Finding the perfect travel backpack for women can be a game-changer, whether you're packing for a quick weekend getaway or heading off on a long-term adventure.
Women's needs in a backpack are a bit different from men’s, and choosing the right one is the key to better comfort, organisation, and style.
In this guide, we’ll help you find the ideal backpack that ticks all the boxes for your next trip!
Why Trust Our Recommendations?
When it comes to finding a good travel backpack for women, we knew we needed some serious on-the-ground insights to create this guide. That’s why we enlisted the help of our travel writer, Ella, a solo female traveller who's spent the last two years backpacking and staying in hostels, to share her recommendations and expert tips.
With firsthand experience in what makes a backpack not only functional but truly comfortable for women, she’s here to share her expertise.
Here at Moonsand, we’re all about practical, reliable advice. That’s why we’ve combined Ella’s extensive travel experience with our commitment to finding the best products to ensure that you have everything you need to choose the perfect travel backpack.
Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a months-long journey, we’ve got your back - literally!
What to Look for in a Women's Travel Backpack
Before we get started, some of you may be wondering what the difference is between women’s and men's backpacks. While they might look similar on the surface, women’s backpacks are actually designed with some key differences to be more comfortable and functional for solo female travel.
Here’s what to look out for when choosing your ideal travel backpack:
- Comfort & Fit: Women’s backpacks often come with curved shoulder straps, adjustable sternum straps, and waist belts that actually fit wider hips. This makes a huge difference when you’re walking around for hours - less pressure on your shoulders and hips means a way comfier trip.
- Durability: You’ll want something tough that can handle being tossed around in airports, on buses, and wherever your travels take you. Bonus points for water-resistant fabrics if you’re heading somewhere rainy or adventurous.
- Organisation: No one likes digging around for stuff. Backpacks with plenty of compartments for laptops, water bottles, and packing cubes will keep everything neat and easy to find when you’re on the move. We prefer clamshell-opening backpacks rather than those you can only get in from the top for this reason.
- Capacity: Think about how long you’ll be travelling. A smaller backpack works great for short weekend trips, but you’ll need something with a bit more room for longer adventures.
- Style: These days, you don’t need to sacrifice appearance to get a functional and practical backpack, so whether you’re hiking in the mountains or strolling through city streets, you’ll still look put together.
- Budget: Find the sweet spot between cost and quality. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but investing in a good-quality backpack will save you headaches (and backaches) down the line.
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The Best Travel Backpacks for Women
1. Osprey Fairview 40
The Osprey Fairview 40 is our top pick for the best female backpack for travelling that ticks all the boxes. It’s pricey, but we promise it’s worth it - it’ll probably last you a lifetime!
One of the standout features we love about the Osprey Fairview 40 is the clamshell opening, which makes packing and unpacking incredibly easy. You can lay it flat and see everything at once, meaning no more digging around for that one item buried at the bottom.
The backpack also has an adjustable torso length, ensuring a great fit for women of different heights, and is spacious enough to hold everything you need for a trip without feeling bulky.
Durability: Osprey is known for making some of the toughest bags around, and the Fairview is no exception. Ella’s been using hers daily for a full year now, and it’s still in fantastic shape.
The zips and seams are practically bulletproof, and the fabric holds up to the wear and tear of travel, making it a bag you can rely on for years to come. Well worth the investment!
Pros:
- Plenty of room for packing, ideal for longer trips
- Clamshell opening makes packing and access super easy
- Super-durable
Cons:
- The laptop pocket is at the front of the bag, making weight distribution feel a little off at times
- Pricey compared to other travel backpacks
2. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is the go-to backpack for adventurers who want durability and organisation without skimping on style. As you can expect, we love its clamshell design - just zip it open like a suitcase, and everything is laid out in front of you.
It’s also perfectly sized for hand luggage, fitting into overhead bins, which makes hopping between destinations a breeze. And the removable waist strap is a nice touch for when you need that extra support.
Plus, it’s cute! The bag’s bright, bold colours means you’ll easily be able to identify it on the luggage carousel. It certainly wins our award for the most stylish women's backpack for travel!
One thing that stands out is the lack of a water bottle pocket. We know, we know - you can buy a removable one, but it’s still a bit of a hassle.
Durability: The Allpa’s tough as nails, with water-resistant material that’s perfect for unpredictable weather. It’ll handle rain, mud, and being thrown around in transit, no problem.
