Hydration Packs For Electric Mountain Bikes

Carrying an extra ebike battery can eliminate “range anxiety” when venturing out on your electric mountain bike. And a new generation of eMTB-specific hydration packs with compartments designed to carry that extra juice make doubling your ride distance or duration easier than ever. They also offer compatibility with high-volume hydration bladders, back protectors for crash safety, and useful pockets and other provisions for carrying everything from tools, food, and other trail essentials to your helmet should you want a cooler ride on extended climbs. Here, we look at four of these versatile packs for extending off-road eMTB adventures.

In addition to serving as a mountain bike back protector and hydration pack (reservoir not included), the EVOC FR Trail E-Ride has a padded pocket to fit an extra eMTB battery from Bosch, Panasonic, or Yamaha. The pack is available in one size (M/L), weighs 2.86 pounds, and has detachable back protection, a spacious tool compartment, a rain cover, and a helmet-carrying flap. It’s available in black and loam/carbon gray colorways and is compatible with hydration reservoirs up to 3 liters. EVOC separately offers reservoirs including a 2-liter ($39), 2-liter insulated ($45), and 3-liter ($45).

This 15-liter-capacity all-mountain/enduro pack includes a secure battery holder while still accommodating a back protector and a 1.5-liter hydration reservoir. Using the pack on an analog bike and don’t need to carry a battery? Then you’ll have room for a 3-liter bladder. With the BA3 E Protect’s adjustable carrying system, back length can be adjusted to fit sizes small to extra large. Other features include a rain cover, load compression system, adjustable hip strap, four inner pockets, a waist bag, and a front pocket for tools, pumps, and nutritionals. Weight: 1,060 grams.

The BA2 E Protect offers many of the same features as Ergon’s BA3 E Protect pack, but in a lighter, more compact package. Like its larger counterpart, the 10-liter pack accommodates an eMTB battery with room to spare for a back protector and a 1.5-liter hydration bladder (or 3 liters when not carrying a battery). It also has the adjustable back length, load compression system, and rain cover found on the BA3 E Protect. Weight: 960 grams.

With a deep history in bags including backpacks, sport travel bags, bike bags, and luggage, Thule is a relative newcomer to hydration packs, launching its first line of bladder-equipped packs in 2017. Today, the Swedish brand has a full line of hydration backpacks and hip bags. The Rail Backpack 18L is the highest-volume offering in the line, with a dedicated ebike battery storage pocket, removable and lightweight Koroyd back protector (the same protection tech found in some Smith bike and snow helmets), a 2.5-liter HydraPak reservoir with a magnetic hose return system, organization for tools, pumps, and snacks, a shove-it pocket for a jacket or extra layers, and a rain cover. At Cycle Volta, we just got this pack in for testing. Look for our full review in the coming weeks.