Women's Hiking Packs

Best women's hiking and camping backpacks

For light loads, unisex backpacks are usually fine for women. When the load gets big and heavy, however, many women prefer a backpack designed to fit narrower shoulders, with more padding at the hips. Top women's backpacks include packs from Osprey and Gregory. Two less expensive women's backpacks from Kelty and Deuter also get good reviews.

At REI.com, the Osprey Ariel 65 (*Est. $240) is the top-rated women's backpack based on owner-written reviews. Its capacity is the versatile 4,000 cubic inches - good for both weekend and longer trips - and at 72 ounces, it's reasonably light. Owners say it's comfortable even for loads heavier than 50 pounds; it's easy to load and has plenty of storage pockets.

The Osprey Ariel 75 (*Est. $270) holds 4,600 cubic inches but weighs only four ounces more. It's the top-rated women's backpack at another site that publishes owner-written reviews, Moosejaw.com. Both women's backpacks get high praise at both sites. The padding is heat-moldable foam so it conforms to the user's body, and mesh provides ample ventilation.

The Gregory Deva 60 (*Est. $250) is a well-tested backpack that reviews praise for its comfort and convenience. Outside Magazine's editors say, "For some years Gregory has offered perhaps the best value in high-performance packs, and the Deva fits right into that notion." The 2008 version is similar in design to the top-ranked Gregory Baltoro 70 discussed above - with pivoting suspension, quick adjustments and excellent ventilation across the back -- but the Deva is designed specifically to fit women.

The Gregory Deva comes in three sizes, including extra small. At 86 ounces it's heavier than the two Ariel backpacks, yet holds a bit less with a capacity of 3,600 cubic inches. However, reviews say that with careful packing, it can hold everything needed for a week-long trip. The hip belt is extremely comfortable, and women reviewing backpacks at BackpackGearTest.org find the Gregory Deva more comfortable than the Osprey Ariel. The only drawback is its weight.

The less expensive Kelty Coyote 4500 women's backpack (*Est. $150) also gets excellent owner-written reviews at REI.com. It holds as much as the Osprey Ariel 75, but weighs 86 ounces like the Gregory Deva. Owners say it's a good budget choice and nice for foreign travel, but it lacks the Deva's pivoting hip pads. Adjustments are easy, and two openings (top and front) make loading and access easy, too. Some owners wish it had a separate sleeping bag compartment, but its main drawback is its weight.

For shorter trips, the Deuter Futura Zero 40 SL Women's (*Est. $110) weighs much less at 49 ounces - about three pounds. Unless you're an ultralight backpacker, its 2,450-cubic-inch capacity isn't enough for more than a weekend trip. However, it's rated for up to 30 pounds, plenty for ultralight backpacking even on long trips. Women reviewing this backpack at REI.com like its mesh ventilation and say it's extremely comfortable.