11 Best Comfy Women's Daypack for Hiking In 2025
/Most women’s daypack for hiking needs to have a capacity of atleast 20L that can manage loads from one to 2-day trips and at most a 3-day trip.
I have carried daypacks with me that are in the range between 10L-15L-20L. The ranges vary depending on the gear you’re carrying.
Will you be carrying heavy food stuff, winter gear, jackets and even a tent? Based on this, you’d want to expand your sizes and determine which adventure trip warrants a roomier daypack or a lightweight and durable one.
Materials, sizes and weight matters when looking for the best hiking daypack and one that is specifically made for women.
Shoulder straps and proper back support that is designed for the female frame in mind is ideal.
In my view, Osprey daypacks have been key for my hiking trips but with technology and the massive amount of clean and minimalist daypacks fronting the market, you’ll find variety of options masterfully crafted if you’re shimmying and scrambling around.
Before you select the best women’s hiking daypack, you’ll want to identify how to choose the right daypack for you.
How To Choose A Daypack?
Here’s the best women’s daypack for hiking.
If you have exhausted your drawstring backpacking/hiking bag or done lugging around 50L hiking backpacks, and need a robust one that has some nifty pocket system, then it is clear you need a daypack. Almost all daypacks may have similar functionalities, but the core areas to look at are:
Activity: Will that extra zipper help you store additional things that you absolutely need?
Capacity: This is highly dependent on how much gear you plan to carry.
Features: The right frame type and pack access will be a key deciding factor on how this works for you.
Fit: Torso length and hip size are some of the most important fit factors.
What Size Daypack Capacity Do You Need?
The daypack capacities can range from the amount of gear you carry. If you have a mental checklist of the hiking gear you have that fits into the 10 essentials of hiking, then you’d be able to make a decision based on that. The key essentials should include your jacket, space for some snacks and water supplies.
Here’s how to identify what fits best for you:
10 liters or less: This is the smallest packs and built for lightweight hikes which are super short in nature. It’s enough for a couple of essentials such as a jacket, energy bars and your wallet.
11–20 liters: Now, this is the ideal fit if you’re not a big fan of big backpacks. The capacity lets you have extra pockets to keep your gear organised and you can throw in extra layers, food and your camera gear as well for day trips.
21–30 liters: This is way roomier than the previous one but remember you’re also carrying all this extra weight with you and every space counts. This is great for those who love extras like having their DSLR camera, a tent, sleeping bag and maybe a book.
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The Best Women’s Hiking Daypack
1. Osprey Tempest 9L
Osprey’s line-up of daypacks have hands down been the best in durability and fit for a women-specific fit. I own Osprey’s Tempest 9L & Tempest 40L and it has lasted me through various hiking and backpacking trips.
If you prefer going light and moving fast in the woods, mountains and around town, the Tempest 9 is the pack for you. 9L of capacity is perfect for day hikes to carry your water bottle, lightweight jacket, cell phone, hat, gloves and some snacks.
Ventilated and comfortable, the BioStretch harness and continuous wrap hipbelt is combined to create an incredibly stable carry system that hugs your body so you can stay balanced on the trail, ridge or your bike.
When uphills turn technical, their Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole carry system makes it easier to keeps your hands free for upward movement. There’s even an xternal hydration sleeve in the backpanel which makes it easier for refilling and protects pack content from spills. Hands down the best daypack for hiking!
Reason to get this: an all-rounder quality hiking daypack that is built to last for years no matter the terrain!
2. Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack 20L
Sometimes a 9L daypack may not cut it, and this is when Osprey’s top of the line Daylite Plus Pack 20L is great for that in-between size. You can even alternate it as a travel-sized backpack if you’re going on a two-weeks trip!
This one small, do-all bag could be used on any trip with a little more storage. Designed to attach to a number of Osprey’s larger packs and travel bags for use as a separate pod pack on day trips away from base camp, it is the perfect companion on any trip.
Access to the main compartment is easy with a large zippered panel. Side mesh pockets hold water bottles and other items while a front pocket with a mesh organizer and key clip secure small items in a single secure spot.
Reason to get this: If you are going to run into a 3-day journey in the mountains!
3. Osprey Sportlite 15L
It is starting to look like I am on Osprey fanatic or groupie, but this ultralight Osprey Sportlite 15 means serious business.
If you’re one of those hikers who is extremely particular about weight, the Osprey Sportlite might be an ideal backpack for you.
It also has a nice streamlined look, and very minimalist in design focusing on the core essentials that you really need for a long hike in the wilderness. This backpack carries a decent amount of weight stretching it up to approximately 15 liters.
The ingenious compact system of Osprey’s Ultralight Stuff Pack makes it really easy to store all your essentials.
There are two compartments in the bag - the main compartment and a smaller, top compartment with a key fob holder which you can store your phone, wallet and small items.
Reason to get this: If you want a lightweight hiking system!
4. Osprey Hikelite 18 Hiking Backpack
A new Osprey hiking backpack that packs a punch when it comes to hiking!
Osprey's Hikelite 18 is an unassuming technical pack that is perfect for dayhikes and everyday use. The incredibly ventilated AirSpeed backpanel means you won't have to deal with the discomfort of hoisting a sweaty pack onto your back.
