Morgan Scott
School, Travel, Active
Morgan Scott
School, Travel, Active
Let’s get real here - most backpacks have water bottle pockets. So why did we even bother writing this buying guide? The truth is that a lot of water bottle pockets just aren’t that great. And for those serious about staying hydrated this can mean trouble when you have no secure place to store something as simple as a water bottle.
In this buying guide we help you find the best backpack with a water bottle pocket that actually gets the job done. This means no flimsy mesh pockets and no tiny pockets that can barely hold your bottle. A good backpack with a water bottle holder should secure your bottle in place and also be roomy enough for various size bottles.
We have tested a lot of these backpacks ourselves and can confirm they are legit. The others have a great reputation for keeping water bottles secure. Either way, if you are looking for a backpack with a water bottle holder then you are in the right place!
Types of Backpacks with Water Bottle Pockets
This backpack buying guide is split into two main lists.
Best backpacks with water bottle holders
Backpacks with hidden water bottle pockets
Backpacks with water bottle holders have your standard side pockets on the outside of the bag. Most backpacks with water bottle holders have this style of pocket.
Backpacks with hidden water bottle pockets offer a more discreet way to carry your water bottles. These pockets can be internal and completely hidden or can stow away with magnets or zippers so that they aren’t in the way when in use. We like these the best for protecting our drinking bottles from nasties.
Best Backpacks with Water Bottle Holders
Topo Designs Rover Pack
Topo is one of those backpack brands that just understands a well designed water bottle pocket. It’s such a simple design feature but so many other brands get it wrong. With the Rover Pack, Topo offers a deep gusseted water bottle holder on each side of the backpack. These pockets expand out and can accommodate larger bottles but they will compress down on smaller bottles to keep them in place as you move around.
See the Topo Designs Rover Pack in action
Pictured above: The Rover Pack with a 32oz Nalgene Bottle and 17oz stainless steel water bottle
Made for both outdoor hikes and everyday use, the Topo Designs Rover Pack really is the bag that can do it all. It has plenty of organizer pockets, an internal laptop sleeve and comes in a ton of different colors. It’s these features and more that makes the Topo Rover Pack a favorite water resistant backpack for college.
The side water bottle pockets on the Rover Pack are made of the same nylon material as the bottom of the bag but features an elastic band that allows the pocket to accommodate most size water bottles. We found that the pockets on the Rover Pack can fit up to 32 oz water bottles.
The North Face Recon
If you are looking for a backpack with a water bottle pocket, North Face backpacks are some of the best around in our humble opinion. The brand uses a mix of water resistant textile and stretchy mesh that hugs your water bottle and keeps it snuggly in place. It’s unlike other flimsy mesh bottle pockets and the high quality materials really make a big difference.
See The North Face Recon in action
The North Face Recon is one of our favorite backpacks from The North Face thanks to its amazing 15” laptop compartment, fleece lined pockets and roomy 30-liter main compartment. If you are looking for a great backpack with lots of pockets then we definitely recommend checking out the Recon.
Pictured above: The North Face Recon backpack with a 24 ounce and 32 ounce bottle inside its two side water bottle pockets.
The water bottle pockets on the North Face Recon are made of rugged water resistant nylon with a stretchy mesh section that allows the pocket to expand and contrast as needed. We found that you can fit 1-liter and 32oz water bottles in these pockets with ease. The mesh snaps the pocket back into place and you can cinch down each side pocket with the compression straps to keep a low profile when not in use.
Stubble & Co. The Backpack
The Backpack by Stubble & Co is great for anyone looking for a high quality backpack that is built to last. The side water bottle pockets on this backpack are deep enough to secure a water bottle, umbrella or even a bottle of wine without worry of items slipping out when on the move. When not in use these water bottle pockets blend into the side of the backpack for an attractive profile.
The Backpack is ideal for daily carry in the city or as a companion for outdoor adventures thanks to its waterproof canvas construction, roomy 21 liter capacity and secure padded laptop sleeve. And since The Backpack is available in a few different color options you’ll be sure to find one you love!
