DORSAL

HYDRATION

DORSAL HYDRATION PACK

Person wearing black wetsuit holding a white surfboard with a green fin, standing outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

Developed for surfers who push the limits of their time in the water, Dorsel sets a new standard in aquatic endurance. Engineered to be entirely saltwater-compatible and boasting a 50-fluid-ounce capacity, it ensures athletes stay hydrated through extended sessions on a single fill. The streamlined profile is designed to be the most comfortable wearable on the market, moving seamlessly with the body to enhance stamina without compromising paddle mobility or wave performance.

Year

2025 ‍ ‍ 11 week project

DORSAL HYDRATION PACK

DESIGN GOAL

SPORTS WEARABLE

Design a wearable product for a sport of your choice that enhances performance, safety, or comfort without interfering with the athlete’s natural movement.

DESIGN A WEARABLE HYDRATION SYSTEM THAT DELIVERS PERFORMANCE IN ANY ENVIRONMENT.

SOLO PROJECT

This was a solo eleven week project, completed independently from research through final concept.

Surfers aren't drinking enough water when they are active and it is affecting performance.

Hydration levels significantly impact performance, causing a 20%drop in the last 20 minutes of activity.

— Thorzt, 2008

Mike

Two young men wearing caps, looking at surfboards, with one holding a phone. Surfboards are standing upright against the wall in the background. 
11 years of experience (Uluwatu, Bali).

“Surfing gear needs to be light and not intrusive, and it should never affect the way I surf. I usually rest once each session, but comfort is everything when I’m in the water.”

Fred

Smiling man wearing a blue hat and rash guard, holding a blue surfboard, making a call me gesture with his hand, against a partly cloudy blue sky. 
38 years of experience (Hossegor, France).

“Throughout the day, I usually hydrate two to three times, so I need a water bag that’s small, lightweight, and easy to wear on the water. It has to stay out of the way so I can paddle freely without restriction.”

Ryan

A young man with a gray cap and black hoodie filming an ice hockey game with a professional camera in an indoor rink. 
6 years of experience (Long Island, NY).

“Once I start my sessions, I never want to go back. If I’m surfing with a bag on, it needs to be small and tight to my body I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing extra gear.”

Current Solutions

Comparison chart of four hydration packs and water bags, showing images, prices, pros, and cons for each item.

Built for movement without compromise, DORSAL reimagines how athletes carry hydration. This 50 fl oz saltwater compatible wearable water bag is crafted for comfort, balance, and durability, keeping hydration secure and effortlessly within reach during any activity. Its ergonomic design contours naturally to the body, reducing distraction while enhancing stability and performance. Created for those who push limits, Pulse blends technical precision with a sleek, modern aesthetic to deliver reliable hydration wherever performance takes you.

This competitive analysis highlights DORSAL market positioning against industry standards. By addressing common design flaws—such as buoyancy issues and a lack of waterproofing—DORSAL offers a hydrodynamic, ultra-durable solution purpose-built for high-performance marine environments.

INITIAL EXPLORATION

Sketches and diagrams of watercraft parts, including life jackets, hoses, and valves, on a notebook page, with yellow sticky notes featuring boat illustrations, on a wooden table with a pen.

PROTOTYPING

Through more than a dozen iterative prototypes, DORSAL’s final form was refined into a sculpted negative of the human back. Each version was tested and adjusted to dial in contour, pressure distribution, and overall balance. The result is a universally adaptive fit designed to feel natural, secure, and intuitive across a wide range of body types and genders.

A collection of eleven white rock climbing holds of various shapes arranged on a beige background.
A person appears to assist another person with a shoulder exercise or therapy using a large purple foam wedge in a workshop or therapy room with tools hanging on a wall.
A young man in a cap, shirtless and wearing a life vest, holding a surfboard under his shoulder at the beach.
Person lying on floor demonstrating a stretching or yoga pose with a yellow and black rope around their body.

EXPLODED VIEW

DORSAL utilizes a strategic multi-layer construction engineered to deliver industrial-grade durability without compromising elite-level mobility. By bonding a rugged, sustainable RPET fabric outer shell to a repurposed neoprene core, the system achieves a high-tensile flex-strength ratio.

Diagram showing the components of a respirator mask, including the (PE) lining, mesh lining, two layers of neoprene, and an (RPET) fabric outer layer.
Close-up of three black camera lenses with transparent covers, mounted on a textured black surface with an orange accent.

(PTFE) FILTER

Set of medical respiratory masks with filters on a blue surface.

(PTFE) FILTER

The air-vent filter allows trapped air to escape while blocking water, preventing buoyancyinside a sealed waterproof bag critical for duck diving, a surfing technique where riders push their board underwater to pass through breaking waves. With no moving parts, it’s lightweight and reliable, though airflow, quality, and cost ($5–10) are trade-offs.

A virtual reality headset with a strap and a case.
Close-up of a gray backpack strap with velcro and mesh padding.
Step-by-step illustration showing how to put on a headlamp, starting with removing the headlamp from its package, then adjusting the strap, and finally securing the headlamp on the head.
A digital illustration showing the layers of a microprocessor chip, including a silicon wafer and various circuit layers.
A sleek, modern guitar with a triangular shape, orange and black colors, and a black strap.

The plastic water tube passes through a rubber stopper to form a reliable watertight seal and is routed to the bottom of the bag. This configuration ensures uninterrupted water flow regardless of the remaining water level, allowing the system to function until the bag is fully emptied.

Close-up of a modern, metallic-colored hearing aid with a transparent silicone ear tip.

MOUTHPIECE SYSTEM

The Mouthpiece was designed for intuitive, single-hand operation to enable quick hydration without breaking focus. A built-in shut-off valve prevents saltwater intrusion into the silicone bite piece and elevates system hygiene and long term performance.

BAG DETAILS

12.5in x 10in x 3.5in

Diagram of a black, triangular-shaped object measuring 10 inches in length, 12.5 inches in height, and 1.5 inches in width with a small circular component at the bottom. The object is shown from a side and top view, with three small water bottle illustrations aligned to the right.

50fl oz of water, that's the equivalent of 3 plastic water bottles!