Many cultures are still regarding women as fragile, gentle, and reserved. But, as we move forward to a more modern and welcoming society, we see that women are now starting to break norms, becoming more empowered to try new things that are normally associated with men.
There are now more women who are into exciting adventures. Traveling opens our eyes to experience and appreciate the world. We see women enjoying thrilling activities like mountain climbing and hiking. And behind her, of course, is a reliable hiking backpack for women.
A backpack is a simple yet revolutionary item that allows more freedom of movement while still having your essentials with you. In this case, a hiking backpack provides generous storage for all your essentials for several days in the outdoors, with even some for emergencies. It should be big yet not bulky to carry. And since we are looking for a hiking backpack for women, it should be of the right size that fits most women frames.
There are plenty of options when it comes to backpacking bags, but you’ll find that they are typically categorized into two – men’s and women’s. And the primary reason is the difference in body frames. This is actually a thoughtful move for bag manufacturers because not only it improves the comfort of the wearer, but it also promotes inclusivity.
Nonetheless, when looking for the best hiking backpack for women, consider the adjustability features like straps and gear loops. Also, check for storage capacity and compartments that will provide you enough room for your essentials and to organize them properly inside. And of course, some women still wanted to have some feminine touch in their camping backpacks. Therefore, choosing bright or pastel colors, or with some minimal prints can add personality to it.
Here are three of the best backpacking backpacks for women that resulted from our research. They are gauged based on comfort, features, and durability.
| Name | Key Feature | |
|---|---|---|
| Osprey Aura AG 65 Women’s Backpacking Backpack– Editor’s Choice | Equipped with the Anti-Gravity suspension that helps distribute the weight and improves user comfort | Check Price |
| Gregory Mountain Products Jade 63 Liter Women’s Overnight Hiking Backpack | Utilizes the Free Float suspension – adjustable torso length, air-ventilated back panel | Check Price |
| Kelty Women’s Red Cloud 80 Backpack | Utilizes the PerfectFIT suspension system – with adjustable straps that are accurate to a woman’s frame | Check Price |
Osprey Aura AG 65 Women’s Backpacking Backpack – Editor’s Choice
We love this hiking backpack for women because it is lightweight but durable. And most especially, because it is equipped with an Anti-Gravity suspension system for a comfortable fit and feel.
The Osprey hiking backpack’s anti-gravity suspension system enables the weight of your loaded bag to be properly distributed to your shoulders down your waist so it will not feel too heavy. We are very particular about this feature since when you go on backpacking or hiking, you should conserve as much energy as possible to endure the long walks and high climbs.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Gravity frame, aside from providing support to your body, also allows for proper ventilation so your back will not feel too hot. The back panel is meshed and made continuous and extended from the top down to the hip belt. Overall, this hiking backpack for women is created with comfort in mind.
This backpack Osprey also features a hip belt dubbed as Fit-on-the-Fly. It is adjustable and wide for a comfortable fit whatever your frame is. It hugs your hips and helps distribute the weight in your body so it still feels lighter during the hike.
The Osprey Aura AG 65 Women’s Backpacking Backpack also has other useful features when it comes to storage. This hiking backpack for women has side straps that compress both sides so it will remain streamlined and in position. They are made inside-out so it can secure your bag well.
Aside from the main compartment, this womens backpack also has many compartments to organize your things and allow you to access them more conveniently. It has side mesh pockets that are stretchable to contain items like a water bottle, umbrella, or your other gear. For smaller items that you need to access easily as well, this hiking backpack for women also has zippered side hip pockets.
This hiking backpack for women also has a dedicated compartment for your sleeping bag, located at the bottom. It has its own zipper so you do not need to rummage on your things just to get it. Meanwhile, it has a removable top lid that can unfold and serve as a cover for your backpack.
As a separate accessory, you can also purchase an internal hydration sleeve. It can hold up to 3 liters of water.
This hiking backpack for women also has a trekking pole attachment and a sternum strap that comes with a whistle.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Equipped with the Anti-Gravity suspension that helps distribute the weight and improves user comfort | Expensive |
| With side pockets and compartments | |
| Dedicated compartment for sleeping bag | |
| Trekking pole attachment |
Conclusion
Many users of the Osprey Aura AG 65 Women’s Backpacking Backpack attest to its comfort and durability. And it is not surprising with its materials and engineering design.
Gregory Mountain Products Jade 63 Liter Women’s Overnight Hiking Backpack
This hiking backpack for women utilizes a free-float suspension. This allows you to experience a comfortable fit and extra weight support. This daypack also includes using breathable materials like mesh and 3D foam back panels to keep moisture from building up and discourage perspiration.
