Last updated on December 30th, 2023 at 11:52 am

The Best Hiking Backpack for Petite Female: 10 Great Options in 2022

When it comes to hiking, one of the last things you want to worry about is your backpack. Not only do you need something that can carry all of your gear, but it also needs to be comfortable enough for those adventures. So, what’s the best hiking backpack for petite female?

For small framed female hikers, finding a pack that fits well and is comfortable can be a challenge. Not only do you need to find something that is the right size, but also something that will distribute the weight evenly so as not to cause pain or discomfort when hiking.

No need to worry, however, because we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will share with you some of the best backpacks for petite woman hikers currently on the market. With so many great options to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your body type.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Hiking Backpack for Petite Female

Length of the Shoulder Straps

The first thing you need to consider when purchasing a hiking backpack for petite women is the length of the shoulder straps. The length of the straps determines how comfortable you will be carrying your backpack. A shorter strap may cause you to have a sore neck and shoulders after hiking for long distances.

You should look at the padding on the shoulder straps as well. Some backpacks have thick padding which will make your shoulders feel like they are being stabbed by hundreds of needles. Look for a backpack that has padding that is just thick enough to provide comfort but not too thick to cause pain.

More importantly, the shoulder straps should also be adjusted according to your body type. Longer straps are better for women with long torsos, while shorter straps will be better for women with short torsos.

Length of the Hip Belt

The next thing you need to look at when purchasing a hiking backpack for petite females is the length of the hip belt. The hip belt will help distribute some of the weight from your shoulders to your hips and waist area which will make it easier for you to carry your backpack.

A longer hip belt will allow you to carry more weight and is a better option for petite females. The best backpacks will have a hip belt that measures at least 4 inches longer than your waist size. If the hip belt is too short, it will not be able to distribute weight properly and you will end up carrying most of the weight on your shoulders.

Material of the Backpack

The material your backpack is made out of will affect how durable it is. The most common materials are leather, nylon, and polyester. Leather is very durable but it’s also expensive. Nylon and polyester are cheaper but they aren’t as durable as leather.

A cheap hiking backpack will do just fine, but it won’t last as long as an expensive one. The key is to find a good balance between price and quality. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, look for backpacks made from polyester or nylon instead of those made from high-quality leather.

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Quick Recommendations: Best Hiking Backpack for Petite Female

Osprey Tempest 9 – Overall Best Hiking Backpack for Petite Female

Osprey Tempest Pro 18 – Best Hiking Backpack with Attachment System

Deuter Women’s Trail 28 – Best Hiking Pack with Women’s Fit System

Kelty Redwing Tactical Backpack – Best Hiking Pack with Ease of Storage

Osprey Fairview 40 – Best Spacious Hiking Backpack for Petite Female

TETON Sports Oasis 18L – Best Hiking Backpack with Multiple Color Options

FENGDONG 40L Backpack – Best Compact Hiking Backpack for Women

WATERFLY Lightweight Backpack – Best Packable Hiking Backpack

HIKPRO 20L – Best Lightweight Hiking Backpack

OneTrail Mini Daypack – Best Mini Hiking Backpack

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10 Best Hiking Backpacks for Petite Females

Here are 10 of the best backpacks for petite female adventurers, based on reviews from consumers and experts.

Osprey Tempest 9 (Overall Best Hiking Backpack for Petite Female)

The Tempest 9 is a great backpack for day hikes and everyday use. This pack is designed with a women’s specific fit and is packed with features that make it perfect for all your hiking needs. It has a contoured airscape back panel for added ventilation, while the front panel bungee provides storage for extra gear.

The backpack comes with a stow-on-the-go trekking pole attachment facility that lets you quickly attach and detach your poles without having to stop and take off your pack, while its LidLock helmet attachment feature keeps your helmet secure when you’re not wearing it. The pack also has an external hydration sleeve to ensure that you never run out of water while hiking.

The packfeatures zippered access to the main compartment, lower insideout compression straps, and a variety of other compartments and pockets for optimal organization. Plus, at only 1.2 pounds, the Tempest 9 is undoubtedly one of the best hiking backpacks for petite females who are looking for a lightweight pack that still has enough space for a variety of supplies.

Other important features of the backpack include two stretch mesh side pockets; a stretch mesh harness slash pocket; two zippered hipbelt pockets with reversed zippers for easy access while wearing the pack.

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Osprey Tempest Pro 18 (Best Hiking Backpack with Attachment System)

The Osprey Tempest Pro 18 is another best option for petite female hikers. It features a nylon lining for durability and comes with a buckle closure for easy access to the main compartment. The dual-zippered panel also allows you to access the main section of the pack from either side, making it perfect for storing and organizing your gear. With its comfortable shoulder straps and ventilated back panel, the Tempest Pro guarantees a comfy hike every time.

The backpack features an external hydration sleeve that can house up to a 3L reservoir, as well as flexible straps to ensure a perfect fit. The pack also has stretch mesh pockets on each side, perfect for storing water bottles or other gear.

