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10 Best Women's Hiking Backpacks 2025 in the UK

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

POKARLA Lightweight Packable Backpack 40L Hiking Daypack Walking Rucksack Foldable Camping Sports Outdoor Carry On Knapsack for Women Men

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,478
Capacity
Weight
Features
Capacity
Comfortable and spacious, it holds more than expected and is great for day trips.
Weight
Folds into its own pocket, taking up minimal space and weight—ideal for budget flights.
Features
An excellent design with plenty of pockets and straps, making it versatile for camping or seaside trips.
Material and Durability
The fabric is impressively high quality, making this backpack a reliable companion for travel.

The POKARLA Lightweight 40L Hiking Daypack is designed with the active user in mind, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling. One of its standout features is its impressive capacity. With 40 liters of storage, it provides ample space to organize all of your essentials, making it suitable for day trips and possibly even overnight stays if you're a light packer. The design includes multiple compartments, which helps in keeping items sorted and accessible.

Made from high-quality polyester that's tear and wear-resistant, this backpack promises durability, supported by heavy-duty metal zippers and reinforced stress points. Despite its robust build, it remains incredibly lightweight at just 0.9 pounds, making it easy to carry without adding extra bulk to your load. Additionally, it folds into its own pocket for convenient storage, which is a handy feature for travel.

Comfort is another area where this backpack shines, with breathable mesh shoulder straps and generous sponge padding to ease shoulder strain. The adjustable chest strap, equipped with a whistle buckle, helps distribute weight evenly and offers a safety feature in emergencies. There are some considerations to keep in mind. The lack of a structured frame might affect carrying comfort when the pack is fully loaded. Additionally, while the material is durable, it's unclear how well it performs in wet conditions, which might be an issue if caught in rain. Ventilation is modestly addressed with mesh shoulder straps, but there might not be sufficient airflow for the back panel, potentially leading to discomfort in warm climates.

This backpack is an appealing option for women looking for a lightweight, spacious, and feature-rich rucksack for their outdoor adventures. Its durability and practical features cater well to the needs of hikers and travelers alike, although those needing more robust support and weatherproofing might want to consider other options.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,478
Capacity
Weight
Features
Capacity
Comfortable and spacious, it holds more than expected and is great for day trips.
Weight
Folds into its own pocket, taking up minimal space and weight—ideal for budget flights.
Features
An excellent design with plenty of pockets and straps, making it versatile for camping or seaside trips.
Material and Durability
The fabric is impressively high quality, making this backpack a reliable companion for travel.
#2

MOUNTAINTOP Hiking Backpack 40L Water Resistent Trekking Rucksack for Men Women Outdoor Traveling pack Daypack 55 x 35 x 25 cm

Rating
9.8
Capacity
Fit and Size
Weight
Capacity
Attractive, solid, light, and roomy, this backpack also features an integral rain cover, making it a good overall value.
Fit and Size
Fits comfortably with adjustable straps and no rubbing, and it's strong and lightweight, perfect for hiking, climbing, walking, and running.
Weight
Handles weight well, even up to 15kgs, and remains comfortable to wear on long hikes.
Features
The number of pockets and compartments, especially the deep side pockets for water bottles, make this backpack extremely functional.

The MOUNTAINTOP Hiking Backpack 40L is a versatile option for women seeking a reliable pack for short to medium-length outdoor adventures. With a 40-liter capacity, it's roomy enough to hold essentials for a 3-4 day trip, making it well-suited for hiking or camping. Its numerous compartments, including a main compartment, front and side pockets, and a hip belt pocket, provide organized storage, which is convenient for accessing gear on the go.

Made from 420D nylon and polyester, the backpack promises good durability and ventilation. The material and build quality, including sturdy YKK zippers, suggest it can withstand regular outdoor use. Its weight of 0.98 kg strikes a good balance, as it's light enough for ease of carrying but substantial enough to suggest robustness.

