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Planning a trip soon and looking for a reliable travel backpack to bring along?
I can totally understand the struggle to find a backpack that not only looks good, but functions well!
In the last few years, I’ve used SO many different backpacks made specifically for women. Of those, my favorite travel backpacks have always been one that is made with a durable material that will last you through numerous hikes, baggage claims, and more.
And that’s exactly what you’ll find on this list.
How to Choose the Best Travel Backpack for Women
- Each one of these travel backpacks is known for its quality material. Especially when traveling, it is important to select a backpack that is durable and won’t get torn easily.
- Pay attention to the backpack volume capacity. Depending on the scope of your trip and the items you plan on carrying along, make sure to select a backpack that offers the storage capacity you need.
- In this list, we included the best travel backpacks ranging from under $50 to over $300. We’ve vetted each of these options so you can confidently choose one that fits your budget.
- Travel backpacks for women are not the same as regular travel backpacks. While the functionalities may be very similar (or even the same), the design of a women’s backpack is different in the build (ex: more narrow shoulder straps).
- Pay attention to your personal preference. You may like backpacks with compartments or zippers. Others prefer those with straps and clips. Always make sure it’s what you like.
- Choose a backpack that is light. This will help you reduce the overall weight of your luggage.
- While most travel backpacks can be used for various activities, we always recommend that you choose ones built for your specific activity. For example, a multi-day hiking backpack will offer different functionalities than a smaller daypack, so buying the right kind of travel backpacks will give you the right functionalities that you need on your trip.
So without further ado, here are 13+ of the BEST travel backpacks for women available on Amazon.
Best Travel Backpack for Women
Best Travel Backpack for Long Travels: The North Face Women’s Jester Backpack
In our opinion, the North Face Women’s Jester Backpack is among the best travel backpacks for women out there. Not convinced? You can read the reviews of 3,500+ happy customers 🙂 This backpack is known for its durability, and it is very comfortable to carry on your back for extended periods. Seriously, this backpack earned the sought-after endorsement from the American Chiropractic Association! It has flexible shoulder straps, a padded mesh back panel, and a breathable lumbar panel for comfortable ventilated support. It also has a padded laptop sleeve and can stand up unsupported. Plus, don’t you think it looks incredibly classy?
Best Travel Backpack for Climbing: Kelty Women’s Redwing 40 Backpack
The Kelty Women’s Redwing 40 is a lightweight backpack that almost literally can carry everything you need. Think of it as a sized-down version of Kelty’s iconic, best-selling Redwing backpack. Though not waterproof, it can withstand other climatic conditions. It features HDPE frame sheet, Hex Mesh back panel, ventilating back panel, sternum strap, load lifter straps, and much more – making it a suitable backpack for all kinds of adventures, but especially for climbing. Oh, did we mention it has a waist belt and custom shoulder straps built to fit a woman’s body? For the quality and functionality you get, the Kelty Redwing 40 is hands down one of the best travel backpacks for women in terms of value.
Best Women’s Backpack for Casual Travel: Frye Women’s Melissa Backpack
If you are searching for a stylish backpack, this is it. Frye’s “Melissa” backpack is made of premium leather and has an interior zip pocket. It features a zipper closure, 2 interior sleeve pockets, an exterior front zip pocket, adjustable leather shoulder straps, and printed fabric lining.
This backpack comes in several colors, but my favorite shade is the “Cognac” – it goes with literally everything! It’s no wonder this antique pull-up leather backpack is Frye’s bestselling style to date.
Best Travel Backpack for Outdoor Adventures: Osprey Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Backpack
The Osprey Fairview 40 is a popular LARGE women’s travel backpack, and it’s popular for a reason! This backpack features a lockable U-zip duffel-style access to the backpack’s main compartment. It also has a light wire frame suspension as well as a laptop and tablet sleeve. The shoulder strap is well-padded and fitted for women. This backpack holds up to 40L volume, but is lightweight and meets carry-on size restrictions for most airlines, which makes it ideal for fast-moving travelers.
Best Smaller Travel Backpack: PUMA Women’s Essential Backpack
If you’re looking for a simple travel backpack that goes with just about anything, the PUMA Women’s Essential backpack is a great option. With a front pocket organizer, two-way zipper, and padded contour straps, this backpack offers all the essentials you could want in a smaller travel backpack.
Best Backpack for Everyday Adventures: Herschel Retreat Backpack
The Retreat Backpack by this Vancouver-based brand is one of our go-to backpacks for everyday adventures. It is a padded and fleece-lined sleeve to protect any devices you bring along, and features a front pocket to carry small items like keys, tickets, and more. One of my favorite features of this travel backpack is the super comfortable padded shoulder straps! This backpack can store SO much stuff, yet is very durable and lightweight. It comes with magnetic strap closures with metal pin buckles for a secure design and stylish look. Keep in mind, however, that this backpack is not completely rain-proof, though the inside will stay dry with minimal water exposure. There are lots of options for different sizes and colors available.
