Top 20 Women's Hiking Backpack Picks for Epic UK Adventures

Choosing a backpack that actually fits a female frame can feel harder than the hike itself. Shoulder straps cut, hip-belts slip and the rain finds every zip that isn’t taped. To spare you another round of expensive trial-and-error, we’ve hand-picked 20 women’s packs that genuinely work on British trails – from nimble 24-litre summit bags to 70-litre load-haulers built for the Cape Wrath Trail. Each entry comes with honest pros and cons, sizing guidance and a direct link to UK stockists, so you can click “checkout” knowing exactly what will arrive on your doorstep.

Before we shoulder up, a quick fit primer. Women-specific packs shorten the back length, angle the hip-belt and narrow the harness to follow female anatomy; aim for a load that rides between C7 and the top of the hips and always test with 10–15 kg before you pull the tags. Ready? We kick things off with an exclusive TrailMate 40 L from Take a Hike UK, then work down the litre ladder so you can jump straight to your ideal capacity. Lace those boots – your perfect pack is a scroll away.

1. Take a Hike UK TrailMate 40 L Women’s Hiking Backpack

The first slot on our list was a no-brainer. Designed in-house and stocked only at Take a Hike UK, the TrailMate 40 L shows how good a mid-volume women’s hiking backpack can feel when every dimension is tuned for a female torso. It’s roomy enough for a stove, 3-season bag and a plush mat, yet lean enough to squeeze through Lakeland stiles without snagging.

At a Glance

Why Women Hikers Love It

• Adjustable ladder lets you dial in torso length instead of “making do” with fixed S/M/L sizes.
• Sculpted S-curve shoulder straps sit clear of the chest, while dual-density hip fins wrap naturally round curvier hips for wobble-free load transfer.
• A trampoline mesh back panel keeps air flowing when the humidity soars or the midge net goes on.
• Quick-stow bungees swallow trekking poles between scrambly moves; full-length side zip grants instant access to that buried waterproof at a bus stop.
• Hardwearing 210 D nylon with a PFC-free DWR shrugs off drizzle and gate friction alike.

Best UK Adventures to Use It On

1. Two-day wild camps on the South Downs Way—40 L hits the sweet spot for ultralight tents plus a pub meal’s worth of snacks.
2. A long Snowdon Horseshoe day where extra insulation, crampons and celebratory summit brownies all need stashing.
3. Munro-bagging weekends north of Glen Coe when bothies are closed and every gram of comfort must be carried in.

Points to Consider

• The ladder system doesn’t drop below 38 cm, so very petite hikers may still float inside the harness.
• Launch colours are moss green and slate only; if you’re chasing bright Instagram hues, you’ll need a rain cover or patches for flair.

2. Osprey Aura AG 65

Clocking more long-distance miles than many thru-hikers, the Aura AG 65 is the benchmark against which every other large-capacity women’s pack gets judged. If you’re hunting a women’s hiking backpack that can swallow a week’s food, winter kit and still feel “floaty” on your hips, Osprey’s Anti-Gravity mesh frame is about as close to magic as carbon and nylon can get.

At a Glance

Women’s Fit & Comfort

• Continuous AG mesh wraps from shoulder blades through lumbar to hip-belt, spreading load and eliminating hot spots on steep Scottish ascents.
• IsoForm CM belt softens with body heat and can be oven-moulded in specialist shops for a truly custom cradle.
• Three torso sizes plus Fit-on-the-Fly wings let you fine-tune padding length mid-trail—handy when layers thin out in warmer valleys.
• Narrower yoke, shorter back panel and an angled hip-belt mirror female anatomy, so weight sits on the iliac crest rather than the lower spine.

Perfect UK Use Cases

1. Thru-hiking the West Highland Way or Cape Wrath Trail where resupply is scarce and you’re carting five to seven days of dehydrated meals.
2. Winter wild camps in the Brecon Beacons—there’s room for a 4-season bag, closed-cell mat and micro-spikes without the “sausage” lid syndrome.
3. Overseas trekking from a UK base: sail-rail to the Pyrenees then shoulder the same pack for hut-to-hut circuits.