The backpack features a powerful suspension system, with D-shaped buckles and compression straps, allowing users to carry additional gear like sleeping bags or hammocks. This feature, along with an included rain cover, enhances its functionality in versatile weather conditions. Comfort is prioritized with adjustable shoulder straps made from breathable honeycomb material, ensuring ventilation and an ergonomic fit that distributes weight evenly. This design aims to minimize discomfort during extended wear, which is essential for hiking.

However, the backpack may not be ideal for those requiring a larger capacity for extended trips, as 40 liters may be limiting. Additionally, while it is marketed as unisex, the fit and sizing might not perfectly cater to every woman's frame, thus trying it on before buying could be beneficial.

In conclusion, this backpack offers a good balance of features for short outdoor excursions, with particular strengths in storage and comfort, although it may not be suitable for longer expeditions or those needing more tailored fit options.

Rating
9.8
Capacity
Fit and Size
Weight
Capacity
Attractive, solid, light, and roomy, this backpack also features an integral rain cover, making it a good overall value.
Fit and Size
Fits comfortably with adjustable straps and no rubbing, and it's strong and lightweight, perfect for hiking, climbing, walking, and running.
Weight
Handles weight well, even up to 15kgs, and remains comfortable to wear on long hikes.
Features
The number of pockets and compartments, especially the deep side pockets for water bottles, make this backpack extremely functional.

Buying Guide for the Best Women's Hiking Backpacks

Choosing the right women's hiking backpack is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable hiking experience. The right backpack will fit well, distribute weight evenly, and have the features you need for your specific hiking adventures. When selecting a hiking backpack, consider the following key specifications to ensure you get the best fit for your needs.
CapacityCapacity refers to the volume of the backpack, usually measured in liters. This spec is important because it determines how much gear you can carry. For day hikes, a smaller capacity (15-30 liters) is sufficient. For overnight trips, look for a medium capacity (30-50 liters). For multi-day hikes, a larger capacity (50-70 liters) is necessary. Choose a capacity based on the length of your hikes and how much gear you need to carry.
Fit and SizeFit and size are crucial for comfort. Women's backpacks are designed to fit the female torso, with narrower shoulder straps and a shorter back length. It's important to measure your torso length and hip size to find the right fit. Backpacks often come in small, medium, and large sizes. A well-fitting backpack will distribute weight evenly and reduce strain on your back and shoulders. Try on different sizes and adjust the straps to find the most comfortable fit.
WeightThe weight of the backpack itself is important, especially for long hikes. A lighter backpack will be easier to carry, but it should still be durable and have the features you need. Lightweight backpacks (1-2 pounds) are great for day hikes, while heavier backpacks (3-5 pounds) may offer more support and features for longer trips. Consider how much weight you are comfortable carrying and balance it with the durability and features you need.
Frame TypeBackpacks can have internal frames, external frames, or no frame at all. Internal frame backpacks are the most common and offer good support and balance. External frame backpacks are less common but can carry heavier loads and provide better ventilation. Frameless backpacks are lightweight and flexible but offer less support. Choose a frame type based on the weight of your load and the level of support you need.
FeaturesFeatures such as pockets, compartments, hydration compatibility, and attachment points can enhance your hiking experience. Pockets and compartments help organize your gear, while hydration compatibility allows you to carry a water reservoir. Attachment points can be useful for carrying trekking poles or other gear. Consider which features are important for your hikes and choose a backpack that offers them.
Material and DurabilityThe material of the backpack affects its durability and weight. Common materials include nylon and polyester, which are durable and water-resistant. Some backpacks also have reinforced bottoms or waterproof coatings. Durability is important for long-term use and rough conditions. Choose a material that balances durability with weight, and consider any additional features like water resistance based on the conditions you'll be hiking in.
VentilationVentilation is important for keeping your back cool and dry. Some backpacks have mesh back panels or ventilation channels to improve airflow. This is especially important for long hikes or hot weather. Look for backpacks with good ventilation features if you tend to sweat a lot or hike in warm climates.