Best Travel Backpack for Hiking: Deuter Women’s Casual Daypack
If you’re a fan of hiking or mountain climbing, then the Deuter women’s casual daypack may be the travel backpack for you. While it’s called the “casual daypack”, don’t let the name fool you. This travel backpack is deemed one of the best for women because it can carry everything AND is ultra comfortable to carry!
One of my favorite things of this backpack is its signature Aircomfort Sensic Backsystem, which features a durable, flexible spring steel frame that gives stable tension for the airy back mesh to create a space between the backpack and the wearer’s back – no more sweaty back!
This travel backpack is also engineered for women, and comes in different capacities. Unlike many standard backpacks, Deuter’s women’s best selling travel backpack includes hiking pole attachment loops, side compression straps for regulating pack volume, height and width adjustable chest strap, removable rain cover, a separate bottom compartment with zippered divider, and is hydration system compatible!
Best Lower Priced Travel Backpack: NODLAND Hiking Backpack for Men and Women
The NODLAND unisex travel backpack is known for its lightness and large capacity. It is made of high-strength ripstop nylon with double stitched tear points. It also features an abrasion-resistant zipper for extra durability. Most people, including myself, love this backpack for its multiple storage compartments that make it extra suitable for outdoor adventures – and did I mention backpack is foldable, water-resistant, and super durable too? At just $26.99 to $33.99, this travel backpack is a steal!
Best Distance Travel Backpack for Women: Granite Gear Blaze 60L Backpack
It’s no surprise that Granite Gear’s Blaze 60L backpack is one of the most durable travel backpacks out there. And in 2019, they came out with a version that is tailored to women. I can confidently say that The Blaze 60 is the best backpack for distance travel. The hip pockets are incredibly large and spacious, and it is surprisingly lightweight! I also love that it has a hydration port and an internal hydration sleeve. The backpack has a cinch and roll closure with crossing webbing straps to compress and secure the pack’s content. Its adjustable belt accommodates a wide range of sizes. Though a little bit costly, we think the price is well-worth it.
Best Functional Daypack: Osprey Sirrus 24 Women’s Hiking Backpack
If you’re looking for a great functional daypack, this is it. Not only does this backpack look incredibly classy, it also comes with a lot of features. For example, it has an integrated rain cover that can be stored away in the backpack’s pocket when not needed. It also has trekking pole attachments and zippered hip belt pockets to store your favorite protein bars and other travel essentials (sunscreen, anyone?) Plus, this daypack features an internal hydration sleeve and airspeed suspension which are fitted into the backpack, as well as dual side compression straps and mesh pockets.
Best Multi-Day Trekking Backpack for Women: Arc’teryx Bora AR 49 Women’s Pack
If you have some spare change to splurge on a travel backpack, the Arc’teryx Bora AR 49 Women’s Pack is a great option to go for. This all-around travel backpack leverages hybrid materials and advanced hip belt technology to provide a high-performance women’s backpack. Its quality material makes it extremely weather resilient and versatile for various activities. The Women’s Bora AR 49 backpack is specifically designed for 2-3 day trips and has optimized stability and durability that is extremely functional for multi-day treks in mountain environments.
Best Travel Pack for Backpacking: Gregory Mountain Products Women’s Deva 70
The Deva 70 Pack is the ultimate travel backpack for hiking, camping, and backpacking. Specifically, we think this backpack is the best for extended summer trail vacations, winter weekends. We love its trail-friendly stash options that make this backpack so accessible (not to mention the huge main compartment panel opening!) Its ventilated, terrain-adaptive, and women’s-specific Response A3 suspension also gives the wearer the exact support needed to utilize its 70L storage capacity.
Best Value Travel Backpack for Camping: Washing 55L Internal Frame Pack
Looking for a women’s camping backpack for under $50? This is it. The Washing 55L Internal Frame Pack is already a high capacity backpack in and of itself. But the makers thought it would be useful to add an extension collar that allows the wearer to expand the pack and add another 5L storage capacity if needed – and they were right! This pack is water-resistant, and comes with a rain cover. It also features a sternum strap with emergency whistle buckle, as well as a deep padded shoulder straps and hip-belt for ultimate comfort and efficient airflow.
Final Thoughts on the BEST Travel Backpacks
These days, there are virtually countless travel backpacks for any activity, design preference, and offering different features. Of these, we believe that the 13 travel backpacks above are the best of all travel backpacks for women. But at the end of the day, the most important opinion is yours. So whether you love a larger backpack for trekking, or are just looking for a smaller backpack for casual travel, make sure you find one that fits your specific needs and criterias.
Browse other Travel Backpacks for Women HERE.
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Do you know of any other travel backpacks for women that deserve a spot in this guide? Feel free to leave a comment below!
Loved this article! I’m going backpacking in Europe this summer and was looking for a good travel backpack. so helpful!