The perfect daypack, or hiking backpack, is one of the most important pieces of gear a hiker owns. But with literally hundreds of daypacks and backpacks to pick from, how do you choose?
Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of women’s daypacks for hiking. Here are my 7 favorite day hiking backpacks for women – now updated for 2024!
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When I first started out, I probably spent hours wandering through REI with absolutely no idea what I needed in a daypack. Frames? Frameless? Hydration reservoirs? Hip belts? What the heck?
And not to mention the obvious, but us girls are usually shaped a little differently than men. For some, a one-size-fits-all pack (which usually means built for a man) just won’t do the trick!
After a lot of trial and error, I’ve dialed in on the best women’s daypacks for hiking, whether you’re looking for an all-around workhorse, an ultralight frameless pack, or comfortable backpacks for plus sized women.
Quick Picks: Top Picks for the Best Women’s Hiking Daypacks
Best All-Around Women’s Daypack for Hiking: Osprey Women’s Tempest 20L
Best Frameless Daypack for Women: REI Flash Pack 22L
Best Budget Hiking Daypack: REI Flash Pack 18L
Best Women’s Daypack for Long Hikes & Winter Hikes: Gregory Jade 28L
Best Hiking Backpack for Plus Size Women: Gregory Maya 20L Plus Size
Women’s Hiking Packs vs Men’s Packs – What’s the Difference?
When buying the perfect hiking daypack, proper fit is crucial. Unfortunately, most unisex bags are still designed with men’s specifications in mind (*cue eye roll 🙄).
FYI I’m using the term “women” here, but this list is helpful for anyone – man, woman, nonbinary, gender-fluid, and those assigned female at birth who would benefit from a “women’s” shaped pack.
Hiking daypacks labeled “for women” are tailored to better suit women’s body dimensions. They typically accommodate a wider hip and chest area, with backpack straps that are more curved and a higher chest strap. If the pack has a frame, it’s usually shorter to fit a smaller torso.
But, choosing a hiking daypack is about what works for YOU. The packs listed here also come in men’s or unisex sizes, so don’t hesitate to try on different styles to find the best fit for your body.
Best Women’s Hiking Daypacks in 2024
Ready for the top pics? Here is my 2024 list of the best hiking daypacks and backpacks for women.
I’ve owned and worn most of these packs – or in the case of the updated Gregory & Deuter packs – tested them extensively in stores and compiled a ton of research to bring you the newest info on these best hiking packs!
Best All Around Women’s Daypacks for Hiking: Osprey Women’s Tempest 20L
The Osprey Tempest 20L is my go-to daypack for almost all hikes. This pack is the perfect combination of features and comfort, making it one of the most widely used and best women’s daypacks for hiking.
Pros
- Internal plastic back panel provides plenty of structure and support.
- Padded hip belt pockets sit comfortably and are perfect for storing snacks, hand sanitizer and other small items.
- Hydration reservoir pocket and two side mesh pockets for water-bottles.
- Attachments to store your trekking poles, ice axe, and helmet.
Cons
- Price – ordinary retail price is $160 – making this an expensive pack for day hiking.
- No built in rain cover. Rain covers can be purchased separately.
- Heavier and bulkier than some other packs on this list, due to the internal frame.
Runner Up Best All Around Women’s Daypacks for Hiking: Deuter Speed Lite 23 SL Women’s Pack
The Deuter Speed Lite is another popular women’s daypack option, with a shockingly lightweight frame. To keep it light, this pack has fewer bells and whistles than the Tempest 20L, and only comes in one size.
Personally, I found that the “streamlined “v-shape” of this pack a little awkward, and makes it slightly annoying to get larger items in and out of the bottom of the pack.
Pros
- 2L larger than the Tempest
- Retails for a slightly lower price (usually, $120).
- Extremely light internal frame. The entire pack weighs 1lb 8oz.
- Attachments to store trekking poles or ice axes.
