We reviewed six hiking backpacks for women and found the Osprey Sirrus 24 Women’s Hiking Backpack and Osprey Packs Renn 50 Women’s Backpack to be the best hiking backpacks for women.
The Sirrus 24 is an excellent backpack for day hikes because you can easily adjust its torso length. Meanwhile, the Renn 50 is a great choice for women requiring the same degree of torso customization while having access to a larger pack volume for multi-day hikes.
Most women know the feeling of hiking with a backpack that doesn’t fit their body well. Our shoulders ache just thinking about it. That’s why we embarked on a journey to discover the best hiking packs for women.
We chose our top picks in their respective categories because of the company’s attention to detail when designing the pack for a woman’s frame. These packs also come with waterproof covers so that you don’t have to delay your hike when it rains.
That said, your hike will be uncomfortable if you use a multi-day pack for a day hike and vice versa. That’s why we’ve broken this review into these two categories, and we’ll describe the differences between them.
Are you ready to find the backpack of your dreams? Read on to learn more.
Product Mini-Reviews Day Packs
Day backpacks can make or break a hike. We’ve done the hard work for you and tested out the many options in the day backpack market. Below are our favorites.
Osprey Sirrus 24 Women’s Hiking Backpack – Best Overall Day Pack
- Key Feature: Adjustable torso lengths
- Size: 19.3 x 11.8 x 11.8 inches
- Volume: 24 liters
- Pockets: Mesh pockets and compression straps
- Waterproof: Yes, by attaching a rain cover
- Water storage: Internal hydration reservoir
- Accessories: Pole attachment
No two women have the same body structure, and Osprey understands this. So, their Sirrus 24 backpack has an adjustable airspeed suspension.
It’s easy to customize this backpack to fit your torso, meaning you can permanently put it on your favorite setting or pass this backpack around to other women in your friends and family circle.
Having quick access to water is crucial on any hike. That’s why we love the Sirrus’ internal hydration sleeve—the generously sized pocket makes it easy for you to access it.
Will you be hiking in icy conditions? If so, an external bungee tie lets you easily store your ice tool when it’s not in use. And if you need some directions as you traverse the ice, you can store a map and much-needed gloves in a front zippered pocket.
If you need even more room for small items, a hip belt, and stash pockets ensure you keep your personal belongings organized. Best of all, you never have to worry about a rainstorm thanks to a rain cover that you can store at the base of this pack.
Internal hydration sleeve accommodates up to a 3L reservoir (sold separately).
Ventilated backpanel with adjustable shoulder harness to dial in perfect fit.
Stretch mesh pockets on both sides of pack provide convenient storage for bottles and smaller items.
Two zippered hipbelt pockets.
Stow-On-The-Go Trekking pole attachment allows you to quickly attach and carry trekking poles while wearing the pack
Integrated and removable raincover.
The North Face Women’s Recon 30L – Best Economy Day Pack
- Key Feature: American Chiropractic Association certified
- Size: 19.25 x 13 x 7 inches
- Volume: 30 liters
- Pockets: Front compartment with tablet sleeve, a laptop compartment, and external pocket
- Waterproof: No
- Water storage: Two mesh water bottle pockets
- Accessories: Reflective properties for hiking at night
Who says economy and quality can’t go together? The North Face’s Recon proves this is the case with its flexible yolk and sturdy sternum strap, making it an excellent value.
North Face didn’t cut corners with its Recon design. A rounded back panel and articulated shoulder straps caress a woman’s frame and are part of what qualifies it for certification with the American Chiropractic Association.
We recommend this backpack for light hikes. It’s an especially great backpack if you want to get a hike in before work—you can store both a laptop and tablet in its padded compartments. Just make sure to hike on a clear day since this backpack doesn’t have rain protection.
Minimalists will appreciate that you can remove the waist belt. You’ll also get to enjoy practically seamless stitch lines and fabric so soft that chafed skin will be a thing of the past.
The Recon comes in several colors and has attractive buckle finishes. Finally, it has a stand-up design, meaning you won’t have to hunt down a tree or rock to lean it against.
Our iconic 30L backpack is specifically designed for women and updated with a stretch front stash pocket and improved organization. A spacious main compartment has a dedicated and highly protective laptop compartment.
The FlexVent suspension system features a flexible yoke built from custom injection-molded and flexible shoulder straps, a padded mesh back panel and a breathable lumbar panel for comfortable, ventilated support.
Two extended mesh water bottle pockets double as multi-use pockets. The front compartment has an extra padded tablet sleeve and zip pockets. An external fleece-lined pocket stores small items or electronics.
Dimensions. 19.25″ x 13″ x 7″ (48.9cm x 33cm x 17.8cm). Volume. 30 Liters. Fabric: nylon with non-PFC DWR finish. Boot: 1680D ballistic nylon.
