Petite females and people with shorter torsos and narrow shoulders can struggle to find a well fitted backpack. Thankfully, many brands now offer a female fit which are narrower ensuring shoulder straps sit comfortably and adjustable torso lengths and hip belts.
5 Best Backpacks For Petite Females
Backpacks for petite people can be hard to find because many brands tend to adopt a one size fits all approach. Fortunately there are good companies catering to the rest of the population including us smaller girls. These backpacks are usually very good quality from reputable brands, however, quality and extra features such as adjustability does come at a cost.
1. Osprey Tempest 33L Women’s Backpack
My favourite backpack of all time was the tempest 30L backpack. That backpack has journeyed with me to over 12 different countries, from a weekend to over 10 days travel. I have hiked many days with it and it is still going strong. If it ever broke this is the backpack I would replace it with without hesitation.
This is the new, updated version of my beloved backpack. The size is excellent for those longer hikes or ones which require more layers or equipment such as colder weather or more remote regions. You can easily use a hydration bladder which has its own compartment or the side mesh pouches.
It also has a breathable back which is something you will really appreciate if you return to your normal everyday backpack on a hot day. The breathable mesh allows you to dry on those sweaty hikes instead of feeling disgustingly wet as soon as you take off your pack.
It also has two of my non-negotiable features. The top pocket and the shove pouch. The top pocket is super spacious and perfect for your sunglasses, suncream or hats and gloves if you like cold adventures. I use the shove pouch for my wet raincoat or anything I have forgotten to pack before rushing onto my train!
Ospreys active backpacks are always well thought through and sometimes features have multiple uses. This is an excellent backpack for petite women. The women design are usually narrower on the shoulders and the straps on this backpack are thinner than those of other backpacks I have had yet still padded and comfortable allowing a nice, lightweight conforming fit. The hip belt is also padded but it’s thin enough to be flexible.
If this size isn’t what you are looking for then you can also get this style of backpack in 20L and 40L.
- Extremely comfortable
- Plenty of easy access pockets
- Adjustable torso length
- Good value for money
- May not be big enough for longer trips
- No small or large option
2. Osprey Kyte Women’s 58L
I own the larger 68L backpack version and even if you are thru-hiking I do not believe you need a pack so large. This size gives you the extra space for camping equipment whilst still allowing you to fit it to your petite size.
Backpacks at this size start to come in small and large options and even then they are customisable across a range of sizes. This is because the weight you could be carrying in a backpack this size it is essential you find the right fit for you.
Similar to the backpack above, it has my favourite top pouch. An internal mesh pouch and the all important shove pocket. In this pack there are compression straps which can actually adjust the size of the shove pouch quite significantly.
It also has a full front access to the rucksack. Which admittedly I thought I would hate but I have actually used this feature every time. It does make packing and unpacking easier as you can see where everything is.
You also get an integrated (positioned in a zip pocket on the underside of the bag) rain cover which is super useful. This backpack comes with everything you would need for a long hiking trip with extra padding and good structural support to assist with the weight distribution which goes a long way towards making your pack feel lighter.
Just because you are a petite female, it does not mean that you cannot get out there hiking, thru-hiking or adventure. The backpacks will not longer be the limited factor.
- Small and large torso fits
- Micro adjustable torso length
- Fit on the fly hip belt
- Included rain cover
- Large
- Expensive
3. Fjallraven Kajha 35 S/M Backpack
What makes this backpack stand out is its wooden birch frame which ensures that those heavy loads are distributed across your body in the most comfortable way. This backpack is also PFAS free with robust fabrics.
The small version is designed with petite people in mind with a tapered shoulder straps which was specifically designed with petite females in mind as it gives more space for the bust. The hip belt is also shorter and fully adjustable. The main frame is also fully adjustable so you can get your perfect fit.
As for the backpacks other features, there is a fully detachable top lid with several pockets meaning it can convert into a very useful cross body. No need to carry an extra bag for those rest days exploring the local area or for travel.