Drawbacks

• At 2.2 kg it’s no featherweight; ultra-light disciples may grumble.
• AG mesh can snag on coarse gritstone walls—take care squeezing through stiles.
• Pricey, although regular UK sales often drop it below £240 if you’re patient.

3. Gregory Deva 60

If you gravitate towards plush carry comfort and clever organisation, the Gregory Deva 60 deserves a serious look. The brand has long been praised for building packs that feel like they were custom-moulded to your back, and the latest women’s Deva continues that trend with pivoting suspension that moves as naturally as you do on rocky Lake District descents or Alpine ladder sections.

At a Glance

Women’s-Specific Features

• Response A3 suspension: auto-adjusting hip-belt and shoulder straps pivot independently, maintaining load balance when you hop peat hags or side-hill scree.
• Shorter shoulder-strap spread and narrower yoke match female clavicle width, reducing rub on collarbones.
• Hip-belt fins angle downwards to hug curvier hips, with dual-density foam that cushions without collapsing.
• SideKick hydration sleeve doubles as a summit/day-trip sling—ideal when base-camping at a bothy.

Where It Excels

1. Multi-day Lakeland rounds such as the Cumbria High Level Route—pockets swallow wet gear separately from your down bag.
2. Hut-to-hut trips accessed via Gatwick or Manchester flights: the front U-zip grants suitcase-style access, so kit stays tidy in shared dorms.
3. Shoulder-season treks on the South West Coast Path where you need extra insulation but want a pack that still breathes.

Things to Note

• The dedicated hydration sleeve is slightly narrower than Osprey or CamelBak reservoirs; they fit, but expect a snug wiggle.
• At just over two kilos it isn’t the lightest 60 L women’s hiking backpack, yet most testers say the suspension offsets the gram penalty once loads top 18 kg.
• Hip-belt pockets are roomy, though the zip pulls can rattle—add a short cord loop if stealth camping near skittish wildlife.

4. Deuter Futura Air Trek 45 + 10 SL

Looking for something that bridges beefy weekend loads and tidy hut-to-hut volume? Deuter’s Futura Air Trek 45 + 10 SL nails that grey area. The SL tag signals the German brand’s women-specific geometry: shorter back length, conical hip-belt and a narrower shoulder yoke. Add the clever +10 L collar and you get a shape-shifting women’s hiking backpack that’s as happy on a wet Peak District out-and-back as it is lugging climbing hardware into a Snowdonian campsite.

At a Glance

Comfort Tech

• Aircomfort Sensic trampoline mesh suspends the load away from your spine, boosting airflow on muggy Pennine Way sections.
• VariSlide ladder gives a full 10 cm of torso adjust, perfect if you swap layers or share the pack with a similarly sized mate.
• ECL (Ergonomic Comfort Lock) hip fins pivot and grip the iliac crest, stopping sway when you’re contouring greasy fellsides.
• Dual ice-axe/trek-pole loops, stretch front shove-it pocket and twin 3-litre bottle holsters keep kit organised without rummaging.

Ideal Adventures

1. Weekend micro-adventures on the Ridgeway where you sling in a lightweight tent, but splash-out on real food.
2. Summer overnighters on the Glyders—the +10 L collar gobbles a half rope for Tryfan’s north ridge.
3. Shoulder-season rambles along the Rob Roy Way: built-in rain cover and PFC-free DWR fend off Scotch mist.

Potential Cons

• Top lid is sewn-on, so you can’t detach it for summit dashes.
• Side compression straps cross the bottle pockets; fat Nalgene® widemouths can be fiddly to re-stow on the move.
• At 1.9 kg it’s mid-pack on the scales—ultralighters will still sniff at the gram count.

5. Lowe Alpine Manaslu 55:70 ND

Named after the eighth-highest mountain on Earth, the Manaslu is built for everything from soggy Scottish bothy missions to photo-heavy traverses of the Mourne Wall. The “ND” (Narrow Dimension) tag flags Lowe Alpine’s women-specific fit: a shorter, slimmer back panel and a hip-belt that bows cleanly round the hips without pinching. Add a clever zip-out gusset that jumps the volume from 55 L to 70 L and you have a genuine quiver-killer—carry light when the forecast is kind or open the collar when the heavens open and you need spare insulation.

