12 Best Daypacks for Women in 2024: The Ultimate Guide
Last updated March 2023
Hurray transparency! This post contains affiliate links for all the products that we recommend. For more information see our disclosure.
Daypacks are one of the items that we always have on us and something that even as minimalist travellers, we can’t live without. They are the perfect travel companion and can be used on hiking trips; hitting the street in a new city or for your carry-on items when you are flying.
Choosing a daypack should be easy, but with the massive number of choices, brands and features available it can be a little difficult to work out exactly what you need.
But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this list of the 12 best daypacks for women. Whether you are looking for the best lightweight daypacks, the best daypacks for hiking, the best daypacks for travel, or the best packable daypacks, you’re in the right place.
Why am I focussing on women’s daypacks in particular? Well, as a woman I’ve had my fair share of nightmare backpacks.
I bought a knock-off Adidas bag from Kuala Lumpur’s famous Petaling Street (no judgement please) for a hike, only for the straps to rip on the first day.
I’ve had bags rub against my hips, sweat rash on my back from packs sticking to me and straps so tight that they left marks on my shoulders. But you don’t need to make the same mistakes!
I did buy a Deuter daypack to climb Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia which made a huge difference. My horrible outfit was mostly from a Japanese pound shop.
When selecting a women’s daypack there are a lot of considerations including what you want to use the daypack for (hiking/general travel/groceries etc.); your body shape, and the size of your daypack.
In this list of the best women’s daypacks, I cover all of these things and more to make sure that you can make the best choice of daypack for your needs.
If this is your first time buying a daypack make sure you don’t skip the section at the end of this article where I go through what you need to consider when buying a daypack.
My Top Picks For The Best Daypacks For Women
After hours of research, trying out loads of different packs and reading travelling and hiking daypacks reviews till my eyes bleed, the Osprey Sirrus 24 is my overall top pick for the best women’s daypack. I love the number of pockets for organisation, the ventilated back panel and the women’s specific fit. Read my review below for more details.
For ultralight packable daypacks, my top choice is the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack for quality, durability and portability.
I actually also recommend the Osprey Sirrus 24 in this guide to the best gifts for outdoorsy women!
Comparison Chart: The 12 Best Daypacks For Women
Yay, organisation! I’ve put all the daypacks I’ve chosen into a table so that you can compare them by features, capacity, price range and more.
The Full List of The Best Daypacks For Women
And here is the full list of the best daypacks for women!
The Best Daypacks With An Internal Frame
An internal frame gives your daypack structure and concentrates the weight of your pack onto your hips instead of it being on your back and shoulders.
The Osprey Sirrus 24 is my top pick for the overall best women’s daypack. There is so much to love about this women’s hiking daypack!
From the smart storage through a range of different pockets (including on the hip belt and a vertical zip pocket on the front panel that is perfect for storing items that you want to access quickly) to the trekking pole attachments and integrated rain cover.
My favourite feature on this Osprey women’s daypack has to be the suspended ventilated back panel: made out of breathable mesh, you can be sure that your back won’t get sweaty even after a long day of hiking and travelling.
The pack also has a separate hydration sleeve that can accommodate a water reservoir of up to 3L.
The pack’s main compartment is actually surprisingly roomy, which makes it perfect for carrying lots of hiking gear and a camera.
The suspended back panel of the Osprey Sirrus 24
This is the case even when the water bladder is full, making this bag one of the best hydration daypacks for hiking. (It’s also a great commuting daypack and can fit a 13-inch laptop).
The internal framing and women’s specific fit (the torso is adjustable and comes in five different sizes) means that even when full it will be comfortable and your back will be protected. There is also a 36L version of the daypack if you want even more room.
Osprey daypacks are covered by the amazing Almighty Osprey Lifetime Guarantee - they will repair any defect or damage for any reason free of charge and if they can’t fix it, they will replace it. How cool is that?
It is no surprise at all that the Osprey Sirrus 24 was recommended as one of the best daypacks in 2020 for women (and I’d argue that this is the case in 2021 too!).
Pros: Amazing ventilation, rain cover included, adjustable, lightweight, padded shoulder straps and hip belt, easy front-panel loading, separate hydration sleeve, lots of pockets, durable.
Cons: Expensive
The standout feature of the Deuter Trail 24 SL is the Aircontact back system. The U-shaped frame in this women’s day pack gives excellent back support and is designed to ensure that the daypack sits close to your body and distributes the weight you are carrying comfortably and evenly, without compromising on ventilation.
The shoulder straps and suspended back panel are also made of breathable mesh - so with this pack, a sweaty back should be a thing of the past! I love that the SL version of this pack is designed for women with short torsos and to fit the female body shape.