Marmot Women’s Graviton 36 Lightweight Hiking Backpack – Best Lightweight Day Pack
- Key Feature: Wrap-around zipper
- Size: 24.41 x 13.78 x 3.15 inches
- Volume: 36 liters
- Pockets: Zippered lid compartment and mesh pockets on the waist belt
- Waterproof: Storm collar
- Water storage: Hydration port and water bottle pockets
- Accessories: Lid and front lash points
You have enough to carry on your day hike without worrying about excessive weight from your backpack. That’s why we love the Marmot’s Graviton since it only weighs 2.27 pounds.
Don’t let its lightweight feature fool you, though—the Graviton can hold up to 36 liters of your belongings. And unlike many other day backpacks, you won’t have to fish around to find your things, thanks to a wrap-around zipper with sliders.
Marmot kept women at the forefront of its design since the shoulder harness, hip belt, and length fit well with most female frames.
If you’re hiking in a hot environment, you’ll be glad to know that this pack comes with a ventilated airflow suspension. You’ll also likely want to bring extra water with you, and a hanging reservoir clip makes it easy for you to do so.
The Graviton offers quick access to your trekking poles when you climb an extra steep mountain. And given that this backpack is so light, we’re sure those mountains will start looking more attractive!
What helps make the Graviton lightweight is that it has material that collapses when it isn’t full. So, if you don’t plan on stuffing it full, expect it to have a more giving structure.
This lightweight women’s backpack is great for everything from day hiking trips to overnight camping adventures.
Shoulder harness, hipbelt, and torso length are designed for women-specific comfort.
Adjustable side and bottom compression straps and back panel provide comfort and support; sternum straps keeps the backpack in place.
Airflow suspension efficiently carries your gear; padded waist belt with dual mesh zippered pockets for extra support and storage.
Zippered lid compartment features key clip and mesh pocket for easy access to frequently needed items; wrap-around zipper features multiple sliders for easy retrieval from main compartment without spilling.
Product Mini-Reviews Multiday Backpacks
Whether you’ve worked your way up to a multi-day hike through day adventures or trekking and camping has always been in your blood, the backpacks below will ensure you have quick access to everything you need for a smooth hiking experience.
Osprey Packs Renn 50 Women’s Backpack – Best Overall Backpack for Multiday Hikes
- Key Feature: Adjustable shoulder harness
- Size: 26.4 x 14.6 x 13.2 inches
- Volume: 50 liters
- Pockets: Side and hip pockets
- Waterproof: Yes, with rain cover
- Water storage: Hydration sleeve reservoir
- Accessories: Sleeping bag compartment with divider
We’re back at it again, with the Osprey brand being our number one pick, this time for multi-day hikes. We consider the Renn to be the best backpack for multi-day hikes because of its adjustable airspeed suspension. In fact, you can easily adjust the torso length between 14 and 19 inches.
Furthermore, Osprey’s savvy design causes the hip belt to handle much of the load. What does that mean for you? Less pain in your shoulders as you scale your favorite mountain.
When it comes to sleeping arrangements, you have two options—the first is to store your sleeping bag in a zippered compartment. The second is to secure your sleeping bag to external straps.
That way, you can remove the sleeping bag divider inside your backpack and free up even more space for your hiking equipment. May we suggest using that space for s’mores ingredients?
If you plan on taking mini treks during your multi-day hike excursion, you’ll love that you can attach an Osprey Daylite pack to the Renn. Just take into account the extra weight it’ll add since the Renn is already 3.31 pounds.
Highly ventilated and comfortable AirSpeed backpanel with adjustable shoulder harness to fit a wide range of torso lengths.
Integrated removable rain cover.
Zippered bottom sleeping bag compartment with floating divider.
Dual mesh side pockets and zippered hipelt pockets.
Internal hydration reservoir sleeve accommodates up to a 3L reservoir (sold separately).
Recommended load range: 25-35 lbs. – Pack weight 3.31 lbs. at 26.4 X 14.6 X 13.2 inches.
Osprey Aura AG 65 Women’s Backpack – Best Large Backpack for Multi-Day Hikes
- Key Feature: Anti-gravity suspension
- Size: 33 x 15 x 16 inches
- Volume: 65 liters
- Pockets: Stretch mesh side pockets, top lid pockets
- Waterproof: No
- Water storage: 3-liter hydration reservoir sleeve and two water bottle side pockets
- Accessories: Removable floating top lid
With the Osprey Aura, you can practically carry everything and the kitchen sink with you. The 65-liter pack offers maximum flexibility for packing your belongings, including a top lid that you can keep or remove, depending on how much space you need for any given multi-day hike.
An Osprey signature Fit-on-the-Fly hip belt allows you to adjust the harness fit. And since they designed this pack for women, you can expect it to fit snugly to your waist. It also comes with an adjustable harness to tailor the bag even more perfectly to your frame.
Osprey packs a lot of multi-day hiking features into the Aura. You’ll be able to store your trekking poles using a special attachment while strapping your ice tool to dual loops. We especially love the exterior mesh pocket where you can store wet gear.
