Hydration packs don’t come with more features than this. On a day hike in Utah’s Owl Canyon, the Isis’s leakproof three-liter reservoir toted plenty of water, the main compartment stowed lunch and more, and the large exterior pocket and cinch cord held extra layers. Even fully loaded, the pack carries comfortably, thanks to a ventilated back panel and a hipbelt that never rides up. 1,245 cu in, 2.3 lbs; www.camelbak.com
Bonus: There’s even a pocket for your MP3 player.
Bummer: Odd-size items can fall out of the side pockets.