The Deuter Trail 24 SL in blue and yellow.
As with many Deuter daypacks, there are plenty of storage compartments including two side pockets for water bottles; an elasticated inner compartment for a water reservoir (up to 3L) or wet clothing; an inner pocket for valuables; a zipped front compartment for frequently accessed items; trekking pole holders and ice axe attachments.
Pros: Rain cover included, hydration sleeve, easy pack access, pocket organisation, ventilated back panel, lightweight, fold away hip fins.
Cons: No hip belt pockets, thin hip fins might not provide enough support when the pack is full.
As someone who is just under 4’11”, I am always on the lookout for small women’s daypacks and the Osprey Tempest 20 is probably the best daypack for petite ladies like me.
This daypack comes in several sizes (XS/S/M/L) and also has an adjustable torso so that you can find your custom fit.
As well as being a great small women’s hiking backpack, the design of the Tempest 20 makes it an extremely versatile multisport bag that can be used for biking, bouldering and climbing as well as hiking.
The daypack features an AirScape injection-molded, die-cut foam back panel that allows for great ventilation and a close body-hugging fit.
The back panel of the Osprey Tempest 20 in orange.
Add in the flexible Bio-Stretch harness and a continuous mesh wrap hip belt and you’ve got a bag that basically flexes and moves as you move your body. This makes the Tempest 20 perfect for dynamic activities.
The pack has excellent organisation and is a dream for women who love daypacks with pockets. There are deep stretchy side mesh pockets for water bottles or other items such as a climbing harness; small hip belt pockets; and an internal mesh pocket with a key clip for valuables.
The bag also has a mesh pocket on the shoulder strap which is perfect for a small phone and a bungee front panel pocket that is super useful for stuffing in extra layers or a rain jacket.
Osprey’s Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachments allow you to keep your hands free and the daypack also features an ice axe, bike helmet and light attachments. The main compartment includes a hydration reservoir sleeve for a water bladder of up to 3L.
I love the colours this daypack comes in!
I still prefer the Osprey Sirrus 24 over the Tempest 20 as it has more room for my camera gear especially when the bag contains a full water bladder. I also think that the hipbelt pockets on the Sirrus 24 are more roomy.
However, the Tempest comes in various sizes (9L, 24L, 30L, 34L, 40L) so you do have the option of choosing a larger size.
For those of you who just want to carry the bare minimum, I would suggest the Osprey Tempest 9 , as it is the perfect mini hiking backpack for short day hikes and will fit your basic gear e.g. phone, snacks, hat, water bottles, raincoat or extra layer etc. And it still has many of the cool features of the Tempest 20.
Two reviews in one!
Pros: Back ventilation system, lots of pockets, best hiking backpack for petite female, adjustable, easy pack access, padded hip belt, lightweight, Osprey guarantee.
Cons: Small hip belt pockets, may be uncomfortable for taller women, main compartment seems small when the hydration pack is full, no rain cover, expensive.
The Deuter Speedlite 20 is one of the best lightweight daypacks for hiking and perfect for those who like to go on short day hikes or travel light. And honestly, at 20L you can still fit quite a lot in - it actually fits a 13-inch laptop with plenty of room to spare!
This sturdy little bag also has a fantastic padded back panel and ventilation system which ensures that even when it is fully loaded, it is comfortable to carry. The side access on the main compartment means that it is super easy to get to your stuff.
My favourite thing about the Deuter Speed Lite 20 is that it is cleverly designed to make it smaller and lighter if necessary.
The hip belt is removable and there are also compression straps on the outside of the bag - this is handy if you need to place it under the seat on an airplane but also makes the pack great for cyclists and climbers.
There are also accessory loops for holding extra gear like a helmet and there is plenty of space in the main compartment for a water bladder.
The pack doesn’t come with a rain cover and although it is made of extremely water-resistant material, I’d still recommend that you buy one in case of a heavy downpour.
Pros: Lightweight, back padding and ventilation, side pack access, hydration sleeve, accessory loops, removable hip belt, internal pocket for valuables, good small women’s daypack.
Cons: Rain cover not included, the shoulder straps on the bag are very narrow and might be uncomfortable for taller people, side pockets a little bit shallow for some water bottles.
The Gregory Jade 28 is one of the larger daypacks on this list, but it has so many unique features that I had to include it in my recommendations for the best women’s daypacks.
The pack is designed to custom fit most women - not only is the torso length adjustable but the hip belt hugs your body and adjusts and flexes according to your natural movements. This basically puts a stop to any problems with the pack rubbing uncomfortably.
The shoulders are also cut to a women’s specific fit and feature a safety whistle and a clip for a hydration tube. This daypack is fully hydration compatible with a 2 or 3L reservoir.