The front of the backpack also zips undone fully to allow for optimal packing and easy access. Before I got a backpack with this feature I never really thought I would use it but actually it is super useful and I have used it every single time.
The full range of the Kajka bags cover a range of sizes in the S/M bracket from 35 to 75L and there is another variety available which has side pockets attached to the bag and don’t worry they are towards the top and don’t impede on the hydration pouches. The full range is available on Fjallravens website but you can get some versions on Amazon.
- Unique wooden frame
- PFAS free
- Tapered shoulder straps
- Top flap converts into crossbody bag
- Expensive
- No front stretch pocket
4. Montane Women’s Trailblazer 30L Backpack
This backpack offers a women’s specific fit to help make the bag fit more comfortably on females slender shoulders and of course for us petite ladies the back is fully adjustable offering a customisable fit.
What I like about this backpack is it is a little unique. It has the usual mesh shove pocket, top flap pocket and hydration bladder compatible but it offers something different with its adjustable T hook gear loops. They can be placed to hold whatever you want them to in different locations. Another interesting feature is that the hip belt pocket is part of the hydration side pockets. This offers a new way to get your water bottles out or to lock it in place for easy reach.
When I have my backpack on there is no way I can reach those hydration pockets without twisting my back out although I do wonder if you used it that way how comfortable it would be on the hips. If you are worried where your snacks would go, then fear not this backpack offers two zip pouches on the shoulder straps.
The female specific trailblazer series also comes in pink or black and in sizes 16L and 24L if you wanted a daypack. The series does include larger backpacks but they are unisex varieties.
5. Osprey Ariel Plus 60L
Petite in size but need a big pack? Then this pack is for you. This series even goes up to 85L in the women’s version. Despite the added capacity it has all the adjustable features you need to get a perfect fit. Shoulder strap lengths, hip belt and torso length can all have the padding adjusted in size, not just pulling them tighter. There is also the option to choose between a small and large backpack sizing to get the perfect fit.
True to Ospreys tried and tested design, this pack allows for a tight to body fit with a frame that optimises pack load and a foam back to help combat the back sweat. Another cool feature of this back is that you can use the top flap as a day bag as it fully comes apart and you can even cover the remaining bag with a flap, no need for that top lid.
The front is also well designed, with 2 zip pockets for your little bits and bobs and still the must loved shove it pocket for everything else (sliders and my waterproof jacket regularly find themselves in there!). Whatever you stuff int here it has compression straps on the sides and across the front to ensure that heavy load is held in the best possible way, which is essential if you are on the smaller side!
- Detachable Top Lid For Daypack
- Front Zip Pockets
- Lots Of Compression Straps
- Fully Adjustable For A Personalised Fit
- Expensive
- Larger Than Most Will Need
Why Is It Important To Have A Correctly Fitting Backpack
When the weight of your backpack increases or you are carrying it for long periods of time then an incorrectly fitting backpack will case discomfort, pain and potentially injuries.
I have had some awful backpacks in the past. Some unisex ones just sit too wide on my shoulders pulling them back and causing me neck pain. Others simply don’t have a hip belt small enough.
Once I didn’t fit my backpack correctly before I travelled and after an hour my shoulders were burning due to poor weight distribution between them and my hips. Yet I readjust on the move and my hips started to hurt. Micro adjustments are excellent but not a substitute for the major adjustments of a pack.
How To Find A Petite Backpack
The best way to find the best fitting backpack is to head to a large outdoor retailer and try on as many as suitable backpacks as possible with the help of the backpack specialist in store to point you in the right direction. To speed up the process head in with a few ideas already or at least an idea of budget and size you need.
A good store will fit the backpack for you and even add some weight to mimic what it will feel like. Don’t be shy to walk around the store. I have done it before with boots, and I will do it again. If they have fake hills, different terrains or a treadmill make use of that too. A good sales person should be encouraging it!