No matter your daily destination, if you're looking for a simple pack that provides excellent comfort, incredible ventilation, and added features like an integrated raincover for less than bluebird days, the Hikelite 18 is the right pack for you.
If you’re someone who is not very gentle with your equipment and want something that’s completely durable, this is the pack for you!
Reason to get this: Super versatile pack for long and short distances!
5. ZOMAKE Small Hiking Backpack 25L
The sandwich-size hiking backpack is a great alternative for people who have multiple backpacks but need a single backpack that can double up as a hiking backpack or an emergency backpack.
Zomake’s version of a small hiking backpack is ultra-light and ultra-durable. The backpack is made from high quality tear and water-resistant nylon material.
The heavy-duty metal zippers can adapt to long-term use and you don't have to worry about tears!
It comes an incredibly low and attractive price point making it the perfect hiking backpacking for women who don’t want to fork an arm and a leg!
What’s great is that with the 25l storage, you feel like you’re carrying a 10L backpack due to its lightweight materials. Carry all you want food, drinks, extra shoes, gloves, scarf, water bottle and more — the pack never feels heavy or burdensome!
Reason to get this: roomy backpack that is ultra-lightweight for half the price!
Also Read: 10 Easy Delicious Hiking And Backpacking Lunch Ideas
6. Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Ultralight Day Pack, 20L
When you need to compress your clothing and bulky soft items, the Sea To Summit is one of the best hiking daypacks offered to women on the go.
They focus on building quality gear for the travelers who pick the less-traveled road more often.
The Sea To Summit backpack packs a punch, specifically the Ultra-Sil Compression Sack is an excellent solution.
Made from a 30D diamond rip-stop siliconized CORDURA fabric they can be compressed to one third of the original volume.
Ideal for use inside your pack or travel bag when you don’t have to get another bulky back if you’re going on a dayhike.
This fabric also has an incredible tear strength to weight ratio and will surprise you consistently with what it can handle.
Reason to get this: if you are looking for the great big-little backpack!
7. The North Face Women's Recon 30L
The North Face women’s hiking daypack does a sweet job in performance gear.
It is definitely on the roomier end but what you get is a comfortable backpack that has versatile uses for other occasions.
The Recon Classic is specifically designed for women and updated with a stretch front stash pocket and improved organization.
There’s two extended mesh water bottle pockets which can double as multi-use pockets.
This bag easily feels high-quality with plenty of padding for your back and the insides have a smooth cloth-like finish.
The chest and hip straps are great if you need to carry something heavier, it helps to take the strain off your shoulders and upper back.
Reason to get this: If you are looking for a versatile backpack beyond hiking!
8. HIKPRO 20L
The minimalist ultra lightweight backpack that fits into your travel and adventure plans anywhere is the kind of backpack that is surging in popularity in the market!
Hikpro’s 20L hiking backpack is a stunning minimalist backpack for dayhikes.
It might look super lightweight, but the premium nylon material used in Hikpro backpacks have more textile threads per unit area, making it tough and tear-resistant.
A relatively stress-free zipper-experience keeping it to a max of 3 compartments. The main pocket is large enough to carry what you daily need.
The outer smaller pocket is great for quick access such as guidebooks and camera and the inner zippered pocket which doubles as the storage pouch is the perfect place for valuables such as cash, credit cards, and passport.
Reasons to get it: the best affordable dayhike backpack!
9. G4Free 25L Hiking Backpack
Another durable hiking daypack that does break the bank!
The 25L hiking daypack features a roomy main compartment, 1 second pocket with several separate interlayer for easy organization, 1 front pocket and 2 mesh side pockets.
The performance of this backpack is as great as what you pay for. There’s a breathable mesh shoulder straps and back with plentiful sponge padding to speed up airflow and keep your back dry.
It can also help relieve the stress from your shoulder and back.
The chest buckle provides great weight distribution and ultimate comfort, making it the perfect kind of backpack for overnight adventures or casual day trips.
Reason to get this: affordable hiking daypack with proper support!
10. MOUNTAINTOP 28L Hiking Daypack
Made from ultra-strong rip-stop nylon fabric, this slim backpack from Mountaintop is sturdy and keeps all your things organised with a capacity of up to 28l.
It is the right sweet spot between not being too big nor too small. It provides generous storage capacity which can even hold your camera gears.
For 1/5th the price compared to other expensive backpacks, you get a lot going with Mountaintop’s dayhike backpack. The adjustable breathable straps and chest strap can fit your body properly and comfortable for all-day use.
Reasons to get it: A spacious hiking backpack that’s great for those carrying tech gear!
11. Outlander Hiking Backpack 20L
The New Outlander hiking daypack is extremely lightweight at 0.46 pounds making it the perfect backpack made for lugging around all your "stuff" when hiking your favourite trails.
This backpack has helped women conquer tough trails where hydration, stability, and comfort were paramount. You can easily carry several water bottles, personal items, light jacket, sunscreen, snacks, maps, phone and so on.
It also includes a carabiner clip so you attach things or clip it to things.
Reasons to get: Those looking for a comfortable and lightweight backpack that comes in gorgeous designs!
For more detailed guides and references, read my other hiking posts:
What To Wear Hiking Outdoors: In Summer, Spring, Fall & Winter
Hiking In The Rain: What, Why and How? 7 Tips To Make It Work!
Got a favourite? Share with me in the comments below on your favourite hiking daypack!
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