With that said, there’s not a lot of internal support to the backpack, meaning things poke out and alter the backpack’s shape if not packed perfectly, which can also cause it to sag and lose shape on long travel days.
Pros:
- Clamshell-style opening for easy access
- Cute, bright-coloured design
- Great internal organisation for gear and clothes
- Water-resistant and durable for all kinds of weather
Cons:
- No built-in water bottle pocket
- Lacks internal structure, so careful packing is key
View the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Backpack
3. Aer Travel Pack 3 Small
The Aer Travel Pack 3 Small is the perfect size for short trips of a few days or a weekend, with its design striking the right balance between aesthetics and rugged durability. That’s why it’s our favourite small travel backpack for women!
If you’re a fan of pockets, this bag’s mega compartmentalisation is a dream come true - it’s got spots for everything, keeping you organised while on the go. The straps don’t compress the bag much, but they do help manage the load a bit, and the backpack fits well under the seat of even smaller commuter planes.
Durability: Aer is known for making tough bags, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The Travel Pack 3 Small holds up well with daily wear, whether you’re commuting or travelling. But, be warned: it’s a bit weighty even when empty, so if you’re flying with a budget airline and have a tight luggage weight allowance that’s worth bearing in mind.
Still, if durability is what you’re after, this bag has got it, handling everything from rugged adventures to city commuting without showing any signs of it.
Pros:
- Perfect size for shorter trips
- Plenty of pockets and compartments for those who love to stay organised
- Durable and rugged, handles all kinds of travel
Cons:
- Bag is already heavy when empty, so weight adds up quickly when packed
- Straps don’t compress the bag much, making it bulkier when fully loaded
View the Air Travel 3 Backpack
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4. Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L is a sleek, stylish option with plenty of internal space and some serious weather resistance. With 30 litres of capacity, it has enough room for all your essentials, and there’s a good balance of space and structure inside. While it might not be overloaded with external pocket options, the single top pocket works just fine for most travellers.
Also, this backpack’s rain-resistant design makes it a winner for any traveller who might find themselves caught in a downpour, and if you’re travelling in Europe, that’s always a possibility!
The pack's tall structure fits well for most female frames, though it does stand out a bit more on shorter torsos. All in all, it’s a versatile choice that balances function and fashion.
Durability: Peak Design doesn’t mess around with durability. Ella tested this backpack during a rainy weekend trip to Amsterdam, and not a single drop made its way inside. The straps tuck away, which is super handy for when you want to stow the bag neatly, and the materials feel built to last.
However, when fully loaded, the bottle holders on the sides can be a bit tight, which is something to keep in mind if you frequently carry a water bottle.
Pros:
- Spacious interior with enough organisation to suit most needs
- Rain-resistant
- Hides straps for a cleaner look and easy storage
Cons:
- Side bottle holders can be tricky to use when the bag is fully packed
- Taller structure may not be the best fit for shorter torsos
- Can get uncomfortable on the shoulders after long periods of wear with a heavy load
Browse the 30L Peak Design Travel Backpack
Browse the 45L Peak Design Travel Backpack
5. Able Carry Daybreaker 2
The Able Carry Daybreaker 2 is all about simplicity and lightness, making it a perfect pick for minimalist travellers or day hikers. This backpack is super light, so you barely feel it when it’s empty, and the wide opening makes it easy to pack and access your gear. That’s what makes it our top pick for a lightweight women's backpack for travel.
The zips are smooth, and the zip path is well-designed, so getting in and out of the bag is quick and easy. Despite its minimal structure, the bag also feels sturdy without being overly padded or floppy.
However, the lack of a hip belt and padding might make it less ideal for longer treks, and if you’re travelling to a hot country, the lack of back ventilation means this bag will get a hard no from us!
Durability: Even though it’s lightweight, the Daybreaker 2 holds its own in terms of durability. The materials feel tough enough to handle daily wear, and the design is structured just enough to keep the bag in shape without too much padding. But without any back padding, you’ll need to be careful how you pack it, or you might end up with things poking into your back.
Pros:
- Ultra-lightweight and easy to carry
- Wide opening for easy access to your gear
- Smooth zips and a well-designed zip path
Cons:
- No back padding, so items can poke through
- No back ventilation, making it prone to getting sweaty
- No hip belt, which is a drawback for a bag designed for hiking
View the Able Carry Daybreaker 2 here
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Moonsand receives a commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of our trusted affiliate partners, at no extra cost to yourself.
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