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BEING HYDRATED MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY, "I'M THIRSTY." .. ~ Thirst leads to dehydration, which leads to myriad problems including muscle fatigue and brain cell loss. This may sound self-evident, but all too often we wait for thirst to hit us upside the head before we think to drink. By then it's almost too late. So, no matter how or where you exert yourself-along dusty trails, down boiling rapids, or on snowy peaks-it is essential to hydrate early and often. So much, in fact, that you never actually feel thirsty. Or so the experts say. In the face of a global water crisis, you can't rely on finding fresh, clean streams anymore, so having your own water on you at all times is a good thing. As for the systems, they've come a long way since the first Camelbak, which was little more than a sleeve with nylon shoulder straps and an IV bag inside. Out of some 30 we tested, here are eight packs-each com- plete with its own reservoir-which were selected as best in their specific field of outdoor-adventure endeavor. • If you choose just one pack for trekking, biking, skiing, and everyday urban orienteering, this will do the trick. The 1,950 cubic-inch capacity is keenly spread out with a fleece-lined eyewear pocket, dual waistbelt pockets, and a six-pack-sized main compartment. Kelty's debut hydration-pack line utilizes Source-brand bladders, which double as super-burly water con- tainers for stand-alone use in a cooler or however you'd like. Except for its bite valve, which works well but not quite as well as the high water-mark CamelBak, this reservoir is of superior quality with respect to durability and taste. Kelty, 800-423-2320, www.kelty.com. $100 Having a patent-hold on the simplest and most efficient bite valve design, this industry leader is left to innovate elsewhere. Hence, the Ethos. First, its semirigid frame design maximizes airflow and sweat wicking while utilizing a four-point contact system for superb comfort and load bearing. Next, its 2,100 cubic inches of cargo are conveniently accessible from the top and both sides, while remaining independent of a dedicated (wo-ounce) re servoir sleeve. Lastly, once everything is stuffed into it, a unique internal compression system hugs it t ight with the pull of a couple straps to firmly secure the load. All in all, this a do-anything pack. CamelBak, 800-767-8725, www.camelbak.com. $120