The Osprey Tempest Pro 18 is designed to provide a comfortable and stable fit, even when you are carrying a heavy load. The backpack features a host of innovative attachments, including that for trekking poles, ice ax and helmet, which makes it perfect for hiking or snowboarding.

It also includes two hipbelt pockets for easy access to your snacks or camera, a shoulder strap pocket for your phone or keys, and an internal mesh pocket with a key clip to keep your essentials safe and secure. The 18-liter capacity is just the right size for a day hike, and the women’s-specific fit ensures that the pack is comfortable and secure no matter how long your journey.

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Deuter Women’s Trail 28 (Best Hiking Pack with Women’s Fit System)

Deuter makes some of the best hiking backpacks and the Trail 28 is perfect for smaller female frames. It has a women’s fit carrying system that includes narrower shoulder straps and a shorter torso length. The flat lid construction prevents things from falling out of your pack and also makes it more comfortable to carry.

The backpack comes with a flexible U-frame that offers good load transfer, and it also has attachments for an ice axe and hiking poles. For added convenience, the backpack is compatible with a 3L water system.

It features perforated shoulder straps and hip fins to keep you ventilated and comfortable on the trail. The large zipper side pocket provides easy access to your gear, and the elastic side pocket holds a water bottle or snacks. With its stylish design and 28L capacity, the Deuter Trail is the best hiking backpack for petite female who is looking for a pack that can hold enough gear for a multi-day trip.

This backpack also comes with an adjustable hip belt to ensure a perfect fit, as well as a removable rain cover to keep your belongings dry in wet weather. The Trail 28 is also lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry with you on your next hike.

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Kelty Redwing Tactical Backpack (Best Hiking Pack with Ease of Storage)

The Kelty Redwing is the best tactical backpack for petite female hikers. It’s a sturdy, lightweight backpack made of breathable fabric with a single light beam aluminum stay. The backpack is contoured to fit snugly against your body and has plenty of room for your gear, with multiple external attachment points for storing everything from cooking supplies to camping gear.

The backpack boasts an airflow panel and air mesh shoulder straps and lumbar to keep you cool and comfortable while hiking or on the go. The hybrid-loading u-zipper design makes it easy to access your gear while the load lifter straps and sternum straps keep the pack in place while you hike.

The back panel of the pack is specifically designed to provide ventilation and cooling for your back, making it perfect for long hikes. Additionally, it is hydration compatible and includes a laptop sleeve.

The Kelty Redwing also features a versatile removable waist belt and is hand wash only. The backpack weighs only 2lbs, making it an excellent choice for hikes and everyday errands.

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Osprey Fairview 40 (Best Spacious Hiking Backpack for Petite Female)

This backpack is designed specifically for women and is made from durable fabric that can withstand even the harshest conditions. The main compartment features a large panel zip access to make packing and unpacking a breeze. The stowaway backpanel, harness and hipbelt can be quickly tucked away when not in use.

The pack offers plenty of features to make your hike as comfortable as possible. The zippered rear flap provides protection for your gear, while the large internal storage area allows you to bring along everything you need.

The perfect travel companion, the Osprey Fairview 40 is built for long hikes or extended weekend trips. The backpack’s dual compression straps keep your load stable while mesh pockets organize your small essentials. A padded top and side handles offer comfortable lifting and carrying, and a scratch-free slash pocket protects your sunglasses or electronics.

It also features lockable laptop and tablet sleeves to keep your devices safe and secure and padded shoulder straps that make it easy to carry your luggage around. The Osprey Fairview 40 meets carry-on size restrictions for most airlines, so you can take it with you on the plane.

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TETON Sports Oasis 18L (Best Hiking Backpack with Multiple Color Options)

The Oasis 18L backpack by Teton Sports is the ideal lightweight and comfortable backpack for petite female hikers. It features a notched foam stabilizer that provides added stability, an air mesh back panel that keeps you cool on hot days, and contoured shoulder straps that provide a custom fit. Whether you’re out for a day hike or an overnight trip, the Oasis 18L has everything you need to make your hike more comfortable.

The backpack offers a 2-liter hydration bladder, a sewn-in rain cover, and multiple compartments and pockets for storage. The pack is made of durable materials and features comfortable straps for hours of wear.

The pack is sized just right to fit a torso length of up to 18 inches, making it the perfect fit for women hikers. The backpack also features compression straps to help secure and stabilize the load, and adjustable shoulder, waist, and chest straps for a customized fit. An expandable waist belt also offers added comfort and stability. The backpack is available in multiple colors, so you can choose the perfect one for you.

The TETON Sports Oasis has around 13,000 global ratings and over 90 percent encouraging reviews.

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FENGDONG 40L Backpack (Best Compact Hiking Backpack for Women)

The FENGDONG 40L Backpack is another great pack for hiking as well as travel. It is ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable fit and is compact enough to be relaxing when worn. The backpack is made of durable nylon fabric and has a soft lining to protect your belongings.

The backpack features breathable mesh padding on the back and shoulder straps for added comfort. Additionally, bar tacking has been used on all stress points for durability. It is also specifically designed with a female body type in mind, making it the best hiking backpack for petite female adventurers.