Gregory daypacks are known for their superb back support and ventilation and the Jade 28 is no exception: the daypack has a breathable mesh back panel and is designed to support heavier loads comfortably.
This bag also has super-smart organisation including a quick stow strap on the shoulder harness for sunglasses; a dedicated zip pocket for a rain cover; a stuff pocket for extra layers; adjustable bungee straps for trekking poles; a key clip; an internal pocket for valuables and hip belt pockets which can fit your phone.
The Jade 28 is one of the top outdoor daypacks for long hikes and definitely one of the coolest daypacks out there!
Pros: Super comfortable, rain cover included, excellent organisation with plenty of pockets, spacious internal hydration sleeve, sunglasses strap and key clip; spacious hip belt pockets; U-zip panel allows easy access to your gear; great ventilation and adjustable back support; meets most airlines carry-on luggage requirements.
Cons: Expensive, quite large for a daypack.
The Best Frameless Daypacks
Lighter than daypacks with an internal frame, frameless bags have no fixed structure and are designed to mould to the contours of your back.
If you love everything about the Gregory Jade 28 but it is still a bit too big for you, then consider the Gregory Maya 16 . Despite its smaller size, this women’s day backpack somehow manages to cram in a number of the cool features from the bigger Gregory bag, but still be super lightweight.
The Maya 16 has a dedicated hydration sleeve for a 2 to 3L water bladder; the same sunglasses ‘quick stow system’ on the shoulder harness where you can attach your sunnies without scratching them; attachments for trekking poles; 8 exterior pockets including side stretch mesh pockets for water bottles and an extra clothing layer and a front padded zipper pocket for electricals.
The main compartment is also roomy enough for a DSLR camera and even a small tripod and you can actually fit a 13-inch laptop into the bag even with a full water bladder. The versatility of this bag makes it one of the best daypacks for travelling.
For me, one of the best things about this pack is that even though it is frameless, it is still really adjustable and hugs close to your body to ensure that it fits you perfectly, making it a great bag for women with short or long torsos.
Unusually on a lightweight pack, the shoulder straps and hip belt are padded for more support and comfort. The hip belt also has pockets big enough for a phone or snacks.
The Gregory Maya 16 is even compact enough for kids to use!
With so many features packed into 16L and the fact that it can fit all women’s body types (there is even a plus-size version), it is easy to see why the Gregory Maya 16 is one of our top-rated daypacks.
Pros: Padded shoulder straps and hip belt, adjustable, versatile storage, great back ventilation, easy access to gear, lightweight, spacious hip belt pockets, roomy main compartment, dedicated hydration sleeve, spacious main compartment, durable.
Cons: No raincover, side pockets for water bottles can sometimes be a little difficult to reach.
Is this the best lightweight day pack on the market? This 20L versatile bag is definitely one of the best Osprey women's daypacks.
As a digital nomad who doesn’t carry much stuff, I am always on the lookout for small travel daypacks that could also be used for hiking.
One of the stand-out features of the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack is its multi-functionality: the padded interior sleeve of the daypack can be used to hold a hydration reservoir or a 15-inch laptop or tablet. This feature makes it one of the best urban daypacks out there.
The Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack in navy blue.
The back panel is made out of mesh-covered die-cut foam for breathability and comfort, so even though the pack is frameless, it still feels comfortable on your back.
There are also a number of pockets including a front pocket with a mesh organiser that is ideal for small items; a key clip; a shove-it pocket for an extra layer or for a rain jacket; a front panel zippered slash pocket for quick-access items and deep mesh water bottle pockets on either side of the bag.
Another great feature of the Daylite Plus Daypack is that it can be attached to a range of larger Osprey packs - this gives you the option of leaving your larger bag behind before you hit the hiking trail or go out sightseeing.
The back panel of the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack.
The pack also has a harness grab handle that doubles as a luggage pass-through, so you can easily fit it on top of your roller suitcase. Add in the removable webbed hip belt for easy storage under an airplane seat and you’ve got yourself one of the best travel daypacks for women.
This is definitely the bag for travel junkies who also love hiking but don’t want to shell out on a separate daypack.
Pros: Versatile, 5 pockets for organisation, breathable back panel, can be attached to larger backpacks, suitable for carry-on travel, large easy-access main compartment, lightweight, durable.
Cons: No rain cover, small shoulder straps not suitable for women with wider torsos, handle at the top of the pack can sometimes rub against the neck on women with shorter torsos, webbed hip belt doesn’t offer much support.
Click here to see the latest prices of the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack.
The North Face Women’s Recon
Staying with urban daypacks for the moment, The North Face Women’s Recon is another bag that is extremely versatile.
