For any adventurous women out there that are looking for the perfect backpack, check out our complete guide to choose the best hiking backpack for women.
Looking for the perfect bag to take with you on your adventures? Check out all our advice on choosing the best trekking or hiking backpack for women.
Hiking and trekking backpacks for women have been designed to be really comfortable to carry. These bags usually have:
The best capacity for your backpack depends on how you intend to use it. Below, you will find our advice on which capacity to choose depending on how long you are planning to hike or trek for.
Please note that these recommendations are based on a standard trekker profile. If you prefer to pack really light for your hikes or treks, your needs in terms of capacity will be quite different.
If you are planning to use your backpack for a hike that lasts half a day or one full day, choose one that has a capacity of between 3 and 30 litres. The backpack that you choose within this range will depend on the difficulty of the hike you are planning, or on what you plan to put in your backpack (for example: if you’re taking your camera with you, you'll need more space in your hiking backpack).
If you’re planning to go trekking alone for two to four days, a backpack with a capacity of 35 to 60 litres is ideal. It offers a good balance between capacity and comfort.
This volume means you can take everything you need for several days without making the backpack uncomfortable to carry. Here are a few points to bear in mind when choosing the capacity for your backpack:
The weight of the backpack when it is empty is something to take into account when choosing your trekking equipment. We recommend choosing a backpack that weighs no more than 3 kg when empty.
However, this weight may vary depending on the type of backpack and its volume. For example, a women’s 50L trekking backpack weighs around 1.8 kg.
In addition, the weight of the bag when it is empty depends on the weight of your equipment. For equipment weighing more than 7 or 8 kg, you need a sturdy, comfortable bag, which will therefore be heavier when empty. An ultra light bag works best if your equipment is really light too.
Striking the right balance between the weight of the empty backpack and its comfort and sturdiness will help you find the right bag for you. In fact, some ultra light bags can lack structure and support, which can make them uncomfortable to carry if the bag is too full.
It’s important to note that a bag that is heavier when empty but comfortable and well-fitting may be preferable to one that is really light but uncomfortable to carry.
To find a bag that is really comfortable to carry, there are several factors you need to consider:
The hip belt
Ideally, they should be wide and padded to distribute the weight of the bag and take the strain off of the shoulders. For women, belts are often cone shaped when fastened so that they mould to the shape of your hips.
The shoulder straps
They should be adjustable and padded to prevent chafing. We recommend ergonomic models because they mould to the shape of your shoulders. The straps on models for women are generally S-shaped to avoid constricting the bust.
The back of the backpack
It is essential that the back is well ventilated to limit perspiration. For the back of the bag, there are many different options to choose from: ventilated contact, pads, foam, stretched mesh or a basic back. For a trek that lasts several days, we recommend a padded foam back.
They should ensure that the bag fits you perfectly. Some models have adjustable shoulder straps or an adjustable back. It's only once you've made these adjustments to your backpack that you'll be able to determine once and for all whether it's right for you. It needs to be comfortable to carry when it has equipment in it, with very little pressure on the shoulders and most of the weight on the hips.
We strongly recommend that you test the backpack before you buy it to check that it fits you and that you find it comfortable to carry.
When choosing your trekking or hiking backpack, an important factor to take into account is its compartments. Having various easily accessible pockets will make it easier for you to find your things without having to unpack everything.
Some of the most important compartments for a hiking or trekking bag are:
When choosing your hiking or trekking backpack, as well as considering the volume, weight and compartments, you should also take into account its robustness. This is a factor that is often forgotten, but that is equally important. You need a backpack that you can rely on over the long term, and one that won’t let you down by breaking while you’re trekking in the mountains.
To check that the backpack you're interested in is resistant, you can look at the materials used, or check which durability tests have been carried out (often indicated on the online product sheet).
It may not seem very significant, but repairability is actually an important factor to take into account when choosing your trekking backpack. Even with the wear and tear of time and any damage that may occur to your backpack, knowing that you'll be able to repair it is a real plus.
So it's worth checking out the feedback on the durability of the bag you're interested in. Does it show signs of wear and tear after just a few treks? Some brands offer repair services or spare parts for their products. We therefore recommend taking this information into account when choosing your backpack.
Hiking backpack 25L - NH Arpenaz 900
More comfortable to carry
Adjustable back
Insulated compartment
MOUNTAIN HIKING BACKPACK 30L - MH500
Foam shoulder straps
Tight mesh back
Nine pockets
Hiking backpack 35 L - MH100
Padded hip belt
Ventilated back
Pocket for water bladder
Women's Ultralight Trekking Backpack 45+10 L - MT900 UL
Mesh marking out the areas of support
Adjustable and ventilated back
Adjustable top (+10 L)
Women's Trekking Backpack 45+10 L - MT500 AIR
Breathable mesh
Adjustable and ventilated back
Large front access
Women's Trekking Backpack 55+10 L - MT500 AIR
Lightweight, robust material
Tight mesh back
Large front access
Women's Trekking Backpack 60+10 L - MT900 SYMBIUM
Optimal comfort (Symbium technology)
Breathable back
Several compartments
So, if you’re looking for the best trekking backpack for women, you need to take into account the factors we have discussed above: female body shape, capacity, weight when empty, comfort, compartments and durability.
Every woman has specific needs when it comes to the level of comfort and storage capacity. So it's essential you think carefully about what you need before making your choice. It's also important to note that some bags are better suited to certain activities (day hikes, multi-day treks) than others. It is therefore essential that you know how you intend on using the backpack.
Once you’ve got your trusty backpack, you’ll be ready to set off on an adventure in the great outdoors! Enjoy!