- Hydration reservoir compatibility
Cons
- One size, no adjustable torso length
- Only one hip belt pocket.
- “v-shaped” pack, which could be a con or pro, depending on your preference.
Best Frameless Daypack for Women: REI Flash Pack 22L
Packing light? Or traveling? Frameless day packs are lighter, and easier to pack down in a suitcase or duffle bag for your next epic National Parks trip.
The REI Flash 22L pack is my go-to recommendation for new hikers who aren’t ready to invest in a pricy pack and don’t need internal frames. This pack is also my favorite travel-friendly daypack. Because there is no internal frame, this lightweight pack fits easily inside your carry on or checked bag, making it my favorite frameless and ultralight daypack for hiking.
Pros
- Hip and sternum straps, attachments to store trekking poles or ice axes.
- Hydration reservoir compatibility
- Surprisingly good at comfortably carrying heavier loads, thanks to the added padding on the shoulder straps and back panel.
- Large top and side pockets, small internal pockets for easily storing items like keys, wallet, snacks.
- Under $60 regular price, and frequently on sale for an even lower price.
Cons
- No hipbelt pockets
- Unisex and one size option
- No internal frame.
- Made with a recycled ripstop nylon fabric (yay!) but is prone to ripping and wear and tear.
Best Budget Women’s Hiking Daypack: REI Flash 22 / Flash 18 Daypacks
When it comes to the best bang for your buck for a beginner’s pack, the REI Flash 22 daypack (also available in a smaller 18L) has all the essential daypack requirements, at less than half the price of some of the other packs on this list!
Pros
- Under $60 regular price, and frequently on sale for an even lower price.
- Hip and sternum straps, attachments to store trekking poles or ice axes.
- Hydration reservoir compatibility
- Surprisingly good at comfortably carrying heavier loads, thanks to the added padding on the shoulder straps and back panel.
- Large top and side pockets, small internal pockets for easily storing items like keys, wallet, snacks.
Cons
- No hipbelt pockets
- Unisex and one size option
- No internal frame.
- Made with a recycled ripstop nylon fabric (yay!) but is prone to ripping and wear and tear.
Best Women’s Daypack for Long Hikes & Winter Hiking: Gregory Jade 28L
The Gregory Jade 28L is a versatile daypack designed specifically for women with a substantial carrying capacity of 28 liters, making it an ideal choice for long hikes and winter adventures that require more gear.
The “FreeFloat dynamic suspension” connects the hipbelt with a flexible panel that, theoretically, moves with your body. Whether or not this makes a difference is probably up to the individual person – when I tested this out in store, I didn’t notice a huge change how it carried pack weight.
Pros
- Adjustable torso length options.
- Sturdy frame for carrying heavier loads very comfortably.
- Built-in rain cover keeps gear dry in wet conditions.
- Attachments to store trekking poles or ice axes.
- Tensioned mesh back panel for excellent ventilation.
- Hydration reservoir compatibility
Cons
- Heavy. XS is 2lbs 15oz, and S/M size pack is 3lbs 8oz
- Expensive. Regular retail price is $169
Runner Up Best Women’s Daypack for Long & Winter Hikes: Osprey Women’s Sirrus 24L
The Osprey Sirrus is my pack of choice for long and strenuous hikes that require more gear weight. At 24L it doesn’t carry quite as much as the Gregory Jade, and is more expensive, so you’ll need to err on the side of less gear, earning it the runner up status. Still, its a great pick when you need extra support or plan on packing heavier gear.
Pros
- At 2lbs 12oz, this pack is nearly 1 lb lighter than the S/M Gregory Jade
- Padded hip belt pockets, a hydration reservoir pocket, and trekking pole and ice axe attachments.
- Included rain cover with storage pocket built in, attachments to store trekking poles or ice axes.
- Adjustable torso length
- Tensioned mesh back panel for excellent ventilation.
- Hydration reservoir compatibility
Cons
- One size
- Internal frame shape makes fitting bulkier items inside difficult compared with Jade.
