Best women’s daypack for hiking If you are Seeking the best daypack to carry your hiking necessities? After looking at 80+ options, we bought the ten best women’s daypack for hiking you can get. From ultralight bags to high-capacity packs that dabble in overnight functionality, we put various contenders through months of side-by-side testing.
Our team of all-female adventurers wore them through various seasons, from hiking to skiing to trail running, for hundreds of miles of experience. We scrutinized their comfort on women of different shapes and sizes, tested their adjustability, and evaluated their versatility.
Every zipper, pocket, and clip was used on secure adventures for durability and sheer usefulness. No matter what you require to bring with you, we identify the ideal pack for the job.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best women’s daypack for hiking
- 1.CamelBak Sequoia 24
- 2. Osprey Tempest 20
- 3. North Face Chimera 18
- 4. Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack
- 5. REI Co-op Flash 18
- 6. Granite Gear Crown2 38 Pack
- 7. Patagonia – nine trails waist pack 8
- 8. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak
- 9. Gregory Miwok 24L Backpack
- 10. Deuter Speed Lite 24 Pack
1.CamelBak Sequoia 24
For the dedicated day hiker who won’t settle for anything less than the perfect, the CamelBak Sequoia 24 is the Best women’s daypack for hiking offers a lot of position and organization most enjoyable hip belt we’ve ever had the pleasure of testing. Just like the new version before this latest reiteration, the Sequoia attributes a unique dual-wing hip belt that simultaneously compresses your pack while hugging your hips with wide, pleasant padded straps that offer the enormous hip pockets of any model we tested.
A committed hydration bladder pocket keeps your water discrete from your gear, is helpfully labeled with a blue zipper pull, and comes with the latest 3L CamelBak bladder that’s easy to use. The main chamber has 20L of storage space and several slip pockets to keep you organized. Six unique pockets adorn the outside of this bag, adding an extra 4L of storage space, while the fantastic weight-distributing hip belt keeps it feeling light and enjoyable no matter what we filled it with.
Additionally to this inferior, less convenient configuration, another pocket dangles in the way of the already small opening. And if you’ve tenders towards trekking poles to the outside of your bag, they cover the side water bottle pocket, rendering it unusable. But if you’re like the U-shaped, top-opening system, then you’re in luck. At the end of the day, when we are required to carry a lot of weight over a long distance, there’s no daypack more enjoyable and up for the job than the CamelBack Sequoia.
2.Osprey Tempest 20
However, it’s not the cheapest model we tested; we like this Osprey pack’s features and versatility. It’s one of the Best women’s daypacks for hiking we tried that comes in various sizes AND has an adjustable torso length for your perfect fit. It has all the same attributes as a fully-loaded, heavier model, plus Osprey’s LidLock system, which is by far the convenient and most secure way to firmly attach a helmet to a pack that we’ve ever seen – a must-have for cyclists and daily bike commuters. Soft, malleable shoulder straps and a hip belt integrated practically seamlessly to the back of this pack help it impressively, despite the lack of an internal frame. And for a lightweight selection, the Tempest still manages to be impressively durable.
Additionally, we appreciate the adjustable torso length; this pack does run a bit on the small side. We thought it’s wise to test out your group in the store or as soon as you get it in the mail if you were required to exchange it for another size. We also thought the expandable stow pocket on the front was too small, which restricted its usability. But for a reasonably small, light pack, we like the versatility and practically promised longevity and think it is one of the fantastic values among models we tested for just about any use.
3.North Face Chimera 18
If you’re searching for a pack, you can easily access it without stopping or selecting a running that’s larger than a hydration vest; you’ve found it. The Chimera 18 is the best women’s daypack for hiking halfway between a daypack and a large hydration vest and offers a seriously secure fit even for logging long trail runs. A unique harness system offers more connection points for the shoulder straps while looping them into the webbing hip belt system. Additionally, with the North Face’s Dyno Cinch System, you can crank this pack to suction to your back like a giant, happy leech. Side-access to the two zippered chambers makes it easy to swing this bag in front of you and grab whatever you required without breaking stride, and we’re surprised at just how much we were able to fit inside! It also has an impressive four shoulder pockets on the straps, which are best for storing little things you might typically put in the hip belt pockets this bag doesn’t have.
As fantastic as this bag is for women who like to keep moving while they’re out, it’s less convenient for everyday or travel use. The main section doesn’t zip open over the top and is only accessible through that single side zip, which is relatively narrow. The webbing hip belt also evidently does nothing for weight-bearing and functions only to stabilize your load, so if you’re looking to load this thing down with your laptop and bike to work, it’s not going to be your perfect option. But if you’re an on-a journey type of woman, we think it’s hard to beat what the Chimera has to offer.
