7 best hiking backpacks for women, tested by a hiker everywhere from local trails to Everest Base Camp in 2026
I've tested all the best hiking backpacks for women to help you move in comfort and carry everything you need
If you're planning to spend more time walking outdoors now that the temperature has dropped, one of the best hiking backpacks for women is essential. Whether you're taking a long riverside walk through town or heading for the hills, a well-fitting pack lets you carry all you need with style and comfort.
As an outdoors writer and avid hiker, I've tested dozens of outdoor kit items, from the best walking shoes and hydration vests to hiking backpacks from nearly every major outdoor brand. Whether I'm walking in the wilds of the UK or the soaring heights of the Himalayas, taking a city break or heading to the gym, I always have a backpack to make my life easier.
For me, a good pack doesn't make my back sweaty, even when I wear it for hours. It's adjustable, comfortable on the shoulders, and roomy enough to never have to leave something important behind. I tested each of my favourites across several short- and long-distance hikes, in all weather conditions, and these were the seven that fulfilled all my criteria.
The quick list
I've owned this backpack for 15 years and taken it around the world. It's neat and lightweight, and fits everything I need for simple walks in any weather. If you don't mind the sporty aesthetic, it's also an excellent choice for commuting and as a convenient carry-on bag. It's also the most budget-friendly on this list, despite being a high-quality pack from a leading brand.
This backpack started life as a school bag, but it's officially graduated to a roomier, comfier and feature-rich pack you can take from town to trail. The iconic boxy design doesn't just look good. Its 18L capacity holds more and makes packing easier. There's also a hidden pocket for wet or dirty gear, and the carry handles make it a tote bag when you need one.
Comfort is key for me when I'm walking, and this pack is probably the most pleasurable to wear. It's got plenty of technical details for adventurous days out if that's what you need, but it's straightforward enough for any walk in the country, with lots of padding and breathability.
This is the pack I recommend for trekking holidays, where you might need to carry overnight items. I've taken it across the Lake District, the Alps and to Everest Base Camp. It's the perfect companion. It's extremely comfortable thanks to the injection-moulded AirScape back panel, which kept me from getting sweaty, and the EVA foam lining in the straps and hip belt.
This large, straightforward pack from Columbia proves that sometimes, simple is best. The design is basic, but it works. It was a comfortable carry and had lots of space to stash my things, without looking or feeling bulky. Best of all, it's one of the few backpacks I've tested that comes with an integrated rain cover, which is key when you live in the UK. However, it is the largest on the list.
The Fjällräven Kajka 35 litre backpack is smart, classy and functional. It looks fantastic, but edges out the competition based on unique details such as a full U-shaped front zip, so you can open it like a duffel bag to access your kit. The top lid detaches and can be used as a cute crossbody bag, making it a great option for light travel, and it comes with its own rain cover for wet weather.
Designed with women's needs in mind, the Montane Azote promises a secure fit that holds the weight close to my body for easy movement and lets me walk all day without pain. It's got lots of stretchy pockets and is made using recycled fabric to lessen my footprint on the planet.
The best hiking backpacks for women, tried and tested by a hiker
Best hiking backpack overall
The Osprey Daylite Plus comes in a rainbow of fun colours, and I've been toting my purple 20L around the world for years, from Yosemite National Park to South Tyrol on the Italian border. I love how lightweight and neat it is for walking while still being really functional. It also comes in at a great price (under £60 at the time of writing!) for a high-quality pack.
It doesn't have the carrying capacity of some packs on this list, like the Osprey Tempest 33 or Columbia Triple Canyon 36. It still fits everything I want to take on a walk, including walking poles, waterproofs, hat, gloves, first aid kit, water, snacks and sunscreen.
It doesn't have the thick padding and straps required for comfort on bigger bags, but that's not a problem for a bag this size. In all my years of wearing it, I've never experienced any rubbing or achy shoulders.
Small, useful organising pockets keep items like my keys and wallet from rattling around. The only slight storage flaw is that my water bottle does sometimes fall out of the (rather shallow) side pockets if I'm careless.
Best hiking backpack for versatility
The iconic Kånken is one of the most popular city backpacks in the UK, and the new-and-improved Outlong is perfect for carting your laptop, book and waterproofs around town. It has a functional design that's comfortable even when it's heavy. I use it for errands most days, and it has easily become my top choice for city breaks. It's also Catherine, Princess of Wales' favourite hiking brand.
The boxy design doesn't look like a hiking backpack. It leaves more room to pack everything I need, whether I'm exploring a new city or hitting the trail, and the front panel unzips on three sides for easy access. It's got more padding than the original, and I can wear it all day, even when it's weighed down with a laptop.