This women's day pack features The North Face’s signature Flex Vent suspension system, which includes women’s specific custom-injection molded shoulder straps that can fit a wide range of women’s body types; a padded mesh back panel and a breathable lumbar panel that ensures well ventilated and comfortable back support.
The back support on this bag is deemed to be so good that the design has been endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association!
There is a large main compartment that has a separate sleeve for a laptop or tablet - it can also double as a hydration sleeve for a water bladder.
The front compartment has a zippered pocket for valuables, and four other pockets suitable for storing a phone, wires (e.g. for chargers), lip balm and other things you might need to access quickly.
There are also two deep mesh stretch pockets for water bottles, a front zippered pocket and a front stretch pocket for stuffing in an extra layer.
The daypack doesn’t come with a rain cover (I’d suggest you buy one). There also isn’t much of a hip belt to speak of - just a removable thin strap that is designed to stabilise the pack on your back.
Given that this bag can fit up to 30L, I don’t think this is ideal as you will be carrying most of the weight on your shoulders and back when carrying a heavy load.
There aren’t that many additional accessory loops on the outside of the pack - if you want to take trekking poles I’d suggest collapsing them and putting them into the roomy water bottle pockets.
If stylish daypacks are what you are after then do consider this one - it comes in so many cool colours.
Pros: Best commuter backpack, women’s specific fit, durable, comfortable, extremely versatile, great organisation.
Cons: No rain cover, hip belt offers no support for heavy loads, no accessory loops, quite large for a daypack.
Women’s daypacks don’t come at much better value than this G4 Free 35L Hiking Backpack which has so many features of other more expensive brands, but at a bargain price!
At 35L this daypack is really roomy: the main compartment includes a laptop pouch that can double as a hydration sleeve (there is a water bladder exit point at the top of the bag) and is also large enough to fit a DSLR camera, lightweight jacket and other clothes.
There is also a separate accessories compartment for your phone, tablet, headphones and USB cables.
There are side mesh water bottle pockets, hip belt pockets, and a front zippered pocket where you can store items that you need to access quickly.
I love the separate zippered pocket at the bottom of the bag for the raincover (included), which means that you can store your raincover away without wetting the rest of the items in your bag.
The G4 Free 35L daypack has padded breathable mesh shoulder straps and breathable back support for comfort. It also has a sternum strap and an adjustable webbed hip belt - the latter is made of pretty thin material, so this might not be comfortable when the pack is fully loaded.
Finally there are loops for trekking poles plus any other gear that you want to carry.
The great thing about this bag is its versatility. The G4 Free 35L meets carry-on requirements for most airlines, so you now have a hiking, commuting and travel backpack rolled into one!
If you are on a tight budget and looking for the best women’s daypack for hiking or just generally the best daypack for women, make sure you consider this one, as it is a steal!
Pros: Inexpensive, rain cover included, large main compartment, versatile, good organisation, great travel backpack, padded back panel and shoulder straps.
Cons: Thin hip belt, side water bottle pockets are shallow and unsuitable for carrying large bottles, quite large for a daypack.
The Best Packable Daypacks
Packable daypacks are perfect for travellers and hikers who want a super-light daypack that packs up really small.
The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack is the best women’s lightweight backpack and as is typical of Osprey daypacks, comes with some great features even though it packs down into a tiny pouch.
The main compartment of the bag is pretty big - at 18L it can comfortably fit everything you need for a day’s hike. It can also carry a 13-inch laptop with a case (although the lack of padding in the bag or a dedicated laptop sleeve means that it will have a lot less protection, so I would only do this if you have a hardy laptop case).
Uniquely for a packable daypack, this bag has three pockets in addition to the main compartment. The top zipped pocket is useful for storing valuable items like keys, wallet and mobile phone - there is even a red key clip in this pocket to make sure you definitely don’t lose your keys!
The back panel of the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack.
As this pocket is right at the top of the pack near your back, it is pretty secure but its location doesn’t make it the easiest to access. Within the same pocket there is another storage pocket (actually what you pack the bag into when you aren’t using it) - you could use this to store small items you don’t need regular access to.
Whilst this daypack isn’t hydration compatible, it does have one side water bottle pocket made out of stretchy mesh - the pocket is actually pretty deep and will fit a decent-sized water bottle.
The shoulder straps of the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack are made from very lightly padded breathable mesh material, but the bag doesn’t feature a sternum or waist strap. For this reason, I would be cautious about carrying really heavy items in this daypack as there won’t be much back support.
The pack is made from super durable 40D nylon ripstop and so is unlikely to tear easily, which makes it one of the top daypacks for hiking. Like everything at Osprey, the Ultralight Stuff Pack is also covered by their lifetime guarantee.
