prefer to take some stuff with them when they run. You probably want to bring your music player with you, a bottle of energy drink or water, extra shirts, mobile phone, etc. Your question is how you’ll carry all these stuff.

Consider taking a running backpack with you. However, choosing the best running backpack is crucial. If you make the wrong choice, it will render your backpack useless or worse, it could cause back injury.

Here are some simple tips to help you:

  • Choose a lightweight material backpack with soft-padded straps that will allow even distribution of weight. Don’t choose a backpack with too many fancy accessories.
  • Don’t overload your backpack. Just bring the essentials like water and change of shirts.
  • Adjust the shoulder straps so it would fit snugly against your shoulder and back. Keep your stride forward to keep the backpack swinging side to side?

Picking the best running backpack

best-running-backpack

Running backpack is essentially the traditional outdoor backpack that you use for hiking but it has wider storage capacity

If you want to carry a running backpack, you need to get a proper one. You cannot just pick some old backpack you have lying around and cram all your stuff in.

There are things you need to consider when picking your running backpack.

  • Shoulder, chest, and the waist straps. Are they adjustable? Do they offer comfort?
  • The fit of the bag. Does it fit snugly or does it swing and bounce when you move?
  • The size of the bag. You would not want to carry a bag that will pull you down, preventing you from running.

Why run with a backpack?

best-running-backpack

Contrary to what you might think, toting a backpack while running is not just to carry your stuff. There are other benefits in carrying a running backpack.

The added weight and resistance helps enhance a runner’s workout:

  • It helps improve your posture. The weight of the backpack behind you will keep you from hunching forward while running. An improved running posture will help work your muscles properly
  • Added resistance means you need to work doubly hard, thereby helping burn more calories.

Buying Guide

best-running-backpack

Before you make your purchase, it might be a good idea to make a list of criteria on what you want to buy.

You might consider the following before you make a purchase:

  • Determine its use. Why are you buying the backpack and what are you using it for? How do you intend to use the pack?
  • Storage and capacity. Once you know how you intend to use the backpack, you need to consider what you want to put in, how much you want to put in, and where to put them in.
  • Determine the type of material of your backpack. Make sure the material can withstand the rough outdoors. Remember that your valuables are inside your backpack so your material should be able to protect them against harsh elements.
  • Check for extra functionality. Waterproof compartments where you can store your mobile and electronic gadgets, water bottle pouch, and other additional extras will go a long way when packing your stuff.
  • Comparing the cost. How much are you willing to spend? Sometimes, it does not hurt to pay more for a good quality product than to pay less with something that is not suited to what you need.

Conclusion

Our bet for the best running backpack is Teton Sports Trailrunner 2 Liter Hydration Backpack.

It is an ideal product for a variety of activities, including marathons and long distance running, because it is lightweight. You don’t need to worry about the backpack getting in the way of your running.

The mesh compartment can hold a lot of stuff leaving, you free to focus on your running and not on trying to keep all your stuff from falling. The 2-liter hydration bladder is beneficial, and even if its full, it will not affect the weight of the backpack.

Additional safety features include the built-in orange whistle, reflective trim and strap clips to keep snags.

Luke Cafferty
 

Luke Cafferty is a fitness junkie, personal trainer and blogger. He's passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a strong and well rounded physique, while inspiring you to do the same.

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