The Best Hiking Backpacks for Women, According to Avid Adventurers
Finding the best hiking backpacks for women can be tricky. Unisex hiking backpacks tend to skew larger, and what works for a tall, broad-chested man might not be as comfortable on women's bodies. Thankfully, there are plenty of well-made women's hiking backpacks that don't just follow the shrink-it-and-pink-it method: They are actually designed to better fit our torsos and chests, and to sit comfortably but snugly around our hips, so we're not constantly adjusting or aching out on the trail.
To source some of the best hiking backpacks for women available today, we asked adventurous photographers, bloggers, writers, and environmental activists to share the bags they love to hike with. While not every recommendation is a women's-specific pack, they have features that worked for each woman's needs and cover a variety of experience levels, whether your kind of hike involves a stroll around your nearest state park or taking on the Appalachian Trail.
Brand new to the hiking game? Know that you can rent a pack from an outfitter like REI or Arrive Outdoors if you don't want to invest in your own gear just yet. If you are ready to commit, consider the features you might want your bag to have before purchasing: mid-chest straps that connect your shoulder straps can boost your stability, for example, while the frame-versus-no-frame debate hinges on what kind of trip you anticipate taking. For times when you have minimal gear, frameless is probably the way to go; for longer outings, an internal frame can help keep weight evenly distributed. Ahead, discover 16 well-vetted hiking backpacks for women to consider.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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Gregory Deva 60L
Drea Castro, an avid traveler, documentarian, and host of the Roaming the Earth podcast, has backpacked everywhere from Ecuador to Canada, and throughout it all, she's relied on the Gregory Deva. The hiking backpack's soft-molded, contoured hip belt is specifically designed to keep weight properly transferred across your lower body. “It provides equal weight distribution for someone who has wide hips (like I do) and has great air flow for your back,” says Castro. “The waist belt is probably one of my biggest reasons I chose this pack over other ones. I love the comfort this pack provides and the ability it has to carry quite a big load.”
The Gregory Deva is also the go-to for Emily Pennington, a Los Angeles-based writer (and Traveler contributor) who covers all things outdoor adventure. “After months of searching for a backpack that could actually fit me comfortably (I’m somewhere between an XS and a S) and trying nearly every overnight pack on the market, I fell head over heels for the Gregory Deva and even brought it on the John Muir Trail with me. Sure, it’s not the lightest overnighter out there, but I can fairly say this is the Cadillac of backpacks. Made of ultra durable nylon, this sweet baby is built for comfort and perfect for hiking in with all your stuff, setting up a base camp, and then summiting a peak or relaxing by an alpine lake all day. The interior hydration sleeve doubles as an ultralight daypack, the hip pockets are ample, and the included rain cover is just icing on the cake,” she says.
Osprey Stratos 24L
When it comes to a smaller day pack, Castro prefers the Osprey Stratos. “I am a big fan of desert hikes so, of course, airflow on your back is really important for those hot days. I sweat when I hike and the anti-gravity mesh on this really, really helps. It has great suspension and support for your hips.” The Osprey Stratos is actually a men's backpack, but with so many adjustable straps throughout, it's easy to tailor this pack to a smaller frame.
Osprey Tempest 34L
Pennington prefers the Opsrey Tempest for a day pack, citing its sturdy construction, abundant features, and midsize volume. “It's a top-of-the-line backpack for women who want a little something for every adventure. There are trekking pole attachments and even an ice axe loop for those looking to go on a big journey, while its 34-liter capacity make it equally at home on shorter overnight trips,” she says.
Osprey Exos 58
Heather Diaz, the blogger and hiking expert behind Hike and Lift, prefers bags by Osprey, thanks to the brand's ‘All Mighty Guarantee,’ which ensures repairs for life. “As a novice backpacker, quality stood out the most,” she says. She also prefers framed packs with a breathable mesh back panel for comfort; the Exos 58, which is considered a men's pack, checks both boxes. Weighing in under three pounds, it's light enough for longer trips where every ounce counts (Diaz plans to bring it on her upcoming 308-mile Sierra Section hike, which she aims to complete in three weeks), without sacrificing space. Its many compartments include under-lid zippered pockets for smaller items, dual-access stretch mesh side pockets, and a front stretch mesh pocket, for easy access to essentials.
Osprey Aura AG 65
For more leisurely hikes, Diaz reaches for Osprey's Aura 65, a women's-specific pack that she used along the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017. While a pound or so heavier than the Exos, “it provides more comfort on my shoulders, and it can fit the bear canister on the bottom of my pack designated for sleeping bags,” she says. The bag's anti-gravity suspension system wraps around your body to more evenly distribute weight and increase comfort, and both the harness and hip belt are adjustable for a more customized fit.
Mammut Lithia Speed 15L
Azzah Ahmad, a storyteller who focuses on diversity and inclusion in the outdoors, recommends this 15-liter Mammut hiking and trekking bag, her absolute favorite day pack. “For me, breathability is key,” she says. “On a warm day, the last thing you want to feel is something hot on your back. This one keeps it light airy.” She also appreciates the cell phone pocket on the shoulder strap. “I navigate through my cell phone and take pictures with it also, so having it in a reachable space helps.” The pack's torso length and straps were designed with female frames in mind, meaning for most, it'll actually hit (and strap) at your hips.
