Whether it’s a compact day pack for hikes near home like the Osprey Skimmer 20 or a 65 litre beast like the one I wore for three months backpacking around Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia and New Zealand; a backpack signals adventure. But if you’ve ever shopped for a decent women’s backpack, you’ve probably felt confused about what to look for.
I think of a good ladies backpack the way I think of a designer handbag (not that I have one of those). It’s an investment piece that I’ll use for years to come and that will never date.
I’d never spend a lot on a fancy handbag that I didn’t know I’d get a lot of use out of, and I think if you’re buying a backpack that will be on your back as you live out the greatest adventures of your life, it’s worth investing in a reliable one. But what should we look for in a ladies backpack, girls? I’ve teamed up with Osprey to review their Skimmer 20 daypack and give you some tips for buying the best backpack for you.
How to choose the best ladies backpack for you
When I was 21, I remember trying to prepare for my first big backpacking trip and having zero idea what kind of functions and design I needed in my backpack – but I did know that I needed one specifically made for female bodies.
There are a lot of things that are marketed as ‘for girls’ that don’t need to be gendered (looking at you, razor companies who charge extra for the pink ones), but backpacks really are made differently for men and women.
As women we have to take a lot of different things into consideration that guys don’t when we travel, and choosing a ladies backpack is no different.
Osprey are celebrating their 25 year anniversary of making rucksacks specifically for us girls, so what better company to shop with before an adventure? They make ladies fit backpacks specifically designed for with:
- Narrower shoulder widths to avoid neck damage
- Harnesses contoured to our bodies
- Shorter torso lengths
- Hip belts specially designed to fit our curves
If like me, you’re on the short side, you should try to choose a ladies backpack with an adjustable torso length so you can really make sure it’s going to fit well.
No, I did not brush my hair for this picture.
Getting the right fit means the weight will be more evenly distributed, making wearing the backpack more comfortable and ultimately, meaning it will perform as it was designed to. Backpacks are not one size fits all, and I’ve certainly learned that over the years!
Wearing a backpack that doesn’t properly fit your body can lead to strained muscles and long-term back problems. Oh, and it’s important to put it on correctly: I used to hate fastening the hip belt on mine when I was younger, but now I know that it’s there to help the weight distribute evenly across your legs and lower back, instead of your shoulders.
When buying a new backpack, you need to look at three key size dimensions:
- Back length,
- harness and
- hip belt
The fit is about how the sizing aspects work with the dimensions of your body. If you’re shopping online and won’t be able to try the backpack for size in-store, you can use Osprey’s sizing guide to make sure the backpack you order will fit you perfectly.
Osprey make packs for a variety of activities including hiking, biking, backpacking, travel, trail running and hydration. They sent me one of their Skimmer 20 packs to try out on my recent stomps so I thought I’d share a review of the Osprey Skimmer 20 to highlight the things to look for when choosing a female backpack.
Read: The best gifts for female travellers
Review of Osprey’s Skimmer 20 Ladies Hiking backpack
The Skimmer 20 is the perfect ladies backpack for a day-long hike. It’s actually pretty spacious inside, so if you’re a low maintenance gal you could even use it for an active weekend away.
I’ve been using it on hikes and walks around the North East and even though I expected wearing a backpack after a little break to feel really strange and unfamiliar, it was very comfortable. It seems this is because of the ‘Bump-Foam backpanel’ which provides comfort and ventilation. It’s actually visible through the mesh at the back of the bag, and means no sweaty back! Ok, maybe just less of a sweaty back…
Shop for the Osprey Skimmer 20 on Amazon
The Skimmer 20 comprises all of the brand’s ‘Women’s Fit’ features, including a low-profile harness and padded hip belt to evenly distribute weight.
It has an external ‘hydration sleeve’ so you have easy access to drinking water, and there’s no faff to get things in and out from the zipped top. Essential in a women’s hiking backpack!
My favourite things about the hiking daypack are definitely the comfort (I wasn’t sure what Bump Foam is but I am sold!) and the fact it has a hidden pocket where you can keep your keys, phone and sunglasses without scratching them (I’m forever ruining mine when I’m trying to be adventurous and carefree).
I also enjoy that the side pockets are big enough to fit 1litre bottles (refillable bottles, please).
Underneath the pack, a separate pocket hides the integrated and detachable rain cover. Definitely handy for UK hikes!
Weight: 0.70 kg
Maximum Dimensions (cm): 50 (l) x 27 (w) x 25 (d)
Osprey focus on making high quality products that last so they will repair or replace any defects in their bags at no cost (within the bag’s reasonable lifetime) as part of their ‘All Mighty Quality’ guarantee. I really love this ethos as I’m trying to make more environmentally-friendly purchases so the idea of repairing rather than replacing is music to my ears.
Osprey have sent me a few bags to review recently and they weren’t bundled up in loads of unnecessary packaging, which is something that really bothers me about other brands. Their website says that they use recyclable and recycled materials where possible, too.
At the moment, the Skimmer 20 comes with a free Hydraulics™ LT 1.5L Reservoir worth £28. The bag itself retails at £75.00 which for the quality and repair policy, I think that’s a fair price. It also comes in a plum red colour.
Planning some backpacking adventures with your bag? Read my 10 day Europe backpacking itinerary for some inspiration.
Check out my Travel Resources page to get the best deals for your trip.
Girls, make sure you buy a backpack designed specifically for women. Your body will thank you for it and with different colours and styles available, it’s easy to find a stylish backpack that will still function beautifully.
I think the Skimmer 20 is a great option if you’re looking for a small women’s backpack for one day hikes or even two day outdoor adventures, and I can’t wait to take it on more stomps around the countryside.
What do you look for in a backpack? Did you find this Osprey Skimmer 20 review helpful? Let me know in the comments!
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This post is sponsored by Osprey but all views are my own.
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Sam | North East Family Fun Blog says
Sounds great – before reading this I had no idea there were backpacks specifically for women but it makes complete sense. I often wear backpacks when out and about with the kids but the one I have at the moment isn’t the most comfortable as it’s just a generic one from Amazon! Definitely going to look more into Osprey and their offerings and maybe invest this summer – thanks for the heads up.
Dannielle | While I'm Young says
Yeah I never used to understand why I needed one specifically for women but it honestly makes such a difference! Osprey bags are amazing quality too. They’d be fab for you and the kids.