The sternum strap comes with an integrated whistle, should you ever need help when you’re out on the trail. And in case you have trouble locating it, the bag tends to squeak a bit when you walk, so someone nearby just might be able to hear you without a whistle.
Anti-Gravity suspension – feels like you are carrying less weight than is in your pack.
Adjustable harness and Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt to dial in perfect fit.
Front stretch mesh pocket for quick storage of rain gear or extra layers.
Removable floating top lid with dual zippered pockets and web attachment points.
Internal hydration reservoir sleeve accommodates up to a 3L reservoir (sold separately).
Recommended load range: 30-50 lbs. – Pack weight 4.34 lbs. for a size Small at 31.5 X 14.96 X 15.75 in.
Deuter Women’s Aircontact Lite 35 + 10 – Best Lightweight Backpack for Multi-Day Hikes
- Key Feature: Expandable volume
- Size: 17.72 x 9.45 x 14.17 inches
- Volume: 35 – 45 liters
- Pockets: Interior and stretch side pockets
- Waterproof: No
- Water storage: Drinking system compartment
- Accessories: Walk pole and ice ax holders
Taking multi-day hikes naturally requires you to bring more food and belongings than day hikes. But all those items can quickly add up in weight, so the Deuter Aircontact Lite is a great option for ensuring your pack doesn’t add too much weight to your load.
The Aircontact Lite weighs just under 3.5 pounds, which is impressive for a multi-day pack. Even so, it contains many features you can find in heavier bags. You’ll have access to a three-liter drinking system, a lid compartment, and a double pack bottom.
However, in our opinion, one of the most outstanding features of the Aircontact Lite is the extendable 10-liter collar that you can attach to it to increase its carrying capacity from 35 to 45 liters.
They also do an impressive job tailoring this pack for women, with a multi-layer anatomically shaped hip fin. It also has contoured shoulder straps with a 3D air mesh that Deuter says reduces perspiration by 15%.
All in all, we recommend the Aircontact Lite for women who want a lightweight multi-day pack and don’t need a ton of pockets for storage.
Polyamide.
Designed for everything from trekking and mountaineering tours to overnights in the front country, this pack is both sleek and spacious while remaining lightweight and comfortable. SL means Women’s specific fit, designed by women for women with a Aircontact Lite back system is proven to reduce perspiration by 15%; Breathable padding made of open-cell, hollow-chamber foam and an ergonomic internal X-frame let cool air in and hot air out.
The Aircontact Lite is fully adjustable for enhanced load weight management; Hip belt with Pull-Forward construction is easy to fasten and tighten with heavier loads; Adjustment straps at shoulders transfer weight from shoulders to hips.
Extendable 10L pack collar for volume expansion;
Buying Guide
Now that you know our top backpack picks, let’s cover what to look for as you research.
Day Hikes
If your goal is to take day hikes, below are some items to keep in mind.
Features
Day packs are small and vary in the features they offer. If you plan on bringing many items, identify a backpack with many pockets. You also might want the option to clip things to the outside of your bag. Some bags even come with laptop sleeves, making them versatile for the office and trail.
Problems
Having easy access to water is one of the most important aspects of a backpack; poorly located water holders can slow down your trek. Ideally, you should purchase a pack with an integrated water system or with mesh side pockets.
Use Cases
Day packs come in many styles. Some have a standard hiking pack appearance, including a hip strap, while others offer a sleek, minimalist design. In those cases, you can use your day backpack in non-hiking environments as well.
Multi-Day Hikes
Multi-day hiking backpacks take the backpack game up a notch. Read on to learn about what you should look for.
Features
The best multi-day hiking backpacks contain external loops and attachments for tools like hiking poles and ice picks. You should also look for a pack that offers multiple access areas. Otherwise, you’ll have to dig through your belongings if what you need is at the bottom.
Problems
Multi-day hiking backpacks typically come in several volume options within the same pack style. Choosing a size in liters that’s appropriate for your hiking needs is crucial—if you purchase a bag too small, you could break it trying to stuff your belongings, and if you choose one too big, you’ll carry around extra weight.
Use Cases
You’ll be using your multi-day pack for overnight trips. So, you should choose one that has a sleeping bag compartment (either internal or external). Depending on the style, you can also transform some multi-day packs into a day pack via a special attachment or detachment.
Conclusion
We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to head out on a hike!
If you’re looking for a day pack, the Osprey Sirrus 24 Women’s Hiking Backpack is our top pick because of its adjustable torso. It also comes with many pockets for women who appreciate an organized pack.
On the other hand, Osprey’s Renn Women’s Backpack is an excellent choice for multi-day hikes. It has an adjustable airspeed suspension with an impressive torso length variation from 14 – 19 inches.
Regardless of the backpack you choose, by following our suggestions above, you’ll be able to find a comfortable pack that ticks your most important hiking backpack boxes.
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