4.Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack
There are times when you just require a bag to bring your essentials, but you don’t have a place for a big, fully framed pack. This is where an ultralight, fantastic packable bag like the Osprey Ultralight comes in handy. It strips away all the fancy attributes of your regular box but retains just enough features to keep it sound. With a fantastic side pocket and small top pocket, you can save yourself systematically on the go. Lightly padded shoulder straps aids keep it more enjoyable than many of its competitors. Weighing just 3.8 ounces and packing down into its fantastic pocket, this on-the-go bag is easy to bring with you just about everywhere.
With such an effortless design, the Ultralight Stuff Pack is one of the best women’s daypacks for hiking and does miss out on some crucial attributes like a hip belt and ventilated back panel. The material is fragile, meaning you’ll be required to pack this like a pro to avoid feeling every bump and corner of your hiking essentials. It’s also a tiny bag overall, so if you search for yourself gravitating toward taller or larger bags for a better fit, the short straps on this bag might not be your friend. But suppose you’re after a teeny-tiny, excellent lightweight pack that you can throw in your car for spontaneous adventuring or stuff in your carry-on for that tour to Europe. In that case, the Osprey Ultralight is a fantastic solid companion.
5.REI Co-op Flash 18
REI Co-op’s Flash line is the best hiking daypack with hydration has been a mainstay among hikers, travelers, and those on a budget for years. Simplicity wins out here: the Flash 18 is frameless by style, meaning it lacks the rigidity of other daypacks but manages to keep weight incredibly minimum at just 9 ounces (and even less if you take out the removable waistbelt, sternum strap, or back pad). You don’t get a cushy hip belt or shoulder straps, but the breathable mesh and padding are surprisingly enjoyable when carrying lighter loads. Perhaps most importantly, the Flash costs just $40, is fantastic, well-built overall, and has sufficient capacity for shorter adventures and summit scrambles.
Its features are limited with the REI Flash 18, so those who like comfy padding, systematic, or want a water bottle stretch pocket should look at the other more fully attributed models on this list. Additionally, the Flash only comes in one size (some higher-end models contain the Talon above come in two sizes), making it tougher to nail the fit. Finally, the Flash isn’t the fantastic durable pack on this list: the foam back panel insert is pretty thin, for example, as is the ripstop nylon shell. But for carrying a small quantity of gear that doesn’t weigh down your pack, the Flash 18 is a fantastic way to go fast and light on a budget. Note: REI plans to release new 18- and 22-liter Flash packs soon, so current styles are discounted while supplies last
6.Granite Gear Crown2 38 Pack
Granite Gear’s Crown2 60 pack is fantastic among thru-hikers and minimalist backpackers, and the Minnesota-based company expanded the line with a shorter-capacity 38-liter model. We took the bag to Patagonia and came away galvanize: it’s very light, enjoyable even with a full load, and a standout in terms of organization. If you want a larger-capacity daypack that can pull double duty for ultralight overnight trips, the Crown2 38 is the best design we’ve seen.
What sets Crown2 apart is Granite Gear’s capability to balance weight and functionality. The pack is significantly lighter than the Stratos 24 above despite holding 14 additional liters. Still, it doesn’t compromise on enjoying supportive cushioning and the back panel, hip belt, and shoulder straps. Further, the Granite Gear has an excellent organization with a roll-top closure for the main chamber, zippered hip belt pockets, and three large mesh pockets along the pack’s body. Unluckily, they don’t make the Crown2 any smaller than 38 liters, which is overkill for most day hikes (if you don’t need the capacity, check out Granite Gear’s Dagger and Scurry). And for another solid ultralight high-capacity selection, see the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 below.
7.Patagonia – nine trails waist pack 8
Waist packs have taken over the amazing world of mountain biking, and the trend is picking up steam for hikers too. Patagonia is the best women’s daypack for hiking. The concept is quite simple: instead of carrying a sturdy bag on your shoulders, a lightweight waist pack (or fanny pack, as they are affectionately known) can have anything you need without being cumbersome. And for the Cadillac of waist packs, Patagonia’s Nine Trails is perfect-in-class, and you get 8 liters of storage capacity, which is plenty for your phone, keys, food, and a puffy and rain shell. Patagonia even contains a 1.5-liter water reservoir and hose system for easy drinking on the go.
