Great Dirt Bike Backpacks – A Must Have For Dirt Bike Pilot

These Dirt Bike Backpacks are for the exploration-minded dirt bike pilot that finds them-self somewhere on some forgotten single-track. While it’s rare that I ever venture far enough to have to search for water, the ability to have drinkable and bacteria-free water is a huge deal, especially for those of us who ride off-road for hours or for those of us that race for hours.

You might have the coolest dirt bike on the trails, but without proper hydration, you’ll not last long. Taking the proper steps to hydrate your body for peak performance.  I’m not going to lecture you on the importance of consuming water. I what to share with you my recommendations on a backpack, along with a few others that may serve to keep you hydrated on your next ride. My recommended Dirt Bike Backpacks are the Henty’s Enduro Backpack, SKL Hydration Backpack, Oakley Enduro Backpack, and the Zac Speed R3 Backpack. My all-time favorite Pack is:

Henty Enduro Backpack

Henty’s Enduro Backpack is my backpack, its the ultimate hydration bag that keeps me ventilated and hydrated. The Enduro acts as a tool belt for all the essentials you need to have. A water bladder (not included) is positioned as close as possible to your center of gravity, giving you freedom and agility. There are plenty of pockets and webbing for storage and easy access while you’re riding. The design of the Enduro gives you ventilation where it counts, minimizing sweaty back, this what I really like about it.

Henty’s Enduro Backpack trades style points for function. Shoulder straps help stabilize the load, so you don’t need to cinch the waist-belt much, which is an instant boost in comfort and performance. The pack’s padded belt still lets the hips carry the weight, which leaves minimal tension on the shoulders. The pack doesn’t bounce much (if at all), and it can be unbuckled to make adjustments or to access items without dropping down. Overall, I like the design its much easier to deal with, especially when it’s loaded up.

The pack attaches nicely and keeps the weight firmly at your waist and on your hips. When riding it does not bounce or move side to side, it stays planted firmly. All the weight is off my back and my back keeps much cooler on hot rides. For me, the pack is suitable for a short riding distant. I will use my full backpack when taking longer rides away from the amenities, where I may need tools, inner tube, or an air pump.

A big plus, this bag has a ton of room for storage, I carry my phone, energy bars, and a spark plug and wrench (2-stroke guys know how important his one can be).  A negative to this bag, it doesn’t come with a water bladder. I tried to put the one in from my old pack, and it just didn’t work well. The one I found that works the best is the Camelbak Antidote Reservoir Short. 

Features include:

• Lumbar (including hips and kidney) impact protection
• Molded foam for improved air ventilation
• Compatible with most 3L hydration bladders (not included).
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Adjustable chest strap
• Molle webbing
• Plenty of pockets

You can purchase the Henty’s Enduro Backpack from many sources online. I got mine at Amazon for around $100. Yes, the price is on the high end compared to other bags, but trust me its worth the extra money. Henty’s Enduro Backpack offers the most comfortable way that I have found to carry two or three liters of water and your essential gear on a dirt bike without cramping my riding or comfort. It’s built like a tank, doesn’t weigh much and offers little to complain about in its features. It is my go-to backpack, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a dirt bike pack.

On the other side, I have a friend, I’ll call him Ted so I don’t embarrass him. He’s one of the cheapest guys I know, he drove over 50 miles once to buy a used rear tire, enough said, he’s cheap when it comes to buying most things. A backpack is no different, this is Ted’s choice for a cheap backpack, and yes, he has one.

SKL Hydration Backpack

Ted’s SKL hydration pack doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as many other packs, but it gets the job done. Its made of great material and quality, it’s comfortable and durable. It does have an extra storage pocket that set in front of the bladder, its roomy enough to store all your necessities such as phone, wallet, and keys.

Ted has had his for over 2 years and didn’t remember where he purchased it if I know him he probably got it at some garage sale. I looked around on Amazon and found the SKL Backpack priced under $16, what a deal!  Ted did have one minor nitpick, the part of the pack with the brand logo on it is actually just a useless flap, underneath it is the actual cover that closes the bladder compartment.

Features included:

• HIGH-QUALITY MATERIAL – SKL Hydration BackPack lightweight, adjustable, comfortable，breathable mesh back panel and high-quality nylon fabric, it’s your best choice for a full day sports and outdoor activity or nightly adventure.
• 2L HYDRATION BLADDER INCLUDED -The high-quality hydration bladder is made of EVA material which is BPA-free, FDA-approved and tasteless; Easy and simple to Drink, just pull the rubber mouthpiece out and the water comes right out. Push rubber mouthpiece back to close, You don’t have to bite anything;
• ADJUSTABLE STRAPS – With adjustable shoulder straps, the backpack fit for men, women, and youth. Wide webbed shoulder straps help to reduce the burden of your shoulder which means you can wear this pack for hours
• TWO LAYERS AND REFLECTIVE ARTICLE DESIGN – One for the liquid container, and the other for keys, compass, phones, etc.Reflective article design for better safety.
• LIFETIME 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE – If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with Hydration Pack

Ted said he likes this bag for obvious reason (cheap), and it’s small so it’s not annoying and it holds a nice amount of things well in the pocket. The straps are comfortable and its easy to clean (he just puts it in the washer). If you want a minimalistic backpack that has just what you need, the SKL is for you.