Under Armour Hustle 5.0 Backpack
The Under Armour Hustle 5.0 is a workout and school backpack for those with busy schedules. This backpack includes a large main compartment, front organizers and a separate bottom compartment for shoes. As a backpack with water bottle holder, the Hustle includes two extra large mesh pockets on either side that can hold big bottles. This backpack comes in over a dozen colors and designs so you are sure to find one you like.
King Kong PLUS26
The PLUS26 by King Kong is a workout backpack that has some serious features for both the gym and daily carry. What sets this backpack apart from most others is that the water bottle pockets are massive! You can hold big shaker bottles, tumblers and extra large water bottles here with no trouble. The pockets themselves are gusseted with elastic to keep the bottles in place and they are also very deep.
We recommend the King Kong PLUS26 to anyone looking for a great gym backpack with a shoe compartment that can also be used for work or travel thanks to it’s clamshell main compartment and laptop sleeve.
Read more about the King Kong PLUS26
Made for gym enthusiasts who need to lug around water and shakes, King Kong offers oversized water bottle holders in the PLUS26. We found that a large 32 oz Nalgene water bottle swam inside the water bottle pockets. This is great news for those who have larger bottles and need a secure place to store them.
The side pockets are held in place by an elastic strap that snaps back into place when not in use for a low profile.
Patagonia Refugio
The Patagonia Refugio is a daily backpack that offers large stretchy water bottle pockets on each side. In addition to the mesh water bottle pockets, the bag’s compression straps also act as holders to strap in the bottles so that they don’t fall out you are on the move.
We highly recommend the Refugio to anyone looking for a reliable backpack for daily use or travel for its 26 liter interior that is roomy enough to pack for a short trip and or a busy day at work or school.
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Pacsafe Vibe Anti-Theft Backpack
As far as anti-theft backpacks go, few brands offer as much innovation and smart design as Pacsafe. With their 20 liter Vibe Anti-Theft backpack, Pacsafe offers a creative take on the daily backpack by giving you plenty of anti-theft features like anti-slash fabrics and the ability to lock the bag to a table or chair leg when needed.
The water bottle pockets on the Vibe are made of a tight-knit mesh that keeps your bottle snuggly in place and is deep enough to secure your bottles if you were to lean over. And because this mesh is incredibly stretchy, you can accommodate a variety of water bottle sizes without worry.
Osprey Quasar Backpack
Osprey’s water bottle pockets are some of favorites thanks to their stretchy mesh construction that can accommodate larger bottles and tumblers. The Quasar features a water bottle holder on each side that snaps into place and stays out of the way when not in use.
Designed as backpack for daily carry, the Quasar is packed with awesome features like a dedicated laptop sleeve and a quick-access organizer compartments for small items. For a women’s specific fit, make sure to check out the Osprey Questa.
Jansport Superbreak Plus
The original Jansport Superbreak is one of the best affordable backpacks you can use for school, commuting or travel but unfortunately it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to modern features. Jansport changes the tide by offering the Superbreak Plus. This updated Superbreak gives you the best the original had to offer with the addition of a 15” laptop sleeve and side pocket, making the Plus a perfect option for anyone looking for a Jansport backpack with water bottle pocket.
Gregory Resin Backpack
The Gregory Resin is a backpack designed to be as versatile as you are. In addition to having an amazing array of daily carry and travel-friendly features, the Resin even includes a weather-resistant design making it perfect for outdoor adventures.
Each Resin Pack includes a stretch mesh side pocket that compresses the bottle to the bag. This means you can carry either slim and large bottles without worry of slippage. If you are on the hunt for a thoughtfully-designed backpack with water bottle holder then we highly recommend giving the Gregory Resin Pack a closer look.
The North Face Surge is 31-liter backpack made for those who want one bag to rule them all. In addition to lots of clever pockets, the main compartment is large enough to pack for an entire school day or a weekend trip. As far as water bottle holders go, this backpack features two generous stretchy side pockets that do an amazing job at holding your bottles in place as you go from point A to B.