This durable and water-resistant backpack features a zippered closure to keep your belongings safe and secure. The shoulder straps are adjustable for a comfortable fit, and there is a 13″ shoulder drop for easy access to your items.

The FENGDONG Backpack has a large capacity and features multiple sections to store everything you need. The front zippered pocket is perfect for your phone, keys and other small items. The two side pockets are great for water bottles or umbrellas. The main compartment has a small zippered pocket for important items like your wallet or passport.

The backpack has more than 4000 ratings with around 90 percent positive feedback.

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WATERFLY Lightweight Backpack (Best Packable Hiking Backpack)

The WATERFLY Backpack is perfect for hiking, camping and travel. It’s made of durable tear and water-resistant nylon and features a fold-up design that makes it easy to transport and store. The backpack is also lightweight and comfortable to wear, making it perfect for everyday use.

The backpack has a large capacity with different compartments, ideal for organizing all your hiking gear and the main zipped section ensures your items are safe and secure. This WATERFLY pack is the best hiking backpack for petite female considering its compact size and variety of features including one hidden pouch, one zipped front pocket, and two side pockets.

With an SBS metal zipper and reinforcement at stress points, this backpack is built to last. The cable hole on the side allows you to easily run your charging cords through, while the internal pocket provides additional storage.

The backpack features a unique wet pocket design to provide a separate storage facility for your wet belongings. It has comfortable shoulder straps with breathable mesh, which can alleviate the stress on your shoulders caused by long-distance hiking.

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HIKPRO 20L (Best Lightweight Hiking Backpack)

The HIKPRO 20L backpack is just a thing for small-framed female hikers and adventurers. Its minimalist design is ultra-lightweight and foldable, making it great for packing and traveling. The backpack weighs only 7.5oz and can hold up to 20 liters of gear.

It features three zippered compartments, and spacious internal space to accommodate essential gear for a short hiking trip. The large main pocket can hold a lot of items, while the outer smaller pocket is great for quick access stuff. The inner zippered pocket is perfect for holding delicate items and the two large sides mesh pockets are just right for keeping water bottles or umbrellas.

The HIKPRO is made of quality water-resistant materials. The double fabric at the bottom of the backpack provides extra durability and prevents water absorption. The pack features wide breathable shoulder straps for optimum comfort and air circulation. It is available in nine color options to suit your style.

The backpack has significant ratings and a great number of positive reviews.

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OneTrail Mini Daypack (Best Mini Hiking Backpack)

The OneTrail Mini Daypack is yet another great option for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. At only 7.9 x 4.7 x 15.4 inches, it’s compact and versatile, ideal for carrying all your essentials. The water-resistant fabric lining ensures your belongings stay dry.

The backpack features a buckle closure and multiple adjustment points, so you can customize the fit to your individual body shape. It is also loaded with storage options, offering room for all of your essential gear.

The daypack has a padded laptop sleeve that can hold up to an 11-inch laptop or tablet as well as a hidden security pocket for your valuables. The pack also has two side water bottle pockets for your convenience.

Featuring a front buckle closure, padded shoulder straps and chest buckle, the pack distributes weight evenly for all-day comfort. This stylish bag includes easy-pull zippers and comes in six cool colors. With its minimalist design, the OneTrail Mini is arguably the best hiking backpack for petite female.

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Comparison Table

Best Hiking Backpack for Petite Women	CAPACITY	WEIGHT	KEY FEATURES
Osprey Tempest 9	9L	1.2 pounds	External hydration sleeve; trekking pole attachment; lidLock helmet attachment
Osprey Tempest Pro 18	18L	1.92 pounds	Trekking pole, helmet and ice ax attachment points; external hydration pocket
Deuter Women’s Trail 28	28L	2 lbs. 8 oz.	Load transfer system; gear attachment options; water system compatibility
Kelty Redwing Tactical Backpack	30L	2 pounds	Hydration friendly; laptop sleeve; ventilated back panel
Osprey Fairview 40	40L	3.09 pounds	Great internal storage; laptop and tablet pockets; within carry-on size limit
TETON Sports Oasis 18L	18L	2 pounds	An air mesh back panel; free 2L hydration bladder; expandable waist belt
FENGDONG 40L Backpack	40L	1.9 pounds	Spacious and lightweight; breathable mesh padding; bar tacking stress points
WATERFLY Lightweight Backpack	40L	420 g	Foldable ultralight pack; multiple storage sections; cable hole
HIKPRO 20L	20L	6.5 ounces	Ultra-lightweight; foldable into small size; three zippered sections
OneTrail Mini Daypack	10L	1 pound	Compact design; laptop sleeve; security pocket

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Conclusion

When choosing the best hiking backpack for petite female, you’ll want to consider size, weight and fit. Our research suggests that the Osprey Tempest 9 is the best option for smaller women, as it is lightweight and has a snug fit besides having plenty of handy features. If you’re looking for a comfortable and durable backpack, this one is definitely worth considering.

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Frequently Asked Questions