Here is another suggestion from a riding buddy.  I’m taking his word for it –  he is a buddy, and we all know our buddies wouldn’t lie to us…

Oakley Enduro Backpack

John uses the Enduro Backpack made by Oakley.  He said its spacious, specialized storage for electronic devices and other gear when riding. Built with compartments for your tools, shades and other essentials. It has a pocket that keeps your valuables secure and organized.

Made with durable materials and a prominent ellipse logo on the front, this carryall Oakley backpack is durable and has style, as John said, “Its an Oakley”. Okay, if you’re all about brand loyalty, then it matters.

The Oakley Enduro Backpack can be purchased at most Dirt Bike Parts stores online, like MotoSport.com,  as well as Amazon for around $50.

Features included:

• Multiple exterior pockets grant easy access to gear.
• Padded back panel and shoulder straps provide comfortable carrying.
• Padded internal sleeve fits up to a 15″ laptop.
• Eyewear and water pockets keep essentials secure and organized.
• Front pocket with internal organization panel keeps small items in order.
• Reflective elements remain visible in low light.
• 100% polyester.
• Capacity: 2 liters.
• Dimensions: 19″H x 12.5″W x 8″D.

Online reviews give this Backpack 4.5 stars. The only negative I could find formed one reviewer. “The large non-vented surface area that contacts your back will cause sweating. But other bags I’ve used do the same thing. I thought maybe Oakley had a solution, they don’t.” 

John agreed with the statement but pointed out – that all backpacks that go on your back tend to cause sweating during long periods of riding. I would agree as well, that’s one reason I wear Henry’s.  All the other reviews I read give the Oakley Enduro Backpack a thumbs-up. John said he would purchase it again and recommends it to those riders that want a great quality backpack for the money.

Before I wrote this article I wanted to research dirt bike backpacks, so I could give you the best information along with real rider experience. I read forums, customer reviews, and product reviews, and one backpack that came up in many of the recommendations was the Zac Speed backpack, so this is what I found.

Zac Speed Backpacks

Zac Speed hydration packs are designed by action sports enthusiasts founded in Melbourne Australia in 2003 with the single mission of designing the best backpacks possible for action sports. Zac Speed offers 3 Back Packs in their line up, the Recon S-3, Sprint R-3, and the Dakar. They all offer the CONFIGR8 System. The name was given to our re-configurable backpacks system.

Zac Speed has been pioneers for over 10 years in greatly enhance a backpacks performance and capability. CONFIGR8 is the name given to their re-configurable backpacks system. With their unique tool-free ladder-lock system you can interchange harness options quickly and simply, utilizing even the front harness area of the pack. The ladder lock strap has 9 different size settings, allowing you to customize the fit perfectly.

The CONFIGR8 pack system can adapt to your intended use when you need it. Not only can the shoulder harness be interchanged, but the waist belt models have also been designed to allow integration of other elements.  Further increasing the functionality of the CONFIGR8 pack system. The quick-release buckles are common across the CONFIGR8 range allowing quick, easy interchanging of all the elements.

The Zac Speed Backpack is the most expensive of all the backpacks I researched, and after reviewing them I started to understand Why. Here is a great video review of the Zac Speed Pack. Me personally, if I was to buy one of their backpacks it would be the Sprint R-3.  The R-3 is designed for short, fast competition rides with its minimal design, it’s more my style of bag.

The Recon R-3 has been designed for intermediate distance rides and is a mid-sized pack. The Recon has the flexibility of free load storage space on the outside with increased internal storage above the smaller Sprint R-3. This pack also has a large outer pocket that can hold the Zac Speed tool roll (not supplied with purchase). The Recon pack has been designed with a wide vented TPR waist belt system to keep the pack stabilized whilst offering optimal comfort and ventilation.

The Zac Speed R3 sells for around $185. I know pricey, but from watching the review and from what I gathered reading reviews, the R3 is worth what you pay. If I was in the market this would be my choice.

Dirt Bike Backpacks come in all shapes, sizes, and configurations. I hope this article has informed you on what pack to buy or maybe gave you an idea of a style for your intent. Let me know in the comments what you think, or tell the readers about your favorite Backpack. Now let’s gear up and go ride.