If you are looking for a women’s travel backpack with a daypack, definitely consider this bag - you can easily attach it to the outside of a larger pack or pack it into your bag until you are ready to use it.
Pros: Durable, large water bottle pocket, very lightweight, 2 exterior pockets, large main compartment.
Cons: No rain cover, no organisation in the main compartment, no sternum or waist straps.
Small daypacks for hiking don’t come much smaller than the ultra lightweight Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack. This is the lightest daypack on this list - packing down to the size of a tennis ball - so if you are the kind of person who doesn’t want to carry a lot, this is the best women’s hiking daypack for you.
Whilst it might pack down small, this daypack has a large capacity of 20L. It’s also designed to compress whatever you pack into it, so is perfect for storing clothing or bulky soft items when you are trying to make space in a larger travel bag.
Made from 30D rip-stop siliconised Cordura Nylon, the Sea to Summit daypack is extremely durable and water resistant - apparently the material is so strong that it can carry up to 250 times the weight of the daypack! (However, like the Osprey packable daypack, there isn’t a waist or sternum strap so I wouldn’t recommend doing this.)
It has also recently been updated to include some webbed loops for a bike light and a handy aluminium carabiner so you can clip the pack to other bags (e.g. when it is fully packed) or to a keyring/trouser belt loop when it is packed into its carrying pouch.
The shoulder straps are very lightly padded and reinforced so that they stay flat on your shoulders and don’t bunch up when carrying heavy loads. They are also ergonomically shaped for a better fit.
My least favourite thing about the Sea to Summit daypack is that it doesn’t have any exterior pockets, which can make organising your stuff a bit difficult and crucially there aren’t any water bottle pockets meaning that you’d have to open your bag every time you wanted to have a drink on a hiking trail, which isn’t ideal.
This is the best day pack for women who want a super lightweight bag with a large capacity.
Pros: Extremely lightweight, durable, compresses items, ergonomically shaped shoulder straps.
Cons: No exterior pockets, no waist or sternum straps, no rain cover.
The Venture Pal 35L Ultralight Daypack has so many amazing features that it is hard to believe that it is actually a packable daypack.
The main reason this bag is one of the top rated daypacks for hiking and travelling is its multifunctionality: I love that this bag is at home on hiking trips, grocery shopping or commuting to the office.
There are a number of different compartments to keep you organised, including two front zippered pockets for quick access items like your mobile phone; an internal zippered pocket for valuables such as wallet and keys; and two deep mesh side pockets for water bottles.
Water bottles stored in these pockets can be further secured by the adjustable buckles on the sides of the bag that stops them from annoyingly falling out when you bend over.
And the organisation doesn’t end there: the main compartment also has two dividers so you can organise your items further. The dividers double as laptop/tablet sleeves (you can fit a 13-inch laptop with a cover), but do note that there is not much padding inside the bag.
The shoulder straps are made from breathable mesh and are padded with foam to help relieve any stress on the shoulders. There is also a chest strap (with an added whistle buckle), which helps to stabilise the daypack and stops your shoulders from hurting when the bag is fully loaded.
The Venture Pal daypack is made from high quality rip-stop nylon and a lot of effort has gone into the design to ensure that it is durable, including: a double layer of material on the bottom of the bag; heavy duty two-way metal zippers; and reinforcing areas of the daypack that experience the most stress with bar tacks. Venture Pal bags also come with an amazing lifetime warranty.
The 35L size of this daypack makes it one of the largest packable daypacks on the market and it also meets the carry-on requirements of most airlines, so it is a great travel bag too!
If you are on a budget and want a large capacity bag, with fantastic features that is still completely packable, definitely consider this daypack.
Pros: Large capacity, inexpensive, excellent organisation with plenty of pockets, chest strap, durable, versatile, lifetime guarantee.
Cons: No rain cover, quite large for a frameless daypack and could be uncomfortable when fully loaded.
How to Choose the Best Women's Daypack For You
When it comes to selecting a daypack there are a number of questions you should ask yourself to decide which bag is best for you before you jump into buying a bag or baffling yourself with daypack reviews.
What Will You Be Using Your Daypack For?
Your journey to the perfect daypack should ALWAYS start with this question as this will definitely influence the type of daypack you want to buy. Here are some of the common things that you typically use a daypack for:
Short hiking trips
Grocery shopping
As a work bag for carrying your laptop, phone, wallet, keys, etc.
As a personal item on flights in addition to a larger carry-on bag.
A super glam and sexayyyyy AF accessory that you use to impress your mates (just kidding but be honest if it matters to you if your daypack is stylish).
