Best day hiking backpack for women

Are you looking for the best day hiking backpack for women? If you are an active woman, new to mountain sports, particularly hiking, and not sure about what the best backpack options are for women, in this post, you will find some amazing options to keep in mind!

Women’s daypacks for hiking are particularly designed thinking in women’s anatomy, including features like more slanted hip straps and narrower shoulder straps to fit a woman’s body better. The best ones are durable, lightweight, and long-lasting, being also helpful with features like external pockets, breathable materials, hip belts, and straps for trekking poles, among other things. By the way, when it comes to how a daypack should fit, the answer is that there does not exist a specific fit in this case, unlike backpacking packs. Even if there are children’s, women’s, and men’s specific fits, many of them are unisex and offer features like adjustable straps to customize the pack to fit the torso. The best option? Always try on a new daypack before to ensure comfortability. Also, it is important to know what to pack in a hiking backpack, there are essential things to consider.

Remember: the top of the waist belt should sit slightly above the center of your hips. Tighten the waist belt, snug but comfortable. If there exists a gap between the shoulders and the shoulders straps, that means the torso of the pack is too long for the user, on the other side; if the shoulder straps give the sensation of weighing down, then the torso of the daypack might be too short, so a size-up is needed. After researching more than 100 options, from ultra-light bangs to the ones with the largest capacity, keeping in mind the different types of necessities that an outdoor woman can have, this list of backpacks is classified by comfort, shapes, sizes, adjustability, and versatility. Every zipper, pocket, and clip were used on scores of adventures for durability and sheer usefulness.

1. CAMEL-BACK SEQUOIA 24

Perfect for hardcore day hikers who won’t settle for anything less than the best option on the market. This backpack offers a lot of space and organization, having one of the most comfortable hip-belts for women ever seen. Sequoia features a unique dual-wing hip belt that simultaneously compresses the pack while hugging the user’s hips with wide, comfortably padded straps; the straps offer the largest hip pockets on the market.

A dedicated hydration bladder pocket keeps the water separate from the gear, labeled with a blue zipper pull; it comes with the latest 3-liter Camel-Bak. The main compartment has 20 liters of storage space and several slip pockets to keep things perfectly organized. On the other side, six additional pockets adorn the outside of this bag, adding an extra 4 liters of storage space, while the superb weight-distributing hip belt keeps it feeling light and comfortable.

Sequoia 24 is one of the heavier backpacks. The dual wings of this backpack are super-thick hip belts that can be pesky when left unbuckled, splaying out to each side, which means that this backpack isn’t well suited to casual use. By the way, the Sequoia Camel-Back has changed the main compartment zipper from the traditional zipper running from side to side over the top of the bag to a U-shaped flap that allows access only to the top of the pack.

Pros:
– Extremely comfortable hip belt.
– 3L hydration reservoir.
– Good capacity.
– Super durable construction.

Cons:
– Small U-shaped.
– Some pockets compete with each other.

2. OSPREY TEMPEST 9

With only a 9-liter gear carrying capacity, this backpack is absolutely on the small side, perfect for those adventurers that don’t need to carry a lot of things. The best part? The zipper pockets for storing small essentials like keys and a phone, and the main interior is big enough to fit all the basics including warm layers, a camera, and snacks. It even has a handy sunglasses holder on one of the shoulder straps, and the small hip belt pockets are great for easy-to-access items.

Small, lightweight, and comfy to wear with padded and breathable backing and straps that help to keep its user cool during the trial. The hydration sleeve makes it easy to take your hydration reservoir in and out to refill, making it easy to find the perfect fit for the user.

Pros:
– Multiple pockets and attachment points for gear.
– Mesh back panel for airflow.
– Made from bluesign®-approved materials, lifetime warranty

Cons:
– 9 L capacity doesn’t allow for much extra gear.

3. GREGORY JUNO 24L

The perfect match for those obsessed with the security and comfortability fit of the full backpack, with the necessity to replicate the feeling and movement. The semi-flexible suspension system of the Juno distributes the weight across its wide The shoulder straps are thick enough while still being flexible, making them able to move in.

A full array of pockets offers symmetrical, and intuitive use that keeps you organized without ever wondering which pocket holds what. Made from thick ripstop nylon that’s reinforced in all the right places, this pack is ready to go the distance. It comes in only one size, working better for women in the middle of its advertised 14 to 19-inch torso length, but might not be the best fit for outlier sizes.