At a Glance

Female Fit Highlights

• ND back length is shorter and cuts excess width off the shoulder yoke, so straps sit inside rather than on top of the shoulder joint.
• V-TRAX ladder lets you slide the harness up or down 10 cm with a single Velcro rip—do it mid-trail as layers change.
• Hip-belt fins angle downwards and tighten from both sides, centring the buckle to avoid stomach hotspots.
• Forward-pull stabilisers cinch the load into the lumbar so weight rides where it should.

Best For

1. Duke of Edinburgh assessors lugging extra group safety kit on the Mourne Wall Walk.
2. Photographers packing multiple lenses for a long Glen Coe autumn.
3. Heavy-duty winter camps on the Pennine Way—expand the collar for snow-stakes and double mats.

Watch-outs

• Side stretch pockets grip slim bottles but fight wide 1 L Nalgenes.
• HydroShield fabric beads rain yet can wet-out in all-day drizzle—use a liner for down gear.
• At 2.35 kg it’s robust, but not an ultralight darling.

6. Berghaus Trailhead 65 Women’s

You don’t always need carbon stays and rotary hip-belts to clock big UK miles. Sometimes you just want a solid, keenly priced women’s hiking backpack that feels familiar the moment you lift it off the shop rail. Enter the Trailhead 65: Berghaus’ best-selling load-hauler that has taken thousands of DofE groups and budget-conscious backpackers across the Pennines without complaint. The women’s version keeps the same no-nonsense build but tweaks the back length, harness width and hip-belt angle so the weight sits where it should—on your hips, not your shoulders.

At a Glance

Comfort & Features

• BioFit slide-rail lets you move the harness up or down while wearing the pack; great when you swap from puffa to baselayer mid-ridge.
• Women-specific S-shaped straps clear the chest and avoid armpit pinch.
• Generous front stash pouch swallows a wet shell so you don’t soak the main compartment.
• Dual-entry bottom zip gives direct access to your sleeping bag—no more upside-down kit explosions.
• Comes in at under 1.7 kg thanks to a lightweight steel frame and 600D ripstop.

Where It Shines

1. Cash-strapped students tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks and needing volume for group stove gear.
2. First multi-day Coast to Coast hikes where reliable UK warranty support matters.
3. Gap-year Interrail trips that morph into Alpine hut walks—the price leaves budget for pizza in Zermatt.

Trade-offs

• Fewer organisation pockets than premium packs; stuff-sacks help tame chaos.
• Foam back panel is warm on muggy days—plan on frequent rest stops.
• Rain cover is bright orange (safety win, fashion maybe not), and it tends to balloon in high winds if not clipped tight.

7. Fjällräven Kajka 55 W

If you equate “reliability” with “built like a Scandinavian tank”, the Kajka 55 W will feel reassuring the moment you hoist it. Fjällräven trades grams for longevity, pairing thick recycled polyester with a birch-laminate frame that shrugs off scree, airline holds and years of Scottish drizzle. It’s not a featherweight women’s hiking backpack, but for guides, instructors or serial gear abusers, few packs carry a heavy load with such calm composure.

At a Glance

Stand-out Features

• Wooden frame cuts CO₂ emissions by c. 90 % versus aluminium while matching its stiffness for load transfer.
• Easy-adjust torso plate slides 8 cm to cover most female back lengths without tools.
• Generous, padded hip-belt pivots subtly with each stride, crucial on boulder scrambles round An Teallach.
• Front panel zips open suitcase-style so you can grab a stove or first-aid kit in wind-scoured bothies.
• Detachable lid converts into a chest or lumbar pouch for summit bids.

Ideal Use

1. Long, gear-intensive sections of the Hebridean Way where resupply is erratic and durability trumps weight.
2. Winter skills courses on Cairngorm granite—ice axe and shovel sleeves keep sharp tools separate.
3. Overseas trekking via ferrata: thick Vinylon resists abrasion from cables and harness hardware.

Drawbacks

• Tips the scales at 3 kg-plus; unnecessary for anyone carrying under 15 kg total.
• Premium price and limited UK stockists—sales are rare.
• No trampoline mesh, so expect a sweaty back when the mercury climbs in June.

