If you're having trouble picking out your next daypack Sizing up the daypack market and choosing what is best for We spent hundreds of days testing 15 of the best Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2022. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. At just 3.8 and 2.7 ounces respectively, it's hard to beat that kind of minimalist weight. The Jade 28 is one of the heavier packs we've tested, but we couldn't even tell once it was on because it was so comfortable. Our chief tester is 5 feet, 4 inches tall with a 17 to 17.5-inch torso, often falling on the cusp between sizes. For these straps to work, the body of the pack has to extend above the shoulder straps, which isn't usually the case with a daypack, since the body of the bag is so small. Both are much less technical packs, threading between the ultralight, featureless packable models and full-featured technical bags. The Black Diamond Nitro 22 comes close to this design, with mesh covering its padding, but the bulk of the pack still rests against our backs. If you love going for jaunts on the trails, you might be interested in a backpacking pack or a pair of hiking boots. The semi-flexible suspension system of the Juno actually distributes the weight of your load across its wide, comfortable hip belt. Load lifter straps are supposed to attach to your pack at a 45 degree angle upward to effectively do their job. For the person who is just as likely to take this pack to a coffee shop as on an after-work hike, the REI Trail 25 is the workhorse of budget packs, making it an easy pick for its excellent value. And for a lightweight option, the Tempest still manages to be impressively durable. So I point out this most of the time as it may be of importance to you. This was a quick way of stowing your poles, but if done wrong, it's not as comfortable as the more traditional options found on the left and middle photos. Alternatively, some relatively featureless packs can be incredibly versatile by packing down into a teeny tiny little pouch that fits into your pocket. These two packs were amongst the most comfortable of any to wear in a variety of conditions loaded down with varying amounts of gear. If it's not, the hip belt won't work well, and you'll carry more of the load on your shoulders. We also balanced this metric against each bag's intended usage. There are so many things to love about the Trail 25, but a supportive hip belt isn't one of them. We considered all these potential adjustable pieces and how they affected each bag's overall usability. While many daypacks seem to have their own fit that feels as small as the bag, the Juno is as secure and well-fitted as a full backpack. The Gregory Jade is also constructed of the same thick, 210-Denier nylon with a double layer on the bottom, but we aren't quite as wowed by the vast amount of holey mesh this pack presents for the world to snag on. Not only is it comfortable out of the box, but you can customize the fit since the pack comes in two sizes in addition to having an adjustable frame. This means that your loaded-up pack doesn't feel as heavy because the weight is evenly distributed to sit on your hips. The Osprey Sirrus is one of several models that utilize large velcro patches to create adjustable-sized back panels you can fit to your specific torso length (within the advertised range). We love the relatively lightweight, feature-filled versatility of the Tempest. A few of our top-rated bags, we've been testing for several years now, but all models went through a minimum of several months of regular use and intense testing. While more money doesn't always get you a better product, we found that in this category, it does tend to pair you up with a more durable bag. Most of the packs we tested have one ice ax holder, which seems like a standard addition to a daypack even though only a fraction of hikers even use one. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. You will notice that some packs come with a bonus reservoir. We positively adore the features and versatility of this Osprey pack, making it easy to select as one of our top award recipients for the pack that packs a punch. Editor's Note: We updated this article on May 13, 2022 to test the newer versions of a handful of packs and re-evaluate our award-winners. They are handy for sports that require the use of your hands, like paddle boarding, biking, and even hiking with trekking poles. Madison is also an expert when it comes to daypacks. The Osprey still has lightly padded shoulder straps and two extra pockets, but the Ultra-Sil has cut out those features and even removed the zipper pulls. The Tempest and the Jade run a bit on the small side. The Osprey Sirrus (right) has a dedicated pole holder that secures them to the side and under your shoulder strap. This pack thrives while carrying your essentials on a short hike to a hot spring, commuting to work, or hitting the farmer's market. The only place we were let down is with its overly simple hip belt straps. While the wing portion of the waist belt is practically perfect, the single strap tightening system is easily yanked to one side and leaves unmanaged webbing tails to dangle as you hike. So I indicate this for each of them. A load-bearing hipbelt can carry an estimated 80% of the load, saving your shoulders (and your sanity!) Intuitive and useful pockets and features, Hip belt webbing system doesn't support heavy loads. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. We then spend hundreds of hours outside with these bags, putting them through our scores of tests and intense scrutiny. Having a rain cover is always important for my tours in the Alps, but this may not be essential for you. Some packs - like the Gregory Jade shown here - have a big easy-to-access pocket where you can store snacks, sunscreen, and even a small notebook! The Sirrus, Nitro, and Juno are all three made of impressively sturdy 210-Denier nylon in the body with a double layer on the bottom, while the Sequoia is made of seriously beefy 420-Denier oxford nylon throughout. on the trail. Both ultralight models we tested, the Osprey Ultralight and Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil, lack hip belts altogether but are best used for entirely different adventures than their counterparts. Because of the larger capacity, it can be easy to overstuff. This is not nearly as comfortable because it reduces airflow, and we can also feel the contents pushing into our backs. The large capacity of the Jade also makes it a great pack to take on an overnight trip and ensures nothing you need gets left behind. Carrying enough supplies to last for 16 and 26 mile days for both Maggie and 85 pound Madeline requires a lot from a daypack, and Maggie knows just what makes a bag up for the job. Versatility is often dependent on the features a pack has (or lacks) have and how functional those features are. The Osprey Sirrus and Tempest, and Gregory Jade are the packs we tested that have an adjustable torso length though even those have limits. But if you're after a teeny tiny, super lightweight pack that you can throw in your car for spontaneous adventuring or stuff in your carry-on for that trip to Europe, the Osprey Ultralight is a solid companion. Living in the northern Nevada desert on the cusp of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Maggie spends a ton of time outside adventuring, most often accompanied by her favorite rambling companion, Madeline the dog. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. The Gregory Juno 24 is another superbly comfortable pack to wear. No pack will last forever, and some terrains are less forgiving than others. And secondly, we evaluated their adjustability. However, it's lightweight and impressively packable with a capacity that's large enough to get you through a day stuck in the airport or the office. You realize from the names of the packs that the capacity is in a wide range, from 14 to 45 liters. The material is incredibly thin, meaning you'll need to pack this like a pro to avoid feeling every bump and corner of your hiking essentials. Whether you're the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Large capacity for versatile uses, great back ventilation, adjustable torso, included rain cover, Great features and pockets, easy to use, adjustable torso length, Great ventilation, backpack-like comfort, useful pockets and attachments, well built, intuitive use, Great access to your gear, big pockets, simple yet versatile, Comfortable, well-ventilated, adjustable torso length, included rain cover, Runs small, heavy, easy to overstuff for average day hike needs, Water bottle pockets are a bit small, front stow pocket is a bit small, Unsupportive hip belt, not the most breathable back panel, Heavy, difficult to access hydration pocket, rigid structure is an odd fit, Look no further for one of the most comfortable daypacks in our test group for heavy loads and big days out, This pack can comfortably do-it-all with excellent features, strong durability, and impressive adjustability, All the comfort and security of a full backpack in a bite-sized daypack, A durable, versatile pack that's both easy to use and easy on your wallet, This pack is loaded with features, though lacks a few usability details and runs a touch small, AirScape backpanel; large spaced horizontal padding bars covered by large-holed mesh, External stretch pocket, trekking pole holders, ice axe attachement, sunglasses loop and bungee, hip belt pockets, hydration hose clip, Lidlock helmet attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, large stretch front pocket, ice tool loop with bungee tie-off, side pockets, hip belt pockets, sunglasses shoulder stow, bike light loop, Lare exterior stretch pocket, 2 stretch side pockets, 2 zippered hip belt pockets, 1 zippered pocket, hiking pole storage, ice axe loop, Pole fasteners, side mesh pockets with elastic enclosure, Trekking pole attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, ice axe loop, 2 side strech pockets, 3 zippered pockets, 2 zippered hip pockets, 70D x 100D nylon body, accent and bottom 420HD nylon packcloth, 210D Honeycomb Cryptorip nylon, 420D reinforced bottom, Adjustable torso length, internal pocket, cinch straps, sunglasses quick-stow, Helmet attachment, trekking pole quick-stow, sunglasses quick-stow, bike light loop, shoulder strap pocket, stowable ice axe loops, Sunglasses stow loops, hydration hose attachment, trekking pole attachment, Ability to add REI Trail 2 Waistpack for more storage, contoured foam harness, raincover included, bottom is reinforced to be abraison resistant, Integrated rain cover, ice axe loop, trekking pole quick-stow, adjustable back, A great option for those who need a big capacity bag and want it to carry weight comfortably, A versatile, durable, and comfortable pack that works just as well on the trail as in town, The security and comfort of a large backpack compressed into a 24-liter daypack, Great value for the hiker who wants to hit the trails and the town, A feature-filled pack that's comfortable to wear though has some oddities in detail and runs slightly small, Comfortable to carry even over long distances when fully loaded, with great balance and good features, A pack for hikers who want a solid, built-in hydration system, Plenty of wild color combos and a good level of usability and easy access that make it a good casual pack, A straightforward daypack that's good for all types of weather, An untechnical casual bag that fits larger folks, An ultralight bag that's still comfy and organized, A good, grab-and-go bag for smaller users, but not ideal for long hikes or heavy loads, An ultralight, super simple pack for ounce-counters. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. But for a fairly small, light pack, we love the versatility and practically promised longevity and think it is one of the very best small daypacks among models we tested for just about any use. Our extra layers and snacks stayed dry, and the rain cover easily stashed back away once the skies cleared. The shoulder straps are just thick enough while still flexible, making them easy to move in, while the ventilated back panel is one of the most effective we've tested. With such a simple design, the Ultralight Stuff Pack does miss out on some important features like a hip belt and ventilated back panel. The Gregory Juno's mesh pocket is much thicker than most other models, further bolstering our confidence in its durable build and design. On each side of the pack, there are two deep outside pockets that are great for storing water and other miscellaneous items that you might normally store in your hip belt. It has tons of padding in all the places we wanted it. From well-designed pockets throughout to quick-stow trekking pole cords and even a stashed rain cover, the Sirrus is convenient for all kinds of adventures. The Tempest is one of just a few models we tested that comes in multiple sizes AND has an adjustable torso length for your perfect fit. We tested both unisex and women's specific packs in this line-up. The trampoline back ventilation system is excellent for hot, sweaty days. The Gregory Jade 28 and Juno 24 have great hip belt coverage. A pack built for long day hikes and a pack intended to be portable enough to bring anywhere for a spontaneous jaunt clearly aren't designed for the same things. Packs that are adjustable received bumps in their scores since they allow customization to make the fit more comfortable for individual users. For the dedicated hiker who won't settle for anything less than the most comfortable technical pack, the Gregory Jade 28 offers one of the biggest capacity bags of any we tested and was one of the plushest and most supportive, making this an easy pick to win our highest honor. The Black Diamond Nitro 22 hip belt also provides a good amount of coverage but has significantly thinner padding than the Jade or Juno. She has a discerning eye for detail and loves experimenting with packs while mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and trail running. Some of the packs are with an internal frame and those you need if you plan to carry a bit more load. She's also an avid trail runner and kayaker, with over 15 years of professional experience leading backcountry trips. With a side pocket and small top pocket, you can keep yourself organized on the go. We've reviewed everything you might need to get out into nature. Notably, the Gregory Jade 28, REI Trail 25, and Deuter AC Lite also come with rain covers stowed away for emergencies. Some of the packs are with adjustable torso size and some are without this feature. Then you might have to sacrifice some durability, as super-thin nylon is not as indestructible in the long term compared to a thicker (and therefore heavier) material. Turn any chance outing into an adventure by keeping an ultralight pack on your person. For example, a sunglasses stow loop makes transitioning between shades forests, and glaring ridgetops easier, while Osprey's LidLock bungee on the back quickly and easily stows your bike helmet. The Jade and Tempest also feature trampoline back panels for unparalleled ventilation. These truly minor complaints aside, we truly love the fit, feel, and functionality of this backpack-like daypack. The Juno 24 has simple yet highly functional symmetrical pockets with wide openings and intuitive shapes, making this one of the more versatile models we tested, regardless of what you tend to carry while you hike. For example, there may be a daisy chain running down both sides of a pack, but how useful is that? Drawstring tops can be easy too, but generally have a smaller opening making it much harder to load the pack through the smaller opening and greatly increasing the likelihood that you'll have to pull things out to find anything hiding near the bottom. Whether you prefer to drink from a bottle or a hose is a question of personal preference, though hydration aficionados avow that you'll stay better hydrated if you can take small sips of water more frequently from a hose without having to stop and drink from a bottle. While some manufacturers seem to be throwing every possible feature imaginable into their pack designs, not all of these features are particularly useful. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, We put women's daypacks to the test from brands like Osprey, Gregory, REI, and more to uncover the best models, Testing some of the top women's daypacks in the field. How can we improve GearLab? Most of the packs in this review have a load-bearing hip belt, but we still found a varying degree of comfort between some of them. The Gregory Jade 28L is one of the most expensive bags in the lineup, but it acts as an overnight crossover and offers incredible support and comfort for longer adventures. Additional pockets both inside and outside also help keep your things organized even during a Class 4 scramble. Living in western Montana there is no shortage of opportunities for Madison to get out for a quick romp in the woods or an all-day hike to summit a new peak. If you're hiking on well-maintained trails in "gentle" forest ecosystems, this might be less of a concern for you. Made of thick recycled nylon is the Trail 25 - another favorite for durability. We combed through online user reviews to look for durability concerns and patterns from the hundreds of other day packers out there. The standout in this metric is the Jade 28L. We tested the top women's Are you ready for a new hydration pack? GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. This is difficult to do in a daypack. My reviews are based on my personal experience and research. The Sequoia comes with a 3L hydration bladder and all the features for keeping that hose handy. Day tours may imply a variety of activities and in very different climates and environments, so you need appropriate tools. Its oversized