Best Women’s Daypack for Hiking: Top 9 Recommendations

One of the most versatile packs we tested, the Osprey Tempest excels no matter how you use it – on the trail, around town, or even on your bike. It features a mesh, breathable back panel and an external hydration sleeve for warmer days, and even includes a helmet attachment for biking or climbing expeditions.

It has a women’s-specific fit with a lumbar-to-hip belt wrap that allows you to keep the pack high on your hips. This ensures better load distribution and also reduces the risk of the belt digging in or chafing at the hips.

The Tempest has a plethora of external pockets for stashing a variety of different-sized items. On top, you can stash your keys and phone, while the front mesh pocket is perfect for stashing an extra layer on rainy or cool days.

The Tempest 20 is also sustainably made from Bluesign-approved, recycled, high-tenacity nylon, meaning the construction is safe for the environment, workers, and users.

The Mystery Ranch Scree 32L backpack is an excellent choice for hikers expecting to carry a larger load, whether hiking with kids, packing a picnic, or heading to the crag for a day of climbing.

In addition to its 32-liter capacity, this pack features two rows of daisy chains for attaching gear to the pack’s exterior, two external water bottle holders, and a front stash pocket for extra layers. There are also smaller pockets in the hip belt and lid to store smaller items like keys and snacks. Although the Scree is hydration-pack compatible, a hydration pack is not included.

Made with 210D Robic nylon fabric, the Mystery Ranch Scree 32L is one of the most durable packs on our list. A reinforced, double-layer base also lets you set the pack down on sharper rocks without fear of tearing.

All of these features come at a cost, however, as the Scree 32L is the priciest model on our list and also the heaviest.

If you prefer abundant storage and convenient features for hydration and comfort, the Gregory Juno 24L is a great addition to your shortlist.

There’s no shortage of external storage options on this pack. It boasts a large stretch front pocket, dual mesh side pockets, a zippered top pocket, a duo of hip belt pockets, tool attachment points with a bungee closure system, and a handy sunglasses pocket on the shoulder strap.

On top of all this, you also get a 3-liter water reservoir for on-the-go hydration. The reservoir is housed in a dedicated, zippered hydration sleeve that has a SpeedClip hydration hanger for easy one-handed, snap-and-go connection.

Comfort-wise, the Juno is a winner, too. The shoulder harness has a Breathable ActiveFlex construction for better airflow, while the VaporSpan ventilated suspension backing uses moisture-wicking mesh to minimize sweat when you’re hiking hard. The harness also features a handy magnetic sternum buckle and a hose clip for the bite valve of your hydration bladder.

Weighing in at just 4 ounces, the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack gets our vote as the top women’s daypack for minimalist fast-and-light adventurers.

Despite being incredibly lightweight, this frameless backpack packs a lot of features and is relatively tough to boot. Made with 40D ripstop nylon, it’s flimsier than bags like the Osprey Tempest or Mystery Ranch Scree but is more than tough enough to survive multiple years of regular use.

Despite its smaller volume and piddly weight, this Osprey women’s daypack also has plenty of external storage. A top-zippered slash pocket is perfect for storing your sunglasses, keys, and wallet, while a dual-zippered main compartment helps organize your load. There’s also a stretch mesh side pocket for your water bottle and dual zippers to access the main compartment.

The pack also packs into its own pocket, making it perfect for packing along on longer trips and whipping out for your day hikes.

The only downsides to this pack are the lack of a hip belt and the frameless design, which might prove to be a dealbreaker for buyers who like a little more padding, ventilation, and support in the back.

The Flash 18 is ideal for budget-conscious hikers requiring a daypack for backpacking or for day hikers seeking a simple, no-frills pack for carrying an extra layer and some snacks.

Unlike most frameless hiking daypacks, the Flash 18 is remarkably comfortable. It features stretchy, breathable mesh shoulder straps with extra padding to prevent uncomfortable pressure points when carrying larger loads. There’s also a padded back panel that slips out for use as a cushion.

