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A list of the best travel backpacks for women – many designed specifically for a female frame, and all tried and tested by real travellers.
After many years of travelling and taking hundreds of trips (both short and long-term), I know exactly how important a decent backpack is.
But I also know that all travellers are different, so what I deem the best backpack might not suit everyone. That’s why I also gathered real-life recommendations from fellow travel bloggers. Everything on this list has been tried, tested, and genuinely recommended by a real traveller!
My Top Picks
Some of the backpacks below were gifted to me or the bloggers who recommended them, and some brands paid for placement on this list. But as always, all opinions are 100% honest!
How to Choose the Right Backpack for Travel
Remember, the best backpack for you depends on your size, shape, strength, and more. So the BEST way to choose the perfect backpack is to try a few on, preferably in-store with an expert to help you.
Top Tip: Prices online are often cheaper, so I recommend ordering several backpacks to try at home. You can even fill them with clothes to see how they’ll feel on the road. Make sure you check the returns policy before you buy, though!
Here’s what to look for when trying on a backpack…
- Ensure the backpack sits comfortably on the hips.
- Look for one with a soft but rigid hip belt that’s at least 10cm wide.
- Also look for adjustable straps and an adjustable back system which will allow you to fix the backpack frame to fit your torso and help to divide the weight between your shoulders, back and waist.
- Make sure the actual body of the backpack isn’t too tall or too wide for your frame.
Features You NEED from a Travel Backpack
Although everyone’s needs are different, there are a few key backpack features that can make life easier when travelling, especially if you’re away long-term. Here’s what to prioritise:
- Great organisation – Pockets, dividers, and other organisational hacks.
- Plenty of space – Even a carry-on-sized backpack can have plenty of room.
- Durability – Quality and strength are crucial!
- A great fit – See the guide above for help.
- Female-specific straps – Look for a backpack that was designed with the female frame in mind.
- A pack that opens all the way around – Traditional backpacks (like the ones designed for hiking) tend to open at the top only. That’s fine on short trips or if you’re mostly staying in one place, but if you’re going to be packing and unpacking every few days it’ll drive you crazy! Look for a backpack that unzips all the way around or opens at the front.
Best Large Women’s Travel Backpacks
Larger backpacks are perfect for longer trips, especially if you’re headed to multiple countries and need to pack for more than one climate.
Top Tip: Never fill a large backpack completely. Too full and your pack will be annoyingly heavy, which is not fun on a long trip!
Mountain Warehouse Traveller – 60L (+20L)
Best Budget Buy
A low-cost option that’s surprisingly durable for the price point. Great space, really easy to pack/unpack and organise, and seriously hard-core.
Pros
Long-lasting and super durable
Unzips at the front
Great value
Huge!
Cons
Can be too tall for some
Heavy when over-packed
Not specifically for women
Personal Experience: For almost 5 years, the Mountain Warehouse Traveller Rucksack followed me around the world, surviving multiple months-long trips, hundreds of flights, and countless bus rides. I’d be happy to recommend this pack just for its supreme durability. It’s a lovely big backpack that’s perfect for long-term travel.
The downside is that it’s quite bulky, and when it’s stuffed it can be on the too-heavy size. It also comes with an extra 20L daypack that can be zipped to the main bag to create an 80L monster (I don’t recommend it).
READ MORE: My full review of the Mountain Warehouse Traveller
Osprey Ariel – 65L
Female-specific design
Designed specifically for a female frame by the experts at Osprey.
Pros
Fits very comfortably
Lots of pockets
Very colourful!
Cons
Quite a high price tag
Recommended by: Claudia from My Adventures Across the World: “The Osprey Ariel 65 is a great backpack for long-term travellers. The main body of the backpack completely opens, allowing easy access to everything inside. The Ariel 65 perfectly fits to the body, so regardless of its weight, it is easy and comfortable to wear and to carry, even on the messy streets of India.”
Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Women
There are a lot of benefits to taking a cabin (carry-on) sized backpack. You’ll cut out airport wait times and lose the risk of an airline losing your bag. Plus a smaller, lighter backpack is easier to manage.
Personally, though, I can’t pack that light! Carry-on-sized backpacks aren’t for everyone, but if you’re a pro at minimalist packing this could be for you.
READ MORE: 16 incredible carry-on backpacks for women.
Osprey Fairview – 40L
Female-specific design
A female-specific version of the popular Farpoint backpack.
Pros
Opens out like a suitcase
Supportive straps
Laptop pocket
The straps foldaway
Cons
Can exceed hand luggage size if overfilled!
