Choosing the best backpacking backpacks for women can be such a grueling task. It demands quality time and attention. Narrower shoulders, a bigger bosom, and wide hips define the feminine anatomy. This is why the modern market features women-specific hiking backpacks.
However, the best backpacks are determined based on convenience, comfort, suspension, weight, feature set, and design. Spending a fortune on a pack that underperforms in terms of these aspects can be devastating. To shake things up, here is an exclusive guide on selecting a hiking backpack for women. The buying guide reviews some of the best backpacks for women and breaks down vital features to look out for in the same.
1. Osprey Packs Women’s Kyte 46 Backpack
“Best Suitable For Carrying Heavy Loads Comfortably!”
Premium Pick
Main Features
- Extensive pockets
- Convenient accessibility
- Integrated rain cover
- Women-specific and durable.
Osprey Kyte 46 is the exemplary definition of the Osprey women’s backpack. The pack is easy to carry thanks to a well-cushioned belt strap matched by a LightWire frame. This frame distributes pressure to the waist.
Proper Ventilation
Osprey Kyte’s suspension system is unparalleled, with proper ventilation of the back panel. Similarly, top-loading for the main compartment and a convenient side zip access make unpacking the bagless strenuous.
Easy Gear Access
Plus, the pack incorporates vertical-stretch side pockets. The pockets are zippered on the top lid and hipbelt hence topping up the capacity. It also includes a rain cover and attachment loops on its sides. Another unique property is the hydration sleeve on the outside of the pack.
In short, this pack is incredibly comfortable for any body type owing to a great design that transfers pressure from the shoulders. It is recommended for women with shoulder problems.
Pros
- Fitted with a hydration sleeve
- Lightweight
- Comfy
- Robust zips
- Spacious
Cons
- The main compartment has top load alone which hinders access and organization
2. Marmot Women’s Graviton 36 Lightweight Backpack
“Best Women’s Pack For Carrying Heavy Loads Comfortably!”
Top Choice
Main Features
- Women-specific features
- Hydration system compatible
- Made from quality fabric
- Enhanced accessibility.
Marmot Women’s Graviton 36 Lightweight Hiking Backpack is a versatile pack engineered to fit perfectly on the feminine anatomy. It strikes an exceptional balance between top functionality and weight. Thus, you can carry around the daypack without dropping a sweat.
More Packing Capacity
It is easy to organize due to its excellent accessibility. Aluminum frames offer support allowing the bag more packing capacity. The humanized design goes without saying. It boasts thick padding on the back panel, waist belt, and shoulder straps.
Sturdy compression straps
Comfort is boosted by sturdy compression straps and proper ventilation. You do not have to worry about dehydration since it has an exterior pocket for a water bottle.
In short, The pack provides top functionality as well as exquisite women-specific features compatible with the female anatomy.
Pros
- Robust YKK zippers
- Offers perfect fit
- Well ventilated
- Fitted with attachment points
- Comes with side pockets
Cons
- The aluminum support fitted across the pack’s underside tends to dig into the back
- The support frame is not adjustable
3. Osprey Women’s Aura 50 AG Backpacks
“Best Suitable For Lightweight Day Hikes and Short Trails Comfortably!”
Best Value
Main Features
- Integrated attachment loops
- Thickly cushioned for comfort
- Water-resistant rain cover
- Great suspension.
The Osprey Aura is built to stand any punishing terrain or adverse weather conditions. Its design considers every desirable attribute. Perhaps the most lovable aspect of the bag is its customizable fit.
Anti-gravity technology
Moreover, the bag comes with stunning anti-gravity technology that transforms into five-star comforts. Aura 50 AG is accompanied by super ventilation.
Multiple pockets
It also has an integrated rain cover. Packing space is maximized with 50L capacity and multiple side pockets. Still, it has a detachable daypack in addition to attachment loops.
In short, the Osprey Women’s Aura 50 AG backpack is an appropriate pack for anyone seeking an all-around durable backpack for a 1-2 day hike.