At 9.5 oz., this pack weighs more than three times as much as the other frameless pack in our review, the Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack. They both have the same capacity however the Flash 18 uses sturdier, more durable materials. Furthermore, the hip belt and sternum strap can be removed for extra weight savings.

If you’d like a slightly larger and more featured version of the Flash 18, check out the REI Co-Op Trail 25.

The Patagonia Refugio is a simple yet stylish little hiking backpack that boasts all the organizational features you need for gear-intensive day hikes or even overnight trips making it great value as well!

This pack doesn’t have an adjustable harness, but it’s nicely tailored for a woman’s fit. The shoulder straps have a more in-line cut and taper to fit a woman’s torso, while the sliding sternum strap can be adjusted to fit your bust.

The Refugio has three pockets plus the main compartment. The main compartment even fits a 15-inch laptop perfectly or a hydration reservoir (not included).

You’ll find a zippered pocket in the front to hold your smaller books, chargers, or guidebook. The stash pocket is perfect for the smaller items you want to access quickly like a wallet or lip balm. The pack’s exterior also has a DWR finish, so will keep your kit dry in light rain showers without the need for a dedicated pack cover.

In terms of ventilation, the Refugio isn’t a standout like the Gregory Juno 24L, but the soft mesh on the shoulder straps and back panel breathes well and provides plenty of comfort.

One downside to this pack is that it lacks a waist belt, a feature it shares with lighter-weight models like the Osprey Daylite. This will put more weight on your shoulders and could lead to discomfort on longer hikes.

The Deuter Trail SL is a highly durable and comfortable women’s day-hiking pack ideal for wet-weather excursions. Unlike other packs in our review, it includes a detachable rain cover to keep your belongings dry during unpredictable weather.

But what we love most about this pack isn’t necessarily its wet-weather performance but, rather, the ergonomics of its women’s-specific fit. Like all women’s packs, it has a shorter back length and narrower construction. For extra comfort, however, the pack uses an “ActiveFit,” pivoting, S-shaped shoulder harness which automatically adjusts to the body shape of the wearer.

In terms of storage, the Trail SL is no slouch, either. It has a helmet attachment loop to save space in the main compartment, trekking pole loops, a hip belt pocket, and multiple pockets on the exterior. While it doesn’t come with a water reservoir, it’s compatible with a 3-liter bag.

The FastpackHer is lightweight, exceptionally comfortable, and has a number of innovative organizational features, making it one of the best hiking daypacks for women to hit the market.

This backpack uses a roll-top closure and a full-length side zipper to provide easy access to your gear. Two large side pockets can hold a couple of water bottles, while daisy chain webbing allows you to clip extra gear to the pack’s exterior.

On the padded shoulder straps, you also have a duo of pockets for your phone, camera, or another water bottle. These allow you to keep any items you’re likely to need while on the move ready to hand.

When it comes to comfort, the FastpackHer’s up there with the best of them. While frameless, it uses a women-specific harness for a snug but supportive fit, while the seamless mesh back panel increases breathability and helps to prevent direct contact between your back and your pack’s contents. There’s also an adjustable, sliding chest strap and fully-adjustable waist straps.

For a simple, functional, ultralight women’s daypack suitable for shorter excursions on the trails, the Osprey Daylite is worth considering

Weighing just 1lb. 1oz., this is one of the lightest packs on our list but is far more comfortable and better-ventilated than other frameless packs like the Osprey Ultralight and REI Flash 18 thanks to its use of a mesh-covered, ridged-foam back panel.

The Daylite’s 13-liter capacity and skinny webbing hip belt mean it’s not a great option for larger or heavier loads. However, its large, panel-loading main compartment, adequately padded straps, DWR coating, and hydration compatibility make it ideal for anyone looking for a small pack that offers a comfort and practicality upgrade on the minimalist models listed above.