The North Face offers the Surge backpack in both men’s and women’s versions for the perfect fit.
See The North Face Surge in action
Pictured above: The North Face Recon with a 32oz Nalgene bottle
The water bottle pockets on the North Face Surge backpack are made of a protective water resistant material that keeps your bottle protected from bumps and drops. The backside of each pocket features an incredibly stretchy mesh material that makes accommodating larger bottles a breeze.
We found that large 32oz and 1 liter bottles can easily fit into these pockets. A huge benefit of this stretchy material is that very small and slim water bottles can also be held securely in place since the mesh hugs the bottle to keep it secure against the backpack.
The North Face Surge and Recon are actually pretty similar and it can be hard to choose between the two backpacks. If you want to see how the Surge compares to the Recon, make sure to check out our North Face Surge vs Recon hands-on comparison!
Herschel Classic XL
Herschel backpacks are usually pretty solid but for some reason it doesn’t seem like the brand is a big fan of water bottle pockets. Some of their best selling bags are suspiciously missing a place to store your drinks. If you like the Herschel Classic but can’t live without a water bottle holder then make sure to go with the Herschel Classic XL. This version of the Herschel Classic is one of the few Herschel backpacks with water bottle holders and it’s a great sweet spot between the backpack you want and the backpack you need.
REI Co-op Rucksack Recycled Daypack
Made of tough recycled ripstop nylon with a water resistant finish, REI Rucksack Recycled Daypack offers the swiss army knife of backpacks for daily commutes, short hikes and busy travels. Pockets for a laptop, smaller items and special security pockets make this daypack ideal for whatever life throws at it.
The side water bottle pockets are also made of recycled nylon but include a strip of elastic mesh that can hold up to a 40oz Hydroflask. These deep pockets do an excellent job at keeping your water bottles in place for ease of mind when on the move.
The REI Co-op Rucksack Recycled Daypack is available in a standard 28 liter size and smaller and larger sizes. They also come in separate men’s and women’s versions for the perfect fit.
Nomatic Backpack
The Nomatic Backpack is a daily bag for those serious about tech protection and organization. In fact, its 15-inch laptop sleeve and separate large tablet sleeve also makes it one of our favorite dual laptop backpacks.
What makes this backpack special is it’s dozens of pockets throughout the bag including two discreet side pockets that are held against the backpack with magnets. Once undone, they reveal a mesh water bottle pocket we found can securely hold a larger 32 ounce bottle.
See the Nomatic Backpack in action
Pictured above: The Nomatic Backpack’s magnetic water bottle holder with a 32oz Nalgene bottle inside.
Looks can be deceiving with the Nomatic backpack. A minimalist exterior doesn’t exactly prepare you for the flurry of awesome pockets that meet you once inside the pack.
The same can be said about the Nomatic’s two exterior water bottle holders. These pockets look pretty small but we were surprised to discover that they can actually hold up to a 32 ounce Nalgene bottle as shown in the photo. The bottles in these pockets are held firmly in place thanks to the mesh and stretchy elastic that hug the bottle.
Backpacks with Hidden Water Bottle Pockets
Day Owl Backpack
The Day Owl features eco-friendly and recycled materials as well as an innovative design to bring you a stylish backpack for daily carry and travel. In fact, Day Owl’s commitment to quality and design is why it's one of our favorite recycled backpacks.
The Day Owl features an internal side water bottle pocket that is completely hidden from the outside, leaving the bag’s profile clean and minimal even when it’s packed full. This pocket is even lined with a spill-proof material to prevent accidental leaks.
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The water bottle compartment on the Day Owl is on the slimmer side which means you will have a hard time fitting in large diameter bottles such as a 32 oz Nalgene bottle. But we did find that this entire compartment is very tall and can fit taller slim water bottles or even an entire wine bottle! Both the Smaller and Larger versions of the Day Owl have the same size water bottle compartment.
