10 Best Women's Hiking Backpacks 2025 in the UK

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.

The Osprey Europe Tempest 20 Women's Hiking Pack in Violac Purple is designed with thoughtful features that cater to hiking enthusiasts. Starting with its capacity, the 20-liter size is suitable for day hikes, allowing enough space to carry essentials without being overly bulky. The fit and size are tailored specifically for women, which can offer a more comfortable experience on the trail, especially with the adjustable Airscape back panel that provides customization to suit different body types and enhances ventilation.

In terms of weight, it's relatively light, which is crucial when aiming to reduce the load during long hikes. The backpack includes a stow-on-the-go trekking pole attachment, which is a practical feature for those who frequently use poles and need quick access and storage solutions. Additionally, the stretch mesh side pockets and twin zippered hipbelt pockets offer convenient spaces for securing water bottles and small items, contributing to its usability.

When it comes to material and durability, the pack's PFC free DWR coating is an environmentally friendly choice, enhancing water resistance without harmful chemicals, although the long-term durability of the material may require careful usage. The hand wash care instructions are a reminder of the gentle approach needed to maintain the backpack's integrity over time. The adjustable back panel aids airflow, which is beneficial in keeping cool during strenuous activities. The origins from Vietnam suggest standard manufacturing practices, and the reputation of Osprey Europe speaks to quality assurance. This pack is a solid choice for women seeking a reliable and comfortable backpack for day hiking.

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.