With 18L of carrying capacity and two carry handles, it made a great pack for a short spring trip to Stockholm earlier this year, sliding under the seat in front of me on the plane. It has a zipped pocket at the bottom for separate storage (I kept my trail running shoes in here on one trip), and the handles make it easier to take on and off. You can also hang it easily on a hook and keep it off dirty floors while you're on the move. That said, the fabric is easy to clean with a quick wipe.
It might not contour to my body like an Osprey pack, and it doesn't have a hip belt to keep the weight off my shoulders, but the adjustable, removable chest strap is ample for carrying a light load for a few hours, and it doesn't squash my boobs. I've worn this all day without aching shoulders. It's also breathable enough that I don't get a super sweaty back either.
Best hiking backpack for trekking holidays
In both design and performance, this is probably my favourite hiking backpack to wear over my down jacket or raincoat. While it works for a simple day hike, it is sometimes bigger than what I need. For that reason, I reserve it for trekking holidays, where I'm walking several hours a day.
I first used it for the 11-day trek to Everest Base Camp and loved it so much I've since taken it on an alpine hut trip in Switzerland and on several of the UK's long-distance trails.
As for storage, litres are a confusing unit to understand the bag's capacity. Basically, 33L means I never struggle to fit everything I need in. The main compartment is roomy. There are practical pockets, including two stretchy mesh side pockets deep enough to hold water bottles securely and two in the hip belt for my rather large phone. There's a spacious top lid for small bits and bobs like my keys and chapstick, and a big stretchy mesh front pocket where I can stuff my gloves.
The fit is designed especially for women's bodies. It's light, breathable and comfortable, and it easily holds everything I need for hiking and an overnight stay. The only flaw I can find is the lack of an included rain cover (I purchased this one separately), but that's a common issue and no reason not to buy this pack.
Best hiking backpack for wet weather
As a keen hiker who lives in the UK, rainproof gear is really important to me. The lightweight Columbia Unisex Triple Canyon 36L is one of the few backpacks I've come across with an integrated rain cover. That alone is enough to have me pulling it out in any season for my wetter hiking adventures.
That said, there are plenty of other good reasons to like this pack. It's not the swankiest or most stylish, but when I wore it for an alpine hut hiking trip in hot weather, the breathable back panel and ergonomic design meant it was comfortable. I could also pack a lot while not looking (or feeling) bulky.
Its unisex single-sizing means it won't work for all bodies, but it works well on my 5'4" frame. I first tested it in Switzerland with a large group of journalists of all shapes and sizes, and thanks to the adjustable shoulder, sternum and hip straps, I've seen firsthand that it suits different bodies. It's also hydration bladder-compatible for those days when I need to sip water regularly.
I have a few quibbles that keep it from being perfect. The chest strap is adjustable, but doesn't slide above my boobs. I got around this by sliding it down, which works well enough. The hip belt pockets could be a little larger, and it doesn't have load lifter straps on the shoulders to help keep the weight off my shoulders. But it's a good price for a pack that ticks most of the right boxes.
Best hiking backpack for comfort
Every backpack on this list has passed the comfort test, but the Transistor wins in the comfort category hands down. This hiking backpack is actually quite technical, with details like attachment loops for an ice axe and a Recco Reflector to help mountain rescue locate you, but what stands out to me is how great it feels over a long day.
It comes in one size, and at first I was worried that it would be too large for me, but the design sits close to my body and keeps the weight off my shoulders. It's really lightweight and has thick, very well-padded shoulder and hip straps for its size. That does mean I get a little sweaty on a hot day, but there's lots of breathable mesh to help it escape.
It doesn't have any external zipped pockets, which I'd like to keep small items handy, but the main compartment is really flexible and compressible, which makes it easy to move around in. It's easily big enough to swallow my rain jacket, waterproof trousers, a down jacket, gloves, a hat, a packed lunch, and whatever else I might need for a full day on the trails.
That said, I think if you're on the petite side, it's worth also looking into the Osprey Tempest 33 or Montane Azote 30L and trying them for a better fit.
Best hiking backpack for travel
You might think all hiking backpacks are good for travel, and for the most part, you'd be right, but the fabulous Fjällräven Kajka 35 comes out on top in this department.
This dreamy backpack has many thoughtful features that make it a must-have for walkers on short trips away. The main compartment can be accessed from the top as usual, but also has a U-shaped front zipper so it opens more like a travel duffel, making it easy to pack and search your things.
Useful extra compartments include side pockets for my water bottle, zippered pockets on the hip belt that are big enough for my phone and a mesh pocket inside the main compartment.
The top lid detaches, and I use it as a crossbody bag once I get to my destination. It's such an impressive feature, and the reason I keep using the bag for city breaks as well as hiking trips.
