Highly Rated Women's Backpacking Gear

[Deleted member 67185]

The CleverHiker website has been a pretty reliable and mostly unbiased resource of backpacking information. As stated within the website, "CleverHiker was created in 2012 by backpacking nut Dave Collins and has grown in scope every year since. While preparing to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, Dave wanted to increase his knowledge of all things backpacking. He couldn’t quite find the detailed, direct information he was looking for, and so the idea for CleverHiker was born.

I am a big believer that backpacking gear is an individual fit. Nothing is more head-scratchingly frustrating then someone making a recommendation on equipment that they liked -- everything from equipment, like backpacks, to clothing to shoes, etc -- and being insistingly certain that that recommendation has universal application to everyone. Yes, recommendations are a good beginning place to check something out -- if one is in the market -- and then determine whether that piece of gear has a good fit-n-feel for your specific idiosyncrasies and needs.

As such, resources such as the one I'm posting are of little value in determining individual performance for oneself. I've used resources like this to help me narrow down equipment candidates for a tryout, and to discover new technologies, new manufacturers (many are cottage industries), and to consider new angles to my established practices.

So, enjoy perusing.
http://www.cleverhiker.com/best-wom...233822569&mc_cid=2038754711&mc_eid=cbf59eb408

 

[HedaP]

Thank you for the link. Was immediately impressed by the opening sentences.

“In the past few years there’s been a long awaited shift toward gender equity and accessibility in the outdoor industry. Now more than ever, companies are getting serious about designing quality, high-functioning outdoor gear for women. Women have different body shapes...”

If this is true it will be great. Just last year I bought a backpack that wasn’t available in Australia. I ordered it online based on the measurements and heights provided on the website. When it arrived from America it didn’t anywhere near fit the length of my back. It was cms too long. No problems with returning it and getting a refund because the company agreed to extend the return period so that I could select the cheapest postage option. However, the cost of postage from and to the States even with the cheapest option totalled almost AU$100!!!

In my emails to the company I did suggest that they factor the different body shape of women into their design process or at least into their marketing and measurements.

I think with some of the smaller companies that started off almost as hobbies and then grew like Topsy that they have not only ignored women but have also not factored international clients into their business plan.

And speaking of hobbies, I will now get off my hobby horse.

 

[yaying]

nothing beats to try & fit...
long way back (in my place) where hiking was only for male gender

 

[Gumba]

HedaP, Kathmandu make male and female backpacks - their staff always comment the reason is for the different body shapes. My son has a female pack as it is shorter. (I went with an Osprey though)

 

[HedaP]

HedaP, Kathmandu make male and female backpacks - their staff always comment the reason is for the different body shapes. My son has a female pack as it is shorter. (I went with an Osprey though)

Thank you for your post. I am tossing up whether to go with a traditional pack or stick with my rather weird frameless ultralite pack. The one I have is not perfect but it weighs less than 500 g. I have osteoporosis in my spine so every gram counts. The pack I tried to buy online was similar but even lighter and was more contained and structural. My pack requires very careful packing so that it is not like a sack on my back.
That said, I am also listening to the arguments on this forum about getting a properly fitted framed pack. Heavier but maybe just as kind to my spine? I don’t know.
Here’s a pic of my pack. Word of warning, please be careful what any subsequent posts might say about it because I love it.

 

[Gumba]

HedaP, you know what they say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"!!!!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Thank you for your post. I am tossing up whether to go with a traditional pack or stick with my rather weird frameless ultralite pack. The one I have is not perfect but it weighs less than 500 g. I have osteoporosis in my spine so every gram counts. The pack I tried to buy online was similar but even lighter and was more contained and structural. My pack requires very careful packing so that it is not like a sack on my back.
That said, I am also listening to the arguments on this forum about getting a properly fitted framed pack. Heavier but maybe just as kind to my spine? I don’t know.
Here’s a pic of my pack. Word of warning, please be careful what any subsequent posts might say about it because I love it.

I did a double take when I saw the picture of your pack, thinking it looked like a Gossamer Gear backpack. For comparison, Gossamer Gear has a 800g frame backpack called the "Gorilla". Because of the shape of the shoulder strap harness and hipbelt, a lot of women find it as comfortable to wear as do men. Just a thought for your shopping pleasure
https://www.gossamergear.com/products/gorilla-ultralight-backpack-all-bundle