Pros
- Features anti-gravity technology
- Perfect fit
- Durable
- Has a detachable daypack
Cons
- Packing space in the main compartments is limited
- Limitation inaccessibility
4. High Sierra Women’s Summit 40L Backpack
“Best Female Specific Pack For Carrying Heavy Loads!”
Reliable Pick
Main Features
- Extensive ventilation by a thick foam back panel
- Integrated sleeping bag compartment
- Versatile overnight pack
- Hydration compatible.
This pack integrates a women-specific fit and a super suspension system to deliver an exceptional hiking experience. It is a unique bag constructed with quality ballistic nylon. Further, the material is held together by mini-hexagon ripstop fabric.
The structure is fortified by a water-resistant coating. For support, the pack has a contoured aluminum frame bar. Padded mesh shoulder straps alongside a well-cushioned back panel provide proper ventilation channels. This keeps the back cool.
Similarly, the pack includes a spacious main compartment that consolidates a hydration reservoir sleeve. More room for accessories is provided by attachment loops and webbing daisy chains. Finally, the pack is protected by a tuck-away rain cover.
In short, The High Sierra Women’s Summit 40L Top Load Backpack Pack is a nice pack compatible with smaller-sized females. It is a fine jewel going at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Anti-gravity suspension system
- Flexible support frames
- Adjustable compression straps for extra room
- Attachment loops for extra accessories
- Tuck-away rain cover
Cons
- The odd pattern on shoulder straps becomes rough and scratchy when the bag is packed fully
5. Gregory Jade 63 Backpack
“Best Spacious Pack For Carrying Heavy Loads!”
Reliable Pick
Main Features
- Extensive padding and cushioning for extra comfort
- In-built compartment for a sleeping bag
- Adjustable harness for a custom fit
- Fitted with a water bottle holster.
With a 63-liter capacity, the Gregory Mountain Jade 63 is a superb backpack optimal for multi-day hiking trips. It is made out of quality fabric with resilient properties. This helps to withstand extreme outdoor ruggedness.
Opulence is reinforced through a padded hip belt, shoulder straps, and back panel. It is designed to fit perfectly regardless on the body type, thanks to an adjustable harness and shoulder straps. To add to that, the pack is enjoyable to wear thanks to a shoulder harness that is ergonomically structured.
The pack caters to hydration using a conveniently placed bottle holster. Moreover, the compartments are placed strategically for easy access with U-zip. Finally, the bag comes with side pockets providing additional space.
In short, Gregory Mountain Products Jade 63 Liter Women’s Multi-Day Hiking Backpack is a valuable gear that is surely going to blow your mind with its premium functionality.
Pros
- Accessible exterior pockets and compartments
- Build from quality fabric
- Sleek design for the feminine anatomy
- Extremely lightweight
- Available in different colors
Cons
- The underside of the fabric on shoulder straps and hip belt is rough and scratchy on naked skin
6. Osprey Packs Women’s Viva 65 Backpack
“Best Osprey Pack For Hiking and Camping!”
Reliable Pick
Main Features
- Maximum coziness
- Sufficient packing space
- Removable top lid
- Thick cushioning.
This pack is a favorite among devoted adventurers who prioritize opulence in a backpack. Comfort is boosted by thick padding on the back panel, hip belt, and shoulder straps. It is further elevated by maximum ventilation.
Osprey Women’s Viva 65 comes with a 65-liter capacity that can accommodate hiking gear sufficient for a multi-day trip. Together with that, is a detachable top lid making it light and flexible.
Multiple rooms make it easy to access and organize stuff. Plus its harness is highly adjustable allowing you to enjoy a customized fit. Interestingly, the pack includes an anti-gravity suspension making it light.
In short, Osprey Packs Women’s Viva 65 Backpack is a great bag with a slightly expensive price tag and above-average outdoor performance.