8. Arc’teryx Bora AR 49 Women’s

Arc’teryx pitches the Bora AR 49 as a “do-everything” load carrier, and for many UK hillwalkers that claim holds water. Sitting squarely between day-pack and expedition beast, this women’s hiking backpack feels just as at home threading scree on Blencathra as it does ferrying supplies to a remote Knoydart bothy. The secret sauce is a sliding hip-belt that actually moves with your body, so steep Lakeland zigzags or lung-busting Scottish corries don’t saw the pack into your waist.

At a Glance

Comfort Tech

• RotoGlide™ belt slides up and down by 5 cm, matching the natural rise and fall of your hips on high steps—goodbye waistband rub.
• Tegris™ composite frame sheet holds shape under 18 kg yet flexes torsionally, so the load tracks your spine rather than fighting it.
• Hybrid fabrics: hard-wearing 420 D nylon where you scrape rock, coated AC² panels on lid and sidewalls to shed sideways rain that blows in off the Irish Sea.
• Women-specific yoke narrows the harness span and trims the back panel to keep the load centred.

Best Uses

1. Fast but self-sufficient pushes on the Cumbria Way: enough room for a tarp, stove and three days’ food without feeling over-packed.
2. Lightweight multi-pitch days on Scotland’s sea-cliffs—rope fits vertically while hardware goes in the kangaroo pocket.
3. Alpine trekking weeks reached by Caledonian Sleeper and flight: the Bora swallows extra luxuries yet still slides into European train racks.

Cons

• Slim main chute can be a squeeze for bulky synthetic sleeping bags—use a compression sack.
• Pricey and no rain cover included; factor in another £25 if you want belt-and-braces waterproofing.
• Minimal external pockets mean more internal rummaging unless you organise with dry-bags.

9. The North Face Terra 55 Women’s

The Terra line has existed in one form or another since the 1990s, and this latest women’s-specific 55-litre model shows why it keeps hanging around outdoor shops. By trimming 200 g from the previous edition and updating the harness to the OPTIFIT system, The North Face has produced a mid-volume women’s hiking backpack that feels reassuringly simple yet quietly clever. There’s no exotic carbon frame or sliding hip-belt; instead, you get solid 210 D nylon, a tried-and-tested internal stay, and enough stash pockets to keep snack stops swift when the Manx drizzle rolls in.

At a Glance

Fit Features

• OPTIFIT ladder slides 8 cm so the hip-belt sits squarely on the iliac crest.
• Narrower shoulder width and softer foam cut to avoid under-arm rub on fitted women’s shells.
• Dual-density hip fins taper forward, hugging curvier hips without the “spreader-bar” effect.

Use Cases

1. Section-hiking the Camino Inglés where hostel bunks mean you can ditch the tent but still need layers for Galician rain.
2. Circuiting the Isle of Man’s Raad ny Foillan coastal path: vertical J-zip lets you dig out a shell mid-squall without excavating everything.
3. Three-season Peak District overnighters when 50 L would be tight yet 65 L feels cavernous.

Considerations

• Back panel is foam-padded rather than mesh-suspended; expect a damp shirt on humid days—line the main chute with a 30 L dry-bag.
• Hip-belt pockets are small; modern plus-sized smartphones will need to ride in the lid.
• No integrated rain cover; optional TNF cover is around £25, but any generic medium size fits.

10. Montane Trailblazer 30 Women’s

Need a pack that moves as fast as you do over British single-track? The women’s Trailblazer 30 takes Montane’s fell-running heritage and grafts it onto a lightweight load hauler that still carries like a “proper” women’s hiking backpack. The result is a vest-style harness that hugs your torso on windy ridge lines yet offers just enough structure to keep a stove and bivvy bag sitting neatly against the back panel. If you dream of stringing big Wainwright days into one seamless burst, this is the tool for the job.

At a Glance

Why It Wins

• Vest-inspired shoulder wings spread weight across the chest, reducing bounce when you break into a jog to catch the 17:42 train.
• Dual stretch chest pockets swallow 500 ml soft flasks or an emergency pasty, keeping hydration and fuel on tap.
• “T-Hook” side cinches let you compress the load while wearing gloves—handy on winter Blencathra speed ascents.
• RAPTOR fabric is only 70 denier yet surprisingly tough; a PFC-free DWR shrugs off light showers between proper waterproof stops.