hip belt has space for some of the largest pockets we've seen on a daypack hip belt or even on most full-sized backpacks. Another awesome feature is the large U-zip opening which allows you to fit bigger, bulky things - such as a helmet - and easily grab the layer stuck at the bottom of the pack. Climbing Piz La Varella (Lavarela) from Capana Alpina. If you're obsessed with the security and comfortable fit of your full backpack and want to replicate that feeling and movement in a daypack, the Gregory Juno 24 is the right bag for you. It's fully loaded with super useful features that are handy for just about every possible adventure. So when you buy something from this website, I may receive an affiliate commission. Want something lightweight that still has all the regular comforts? Having lived, worked, and explored far-flung places like Iceland, the Galapagos, South Africa, and numerous Caribbean islands, Maggie has a deep appreciation for the unique gear needed for any adventure and the best daypack to carry it. A few packs stand out for their ability to pack up into their own very small pocket. While the Deuter AC Lite had a well-ventilated pack panel, we found that its padding was in such an awkward place that it wasn't super comfortable after all. The Batac is even simpler, with just enough pockets and features to be useful, but lacking a lot of the frills others can boast like a hip belt, hydration hose hole, or padding. Scoring how easy each pack is to use was a two-pronged endeavor. What's on your back is one of the most important pieces. Whether it's our shoes, trekking poles, or packs, shaving ounces off our clothing and gear can quickly add up to large weight savings, which makes each mile that much easier to cover. Soft, flexible shoulder straps and a hip belt integrated practically seamlessly to the back of this pack help it to be impressively comfortable, helped by a supportive yet minimalist internal frame. The Osprey Tempest has a cool little "clip" that easily holds your bike helmet securely to the pack - no more flopping around! We are impressed with the models that have adjustable back panels. To keep you both cool and comfortable - and unable to feel the contents of a full bag - look no further. Most of the over-the-top, traditional backpack-style zippers allow for good access to the bottom of the pack. Some models are offered in two sizes to cover a greater range of torso sizes, including the Gregory Jade and Osprey Tempest 20. Your email address will not be published. We scrutinized their comfort on women of many shapes and sizes, tested their adjustability, and evaluated their versatility. It features a cushy, wide hip belt that feels like a backpack level of support. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. While we appreciate the adjustable torso length, this pack does run a bit on the small side. All four of these packs also feature reinforced seams, thick adjustable straps, heavy-duty plastic pieces, and minimal or thickly reinforced mesh. After testing, we rated each daypack on a variety of criteria spanning five mutually exclusive metrics, from comfort and adjustability to their features and durability. And we also evaluated them based on our extensive experience with outdoor gear. Ready to go backpacking? The other major factor we considered was how easy it was to use these adjustable features: how easy is it to tighten the hipbelt or adjust the sternum strap? The Black Diamond Nitro, Cotopaxi Batac, Cotopaxi Luzon, and REI Flash 18 are all unisex bags that are versatile across activities but in slightly differing ways. Bags like these are great choices for varied use, from tossing them in your suitcase for hiking distant destinations to using them to head to the gym or spend all day out running errands. Some are without any frame and this is again fine for their size and purpose. The Stuff Pack comes in handy for those spontaneous road trip pull-overs when you see something awesome. It is my intention to explain products so you can make an informed decisions on which ones suit your needs best. From hiking to traveling to skiing, we tested these packs to the max to help you find the right bag for your lifestyle. No sponsored content. Our team of all-female adventurers wore them through multiple seasons, from hiking to skiing to trail running, for hundreds of miles of adventures. Similar in versatility, the Luzon and Flash both make great bags for the gym or library due to their simple spaciousness. The Tempest is seemingly bursting with pockets you didn't know you couldn't live without, trekking pole quick stow loops you'll actually use, and space for two water bottles and a hydration sleeve. Models geared toward women tend to have less space between the straps and feature a more exaggerated S-curve that better accommodates a narrower physique. Let us know! The Sirrus also offers a well-padded hip belt and shoulder straps, an innovative back panel design to aid in ventilation, and some internal framing to help keep the contents of the pack off our backs. Our high scorers for comfort were thoughtfully designed with a lot of technology put into them, and the results are often exceptional. If you want a more technical, load-bearing pack, look elsewhere. We like to consider the weight of all of our outdoor gear purchases. We've been testing, retesting, and testing updated versions of daypacks for years now. Other notable packs in this metric are the REI Co-op Flash 18 and Cotopaxi Batac 16L. And yet, both should be comfortable enough to not make you grumpy every time you use them. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. All Rights Reserved. The mesh on the Osprey Sirrus 24 never chafed (we did have a shirt on at all times), and it's impressive how cool it kept our backs even in the sweltering summer months of the desert southwest. Ultralight packs cut weight and add portability, but is the trade-off in comfort and durability something you're willing to accept?