Pros
- Customized fit
- Anti-gravity suspension
- Women-specific
Cons
- Might be overboard in terms of price for buyers with a tight budget
7. Deuter ACT Trail 28 SL Backpack
“Best Lightweight Pack for Hiking and Camping!”
Reliable Pick
Main Features
- Comes with attachment loops of trekking poles
- Has an in-made rain cover
- Highly breathable design
- Women-specific design.
Deuter ACT Trail 28 SL Backpack delivers world-class functionality at a very fair price. It features an ingenious combination of a streamlined profile, excellent versatility, and adaptable features.
The pack has an in-made nylon rain cover. Nevertheless, it is anatomically designed to fit the female body. The main compartment is accessible even with a closed-top lid. This is achieved by well-placed 2-way front zippers that give direct access.
Air mesh harness and thin fins on a mesh hip belt provide optimum breathability. The pack has room for a hydration reservoir of up to three liters.
To reduce pressure on the chest area, the pack has narrower shoulder straps and smaller buckles. Comfort is further improved by the Air-contact Trail suspension system which also offers embellish ventilation.
In short, The Deuter ACT Trail 28 SL offers excellent craftsmanship in a comfortable, top loading and ultralight pack. It is moderately priced too.
Pros
- Hydration system compatible
- Lightweight model
- Comfortable to haul
- Side pocket for water bottle
Cons
- Lacks pockets on the hip belt limiting convenience
- Lacks stow pockets that the older model incorporated
8. Deuter ACT 45+10 SL Women’s Backpack
“Best Deuter Lightweight Pack for Hiking and Camping!”
Reliable Pick
Main Features
- Integrated attachment loops
- Stretchable pockets and compartment
- Hydration compatible
- Sufficient capacity.
Adequate space of 45+10 is one of the greatest features of this pack. It comes with a dual compartment; the main compartment and another for a sleeping bag.
Moreover, this pack incorporates stretchable side pockets and a top lid for the main compartment for accessibility. It is fitted with a specialized pocket for a hydration reservoir.
You still get a place for a trekking pole, chair, or axe, thanks to a variety of attachment loops. Going on, it has adjustable shoulder straps that are anatomically shaped for added comfort. Lightweight crossed aluminum support frames improve the suspension. They also make the pack less bulky.
Deuter’s ventilation is unmatched. It provides insane breathability accompanied by a body-hugging fit. Durability is well catered for as it is made from a blend of nylon and polyester. The fabric is quality, water-locked, and long-lasting.
In short, The Deuter Act Lite 45+10 SL Backpack is designed to accommodate the anatomical needs of the female persona. It is incredibly cheap considering its remarkable features.
Pros
- Ultra-light
- Durable
- Abrasion-resistant
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Not ideal for day hikes.
9. Thule All Trail Women’s Backpack
“Best Pack for Carrying Heavy Loads Comfortably!”
Reliable Pick
Main Features
- Easily accessible pockets
- Fitted with attachment loops
- Breathable back panel
- Perfect fit.
With this pack you will not just get the perfect fit, you also enjoy optimum flexibility and adjustability. The bag includes a comfy hip belt that evenly distributes its weight across the hips.
Along with this comes a rain cover that secures hiking gear from the water. Comfort is further enhanced with thick cushioning and ventilation from the back panel.
To add to that, the pack comes with attachment loops to hold axes and trekking poles. It also has a compartment for a hydration reservoir and a sleeping bag.
To top it off, all the pockets are easily accessible through sturdy zippers.
In short, The Thule All Trail Women’s Hiking Backpack is a versatile pack ideal for women with average torso length.
Pros
- Hydration compatible
- Five-star comfort
- Awesome design
- Integrated rain cover
Cons
- The length of the pack may not be appropriate for taller people.
What is the importance of women’s backpacks?
Engaging in the outdoor adventures without a backpack can be termed suicidal. To begin with, backpacks for women bear women-specific for convenience and coziness. Generally, these packs are meant to carry a bulky quantity of hiking accessories yet remain comfy and light for a long.