Best For

1. Mountain marathons or FKTs on the South Downs Way 50 where every gram matters but full running vests feel too small.
2. Fast & light summit days in the Lake District when you’re tagging multiple fells with minimal kit.
3. Bike-packing coast-to-coast: low profile sits neatly under drop bars but retains enough space for evening civvies.

Caveats

• Minimal framesheet means comfort tops out around 9 kg—pack efficiently.
• No hip-belt pockets; rely on chest and side stash areas for snacks and phone.
• Hydration sleeve fits a 2 L bladder but routing the hose around vest wings takes a little fiddling on first setup.

11. Rab Aeon 35 Women’s

Rab built its reputation on cold-weather clothing, but the Aeon 35 shows the Derbyshire brand knows a thing or two about carrying kit as well. Sitting bang in the middle of day-pack and overnighter territory, this 35-litre women’s hiking backpack balances enough rigidity for crampons with the low weight and movement you want for summer ridge scrambles.

At a Glance

Female-specific Touches

• Harness is cut narrower and shaped into subtle S-curves so straps clear the chest instead of squashing it.
• TRI-FLOW back panel trims overall length and narrows the lumbar pad, letting shorter spines hit that “sweet spot” between shoulders and hips.
• Hip fins flare gently to wrap round curvier hips and include forward-pull webbing that’s easy to crank tight with gloves on.
• Sternum strap slides on a track rather than fixed loops, so you can shift it to avoid sports-bra hardware.

Ideal UK Scenarios

1. Cairngorm winter day hikes: dedicated ice-axe and pole loops keep sharp tools separate from spare layers.
2. A long Lake District horseshoe when you need room for a bothy bag, flask and micro-spikes.
3. Spring wild camps on Dartmoor using an ultralight tent and compact quilt—the 35 L volume makes you pack smart.

Points to Watch

• Hip-belt pockets fit smartphones up to 6.5"; plus-sized handsets must ride in the lid.
• The stiff framesheet helps when load tops 11 kg, but at lower weights it can feel a tad board-like—remove it if you’re carrying soft kit only.
• Rain cover sold separately; line with a 35 L dry-bag if you’re heading into Welsh deluges.

12. Salomon Out Night 30 + 5 W

Fast-moving treks often demand the nimbleness of a running vest and the structure of a bona-fide women’s hiking backpack. Salomon’s Out Night 30 + 5 W blends those worlds, giving trail runners-turned-trekkers a pack that hugs the torso on technical ridgelines yet cinches up to carry a stove and quilt for impromptu bivvies. The clever roll-top collar adds five extra litres in seconds, so you can load up with water and snacks before a remote Pennine stretch without switching packs.

At a Glance

Comfort & Tech

• MotionFit 3D vest-style harness flexes with each stride, eliminating bounce when you break into a jog to beat nightfall.
• Dual stretch front pockets sit on the shoulder straps for on-the-go access to soft flasks, gels or a compact headtorch.
• Airvent Agility back panel uses cut-out foam and mesh overlays to keep airflow rolling on humid Cornish coast paths.
• Removable lightweight framesheet lets you drop 60 g for true fast-and-light missions.
• Daisy-chain loops and stash cord accept Salomon’s Custom Quiver if you use Z-poles.

Best For

1. Four-day fastpacking pushes along the 96-mile West Highland Way where every gram and second counts.
2. Summer wild bivvies in the Peak District when the forecast looks settled but you still want a stove and insulated jacket.
3. Alpine hut approaches via budget airlines: compresses small enough for carry-on yet expands for summit day extras.

Drawbacks

• Thin 100 D fabric hates gritstone chimneys and gorse—patch it early to stop tears spreading.
• One-size torso works for most women but petites under 5 ft 2 in may wish for a shorter back panel.
• Minimal padding on the hipbelt means comfort tops out around 9 kg; pack accordingly for multi-day food carries.