Maybe you need a daypack that allows you to play with baby ducklings…
So think about what activities you will most likely be doing with your daypack and how often you intend to use it. (Basically, if you plan on doing jungle day hikes, then that laptop daypack isn’t going to cut it.)
If you are rolling in ca$h monies you could, of course, buy more than one daypack so that you have different bags for different occasions, but if not, one versatile bag is the answer.
At the end of the day, the best daypacks are the ones that are comfortable, match your travel style, and that you want to use over and over again.
What Size Daypack Do You Need?
Think about what you like to take in your bag - are you someone who likes to pack everything but the kitchen sink when you go out for the day? Is your motto ‘always be prepared’ and do you carry a tent with you just in case you can’t find accommodation? Or do you prefer to travel super light?
You basically want your daypack to be big enough to carry everything that you need. I generally choose lightweight daypacks in small to medium sizes as I don’t want to carry too much with me (as a former over-packer this is always a risk!).
When it comes to hiking, I prefer daypacks that can fit my camera gear, plus hiking essentials like water, snacks, sun cream and extra layers.
Hiking daypacks for women come in a wide range of sizes:
5-10L - Ultralight, extremely small capacity for very short hiking trips. Basically carries snacks, water, and one or two pieces of clothing or a jacket.
11-20L - Can fit camera gear, multiple clothing layers, plus water and food. Has extra pockets for organisation.
21-30L - Medium capacity, suitable for lots of clothing, water, food, lots of tech gear (e.g. heavy cameras) and any extras you want to pack.
31-45L - Large capacity. Not sure you want to lug this around when hiking, but it does mean you can carry errrythang including a tent, a sleeping bag and more.
I think around 24-30L is the perfect women’s hiking daypack size as there is loads of space for your hiking gear, your camera and other essentials. Whilst this may seem large, (especially if you mostly do shorter hikes), you can always try to stop yourself from overpacking your bag.
My top choice of daypack is the Osprey Sirrus 24 which has a 24L capacity.
Bags of this size can also double up as carry-on luggage or laptop bag/personal item for most airlines.
If you are a total minimalist and you prefer small hiking backpacks for women, don’t worry, this is why we included a review of the Osprey Tempest 9 on our list as a bonus. It is an amazing little bag with clever storage that is perfect for people who don’t want to carry much.
Do You Want a Daypack Designed For Women?
Boobs, hips, torso length. No, I am not just naming random body parts: these are things that the best women’s daypacks for hiking and travelling take into account in their design and features.
Torso length: women generally have shorter torsos than men and daypacks for women are specifically designed for torsos that are between 15-20 inches. Having a backpack that is too long on your torso can end up giving you both back and shoulder pain, which no one wants, amirite?
For my longer torso-ed lady friends: if you have a torso that is over 20 inches, then consider looking at unisex daypacks for hiking as they are designed to fit both men and women comfortably. Generally, most women’s packs also have a unisex option and this just means that the pack can fit someone with a longer torso.
Unsure how to measure your torso length? Check out this fab guide from REI which shows you exactly what to do plus other tips on how to choose the right backpack.
These days, many hiking daypacks also feature adjustable torso length which means you can adjust the pack to fit your torso exactly. Some brands such as Osprey also feature two torso sizes (XS/S and M/L) in their women-specific packs to help you find your perfect fit.
Keep in mind that most daypacks for travel and packable daypacks just come in standard sizes and are not adjustable.
Hips: women’s fit daypacks are usually cushioned to prevent any unwanted rubbing and are also designed to accommodate women’s curved hips.
Shoulder straps: generally women’s shoulders are narrower than men’s and the best daypacks for women hiking take this into account. They are designed not to squash your boobs (the last thing you want are the straps of your backpack acting like some kind of minimiser bra).
Having a pack that fits well is important especially when you are hiking or travelling or simply wearing it for a long period of time.
The following daypacks in this guide are designed specifically for women:
Frameless Daypack or Internal Frame?
Ah, to frame or not to frame, that is the question.
Frameless daypacks
These are very lightweight and have no fixed structure. They can be easily shoved into a bigger bag as they don’t take up much room.
Frameless daypacks tend to be cheaper and are suitable for short hikes or day trips where you won’t be carrying much weight. I wouldn’t recommend carrying a lot in a frameless daypack as the lack of structure means that the weight inside the pack isn’t distributed properly and it can hurt your back and shoulders.
Most frameless packs are designed to mould to the shape of your back. So the way that you pack your bag is really important in a frameless daypack - pack your bag badly and you will regret it.
Internal frame daypacks
Many hiking daypacks feature an internal frame, which basically gives the pack structure and stops all the weight from pulling on your shoulders or just drooping on your back.