One of the features we like about this pocket is that it is lined with water-repellent neoprene. This means that the compartment itself is entirely leakproof in case of an accidental spill. Not only does this give you some extra peace-of-mind but it can save you a ton of heartache if an accidental spill were to happen.
To learn more make sure to check out our full in-depth Day Owl backpack review.
Knack Pack Expandable Backpack
The Knack Pack is an expandable everyday and travel pack for those who want one bag to rule them all. This backpack has a 17 liter volume unexpanded for daily carry and can expand up to 31 liters for travel. The hidden water bottle pocket can be found on the side of the backpack and it allows you to store your bottle discreetly when you are on the move. The Knack Pack also comes in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large so you can find one that fits just right.
See the Knack Pack in action
We have tested the Knack Pack extensively and are thoroughly impressed with its great quality and features. The zippers feel robust and smooth and the various sneaky pockets throughout the bag made the Knack Pack great to use as a secure travel backpack or urban daybag.
Pictured above: The Knack Pack Series 1 backpack with a 24 ounce bottle inside the hidden water bottle pocket.
The hidden water bottle pocket on the side of the Knack Pack can comfortably store a 24oz (.62 liter) Hydro Flask and other tall and slim bottles. Because this is a closed pocket, large diameter 1 liter or 32 oz bottles will not fit this pocket as you will have trouble zipping up the pocket with a larger bottle inside.
Able Carry Daily Backpack
The Able Carry Daily is a lightweight daypack for those who are serious about organization of tech and daily essentials. The Daily Backpack is equipped with a 15-inch laptop sleeve and plenty of internal pockets for organization - all housed inside a minimalist outer design. This backpack forgoes a traditional water bottle holder for a roomy front pocket that can store large water bottles, giving you a smart hidden water bottle pocket that keeps the outside of the bag looking sleek.
Learn more about the Able Carry Daily
The front compartment on the Able Carry Daily is one large open pocket that can store even extra larger water bottles. We found our 1-liter and 32-ounce water bottles fit inside with room to spare. Because of its design, the water bottles are wedged between the outer fabric and the main compartment so there isn’t a lot of movement once you have the backpack on.
Able Carry Max
Designed for both daily carry and travel, the Able Carry Max offers a stylish minimalist design and beefy construction for those who want one tough backpack to rule them all.
One of coolest features on the Able Carry Max is its internal side water bottle pocket that stays completely hidden, leaving the bag’s profile clean and minimal even when packed full.
Read more about the Able Carry Max
The water bottle compartment on the Able Carry Max is roomy enough to fit larger diameter bottles such as a 32 oz Nalgene bottle. This larger water bottle compartment comes in handy on long days on the move where hydration is a must.
Along with an internal water bottle pocket, the Able Carry Max is chock full of clever features that make a slam dunk for one-bag enthusiasts. A large packing compartment allows for packing for a weekend trip while the rear laptop compartment offers the organization you need for a busy work day thanks to its multitude of organizer pockets for chargers, cables and more! With 30-liters of packing room in all you really can’t lose with the Max’s great organization for work and play.
eBags Professional Slim
The eBags Professional Slim is one of our favorite work and travel backpacks thanks to its insane amount of organization compartments and clever pockets that allow you to have everything in its right place. This is one of those backpacks that we highly recommend to people who need a backpack with lots of pockets.
The single water bottle pocket is hidden with a zipper on the side of the backpack. The compact look of the water bottle pocket can be deceiving as we found that the stretchy elastic and mesh can accommodate even a larger diameter 32 oz Nalgene bottle.
Osprey Apogee
Made for urban commutes and the occasional outdoor trek, the Osprey Apogee offers you a comfortable and stylish way to carry your daily gear.
The Osprey Apogee ditches a traditional water bottle holder and for a smart side stretch pocket that allows you to hold the water bottle in place against the pack. This gives you a completely hidden water bottle pocket that blends into the pack. Not only does this pocket shield your drinking bottle from dirt and debris but gives you a cleaner look overall when carrying your coffee or water bottles.
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