Recommended by Rohan from Travels of a Bookpacker: “The padded straps and waist belt give good support and make it super comfortable to wear for long periods. The straps also fold away if you want to check it in as hold luggage.
“There’s a good range of pockets, from the small outer pocket to the padded laptop pocket and a netted internal pocket. There are also compression straps inside and out to keep everything safe and as small as possible.”
READ MORE: Rohan’s review of the Osprey Farpoint (the unisex version of the same backpack).
The Adventure Bag, Stubble & Co – 42L
Genius Design!
Cabin-sized with huge 42L capacity and awesome organisational hacks.
Pros
Made from recycled plastic.
Opens all the way around
Storage on both sides like a suitcase
Massive capacity + TONS of pockets!
Weighs just 1.8kg
Cons
Too big for some airlines' carry-on allowances*
Not specifically designed for women
*You can use the compression straps to get it down to size if necessary.
Personal Experience: Although not specifically designed for women, this awesome travel backpack is super adjustable so you can fit it to your frame – and includes an all-important removable waist strap, as well as big, padded straps and a padded back.
My favourite feature is that the bag opens out from the middle with storage space on both sides – like a suitcase – with dividers for added organisation. This is the ultimate travel backpack for keeping organised.
Osprey Tempest 30 – 30L
Best for: hiking and adventure
Lightweight and packed with pockets – ideal for long hikes!
Pros
Super comfortable for long-wear
Plenty of pockets and attachment loops
Space for a hydration water pack
Cons
Can only access the contents of the bag from the top
So many pockets you forget where you put things!
Recommended by Samantha from The Wandering Wanderluster: “I purchased the Osprey Tempest 30 for my month-long walk on the Camino de Santiago. The Osprey Tempest 30 is lightweight, has plenty of pockets (which you can easily reach while on the go), and its adjustable straps and backrest are great to modify the bag to suit your height and body shape.”
LEVEL8 Atlas Laptop Backpack – 31L
Best for carrying a laptop
This fab carry-on travel backpack is ideal for gals who need to keep organised.
Pros
Large foam-padded laptop sleeve for optimum protection
Ultra organised – 26 pockets!
Super durable and sturdy
Fits a lot
Cons
A little on the smaller size <em>(great for budget weekend trips, not suitable for long-term travels)</em>
Personal Experience: With its roomy, padded laptop compartment, the LEVEL8 Atlas Laptop Backpack is ideal for anyone travelling for work. It’s been designed with business travellers in mind and is super organised: there’s a roomy front pocket with multiple internal dividers, a large top pocket for travel docs and valuables, two zipped side pockets for water bottles or umbrellas etc, and more.
The heavily padded back and straps mean it’s comfy to wear, and the straps can be adjusted to suit your frame. I particularly love the super-strong top handle which is reinforced with a metal cable.
READER DISCOUNT: Use the code emilyluxton10 for 10% off.
Kelty Women’s Redwing – 40L
Female-specific design
A roomy, front-loading backpack with a smart design.
Pros
Holds a surprising amount of stuff!
Plenty of external pockets
Designed with a woman’s shape in mind
Super comfy
Cons
Not small enough to count as a carry-on for many budget airlines.
No place to tuck away the straps when checking bag
Recommended by Toccar from Forget Someday: “After travelling around the world for 20 months, I think I made the right choice of backpack. This pack holds a surprisingly large amount of items. It has padded back shoulder and waist straps, comfortably designed with a woman’s shape in mind.
“I really appreciated the non-obtrusive metal spine and padded laptop sleeve that kept my valuables protected. I also like that it’s a (mostly) front-loading backpack, which makes packing and unpacking the contents a breeze!”
CabinZero Military – 44L
Perfect carry-on size
Durable and spacious carry-on backpack.
Pros
Very comfortable
Perfect size even for low-cost airlines
Great looks
Cons
Not fully waterproof
Recommended by Veronica from Travel Geekery: “This backpack has been a game-changer for me. The bag packs in more than it appears to – but the shape exactly copies the carry-on limits of all airlines, including low-cost carriers. The back is padded, yet it’s very lightweight. My laptop fits well into a separate pocket inside.
“There’s a tracking tag sewn in and if the bag gets checked in and lost, you can track its position online. All in all, CabinZero is now my loyal companion on all short trips around Europe!”
READ MORE: Veronika’s full review of the CabinZero Military
Pacsafe Venturesafe Exp45 Anti-Theft Backpack – 45L
Anti-theft features
A great all-rounder that works for quick getaways as well as longer journeys!
Pros
Anti-theft features
Smart design (good for business travel).
Opens like a suitcase
Cons
Less comfy to wear than a trekking backpack.
Quite a high price tag!
Recommended by Kathi from Watch Me See: “I travel a lot for uni and usually only take a carry-on with the essentials. I use a 45L Pacsafe backpack rather than a small suitcase because I love having my hands free!
“The bag easily fits all my stuff and has a padded laptop sleeve. It looks much more sophisticated than a regular backpack, which is great if I have to bring it to a conference venue or business hotel. But even as a backpacker, it’s super handy because it has several anti-theft features and all the right pockets for my valuables.”
READ MORE: 20 Insanely Useful Backpacking Essentials
Best Backpacks with Wheels
A wheeled backpack gives you the best of both worlds. You can wear it on your back when you need to, or drag it behind you when you don’t.
They tend to be a little heavier, which makes them tricky to actually use as a backpack. But I’ve never actually worn mine as a backpack! If you’re not going hiking with all your gear, chances are you’ll only need to get your backpack from airport carousels to a taxi, or from a bus to a hostel!
Osprey Sojourn 60L
Durable enough for off-road use!
Perfect if you want to pack a lot – but don’t want to carry it!
Pros
Tons of space
Unzips all the way around
Really durable
Super strong wheels (for off-road use)
Cons
Probably too heavy when full to actually carry on your back!
Quite a high price tag!
Personal Experience: I’ve been using it for years and absolutely LOVE the Osprey Sojourn 60-wheeled travel backpack. It’s huge, and really well-designed to maximise the space inside. Plus it has several pockets to help you organise – including a small, easy-access pocket on top.
If I’m being honest, I don’t think I’ve ever carried mine on my back! The big, super sturdy wheels are like “off-road” wheels – perfect for almost all travel situations, even my camping trip to Canada a few years ago!
READ MORE: My review of the Osprey Sojourn 60.
Eagle Creek Gear Warrior – 40L
Cabin-sized wheeled backpack
A killer convertible carry-on backpack with wheels!
Pros
Light-weight
Durable
Removable backpack straps
Carry-on sized
Cons
Only one external pocket
Comes with a lame daypack which shares the same backpack straps!
Recommended by Christine from Grrrl Traveler: “It’s rugged, durable and takes a beating, but it’s stylish enough to ‘fit in’ at hotels. Mostly, I love that I have the option to quickly transform it into a backpack if I’m running for a train, collapse it to wheels if I’m tired, or carry it by a strap.”
READ MORE: Christine’s review of the Eagle Creek Doubleback 22 (now called the Gear Warrior)
Caribee Sky Master – 70L
A great option for anyone who isn’t sure if they’ll need a backpack or a suitcase – because this bag is both!
Pros
Wheels + backpack straps
Fine for carrying it short distances.
Sturdy build and ergonomics
Cons
Not the lightest or comfiest to carry due to the wheels.
Recommended by Monica from The Travel Hack: “I’m not a fan of backpacks and would always rather wheel my case but there are times when I need to carry it so this is great. Handy compartments and a detachable daypack mean your stuff is always organised and it’s great quality so it’ll see you through a lot of adventures!”
READ MORE: Monica’s full review of the Caribee Fast Track (The Fast Track is no longer available and has been replaced by the Sky Master)
12 Best Travel Backpacks – Quick List
- Mountain Warehouse Traveller 60L – best budget option.
- Osprey Ariel 65L – designed specifically for a female frame.
- Osprey Fairview 40L – Cabin-sized backpack designed for the female frame.
- The Adventure Bag by Stubble & Co 42 – Huge capacity and awesome organisational hacks.
- LEVEL8 Atlas Laptop Backpack 31L – Ideal if you’re travelling with a laptop.
- Kelty Women’s Redwing 40L – Roomy, front-loading backpack with a smart design.
- CabinZero Military 44L – Durable and spacious carry-on backpack.
- PacSafe EXP45 – Anti-theft backpack for keeping valuables safe.
- Osprey Sojourn 60L – Wheeled backpack built to last and designed for off road.
- Eagle Creek Gear Warrior 40L – Carry-on-sized backpack with wheels.
- Caribee Sky Master 70L – Huge, wheeled backpack built for adventure.
Read More
- Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Bags Review
- Backpacking Essentials Checklist
- Best Carry-On Backpacks for Women
How to Choose a Travel Backpack – Checklist
So, that’s my guide to the best travel backpacks for women! Is there one that you’d love to recommend? Scroll down to leave a comment!
Deuter has one of the best backpacks for females. Virtually each of their trekking, hiking, and mountaineering packs have an SL (short length) version that is specifically designed for the female anatomy. ?
Ah I’ve heard good things about Deuter from some German backpackers I met recently! But dot hey have ones that open in the front or is it just hiking backpacks?
Hi Emily,
They have models that open in the front. :) They have different kinds of backpacks–hiking, trekking, biking, etc. And they have other packs designed for school use, travel, urban/lifestyle, etc.
Deuter is an excellent brand. :)
I always go to heavy when buying a backpack. Mine has lasted a good 4 years now so happy with that one :)
I always go too heavy when packing my backpack haha! But my new Fairview from Osprey is super light, I love that about it :)
This post is a handy summary. I am currently looking for a backpack for my wife’s birthday present and this has helped focus my selection process. Thank you!
Oooh that’s awesome news!! I can really recommend the Fairview range from Osprey, I have the big one and another blogger recommended the carry on size :)
This is SO HELPFUL. I’m considering a CabinZero 44L for a few upcoming trips, so it’s good to know a bit about it from a traveller’s actual perspective.
Awesome!!! So good to hear you’re considering one of the backpacks on the list. I personally really struggle with carryon sized luggage but I’ve heard from a few bloggers that this one makes it much easier to downsize!
Hi, my name is Lily Rose i am a journalist and always carry my laptop from one place to another place for reporting, but I have no right backpack for my laptop and camera. my question is that can we use these backpacks for the camera and laptop, or you have written any post on those types of bags please guide and inform me. thanks
These are all luggage-sized backpacks, designed to fit a lot of gear for long-term backpacking and travel. So your laptop and camera would fit in any of them. A few that specifically mention being good for laptops are Osprey Farpoint / Fairview, Pacsafe Venturesafe, and Kelty Women’s Redwing. All of those have padded laptop pockets. The Tortuga Travel Backpack and CabinZero also mention being good for laptops. Hope that helps :)
Wow, It is a great collection of backpacks with amazing designs and colors. As I am planning to go on a long trip so I need the perfect backpack badly. From the above list, I would love to have Osprey Ariel 65 backpack as it plenty of pockets, quality fabric, and my fav red color that make it the best fit for me. Thanks for sharing such a useful blog with us. Keep it up.
Thanks for reading Sophie! I’m pleased you found it helpful :)
Incredible traveller backpacks for women! Thanks for giving us an opportunity to go through such a great collection.
Thanks for reading!!
Shopping for a backpack was fun the first two shops I went in but after trying on what seemed like 30 backpacks and none of them fitting the novelty wore off. Luckily I took my Dad along an apparent backpack expert, although I tried men’s backpacks as well there was no way they were gonna fit, plus my Dad had this great fear that I would keel over backward and worse maybe onto a road! lol In the end I had to special order in a women’s backpack specifically for apparently very very short people! (I didn’t realize I was that abnormally short!)
Men’s vs Women’s backpacks as long as it can be adjusted to fit your body then your all good!
Adjustability is SO important! But women are often shorter/smaller than men, so women’s backpacks are usually going to be a better fit! Plus they often have a more curved back, I guess women have curvier figures than men?! My Osprey women’s backpack is the best and comfiest I’ve ever used!
Wonderful edit of womens backpacks. Perfect backpacks to carry our stuff easily and make a fashion statement.
Thanks Cairin!
Hello Emily,
I found your post on the best backpacks for women travelers very informative and helpful. As a female backpacker myself, I understand how important it is to find the right backpack that fits well and meets our specific needs. I have been thinking about purchasing the Osprey Aura AG 65 backpack, and your review has convinced me that it would be a great investment for my next trip. Thank you for sharing your expertise on this topic. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Thanks so much for commenting Cairi – hope you like the backpack! So glad this post was helpful in narrowing your choice down :)
Hi Emily – What is your ‘go-to’ backpack if you go to Paris for a long weekend? Thank you
To be honest, I’d usually take a hard shell cabin suitcase on a long weekend. But I do love my Osprey Fairview (the women’s version of the Farpoint mentioned above). It opens right out and the straps are super comfy and supportive.
If you’re travelling super light with just the under-seat “personal” item that comes free, then Cabin Max have some great, reasonably priced options. Their Travel Hack backpack is the perfect size and really pretty: https://thetravelhack.com/suitcase/the-travel-hack-backpack/