Internal frames help to distribute the weight of your pack and your gear so that you can carry everything comfortably. If you want to go on long hikes or are planning to carry a lot of weight in your daypack, then definitely consider a pack with an internal frame as it will be more comfortable.
Daypacks with internal frames are generally more expensive and will also be heavier.
Packable daypacks
These daypacks are ultralight and usually pack down to the size of a fist. These are most suitable for short day hikes or carrying very light loads as they usually do not have any kind of back support.
Do You Need a Hip Belt?
A cushioned hip belt.
I’ve included packs with and without hip belts in this list. If you think that you will be carrying a heavier load, you should consider a hip belt because this will stop the bag from pulling on your shoulders and instead transfer the weight to your hips and legs.
A hip belt will also stop the daypack from moving around on your back. The downside of a bag with a hip belt is that it isn’t as easy to stow away (e.g. under a plane seat or into another bag). If you aren’t planning to carry that much, you don’t need a hip belt.
Daypacks generally have two different kinds of hip belts. One type is a thin, webbed hip belt that you mostly find on lighter packs. This hip belt helps to stabilise your bag but doesn’t do much to prevent discomfort or transfer the weight from your shoulders. If you are going on a short hike and are only carrying around 9-11lb (4-5kg) of stuff, this will be fine.
A webbed hip belt.
The other type is the cushioned hip belt which is much better for carrying heavier loads as you can adjust it to sit on your hips without any discomfort. Cushioned hip belts usually feature hip belt pockets which are great for storing your wallet or snacks - you can see this in the Osprey Sirrus 24, Osprey Tempest 20, Gregory Jade 28, Deuter Trail 24 SL, Gregory Maya 16 and the G4 Free 35L Hiking Backpack.
Daypacks with cushioned hip belts are pricier, however in my experience, they are essential for long hikes or if you think you will be travelling/walking with your bag for a long period of time.
Do You Need Padded Shoulder Straps?
Yep, I am on about comfort again. Padded shoulder straps aren’t necessary for shorter day hikes or lighter loads. For heavier loads, they can make a huge difference because straps cutting into your shoulders and rubbing is a special kind of hell.
Do You Need a Sternum Strap?
A sternum strap.
The sternum strap on a daypack is another way of securing your bag on your body when you are wearing it and relieving pressure on your shoulders. It should sit around an inch below your collarbone.
It’s a good idea to test out the sternum strap before you buy a bag and make sure it is comfortable: I’ve tried on bags where the sternum strap is too high and it feels really awkward. Sternum straps are usually adjustable.
Back Panel and Ventilation
I was VERY sweaty in Laos
Hands up if you hate a sweaty back!
Well, the good news is that many daypacks now feature a suspended back panel system which gives you great support but without touching or rubbing against your back.
Back ventilation is important when you are walking with your bag for a long time or in hot weather - not only does it stop pesky things like sweating but it can also stop you from overheating. However, daypacks with this feature tend to be on the more expensive side and they aren’t as easy to pack or stow under a plane seat.
The Osprey Tempest 20, Gregory Jade 28, Deuter Trail 24 SL, Gregory Maya 16 and Osprey Sirrus 24 are all great examples of daypacks with fantastic back ventilation.
Ultralight and packable daypacks don’t usually have a separate back panel (just the same fabric as the rest of the bag), which means they are lighter and more packable. But be prepared for a sweaty back.
Water Resistance
Every daypack in this list is water resistant - but this is really only effective in a light rain shower. To protect your pack during heavy rain, you will definitely need a rain cover.
There are some waterproof daypacks but these tend to be expensive and honestly I don’t know how completely waterproof a daypack can be (unless it is designed like a dry bag).
Some daypacks come with a rain cover and there is usually a specific pocket to store it in. This is useful because you don’t want to have to put a wet rain cover in with other items in your daypack.
I tend to find that daypacks with rain covers are a bit more expensive. However, you can easily buy a rain cover for your daypack separately. We ended up buying ones for our larger packs in Laos after realising we were travelling at the height of the rainy season and they were worth their weight in gold.
Top Load Daypacks vs Panel Access Daypacks
The way you get into your bag is important as it is something that can feel really easy or can totally piss you off.
Top load daypacks basically open at the top (like a sack). You pack any items that you don’t need straightaway/aren’t likely to use at the bottom because you will have to unpack the whole bag to be able to access them.
Top loading daypacks are suitable for you if:
You’re organised
Petite (they tend to fit better on smaller people)
Want a lighter daypack (they usually weigh less than panel access daypacks)
Are using your bag mainly for hiking
Are planning to use the bag in wet weather as they are easier to waterproof with an internal liner.