Adventurist Classic Backpack
Ambika Rajyagor, a blogger and co-founder of Disabled & Outdoors, has brought Adventurist's Classic Backpack along on day trips to Joshua Tree National Park and Laguna Beach. With a capacity of 16 liters, it's best travel pack for day trips, and sturdy enough to protect electronics. “It’s waterproof and lightweight, and it protects my camera gear really well, while still leaving room for all my day hiking supplies,” Rajyagor says. “It’s an all-weather pack in my opinion, and transitions really well from the trails to everyday use.” Even better: With each backpack purchase, the brand donates 25 meals to Feeding America.
Deuter Futura 24L SL
For multi-day outdoor trips, Rajyagor uses this lightweight Deuter backpack. “It's my all-in-one, and it makes me feel like if I wanted to, I could pick it up and go hike the PCT at anytime,” she says. “It’s loaded with plenty of pockets to store my clothes, camera gear, water storage, and camping supplies. I recently took it on a three-day trip to the Grand Canyon, and it held up perfectly.” The pack's sturdy frame and durable polyester-nylon material mean it'll last for seasons to come, too.
Deuter Speed Lite SL 22L
When hiking with kids, doubling up on gear (and snacks) is inevitable. Shanti Hodges, the founder of Hike It Baby, says the Deuter Speedlite 22-liter is her go-to for day hikes with her child. It fits water for the both of them, snacks, and lunch, plus extra clothing and a first aid kit. “This bag has been through all kinds of weather with me as well and it always stays dry inside, which is really important if you are hiking in the Pacific Northwest like I am,” she says.
Patagonia Arbor Roll Top Pack 30L
Leah Thomas, a blogger, activist, and the founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, likes Patagonia's roll top pack as both a carry-on and day pack. The expandable bag fits enough for a hike and a change of clothes, Thomas says, making it a good option for those squeezing a hike into a city or beach trip. And since it has a laptop sleeve, it can double as your personal item on flights.
Arc'teryx Bora AR 61
For multi-day hikes, Shelma Jun, the founder of female hiking collective Flash Foxy relies on this waterproof Arc'teryx pack to hold all her gear. “It's big enough to carry camping supplies and climbing equipment for several days,” she says. “And, it has smart compartments, like an easy access zippered front area, for a light jacket or snacks, a side zipper that gives mid-hike access to the large storage area, and several interior zippered pockets for stowing away valuables (like keys) that you don't want to accidentally fall out whilst grabbing other stuff.” Adjustable shoulder straps and two size options, regular and tall, make it easier to secure a proper fit for your body.
Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Del Día Backpack
Cotopaxi is one of our favorite eco-friendly outdoor brands, making one-of-a-kind hiking backpacks out of scraps of fabric that would've otherwise been left on the cutting room floor. The water-resistant bags are great no matter your level of comfort in the outdoors: Traveler's articles director Stephanie Wu uses hers for any type of adventurous trip. “It's incredibly lightweight, and was clearly designed by people who love to travel. There's a compartment for my water bottle on the side, and an off-center zipper on the front that is great for when you need to reach for your passport or phone, and only want to take your backpack off one shoulder,” she says.
Osprey Packs Ariel AG 55L
Blogger Liz Carlson, the founder of Young Adventuress, is another Osprey fan. Her style of choice, the 55-liter Ariel pack, is designed for women (or anyone with narrower shoulders), making for a more comfortable, chafe-free fit, she says. Plus, the pockets on the belt clip are the perfect size for stashing a phone. Part of the backpack can be zipped off and used as a handy day pack, making it a great choice for longer trips with outings of varying lengths.
REI Trailbreak 60L Pack
Erin McGrady, a writer and photographer who chronicles her life on Camper Van Travel Adventures, can vouch for this women's pack. After her backpack of 15 years was destroyed in baggage claim, she set out to find a budget-friendly replacement. “I tested the Trailbreak out on some smaller trips and then put it to a bigger test on a three-day rafting trip into the Grand Canyon that ended with a 9.5 mile hike up to the rim. Its padded back, shoulder straps, and hip belt worked together to help balance the load and its side pockets made access to my water easy,” she says.
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack
Emily Schrick, an outdoors photographer and blogger, recommends the 50-liter Gossamer Gear Gorilla pack (she is an ambassador for the brand, too). “I've used it everywhere from single-night trips to a thru-hike of the John Muir Trail,” she says. “It is a super versatile ultralight pack, and the hip belt and shoulder straps are some of the most comfortable ones an ultralight pack can have.” Other cool features: The bag's removable back panel converts to a sit pad, while the spacious and stretchy front pocket keeps gear accessible outside of the pack, Schrick says; since it is made of mesh, it's an ideal spot for stashing wet clothes or a tent rainfly.
The North Face Flight 12 Training Pack
For times when a full backpack isn't necessary, professional trail runner Kaytlyn Gerbin turns to this vest from The North Face (the company is one of her sponsors, too). “I love using it for shorter hikes or trail runs when I need to carry essentials but don't need the capacity of a larger backpack,” she says. “I'm able to confidently carry a liter of water, snacks, lightweight jacket, phone, first aid, and other essentials in pockets that are accessible without taking the pack off. Best of all, there's zero bounce, and the vest is form-fitted and comfortable for hours of movement.”