Meanwhile, the free float suspension also incorporates flexible side panels that hug your hips comfortably and naturally flex with your movements. This provides ample support but with the hiking backpack for women remaining comfortable to wear. The custom-cut shoulder harness connects to a sternum strap that comes with a safety whistle and hydration clip.
To mention, this ladies backpack can be equipped with a hydration reservoir. You just have to buy this separately.
The Gregory Mountain Products Jade 63 Liter Women’s Overnight Hiking Backpack also has an adjustable torso length to allow for a more comfortable height and for the back to breathe. This hiking backpack for women utilizes perimeter alloy and fiberglass to help it manage the weight of your load.
Meanwhile, this hiking backpack for women has a well-thought-of storage management system. It has dedicated compartments for both bulky and small essentials you might bring with you. It has a space for your sleeping bag that has its own zipper for easy access. It also features zippered side pockets, stretchable mesh compartments, and U-zip access to the main compartment.
The Gregory Mountain Products Jade 63 Liter Women’s Overnight Hiking Backpack also comes with a rain shield, a quick-stow system for your sunglass (for easy and scratch-free access). It also has trekking pole attachments included.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Utilizes the Free Float suspension – adjustable torso length, air-ventilated back panel | Some users find the hip pads to be underpadded when the pack is heavy |
| The hip belt has flexible side panels | |
| Can be integrated with a hydration reservoir | |
| With a quick stow system for your sunglass | |
| With dedicated compartment for sleeping bag | |
| With a total of 6 exterior pockets/compartments | |
| U-shaped zip access to the main compartment pocket |
Conclusion
The Gregory Mountain Products Jade 63 Liter Women’s Overnight Hiking Backpack allows the user to adjust the right areas for the most comfortable fit, especially on women of different frames and sizes.
Kelty Women’s Red Cloud 80 Backpack
This hiking backpack for women utilizes the PerfectFIT suspension system, which allows users to adjust all the interconnected straps in the shoulders, torso, and hip area for that perfect and comfortable fit. It is designed to hug a woman’s curves to allow her to proceed with her natural movements minus the strain from the heavy load. Kelty guarantees that these adjustable features are in tune with a woman’s natural body built.
This backpacking backpack is top-loading for you to maximize the main compartment’s storage space. It allows you to load tall items in your loot. But, it is surrounded by exterior pockets made for small items and for those essentials you need to access easily. This hiking backpack for women also comes with a sleeping bag compartment that can be accessed separately from the main.
The Kelty Women’s Red Cloud 80 Backpack is one of those hiking packs in the market that puts a premium on the comfort of the user. It made the back panel padded but lined with breathable materials to allow for proper air ventilation and dynamic airflow. The shoulder straps are equipped with the same mesh material so they’ll stay moisture-free. This hiking backpack for women is also one large backpack with a capacity of 80 liters.
This lightweight backpack has a removable lid that turns into a daypack. Even though it is lightweight for long hikes, you may want to bring only a few items when you roam around the campsite and leave the rest in the tent. This is a nice feature and particularly useful on many occasions.
Though this is a waterproof backpack, we kinda missed the rainproof gear. A rainfly could guarantee full protection and adds a sort of assurance on the user end.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Utilizes the PerfectFIT suspension system – with adjustable straps that are accurate to a woman’s frame | Lacks front zipper access |
| Air-ventilated padded back panel with dynamic airflow system | Does not include a rain cover |
| Top-loading and access | |
| The top lid converts into a mini daypack | |
| Compatible with a hydration reservoir |
Conclusion
The Kelty Women’s Red Cloud 80 Backpack provides ample storage for your travels and adventures. This hiking backpack for women is also affordable for its size.
Final Verdict
There are actually tons of best hiking backpacks in the market. When looking for the right fit for you, you have to see to it that it addresses your priorities. Do you need something that has a lot of interiors and exterior compartments? Will you be bringing tall items with you? Do you have a budget range? Do you frequently go on long hikes or only short-term trips? Will you be riding planes?
When it comes to long-haul travel that may frequently get you on your feet, we will vouch for the Osprey Aura AG 65 Women’s Backpacking Backpack.
The Osprey Aura AG 65 Women’s Backpacking Backpack is yet the most comfortable hiking backpack for women. The anti-gravity suspension system is effective in providing support in the right places so the user will not feel all the weight she is carrying. The back panel remains comfortable even after hours of wearing the pack. The adjustable straps hug the natural curves and frame of a woman, regardless of her size.