Hiking backpacks for women

Why choose a women's hiking backpack?

Women's hiking backpacks are specifically designed to fit the female morphology.

Simply put, men have broad shoulders and a narrower pelvis. For women, it's the opposite, with a wider pelvis than shoulders and a shorter back.

To make the backpack comfortable to carry, several parts are usually adjusted. This includes the straps. These have a narrower spacing at the shoulders and are shaped so as not to interfere with the chest. The chest strap is placed higher. The hip belt is adapted to the female pelvis by being wider and enveloping the hips as much as possible. Finally, the back length is shorter than for men's models to fit perfectly.

As well, capacities are generally reduced by a few litres and materials are more refined to shed as much weight as possible. The result is clear: with a women’s backpack, you will enjoy unique carrying comfort and can tackle all the hikes you desire.

Which women's backpack for walking?

Choosing the right walking backpack is very important to guarantee comfort, safety, and satisfaction during your hikes. Your type of activity will guide you in making the choice that best meets your needs.

Minimalist backpacks for walking

If your activity is limited to a few short walks on flat and not technical terrain, a minimalist backpack may be your best companion. Combining light weight and functionality, this type of pack offers the perfect balance between practicality and simplicity. Their design minimises weight on your back to walk without restriction. Thanks to their reduced size, you carry just the essentials without having to overload the pockets of your clothes!

Some of them, with a small capacity, are inspired by trail running packs, so well that you won't even feel them. Their design is like a second skin and you retain great range of motion. Quick access to essential items is crucial to fully enjoy the outdoors. Minimalist backpacks have external pockets for easy access to small items such as keys, mobile phone, and credit card.

If for you, comfort is a priority, the adjustable and padded straps of some small hiking backpacks will seduce you. A light hip belt can also add additional support, even for short walks.

Day hike backpacks

For those who love hiking all day, investing in another type of hiking backpack is essential. It needs to be larger to carry your hiking gear such as a picnic, rain clothing if the weather turns bad, or a first aid kit to deal with small accidents that could make your life difficult.

Some backpacks for day hikes can also accommodate a water bladder, handy for staying focused on your hike while staying perfectly hydrated. This compartmentalisation will also make your life easier and helps improve quick access to your equipment.

Some hikes can sometimes turn out longer than expected, so a backpack that is lightweight, comfortable, and breathable will be a major asset. Indeed, during sunny summer days, you will appreciate having a backpack that breathes and provides great freedom of movement. Finally, choosing a water-resistant backpack or equipped with a rain cover will keep your gear dry regardless of the conditions.

Mountain trekking backpacks

Choosing the right mountain trekking backpack is essential for the success and comfort of your expeditions. Whether you're planning a short hike or a long adventure at high altitude, here are some key elements to consider to find the ideal pack:

Storage capacity

• For a day of trekking, opt for a 30 to 40-litre pack.
• For longer expeditions, choose a 50-liter or larger pack to accommodate your camping gear and supplies.

Comfort and fit

• Look for well-padded shoulder straps and a hip belt to evenly distribute the load and reduce fatigue.
• Packs with height adjustment systems better adapt to different body shapes.

Strength and durability

• All trekking backpacks you can find on Glisshop are made of materials that withstand abrasion, tearing, and water to face challenging mountain conditions.
• Additional reinforcements at critical points improve the durability of the pack.

Ventilation system

• A ventilation system at the back of the pack reduces sweating and improves comfort over long distances.

Compression straps

• Compression straps stabilise the load and allow to adjust the size of the bacpack according to its content. They allow you to anticipate pain by adapting the pack to your morphology.

Attachments for external equipment

• Loops and attachments for trekking poles, a tent, or an ice axe are useful features. They also simply allow you to dry a pair of socks or a t-shirt washed in the stream while you walk!

Weight

• A backpack as light as possible will reduce the total load you carry, which is especially important on long and difficult climbs.

Which capacity to choose?

One of the things to consider is the size of your hiking backpack. For a day hike, a 10-litre pack will be enough for the most minimalist among us, while for others, 30 litre model will not be too much! However, for a long trek, opt for a capacity of 50 litres or more. If you’re going alone, you will have to carry all your gear for cooking, sleeping, as well as your clothes. A larger capacity, of 70 litres minimum, will be indispensable. The advantage of going on an adventure in a group is the possibility of redistributing the gear in each person's trekking packs. 50 litres can then prove to be largely sufficient. Make sure the pack has an intelligent compartment distribution to facilitate the organisation of your equipment.

Of course, the adaptation of a hiking backpack to the female morphology, usually means a slightly smaller capacity compared to men's models. The difference is not huge, it is generally less than 5 litres. This also has the effect of making the backpack lighter and therefore improving carrying comfort.

More and more backpacks dedicated to women: some examples

30l models from Deuter

Deuter offers many women's hiking backpacks with the SL range, for ‘Slim Line, which is dedicated to women. The back length is shorter, the straps are narrower, and the hip stabilisers are conical to perfectly fit female forms. The German brand offers about twenty packs for women like the Futura 30 SL, the AC Lite 28 SL, or the Trail 28 SL.

50l models from Lafuma

The French brand also offers a range for women. These backpacks are equipped with ergonomic Lady straps, an ergonomic hip belt, and an adjustable chest strap. Features made to offer optimal comfort. The pack sizes are available with large capacities like the Lafuma Access 50+10 for multi-day hikes.

Osprey: a benchmark for outdoor backpacks

Osprey backpacks offer women's versions of its men's models. Smaller in capacity due to their shorter back length, these backpacks are very comfortable with their straps, hip belt, and ergonomic chest strap. For example, the Tempest is the women's version of the Talon, which makes it easier to differentiate.

Millet backpacks for women

Millet is also a staple for mountain equipment, hiking gear and is also a good choice if you're looking for a quality pack. The brand has developed multiple dedicated models that you can find in our selection. This range for women comes in models for day hikes or long outings ranging from 15 to 50 litres.

Glisshop guides and tips

Find all the brands and all the models specifically dedicated to women on glisshop.co.uk, as well as our guide to choosing your hiking backpack to help you find the right model.