Moreover, they are engineered to withstand punishing terrain in addition to the remaining water and abrasion-resistant. In most cases, they are fitted with hydration reservoirs and rain covers. Extensive pockets can accommodate first aid kits, maps, compasses, or whistles. All these features are geared toward providing women with an organized, safe, and enjoyable hiking experience.
How do you choose a women-specific backpack?
Suspension Designs and Support
The better suspension of a backpack transforms into improved coziness. The design plays a major role in distributing the weight of the backpack. A perfect example is the back panel with a flexible mesh panel. Besides offering proper ventilation, it reduces the pressure exerted on the back. Similarly, internal frames made with lightweight alloys enhance the support of the backpack making it light and easy to carry.
Women’s Specific Features
The most important attribute of these backpacks is the inclusion of women-specific features. This is particularly reflected in the design. Naturally, women have smaller torsos. Therefore, the packs should come with hip belts and shoulder straps that are engineered to conform to the feminine anatomy. While shoulder straps should be created to be gentle on the inner arms and neck, the waist belts ought to accommodate the girth of women’s hips flawlessly.
Gear Loops
Gear loops create more space for more hiking accessories. You can attach different components on the exterior of your backpack.
Hydration Compatibility
Present-day backpacks incorporate a hydration system in their design. While other types may be fitted with a bladder system, some of them simply have external mesh pockets where a water bottle or hydration system may be placed. This is essential to keep hikers hydrated on their expeditions.
Accessibility
Top-notch accessibility makes it easy to pack and retrieve stuff easily when necessary. One of the aspects that enhance accessibility is top-loading openings. Panel access should also be convenient.
Comfort
Superb comfort is essential for these backpacks. The comfort of any pack is anchored on the support, design, and suspension. Comfortable packs have thick shoulder straps that are cushioned or padded. The same applies to hip belts. A back panel that is well cushioned prevents objects from poking your back.
Fabric or material
The fabric or material used to make the backpacks ought to be robust and long-lasting. Some of the quality materials that are used to create durable packs are polyester and Nylon. The two materials have proven to be tough and strong thus they can effectively withstand abrasions.
Waterproof capabilities
A waterproof backpack will protect your stuff from water. The best backpacks are fortified with rain covers. Other than that, the seams need to be waterproof as well.
Things to consider while choosing backpacks:
Selecting these packs demands paying maximum attention to detail. You can consider the attributes below when choosing the ideal pack to suit your hiking needs:
1. Color options
2. Size of the pack
3. Storage compartments
4. Ventilation
5. Hip belt
6. Zippers
7. Price points
8. Bonus features
1. Color options
Well, colors bear a huge significance on the feminine persona. Nonetheless, people have that favorite color that sparks that good feeling in their subconscious realm. Thus, make the appropriate selection depending on what you love. Bright colors are great for security purposes.
2. Size of the pack
The Size of the pack narrows down to your plans for the outdoor event. How long are you going to stay outdoors? What do you intend to carry? These sought of questions will come in handy when identifying your key needs and determining the size of the backpack that you require. The longer you plan to spend outdoors the bigger the packing capacity will be.
3. Storage compartments
The ideal backpack should have a minimum of two zippered compartments preferably at the top. This makes it easy to pack and retrieve your stuff.
4. Ventilation
Proper ventilation is another vital aspect of a great backpack that should be prioritized. A good pack should be designed to efficiently take care of your sweaty back. Therefore, the features to look for in this case are a mesh panel as well as sufficient airspace on the surface of the pack that interacts with the body.
5. Hip belt
Unlike backpacks for men, the women’s backpack should feature a hip belt. This comes in handy when carrying a backpack that is heavy and bulky. They ease your burden by distributing the weight of the bag across your hips. A padded hip belt would be ideal.
6. Zippers
Sturdy zippers ensure that your hiking accessories remain intact. Most backpacks incorporate lightweight plastic zippers since they do not break or snag easily. Other than good zippers you should also check out for fabric pulls which make zipping and unzipping easier.