- Expensive. At $180, this is the most expensive pack on this list.
Best Hiking Backpack for Plus Size Women: Gregory Maya 20L Plus Size
Outdoor gear makers have been notoriously slow when it comes to serving plus-size bodies. In fact, it wasn’t until spring of 2021 that Gregory released some of the first daypacks and backpacks designed to fit above a women’s size 12/14 hit the market.
A few brands have followed suit, but Gregory still maintains the largest selection of packs for all body types among mainstream hiking brands.
The Gregroy Maya 20L is available in one size, equivalent to 2x–6x in apparel sizing, with an adjustable torso length.
Pros
- Adjustable torso length.
- Front and side stretch mesh pockets for storing water bottles and easy-access items.
- Hydration reservoir compatibility.
- Trekking pole attachment
Cons
- One size, equivalent to 2x–6x in apparel sizing
How to Choose the Perfect Hiking Daypack
When shopping for the best hiking backpack for women, there are four big factors to consider:
- Size
- Support
- Features
- Fit
Size
Daypacks come in all sizes, and their capacity is measure in liters.
Most daypacks range from 10 to 30 liters in capacity size. I highly recommend a pack in the 18 to 25 liter range, which is than space to carry your hiking essentials, plus snacks, extra water, and extra layers, like a rain jacket or fleece.
Support: Frame vs Frameless Hiking Backpacks
Daypacks fall into two categories depending on the kind of support they offer: Internal frame or Frameless.
Internal Frame: Larger daypacks are built with an internal frame to help support the weight of the pack. Traditional frame daypacks are built with lightweight aluminum or alloy rods to support the weight. Other hiking daypacks are supported by a thin, plastic, framesheet that rests against your back.
Frameless: Frameless daypacks are exactly what they sound like – no frame included. These packs are perfect for shorter hikes where you don’t have to carry too much gear weight. Frameless packs are also significantly lighter than internal frame packs. So, if weight is more important than support, choose a frameless pack instead.
Hiking Backpack Features
Hip Belts: A webbing hip belt is a simple strap that sits above your hip bones. The webbing strap keeps your pack secure and can be adjusted. A cushioned or mesh hip belt support heavier weight in your pack, and help distribute the weight on your hips and away from your shoulders and back.
Cushioned hip belts usually come with pockets, which are perfect for storing snacks or your phone.
Sternum Straps: A sternum strap is an adjustable strap that helps to keep your pack secure. The strap fits above your chest and can be adjusted to your comfort level. FYI, most sternum straps have a built in emergency whistle!
Hydration Sleeves: A sleeve or large pocket to store a water hydration reservoir (also called a water bladder). Most packs also have a hole on top to run your water hose.
Water Resistance and Rain Covers: Most daypacks are made with water resistant (but not waterproof) materials, which will repel light rain. A rain cover works, and looks, exactly like a shower cap. Larger packs will sometimes include a built-in rain cover.
How to Test the Fit of a Women’s Hiking Daypack
Whether you purchase your hiking daypack online or in store, it is important to check the fit of your pack at home, and before you hit the trails.
Load your pack with the weight you expect to carry on a long day hike. Fasten the hip belt and sternum straps and tighten both until the pack fits securely against your back.
The weight of the pack should settle on your hips, rather than pulling on your shoulders.
Move, twist, heck maybe even jog in place to test the pack. The pack should feel stable and secure against your back and not mess with your center of gravity.
Signs That Your Daypack Does Not Fit:
- Uncomfortable “hot spots” or rubbing and chaffing after a few minutes of wear.
- Sliding or wobbling, even after all the straps are tightened.
- You feel off balance.
More Favorite Hiking Gear & Hiking Tips
Searching for the perfect pack or hiking shoes for your next adventure? Want tips to stay safe on your next hike, or maybe try your first backpacking trip? Check out more hiking gear guides and hiking tips:
