14 of the Best Travel Backpacks for Women

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If you’re going travelling for a long period of time, you need a decent backpack. So I’ve collected top tips from some of my favourite travel bloggers to bring you this round-up of the best travel backpacks for women.

This post is specifically aimed at female travellers. Because we’re often a different size and shape to men, our needs when it comes to choosing a backpack can be different.

I’ve also included my guide to choosing the right travel backpack for you, as well as lots of tips for what to look out for, and features that will make living out of a backpack a bit easier.

After spending several years travelling constantly, living as a “digital nomad” for a time with nothing BUT my backpack, and taking hundreds of trips both long and short, I know exactly how important a decent travel backpack is.

But I also know that all travellers are different, so what I deem the best travel backpack won’t necessarily suit all women. This is why I’ve asked some fellow travel bloggers to share their tried-and-tested recommendations – including smaller bags for those light-packing “hand luggage only” gals, bigger packs, and even wheeled backpacks.

Use the contents list below to skip ahead to the section you need, or just read through the whole post for inspiration. And feel free to reach out in the comments if you want more tips about women’s travel backpacks – or to share a recommendation of your own…

Best Travel Backpacks For Women

Some of the backpacks included below were gifted to me or to the bloggers who recommended them, and some brands have paid for placement on this list. But all opinions are 100% honest – as always!

How to Choose the Right Backpack for Travel

When it comes to choosing the best backpack for you, it all depends on a few factors. First of all – YOU. The best backpack for you depends on your size, shape, height, strength… all kinds of things. So the BEST way to choose the perfect backpack is to try a few on, preferably in-store with an expert to help you.

Since the prices online are often cheaper, though, you could always order several backpacks and try them all, decide which is best, then send the others back. That way you can fill them up with a bunch of clothes and try them on to see how they’ll actually feel on the road. Make sure you check the returns policy before you buy, though!

READ MORE: 20 Insanely Useful Backpacking Essentials

Here’s what to look for when trying on a backpack…

Big thanks to the experts at Mountain Warehouse for these top tips for choosing a backpack that’s right for you…

Size – The first step when choosing a backpack is to decide on the size. Smaller capacity backpacks (40-55L) are perfect for shorter trips, travelling in warm/hot climates as you won’t need to pack bulky clothes, or just someone who prefers travelling light. Also, most airlines will allow this size bag on the plane free of charge. However, if you are visiting somewhere more chilly or need to pack more belongings, you might want to consider a large backpack.

RELATED POST: Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Bags Review

Fit – Next thing is to ensure the backpack will sit comfortably on the hips. Look for the one with a soft but rigid hip belt that’s at least 10cm wide. Also look for 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.

Features You NEED from a Travel Backpack

Although everyone’s needs are different, when it comes to choosing the perfect backpack for travel, there are a few key features that can make life easier. All the awesome women’s backpacks nail most, if not all, my favourite features…

1 – A pack that opens all the way around. Traditional backpacks like the ones designed for hiking tend to open at the top only, which means you have to unpack everything to reach stuff at the bottom. 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 on a long-term backpacking trip it’ll drive you crazy. Look for a backpack that unzips all the way around at the front – it’ll make life so much easier.

2 – Great organisation.

3 – Plenty of space.

4 – Durability. You want a backpack that will go as far as you do, and not suddenly break halfway around the world. I’ve seen it happen and it’s a massive pain! Durability is key in a backpack for long term travel.

5 – A great fit. The only way to find the right fit for you is to try your backpack on (and look for the features mentioned in the section above.). Make sure the hip belt is comfy and the back system can be adjusted to suit your frame.

6 – Female-specific straps. Since men and women tend to have slightly different body shapes, it’s worth looking for a backpack that was designed with the female frame in mind. The best ones have put a lot of thought and research into creating a fit that works best with the female body.

Best Big 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.

My tip, though, is never to fill them completely – too full and your pack will be annoyingly heavy, which is not fun for a long trip! These travel backpacks are perfect for female travellers hearing RTW…

Mountain Warehouse Traveller – 60L (+20L)

For almost 5 years, the Mountain Warehouse Traveller Rucksack followed me around the world. It survived multiple months-long trips, hundreds of flights, and countless bus rides.

I dropped it all the time, dragged it along airport floors, sat on it while waiting for trains to show up, and generally put it through hell! And in the end, it was only replaced when I got sent a newer backpack. Poor thing!

Read my review in full here!