13. Jack Wolfskin Highland Trail XT 50 Women

German reliability, meet British hill-weather. Jack Wolfskin’s Highland Trail XT 50 slots neatly between lightweight weekend bags and full-blown expedition haulers, giving UK hillwalkers a women’s hiking backpack that feels planted with 12–15 kg yet still squeezes into Pen-y-Pass bus racks. The women-specific back panel sits shorter and narrower, while a chunky lumbar pad stops the load drifting when you’re side-stepping slate scree in Snowdonia.

At a Glance

Key Features

• X-Transition suspension spreads weight across two aluminium stays and a trampoline mesh, delivering noticeable airflow on muggy moorland slogs.
• Front U-zip suitcase opening is a game-changer in cramped bothies—grab the stove without up-ending your sleep system.
• Oversized stretch front pocket swallows a soaked hardshell, while side holsters take 1 L Nalgene bottles without a wrestling match.
• Dual ice-axe/trekking-pole retainers and hip-belt pockets sized for 6.7" phones round out the hill-friendly detailing.

UK Adventures

1. Hut-based circuits in the Alps or snow-free Ben Nevis weekends.
2. Peak District multi-day rambles where water resupply is frequent but you still lug DSLR kit.
3. Shoulder-season camps on the Isle of Skye when the forecast demands spare insulation.

Cons

• Hip-belt pockets aren’t waterproof—stash electronics in a ziplock.
• Aluminium stays add rigidity but push weight close to 2 kg; gram-counters will look elsewhere.
• Rain cover is bright yellow: great for visibility, less so for stealth wild-camps.

14. Alpkit Pacific Crest 40 L

Alpkit has built a solid UK following by cutting out middle-men and funnelling the savings into well-specced gear. The Pacific Crest 40 L continues that ethos: a capable women’s hiking backpack that won’t flatten your overdraft or your shoulders. Trim weight, sensible features and a fair price make it a tempting alternative to the big US brands—if you can catch one before the drop sells out.

At a Glance

Fit & Function

• Female-specific shoulder curve and tapered hip-belt plant the load on the iliac crest, not the lower spine.
• Removable aluminium stay gives you the choice: keep it for 12 kg comfort or ditch 90 g for true gram-counting missions.
• Dual-entry side pockets angle forwards; you can swap bottles one-handed while trudging across sodden heather.
• Roll-top closure and seam-bound 210 D ripstop shrug off passing drizzle—pair with a liner for Dartmoor deluges.
• Generous daisy-chains and ice-axe loop accommodate bungee add-ons or foam mats.

Ideal Use

1. Budget-friendly wild camps on Dartmoor where livestock and bogs demand sturdy, not ultralight, fabrics.
2. Two-day Pennine Way recces when train connections limit luggage, yet you still need a stove and puffy.
3. Alpine hut approaches on hand-luggage only flights—40 L squeaks under most EU carry-on limits when lightly packed.

Potential Drawbacks

• Limited production runs vanish fast; sign up for Alpkit alerts.
• One-size back works for most, but hikers under 5 ft may struggle to dial the perfect fit.
• No included rain cover—budget for a 40 L liner if you chase Scottish winters.

15. Vango Sherpa 60 + 10 S

Plenty of Duke of Edinburgh groups cut their teeth with Vango kit, and the latest Sherpa 60 + 10 S shows why the Scottish brand still dominates school gear rooms. Voluminous, bomb-proof and refreshingly affordable, this short-back version tightens the classic design around female torsos without dumbing down the suspension. If you want a women’s hiking backpack that can haul expedition rations yet won’t make you cry at the till, the Sherpa deserves a spot on your shortlist.

At a Glance

Comfort

• Self-Adjust back system slides on twin aluminium rails; once locked it stays put, even after hours of heather-bashing.
• Airflow channel and mesh lumbar pad vent sweaty ridge walks better than the old solid foam panels.
• Broad, curved hip-belt spreads 20 kg loads without biting – perfect when you’re carrying group fuel or crampons.

Perfect For

1. Duke of Edinburgh Gold expeditions on the Cairngorm plateau.
2. Ten Tors training weekends where spare water and team shelter bulk out the load.
3. Budget gap-year treks along New Zealand’s Great Walks after a UK kit shakedown.

