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Even if you have status on every airline under the sun, jet lag is no joke. Whenever I find myself embracing my inner zombie too much, I do two things: hike and hydrate. Both activities instantly wake me up. It doesn’t matter where I am—and as a travel writer, I go through countries like a golden retriever goes through tennis balls—this is my modus operandi. Walk, water, repeat. That said, I don’t carry cumbersome water bottles that leak or constantly need refilling. Whether I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail or exploring Incan ruins in the Andes, the Camelbak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack is always on my back.
My friend Lian, a mountain biking Matthew McConnaughey look-alike from Cape Town, first introduced me to Camelbak’s hydration packs. While borrowing one of his bags to bag a peak in South Africa, I discovered I loved being able to comfortably carry three liters of water and stay hydrated, hands free. So, the second my return flight touched down at JFK, I was on my phone, ordering the best-selling Camelbak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack (the letters stand for Medium to Ultra Long Endeavors). I bought it on Amazon—where it has an impressive 4.8-star average rating from more than 2,200 reviews—because that’s where it was cheapest. Currently, it’s $115.
My first trip with the Camelbak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack was to Botswana, where I used it on Natural Selection’s seven-day cycling safari. While this pack is designed for mountain biking, it’s also ideal for hiking, paddleboarding, and kayaking because it can easily fit a lightweight rain jacket, snacks, and sunscreen. There’s also a convenient and secure side pocket for my phone, and the larger front exterior pocket is great for carrying a wet bathing suit or umbrella.
While it’s great for gallivanting in Mother Nature, I don’t just use this bag outdoors. It’s become my go-to personal item when I fly. I just make sure I empty the bladder before going through TSA. Then, when I arrive at my destination, I take the bladder out altogether and use it as a daypack for everything from museum-hopping in Paris to exploring Incan ruins in Peru. Regardless of how much stuff I’m carrying (this bag holds 12 liters total) I never have back or shoulder issues. The adjustable sternum strap and hip belt ensure that weight is evenly distributed, and the adjustable shoulder straps are pleasantly padded.
I also love that this bag’s harness is made of a breathable mesh so I stay cool even if I find myself hiking in 100 percent humidity. I definitely sweat less when I’m wearing the Camelbak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack—the back panel has sufficient air flow—than I do when I’m wearing other backpacks that lack ventilation. Of course, in addition to being comfortable and easy to wear, this bag doubles as a water bottle.
The BPA-free bladder holds 100 ounces or approximately 3 liters. I always fill it with good ol’ H2O, but in theory, you could fill it with any cool or room temperature liquid and rest assured that it won’t leak a single drop. When you’re ready for a drink, simply flip the switch on the straw (you can do this with your teeth, making it hands-free) and sip. Thanks to the magnetic tube trap, the straw stays in place.
There’s only one downside to the Camelbak M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack: It can’t go in the dishwasher. Still, cleaning it only takes five minutes. I use Camelbak’s Crux cleaning kit. Available for $22, it has a 4.7-star average rating and is such a bestseller that more than 1,000 were sold last month alone. Of course, you don’t need to buy the kit—soapy water and a bendy brush work just as well.