I’d be happy to wholeheartedly recommend this pack just for its supreme durability. But more than that, it’s a lovely big backpack that’s perfect for long-term travel. Especially if you’re heading to multiple climates or timezones and need to pack quite a lot.

The downside is that it’s quite bulky, and when it’s stuffed it can be on the too-heavy size. So don’t overpack it! 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). Great space, really easy to pack/unpack and organise, and seriously hard-core. I love this backpack.

Berghaus Motive – 60L (+10L)

This 60L backpack from Berghaus is pretty big, so it looks a little daunting. But the super-adjustable female-specific straps mean that you can make it really comfortable. So if you pack right and don’t overfill it the bag is ideal.

It’s made from a thick, durable feeling material, and lasted ages. In fact, I sold it so it’s probably still going strong for some other traveller.

The size of the Berghaus Motive is great. You can fit tons in, and opens at the front so everything is easily accessed. Weirdly, the zip opens around the strap side which means you have to pack the bag “upside-down” so to speak. It’s not an issue, but feels strange! And the sides aren’t rigid, so the bag feels kind of like a sack – it makes packing difficult but if you use packing cubes it should be easy to keep everything in place.

Osprey Ariel – 65L

“Osprey Ariel 65 is a great backpack for long-term travellers. It has plenty of pockets where to fit everything that is needed for a backpacking trip. The main body of the backpack completely opens, allowing easy access to everything inside, thanks to a zip that goes almost completely around it.

“The two side pockets are perfect to carry shoes or flip flops. However, the best thing about Ariel 65 is the way it perfectly fits to the body, so that 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 hand-luggage sized backpack. If you never have to check it in, then you cut out the wait times at airports – and you 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 – and I like taking full-sized bottles of shampoo etc. Carry-on-sized backpacks aren’t for everyone, but if you’re a pro at minimalist packing this could be for you. Check out these top-rated carry-on-sized travel backpacks for women…

READ MORE – I also have a list of 16 incredible carry on backpacks for women, which features a lot more recommendations.

The Adventure Bag, Stubble & Co – 42L

The Adventure Bag from Stubble & Co has recently become my favourite carry on size backpack, thanks to its huge 42L capacity and awesome organisational hacks.

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. So it’s comfy to carry even over long periods of time.

My favourite feature, though, 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. There are five extra pockets, including a small hidden one, a laptop sleeve, and a card pocket built into the strap.

Another brilliant touch is the trolley sleeve, which means you can attach The Adventure Bag to your suitcase’s handle for easy transportation.

The Adventure Bag is super durable, built to last, weighs just 1.8kg, and folds down small for storage when you’re not using it. Oh, and it’s made from recycled plastic! What more could you ask for?

Osprey Tempest 30 – 30L

“I purchased the Osprey Tempest 30 for my month-long walk on the Camino de Santiago. For long hikes such as these, it is better to have a backpack that is not too big and not too heavy.

The Osprey Tempest 30 is lightweight, had plenty of pockets that you can easily reach while on the go and its adjustable straps and backrest was great to modify the bag to suit your height and body shape. And the best part is that you can take it on a flight with you, since its small size means you don’t have to check it in!”

LEVEL8 Atlas Laptop Backpack – 31L

Although not specifically designed for women, this fab carry-on travel backpack is ideal for gals who need to keep organised. The LEVEL8 Atlas Laptop Backpack is especially handy for anyone travelling for work, as there’s a roomy laptop compartment that’s protected with foam padding to keep everything safe.

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.

But the best thing about this bag is its organisation! It’s been designed with business travellers in mind so it’s perfect when I’m on a work trip. 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. Plus the laptop compartment has multiple sections within it, so you can also take a tablet or e-reader etc.

At 31L capacity, this backpack is a little on the smaller side, but would be great for overnight breaks or short trips. And it’s so durable and protective that it’s absolutely perfect for bloggers travelling with laptops and camera gear etc.

READER DISCOUNT: Use the code emilyluxton10 for 10% off.

Osprey Farpoint / Fairview – 40L

“The Osprey Farpoint 40 is the perfect backpack for a range of trips. 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.

Read Rohan’s review of the Osprey Farpoint here! 

“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. The zips are all lockable and it comes in a variety of colours. This hand-luggage-sized backpack is all you need for long or short trips!”

UPDATE: A newer addition from Osprey is the Fairview, which is a women’s-specific version of the Farpoint. More or less the same backpack, but designed with a woman’s shape in mind.