I honestly find this style of bag really irritating because I always think I won’t need something and then pack it at the bottom of the bag only to realise later that I do need access to it. Some top loading packs make up for this by adding extra pockets (e.g. hip belt or lid pockets) and a bottom access panel.
There are also hybrid top loading daypacks that have bottom/side access as well which I think is much easier for organisation.
The Gregory Jade 28 has both top and panel access, whilst the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack is a top access daypack.
Panel access daypacks are the best daypacks for travelling as they open up at the front like a suitcase, giving you easy access to all your gear. They usually have a number of interior and exterior pockets to keep all your items organised. Larger daypacks may also include a separate laptop/electronics pouch.
The design of these daypacks makes them slightly heavier than top-load packs.
Panel access daypacks are suitable for you if:
You want easy access to the items you are carrying.
You want to be able to pack your bag easily.
You will be using your daypack mainly for travel.
You want to be able to lock your bag.
Organisation and Attachments
Whether you are looking for the best travel daypacks or the best hiking daypacks, the organisation of your bag is key to making your hike or journey less stressful.
Good quality daypacks usually have a range of pockets to organise your smaller items. In addition to the large main compartment, many packs have shoulder or hip belt pockets to store important items like your wallet, phone and keys as well as things you use frequently like lip balm or sun cream. Most bags also have side water bottle pockets.
Other packs like the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack, Osprey Tempest 20, Gregory Jade 28 and the Deuter Speedlite 20 have things like a laptop pouch or loops to store trekking poles and carabiner attachments for a helmet, sleeping bag or to attach an extra pair of shoes to the outside of your pack.
Before you go crazy about pockets, remember that the more things you add to your bag, the heavier it will be. Also, when a bag has too many pockets it can be easy to forget where you’ve stored something.
Hydration System Compatibility
Whatever activity you will be doing, it is important to consider how you will carry water in your daypack.
I usually carry a water bottle when I am hiking or travelling, so it is important that the side pockets of my daypack are deep enough to hold a water bottle easily and securely. Day packs with loose and shallow pockets can be a nightmare as the bottle can fall out or be difficult to access.
If you prefer not to carry bottles, there are hydration daypacks that include a water bladder. Some women’s daypacks have a separate hydration reservoir pocket which makes it much easier to remove and refill the water reservoir. In other bags, the laptop pocket doubles as a hydration sleeve.
The best women’s day hiking backpack on this list - the Osprey Sirrus 24 - plus many others are described as being ‘hydration compatible’. This means that the daypack doesn’t necessarily come with its own water reservoir but there is a separate hydration sleeve/pocket in the bag with an opening for a tube.
Daypacks with hydration (i.e. daypacks with a water bladder included) or that are hydration compatible should always have an easily accessible hydration sleeve, an opening for your drinking tube and a clip for the tube on the shoulder strap so you can drink while you are walking.
Price
The price of a women’s daypack can vary wildly, from over $100 to less than $20.
Before you splurge on a $100+ daypack, go back to the first question in this section and think about what you will be using your daypack for and how often you intend to use it.
If you are buying a daypack for short day hikes or day trips where you won’t be carrying much then I don’t think you need to spend a lot.
If you plan to hike frequently, do longer trips and carry a lot, then I think it is worth investing in a pack that is durable, practical and comfortable, even if it is more expensive. Remember to also check out daypacks on sale where you can get a good deal!
One thing to note is that higher-priced daypacks and backpacks tend to be made of better quality material and tend to last for many years.
I have been using my larger Osprey Fairview 40 backpack for over 4 years and despite it being thrown around, rained on and dragged all over the world, it is still going strong. These bags also often come with amazing guarantees - the Osprey Lifetime Guarantee is just one example.
And That’s It From Me on the Best Daypacks For Women
I hope this guide will help you to buy the perfect women’s daypack - remember to bookmark it if you need to refer to it later. Which pack is your favourite? Let me know in the comments which daypack you’d choose and also suggestions for any other packs that aren’t on this list.
Don’t forget to check out my other posts on travel gear:
Find more travel tips and useful travel resources here.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Click here to discover more of our favourite places around the world.
If you like this article Pin it!
Some of the links in this Best Women’s Daypacks guide are affiliate links.
That means that if you drop any ca$h monies on any products after clicking one of these links (i.e. make a purchase), we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This enables us to MAKE IT RAIN, BABY, (nah just kidding, we actually use it to buy coffee which we drink whilst creating more useful and entertaining content like this).
Mog and Dog Travels is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Don’t worry, we only link to products that we actually own or would buy for ourselves.
Want more like this?
FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES ON INSTAGRAM!