Suppose you are interested in this unique product category but want to shop around. It isn’t the market’s lightest or inexpensive waist pack, but you can’t beat the attributes set or build quality. In that case, Osprey makes its famous Talon and Daylite in waist pack versions, the latter of which is relatively light and inexpensive at just 7 ounces and $30. Additionally, REI makes its Trail line in 5- and 2-liter versions and Patagonia has a “Mini” variation of its Black Hole that weighs just 3.5 ounces. All are fine selections for travel and short day hikes, but none can match the performance chops, carrying comfort, or attribute set of the Nine Trails 8L.
8.Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak
Maine-based Hyperlite Mountain Gear is one of the “best women’s daypack for hiking” makes some of our favorite ultralight backpacking packs. Their top daypack, the Daybreak, shares the fantastic core ingredients: Dyneema Composite Fabric that is weather-repellent and incredibly strong for its weight, simple yet functional organization, and a clean design that looks fantastic. On paper, the 17-liter capacity in the main chamber seems small, but the large front pocket and two side pockets add a significant amount of great storage. For serious day hikes in rough conditions, the Daybreak is difficult to beat.
Cost is the biggest obstacle in selecting Daybreak. It’s the most expensive bag on our list despite only having a moderate 17-liter capacity. If you’re able to pull double duty, it’s easier to swallow the high cost. But the extra money gets you super weather protection, a premium build that is handmade in the U.S., and we like the trickle-down attributes from Hyperlite’s backpacking packs. And it’s worth noting that various people use the Daybreak for daily use, and we’ve found ourselves doing the same for travel and carrying a computer or camera.
9.Gregory Miwok 24L Backpack
One of Gregory’s longest-amazing daypack lines is the Miwok (and women’s-specific Maya). We’ve searched the latest model through full weather of use does a great job balancing weight, comfort, and attributes. At under 2 pounds for the 24-liter version, you get anything you require for a full day out: the hipbelt is lightly padded and supportive, the back panel is relatively flexible but just thick sufficient to isolate you from what’s inside. There’s a total of eight outer pockets. Competitively cost at $120 and built to last with reinforced panels along the bottom, the Miwok 24 is a quality selection for day hiking and travel.
How does Gregory compare with Osprey’s Talon 22 above? The two perfect cost around the same (the Gregory is $10 cheaper) and share several features, including the amount of padding on their back panels and hip belts, mesh pockets along the front, and premium touches like dedicated hydration reservoir sleeves. The Osprey is a little more various-sport-friendly with its LidLock bike helmet system. Additionally, we had a zipper fail on our Miwok, while our Talon is still going strong after many years of consistent use. Still, Gregory gets the edge in capacity by 2 liters and is systematic with a slightly more functional layout. What pushes the Osprey to the lead for us, in the end, is its two available sizes, which permit more people to get a closer and better fit.
10.Deuter Speed Lite 24 Pack
We’ll start by noting that the Deuter Speed Lite 24 has many weaknesses and is a severe competitor to our top pick, the Osprey Talon above. Starting with the good, the Speed Lite is a perfect size for most day hikes at 24 liters, is comfortable, ventilates well, and comes with a ton of features that contains trekking pole holders, daisy chains, side compression straps, and hydration reservoir compatibility. Compared to the shorter Speed Lite 20, which we also like, the padded hip belt makes a big difference when carrying full loads and covering more considerable distances—it feels like a different pack in that regard. And with the recent update to the Talon, the Speed Lite 24 is a complete $25 inexpensive for 2 liters’ more capacity.
The reason we give the nod to the Talon is that it comes in two different sizes. The Speed Lite 24 is the best women’s day pack for hiking only comes in one size, which is relatively excellent among daypacks and fits torsos ranging from 15 to 19 inches (the women’s 22L version includes 14 to 18 in.). The fit was noticeably small on our 6-foot tester during testing, and the belt sat uncomfortably high. The Talon, on the other hand, comes in two size selections: the S/M fits 16- to 20-inch torsos, and the M/L fits 19-to 23-inch torsos, which is a pretty substantial difference. But if the slipper fits, the Speed Lite 24 is an excellent daypack for less amount.
“Best women’s daypack for hiking” Final Thoughts
There are fundamental style differences with tangible benefits that deserve mentioning. Women’s daypacks are not the best for hiking as they may appear, just a colorful version of a men’s or unisex pack. The advantages contain a torso fit that is often better than the sometimes extensive and bulky unisex models, and shoulder straps and hipbelts have been designed mainly for women. Men with shorter torsos often get a better fit with a women’s unique model as well.
Have safe hiking! Specifically, if you’ll be using the pack for pretty serious day hikes, it’s well worth opting for a high-end women’s model, like the Osprey Sirrus 24 we’ve listed above. The more tuned fit makes for a more enjoyable carrying experience. For casual use, such as travel or when you’re packing light, it’s not as big a project. Something just like the unisex REI Flash 18 should work just fine.