Consider

• Integrated steel stay adds durability but pushes weight past the 2 kg mark.
• Lid straps are short; over-stuffed 10 L collar can limit head movement.
• Hip-belt pockets fit snack bars, not large phones – stash electronics in the lid.

16. Osprey Tempest 34

Want a pack that feels like an extension of your body on exposed ridges yet still swallows a full foul-weather layer system? The Tempest 34 is Osprey’s women-specific all-rounder, bridging the gap between a stripped-back day-sack and an overnighter. Weighing barely over a kilo, it’s light enough for bike-packing but structured enough to carry winter hardware – a rare balancing act in the women’s hiking backpack market.

At a Glance

Women’s Fit

• Harness and hip-belt are sculpted from a single piece of foam, curving around shorter torsos without hot spots.
• Narrow yoke and S-curve straps sit clear of the chest and avoid armpit chafe on steep, pole-free scrambles.
• Flexible AirScape back panel channels airflow while hugging the lumbar – handy when Welsh humidity kicks in.
• Two torso sizes give petite hikers a genuine option rather than a “one size fits no-one” compromise.

Excels At

1. A big Ben Nevis day via the CMD Arete where crampons and a bothy bag add bulk.
2. Cross-Scotland bike-packing routes: low profile disappears behind drop bars, external helmet bungee keeps things tidy.
3. Single-night bivvies on Kinder Scout – 34 L forces disciplined packing but still takes a stove and quilt.

Drawbacks

• No rain cover included; factor in an extra £25 or line with a 35 L dry-bag.
• Side pockets are shallow for 1 L Nalgenes; slimmer soft flasks fare better.
• Light frame maxes out around 12 kg – push beyond and the hip-belt starts to sag.

17. Patagonia Altvia Pack 36 L Women’s

Patagonia rarely does kit for kit’s sake; the Altvia 36 L is the Californian brand’s answer to “how light can we go and still feel prepared for British weather?” Sitting neatly between a beefy day-sack and a stripped fast-packer, it offers enough structure for winter hardware while tipping the scales at just 1.2 kg. Add Fair Trade sewing, recycled fabrics and iron-clad after-sales support and you have a women’s hiking backpack that ticks comfort, conscience and carry-ability in one go.

At a Glance

Sustainability & Fit

• Bluesign-approved materials and Fair Trade Certified™ stitching keep the eco footprint low.
• Narrower yoke and softly sculpted hip-belt hug shorter torsos without pinching.
• Breathable mono-mesh back panel sheds sweat and won’t soak up drizzle like open-cell foam.
• Dual-density shoulder foam balances flexibility with load support up to ~12 kg.

UK Use Cases

1. Soggy Welsh coast paths: PU fabric and lid port drain water rather than pooling.
2. Spring overnighters in the Lakes where a compact quilt, stove and pad just fill 36 litres.
3. Shoulder-season ridge scrambles on the Cuillin; twin tool loops secure an axe and poles.

Watch-outs

• Only one ice-tool loop limits full winter mountaineering racks.
• Hip-belt pockets are roomy but unsealed—stash electronics in a dry-bag.
• Slim profile can make large sleeping bags a squeeze; use a compression sack.

18. Black Diamond Trail Zip 24 Women’s

When your plan is a dawn-to-dusk dash up Snowdon’s knife-edge ridges rather than a loaded plod, the Trail Zip 24 is the women’s hiking backpack that keeps pace. It borrows Black Diamond’s climbing DNA, stripping weight to a whisper yet keeping smart stash points for poles, helmet and an emergency layer.

At a Glance

Stand-out Features

• Stow-on-the-go Z-pole quiver tucks BD Distance poles in seconds—no faffing on exposed scrambles.
• Stretch shoulder pockets hold 500 ml soft flasks or a phone for quick snaps.
• Dual tool loops hide inside the base when not needed, keeping lines clean for chimney squeezing.
• Entire pack stuffs into the front pocket, forming a grapefruit-sized bundle that lives in larger expedition bags.

Best For

1. Ultra-light summit pushes in Snowdonia or dawn raids on Tryfan’s North Ridge.
2. Guiding clients: whip it out for the final scramble after hiking in with a bigger carrier.
3. Travel day hikes—24 L swallows camera, waterproof and cafe essentials without tipping airline scales.