Kelty Women’s Redwing – 40L

“: “After doing a lot of research on women’s backpacks, I came to the conclusion that the Kelty Women’s Redwing 40-Liter Backpack was the right pack for me! And after travelling round the world for 20 months, turns out I made the right choice! This is definitely one of the best travel backpacks for women.

“This pack holds a surprisingly large amount of items. My eBags packing cubes fit perfectly, allowing me to keep my backpacking essentials nice and organized throughout our travels.

“The pack 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 during travel. I like that it is a (mostly) front-loading backpack, which makes packing and unpacking the contents a breeze!”

Tortuga Travel Backpack – 44L

“I have been using my Tortuga Travel Backpack for several years, and it has served me well on short weekend trips as well as multi-week backpacking excursions. It’s carry-on sized, and I’ve never had trouble getting it through an airport and onto the plane.

“The best thing about this backpack is that it opens like a suitcase, so that you can open it all the way to see what’s inside. It also has a zipped compartment on the top which provides easy access to the laptop storage compartment, but I’ve found this also makes it easy to access items quickly without having to unzip the whole thing.

“The shoulder straps can be stored in a zipped compartment if you want to check the bag, which prevents any damage to the loose parts. I’m also a fairly short female traveller (about 5’4”), and this travel backpack is the perfect height for me! I have yet to find a better, more intuitive, or more conveniently designed backpack; this one has been the perfect one for me.”

CabinZero Military – 44L

“This backpack has been a game-changer for me. I’ve had packing issues for ages and have always overpacked. Carrying a weekend load on my back seemed impossible to do and I usually ended up dragging a wheeled suitcase everywhere. But with the CabinZero bag, I finally made it. It helped the bag pack in more than it appears to – the shape exactly copies the carryon limits of all airlines, including low cost carriers.

“The back is padded and yet it’s very lightweight. My laptop fits well into a separate pocket inside. I can easily pack a 5-day load in it, but I imagine packing pros can travel long-term with it.

Read Veronika’s full review of the CabinZero Military here. 

“The bag is comfortable to carry around for several hours. And I shouldn’t forget the looks – I think it looks great to any outfit. I wear it with skirts and dresses too and my boyfriend still finds it manly enough as well.

“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!”

Pacsafe Venturesafe Exp45 Anti-Theft Backpack – 45L

“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, has a padded laptop sleeve and is compatible with the size of my packing cubes. 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 is super handy, because it has several anti-theft features and all the right pockets for my valuables. I like that it’s such an all-rounder bag that works for quick getaways as well as longer journeys!”

Best Backpacks with Wheels

Perhaps you’re not quite the “carry all my stuff on my own back” type, or you fancy yourself more of a flashpacker. Why not consider a backpack with wheels? They tend to be a little heavier, which makes them annoying if you do ever have to carry them on your back. But I have one which I’ve taken on several trips and have never had to pick it up!

If you’re not going to be 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 – which means you probably won’t have to pick it up. Here are some top tips for wheeled travel backpacks for women to help you choose…

Eagle Creek Doubleback 22 – 39.5L

“The Eagle Creek Doubleback 22 is a killer convertible backpack carry-on with wheels. Being a female solo travel blogger and YouTuber, I juggle a lot of gear in my day pack, so I like to stay light and mobile with my luggage. I love that this is aircraft carryon compliant, allows me to fit into tight spaces and it forces me to pack smart. 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 add on removable straps to 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. It’s a speedy process. The only con is it comes with a bit of a flimsy zip-on day pack (which I don’t use) as it also shares the same straps. Once you have it, you won’t go back to a backpacker’s backpack.”

Click here to read Christine’s review of the Eagle Creek Doubleback 22 and watch her video to get a better view of the backpack. 

Osprey Sojourn 60

Read my review of the Osprey Sojourn 60 for more info.

I absolutely LOVE the Osprey Sojourn 60-wheeled travel backpack – which is perfect for women who want to pack a lot and don’t always want to carry it! 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.

Although 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 when compared to the ones you normally get on wheels suitcases – perfect for adventurous travellers.

It’s got tons of space, loads of pockets (including a handy top pocket for easy access), and it’s super durable. What more could you want?

Caribee Fast Track Wheeled Backpack – 75L

“The Caribee Fast Track Wheeled Backpack is a great option for anyone who isn’t sure if they’ll need a backpack or a suitcase because this bag is both.

“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 Monica’s full review of the Caribee Fast Track here! 

How to Choose a Travel Backpack – Checklist

So that’s my guide to the best travel backpacks for women – all recommended by real travellers! Have you got a tried and tested backpack that you’d love to recommend? Scroll down to leave a comment!