The Fjällräven Kajka comes in two sizes: S/M and M/L, and Fjällräven advises that if you're under 5'6" tall, you should choose the smaller size. I'm 5'4", so I had no issue with sizing, but if you're exactly 5'6", you might want to try both. Whatever size you choose, you can adjust the back length, but the smaller version has narrower straps, which makes it more comfortable if you have a narrower frame.
It also comes with a handy rain cover and is made with a birch frame. This makes it heavier than every other pack on this list. It's also the most expensive, but the unique detachable and zipper details make it well worth the investment in my eyes.
Best lightweight hiking backpack
If you want to move fast, consider this backpack. I've hiked all over the UK with the Montane Azote 30, and it is one of the lighter designs I've tested. It's ergonomically designed to work for a woman's body, meaning even when it's full, I can still be quite agile.
At 30L, it's a good mid-size capacity, and the addition of lots of stretchy pockets increases its capacity, while the adjustability means it stays comfortable even when I do push it.
The breathable back panel and padded straps keep me comfortable when I wear it all day long in warmer weather, and I like that it's constructed using lots of recycled materials, making it one of the more sustainable options in this guide.
That said, the lid pocket can get annoying if the main compartment isn’t full, so if you’re planning on using this primarily for day hikes, you might want to keep looking.
Testing the best hiking backpacks for women
How I tested
I take multiple hiking holidays every year and love finding packs that can keep me comfortable and moving
Walking in nature is my favourite outdoor activity for fitness and wellbeing. I make sure to get out on the trail every week, whether I'm climbing a Munro or taking a gentle stroll in the forest. Several times a year, I take trekking holidays around the UK and abroad. In the last year, I've hiked over 500 miles in iconic destinations like Everest Base Camp and the Lake District.
No matter where I go or how far I'm walking, I always carry a backpack with essential items that help me stay comfortable and respond to changing outdoor conditions.
Here are the criteria I used during testing:
- Comfort: Unlike a regular backpack, you'll wear a hiking backpack for hours on end. It needs to be comfortable. I exclusively included hiking-specific packs here with plenty of padding, mesh ventilation for breathability, and well-designed harnesses and straps that keep the weight off my shoulders.
- Capacity: Not all hikes require mountaineering kit, so I tested various sizes, ranging from neat daypacks to larger bags that can accommodate what I need for an overnight trip.
- Organisation: The best hiking backpacks for women have thoughtful pockets to help me organise my belongings, and my top selections have helpful options like pockets on the hip belt to keep my phone close.
- Weight: Walking with weight takes more effort, so the last thing I want is a backpack that's heavy to begin with. The ones on my list won't weigh you down more than necessary.
- Waterproofing: It's important to keep my spare layers (and my lunch) dry, and spending time in the hills means I can encounter rain at any time. I've taken into account whether each backpack is waterproof, comes with a rain cover included, or needs additional protection.
How to choose the best women's hiking backpack for you
- Know how far you'll be walking: If you're going on long walks or trekking holidays, you'll probably want a mid-sized pack to fit in more gear and provisions, so look for something at least 30L. For shorter walks, a pack around 20L will hold your waterproofs, an extra layer and your water bottle.
- Reflect on versatility: Do you want a backpack purely for walking, or are you looking for something that also works for commuting and travel? If you want a more versatile pack, make sure it can hold your laptop and perhaps look for something less sporty and without too many straps.
- Consider weather and climate: Most backpacks aren't fully waterproof, but if you're walking in rainy conditions, one that has a rain cover included is ideal, though these can be purchased separately. For hot climates, look for a pack that sits a little off your back and has lots of perforated mesh on the back and straps for ventilation.
- Think about access to your gear: You probably don't want to just chuck everything in the main compartment of your backpack, as there are always items you want close at hand, like your gloves, phone, sunglasses or chapstick. Backpacks that have lots of accessible pockets help you organise your gear and access it quickly. Pockets on the hip belt or shoulder straps are especially useful, but they should be big enough to hold your phone.
- Understand compressibility: A backpack that fits a lot of stuff sounds like the dream, but all that bulk can be a little unwieldy on the walking trail. Look for a backpack with compression straps that keep your load streamlined so you can move easily.
Julia has been writing about wellness, travel and outdoor adventure for 10 years and has been teaching yoga since 2008. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her on a mountain, heating up in a sauna or recovering on her yoga mat.
Originally from Scotland, she spent nearly 20 years living in the US, where she earned her journalism degree, hosted a radio show, made wine and owned a yoga studio in the Colorado Rockies. She moved home in 2020 and now lives in Glasgow with her partner and two bonus kids.
Her recent adventures include walking several of the UK’s beautiful long-distance trails as well as trekking to Everest Base Camp. She is the author of two books, Restorative Yoga for Beginners and Living in Balance with Maharishi Ayurveda.