Pros:
– Excellent back ventilation
– Backpack security and comfort
– Intuitive and useful pockets and features
– Durable construction

Cons:
– The hip belt webbing system is kind of lame
– One size

4. COTOPAXI LUZON DEL DIA 18L DAYPACK

Lightweight and easy to travel with, Cotopaxi Luzon Del Día 18L Daypack, is one of the favorite “go-to” in the market. The main compartment is large enough to cram extra layers into, with a drawstring closure, so there’s no fumbling around with a zipper. The hydration sleeve and adjustable straps allow the user to customize the fit.

The lack of technical features and support shows that it could not be the best daypack for serious hikers, but for travel, light day hikes, and other activities: is one of the best options. The best part? The recycled fabrics are handpicked by their staff.

Pros:
– Ultra-lightweight.
– Packs down small.
– Easy to travel with.
– Made from 100% recycled fabrics.

Cons:
– Frameless design so the pack will lie flat on your back without much breathability.
– Not the best choice for long or strenuous hikes.
– Bright colors may not appeal to everyone.
– Few organizational pouches and attachment points.

5. THE NORTH FACE CHIMERA 18- WOMEN’S

The perfect backpack for those who are looking for an easy-to-access pack without stopping, or an option for running that’s larger than a hydration vest. Chimera 18 (now the Chimera 24) is halfway between a daypack and a large hydration vest, that offers a seriously secure fit even for logging long trail runs.
A unique harness system offers more connection points for the shoulder straps while also looping them into the system with the webbing hip belt. Side-access to the two zippered compartments makes it easy to swing this bag in front of you and grab whatever the user needs without breaking stride. On the other side, its four shoulder pockets on the straps, which are great for storing little things.

But, in high contrast to its strong points, the main compartment doesn’t zip open over the top, and the only accessible through that single side zip, which is quite narrow. By the way, the webbing hip belt also obviously does nothing for weight-bearing and functions only to stabilize its user load. So, for those who are hoping to load this thing down with your laptop and bike to work, this is just not the best option.

Pros: -Very secure fit
– Holds more than expected
– Great on-the-go usability
– Good shoulder strap pockets

Cons:
– Zips open unconventionally
– The more specific intended purpose

6. DEUTER TRAIL 28 SL PACK

For climbers, for all-day hikes, or even other more extensive outdoor adventures where you need to carry more gear, layers, and food. Deuter Trail 28 Pack turns into one of the best options on the market.

With a comfortable padded back and straps that are adjustable, and all the technical features that anybody might need like helmet and carabiner loops, a two-way front zipper for easy interior access, hip belt pockets, a side stretch pocket, and internal pockets for valuables. It even comes with a rain cover and is also hydration-reservoir compatible.

Pros:
– Features specific to climbers.
– Includes rain cover.
– Easily compressible meets most airline carry-on size restrictions.

Cons:
– Only comes in one frame size.

7. OSPREY ULTRALIGHT STUFF PACK

Ideal for those adventurers who only need to bring essentials for their outdoor days. This is where an ultralight, super packable bag like the Osprey Ultralight comes in handy. It strips away all the fancy features of the regular pack but retains just enough features to keep it useful. With a side pocket and small top pocket, users can keep themselves organized on the go. Lightly padded shoulder straps help keep it more comfortable than many of its competitors.

Weighing just 3.8 ounces and packing down into its own pocket, this on-the-go bag is easy to bring with you just about anywhere. With such a simple design, the Ultralight Stuff Pack does miss out on some important features like a hip belt and ventilated back panel. With an incredibly thin material, people who use this type of backpack need to pack like a pro to avoid feeling every bump and corner of their hiking essentials.

Just a very small bag overall, not indicated, particularly for those who are looking for taller or larger bags for a better fit, the short straps on this bag might not be your friend. But for people who love after a teeny-tiny, super lightweight pack that you can throw in your car for spontaneous adventuring or stuff in your carry-on for that trip to Europe, the Osprey Ultralight is a solid companion.

Pros:
– Super lightweight
– Reasonably comfortable
– Retains some useful features
– Packs into its own pocket

Cons:

– No hip belt

-Can feel contents

-Small fit

8. MYSTERY RANCH SCREE 32L BACKPACK

One of the best options when it comes to choosing a hiking daypack for the most adventurous women, especially for doing all-day hikes and adventures that need to keep your gear organized. The unique 3-zipper design provides easy access to interior items, and the zippered stash pockets on the lid and hip belt keep your smaller essentials easily accessible.

The padded mesh backing, and straps should keep its users comfortable on the trail and the hydration sleeve and side water bottle pockets will help stay hydrated. This women’s specific pack comes in two different sizes frame sizes, XS/S and M/L, and makes a great airplane carry-on as well.

Pros:
– Double-layer bottom for extra durability.
– Meets carry-on size restrictions, can double as a backpacking pack for short overnight trips.

Cons:
– None.