7. Price points
These packs indeed tend to be costly. However, you can get a good bag with the right weight and comfort at a fair price of about $ 150 or even below 100. Products within this range are high quality and durable.
8. Bonus features
Extra features like mesh external side pockets enhance the safety, packing capacity, and comfort provided by the backpack for travel. Side pockets also improve accessibility. Women need more space for water, snacks, and hygiene products. It would be smart to get a backpack with such bonus features.
How to choose a hiking backpack for women to fit you?
The difference in proportion between the size of a backpack and the torso size determines how the pack fits you. Landing on a wrong selection in terms of the size of a backpack will only spell injury and discomfort. In order for you to determine if a backpack is appropriate for your size, you ought to measure the length of your torso.
Besides that, you should also record the size of your waist. To ascertain your torso size, locate your 7th cervical which is a bony area where the neck and shoulder intersect. The length of the torso runs from the 7th cervical to the top of the hips. Getting the waist size should be easier.
Final verdict
Keep in mind that female anatomy is unique and the same should be reflected in the pack for women. Therefore, compare the length of your torso with that of the pack to get the perfect fit. Always go for a backpack with an adjustable harness, shoulder straps, or waist belts. This way you can customize any bag to compliment your body size. Also what you see on the rack may not be ideal for your body type. For quality feedback, you can confirm from customer reviews online.
What are the best backpacking backpacks for women?
1. Osprey Packs Women’s Kyte 46 Backpack(Premium Pick)
2. Marmot Women’s Graviton 36 Lightweight Backpack(Top Choice)
3. Osprey Women’s Aura 50 AG Backpacks (Best Value)
4. High Sierra Women’s Summit 40L Top Load Backpack Pack
5. Gregory Mountain Products Jade 63 Liter Women’s Backpack
6. Osprey Packs Women’s Viva 65 Backpack
7. Deuter ACT Trail 28 SL Hiking Backpack
8. Deuter Act Lite 45+10 SL Women’s Backpack
9. Thule AllTrail Women’s Hiking Backpack
Best Women’s Hiking Backpacks Comparison
BACKPACK | VOLUME &DIMENSION | BOTTOM LINE | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
High Sierra Women’s Summit 40L backpack Pack 4.5 out of 5 | 40L 26″ x 14″ x 7.5″ | Floating top lid, Main compartment top-loading, Ventilated back panel, Women-specific engineering, Comfortable to carry, Fits more | Check Price |
Gregory Mountain Products Jade 63 L Women’s Hiking Backpack 4.5 out of 5 | 63L 24.5″ x 13.5″ x 12.0″ | Detachable top lid, Comfortable suspension, Easy access to the main compartment, Rain fly provided, Two pockets with a hip belt for quick organization, External pockets for water bottle. | Check Price |
Osprey Packs Women’s Viva 65 Backpack 4.5 out of 5 | 65L 31″ x 14″ x 14″ | Robust design features, Removable top lid, External straps for a sleeping pad, Adjustable hip belt, Eternal attachment for a trekking pole, | Check Price |
Deuter ACT Trail 28 SL Hiking Backpack 4.0 out of 5 | 28L 23.6″ x 11.0″ x 8.3″ | Hydration system compatible, Lightweight model, highly durable, Water-resistant, Reliable material, Versatile features, Front opening for easy gear | Check Price |
Deuter ACT Lite 45+10 SL Women’s Backpack 4.5 out of 5 | 45 + 10 L 29.1″ x 11.0″ x 9.4″ | More space and load carrying capacity, Hydration capable design, Detachable top lid, AirContact back panel for ventilation, Ultralight weight feature, Comfortable. | Check Price |
Thule AllTrail Women’s Backpack 4.0 out of 5 | 35L 45L 11.8″ x 12.6″ x 24.4″ | Adjustable to different torso lengths, External trekking pole attachment, Comfortable and interchangeable hip belt, No sweating back panel, | Check Price |