The obvious downside of popping into store is that it requires a store which stocks what you are after which can be tricky for petite sizes. So giving yourself a measure will really help narrow down your options so you can either order into store and get it fitted (or easy returns) or you can fit it yourself. Online also gives you more assess to shopping at the best price.
When online look for a female version as this will have narrower shoulders and adjustable designs. Is there a small, medium and large version based on torso size, not just size of backpack? What size are the hip belts? Do they adjust more than simply pulling the straps? Can I exchange out the hip belt entirely for a different size? For example, you may have a long torso length but this usually will have a larger hip belt which may not fit you if you simply have short legs.
How To Fit A Backpack
When you are unable to go to a store to get fitted then many brands offer an online tutorial via instructions or video on how to fit their backpacks correctly. And there is some good news for all you short girls, you might not actually be a petite in the backpacking world. Backpack size is determined by torso size, not your overall size. REI Fit and Torso Size Guide has a really good step by step instructions on measuring this through to fitting the backpack.
Many backpack brands now have adjustable torso lengths on their packs so you still need to measure your torso length but then you will see if you are between the range of sizes and adjustable pack fits whether this is a small or not.
The second major part of a backpack is the hip belt. For petite women the hip belt can either be too small if you are simply short or can be too big and you have to pull the belt to its maximum in order to get it sitting on your hips.
Again, good backpack companies have adapted to this and brands either have adjustable hip belts (the padding, not just pulling the straps) or you can exchange the hip belt entirely for a different size. When buying online exchanging hip belts may not be an option as they will come with the standard so try the shops or chat to customer services to see what they can do.
The final step to fitting a backpack is adjusting the shoulder straps, load lifters and chest strap. The shoulder straps should allow the padding to be flush with the shoulder, yet not taking significant wait. The load lifters should be taught at a 45 degree angle and the chest strap should be comfortable allowing freedom of movement and breathing.
Do Petite Women Need Smaller Backpacks?
Petite females are not limited to smaller backpack sizes so long as the backpack fits correctly. The smaller torso fit versions of the same backpack can sometimes be smaller by one or two litres simply because the bag is not as tall.
The good news is that everyone, no matter what gender or size will benefit from taking the smallest backpack that they can fit everything they need in. Larger backpacks are heavier and tend to encourage overpacking which soon adds up to aching muscles on a hike.
Carrying heavier loads, even in a well fitted backpack will not only cause your shoulders to ache faster but fatigue your entire body more. The general rule is that for long hikes and multi-day backpacking to carry no more than 20% of your body weight. This can be difficult if you are a petite female as you have to carry the same basic gear as everyone else and ultralight gear is expensive.
Below is a table of body weight compared to how much it is recommended to carry weight wise. As you can see if you are small in every aspect you will really struggle with keeping under the 20% recommendation and even then the lighter your pack the easier and more enjoyable your backpacking trip. The average backpacking set up weight is around 14-23kg.
| Body Weight/kg | 20% Of Body Weight/kg |
| 40 | 8 |
| 50 | 10 |
| 60 | 12 |
| 70 | 14 |
| 80 | 16 |
| 90 | 18 |
| 100 | 20 |
This does not mean that smaller people can’t go hiking but they should make sure that they have a good fitness level, especially muscular endurance so that they are comfortable carrying the weight with minimal injury risk.
Following a good hiking build up plan will pay dividends for enjoying backpacking more. They also should consider if it is a major hobby for them investing in some ultralight gear to save weight where they can. You can get secondhand gear to save a few pennies too.
Conclusion
The outdoors industry is getting better and better at ensuring that everyone can find their perfect fit whatever their size and shape. Many backpacks in a range of sizes are fully customisable and come in different sizes, exchangeable hip belts and female specific fits. The days of petite females making do with uncomfortable backpacks are over! Happy Hiking!