Limitations

• Comfort tops out around 6 kg; over-pack and the thin hip-belt rides up.
• No hydration sleeve—stash a bottle in the main chute.
• Minimal fabric hates gritstone abrasion; treat it like a climbing rope, not a haul bag.

19. Vaude Asymmetric 42 + 8 Women

German brand Vaude blends sustainability with solid hill performance, and the women’s Asymmetric 42 + 8 proves you can have eco-friendly credentials without skimping on comfort. Sitting between a big day-pack and a minimalist overnighter, this expandable women’s hiking backpack gives you wiggle room for that “just in case” layer while keeping weight to a sensible 1.5 kg.

At a Glance

Comfort

• Tergolight Easy Adjust system uses a single pull-cord to lengthen or shorten the torso on the fly—great when layers come off mid-climb.
• Women-specific shoulder straps narrow the yoke and soften the foam, avoiding collar-bone pinch.
• Broad, lightly padded hip-belt flares to hug curvier hips and transfers up to ~14 kg without bruising.
• Pre-curved aluminium frame keeps the load upright but flexes torsionally on rocky Scottish paths.

Ideal Adventures

1. Hut-to-hut summer routes in the Alps where extra litres swallow via-ferrata lanyards and helmet.
2. UK long weekends—think a three-night Coast to Coast section—when food resupply is patchy and you need bearable volume.
3. Shoulder-season Peak District camps: roll out the +8 L collar for a thicker sleeping bag when temps drop.

Cons

• Hip-belt pockets are titchy; a 6″ phone won’t fit, so snacks only.
• Side bottle holsters angle steeply; wide 1 L Nalgenes can escape on scrambles—use a soft flask or internal bladder.
• No rain cover supplied; budget a few extra quid for a 45 L liner if Welsh clouds are on the cards.

20. Millican Fraser the Rucksack 32 L

When you want a pack that slips seamlessly from Euston commuter crowds to wind-scoured Lakeland ridges, Millican’s Fraser is hard to beat. Built a stone’s throw from Skiddaw, the 32-litre roll-top fuses heritage styling with modern practicality, giving urban-to-outdoor wanderers a women’s hiking backpack that doesn’t look like a crumpled crisp packet in café photos.

At a Glance

Why It’s Unique

• Rugged Bionic® canvas weaves recycled polyester with cotton for a wax-canvas feel that shrugs off showers and abrasion.
• Padded laptop sleeve doubles as a hydration pocket, making it a true work-to-wild option.
• Aluminium hardware and single-handed aluminium hook closure endure years of gate slams and airport trays.
• Minimal logoing—fits just as well in coworking spaces as bothies.

Best For

1. Train-to-trail escapes where you finish spreadsheets on the Pendolino and pitch camp by sunset.
2. DSLR-heavy photo days in the Lakes—the square profile swallows camera cubes neatly.
3. Everyday carry for lecturers or freelancers who might sneak a lunchtime fell walk.

Things to Note

• Hip-belt padding is minimal; comfort sweet-spot is sub-10 kg loads.
• Roll-top lacks a storm flap—pair with a 30 L dry-bag in persistent rain.
• Only one quick-grab pocket; use pouches to keep cables from tangling with tent pegs.

Trails Are Calling – Pack Up & Go

Twenty women-specific packs, from feather-weight 24-litre ridge runners to 70-litre haul-everything monsters, are now on your radar. Whether you battle mist on Kinder Scout, sand on the South West Coast Path or week-long drizzle on the Cape Wrath Trail, there’s a size, price and suspension system here that will shoulder the load without torturing your hips.

Still undecided? Use this cheat sheet:

• Chasing speed: 24–35 L models like the Black Diamond Trail Zip or Osprey Tempest keep you nimble.
• Weekend wanderer: 40–50 L workhorses such as the TrailMate 40 L and Deuter Air Trek 45 + 10 swallow tent plus treats.
• Full-on epic: 55 L and up—think Aura AG 65, Deva 60 or Manaslu 55:70—carry winter bags, food and the kitchen sink.

The right pack is the difference between memories and misery. Explore the full women’s backpack range—and the rest of the camp, tech and activewear lineup—over at Take a Hike UK and get that adventure booked.