Ultralight hiking backpacks were an absolute game changer for me. When it comes to hiking, every ounce matters. And for women adventurers, finding the right backpack is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor experience. Enter ultralight hiking backpacks. These bags are the epitome of efficiency without compromising functionality.
The Problem:
- You want to get a hiking backpack, but aren’t sure what factors to consider
The Solution:
In this blog post, we’ll explore why ultralight hiking backpacks are an excellent choice for women, provide three essential tips for choosing the perfect bag, and I’ll give my top 5 recommendations for ultralight hiking backpacks.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- The Problem:
- The Solution:
- Why Ultralight Hiking Backpacks?
- 3 Top Tips for Choosing the Perfect Ultralight Hiking Backpack
- My Top 5 Recommendations for the Best Ultralight Hiking Backpacks
- Conclusion
Before you buy a hiking backpack or trot off into the back country, it’s important to make sure you’ve picked a trail that fits your goals and needs. Still trying to figure out how to pick the best hiking trail for you abilities? Check out this post.
Why Ultralight Hiking Backpacks?
#1 Weight Matters
Traditional backpacks can feel bulky and add weight to your hike, especially when they’re loaded with gear and water. I grew up hiking in a desert region where water was an absolute essential no matter what time of year it was, which added weight to any adventure. Many of us also hike in layers to prepare for changing weather or temperatures, which also adds ounces and bulk.
Long story short, the last thing hikers usually want is to feel even more weighed down by the thing that is supposed to carry their gear. Ultralight hiking backpacks, as the name suggests, prioritize shedding unnecessary weight. Now, some people go all in with this and get a whole ultralight set up. I’m not saying you have to dive deep into the ultralight religion, but it is definitely worth investigating a few key ultralight pieces, like hiking backpacks.
For women hikers, ultralight backpacks mean a more manageable load, reduced strain on the body, increased mobility, and better endurance on the trail, all without reducing carrying capacity.
#2 Streamlined Design
Ultralight hiking backpacks often feature sleek and streamlined designs. This is particularly advantageous for women as it helps to ensure a more ergonomic fit, reducing the risk of injury or discomfort. It also makes it easier to move over tricky patches of trail or through foliage if necessary.
The designs of ultralights tend to be thoughtful in nature and more tuned into anatomy, both male and female. This means a more snug and secure fit that makes the bag feel more like a part of you than a bulky extension. All of this adds up to a better overall hiking experience.
And when we’re trying to connect with nature, we don’t want to be distracted by our stuff.
#3 Versatility and Flexibility
Ultralight hiking backpacks are also known for their versatility. Many come with components that you can add or take off and hyper-adjustable features. This allows women hikers to customize the pack to their body and gear. It also means you can adapt the same bag to different trips. The only downside to this aspect of ultralights is that there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to figuring out the best way to use your bag.
But the more you work with your pack, the easier it gets, and honestly, it’s totally worth a bit of effort on the front end. Before you know it, you’re bag will be your best buddy. In short, with ultralights, you can add components for longer jaunts. Or, if you’re staying close to home, you can remove anything extra. It’s a win-win for women hikers everywhere.
3 Top Tips for Choosing the Perfect Ultralight Hiking Backpack
#1 Weight Distribution and Capacity
Consider the capacity of the backpack in relation to your regular hiking plans. If you’re just going on day hikes or shorter excursions, you’ll need less space than on an overnight trek. Unless you regularly do overnight trips, it’s probably not worth the financial investment of buying an overnight pack. It’s not that these ultralight hiking backpacks aren’t awesome, but it would sort of be like buying a pick up truck as a commuter vehicle.
The other thing to check is how the pack distributes weight. Look for padded shoulder straps and hip belts that ensure the load is evenly distributed. This will help prevent strain on your back and shoulders. Reviews are a great place to get this kind of information. Try to keep in mind your own height and build.
#2 Durability and Material
While focusing on weight reduction, durability is still major priority. Fortunately, there are many ultralight hiking backpacks that are made with high-quality, tear-resistant materials. Even if you don’t want to buy a name-brand pack, there are a couple of things you can look for to help make sure you get something that’ll last you awhile. First make sure you look for reinforced seems. Second, look for durable zippers. Finally, look at the shoulder pads and hip belt. Thinner straps will not only be uncomfortable, but will wear out more quickly. Double checking the details of the pack you have in mind will ensure that you get an ultralight hiking backpack that can withstand repeated use.
#3 Comfort and Fit
Finally, keep in mind that comfort is key during hikes, even short ones. The ultimate goal here is to connect a little more closely with nature, so we want as many of our excursions as possible to be enjoyable. That means comfort with our gear.
Check for straps that are easy to adjust for a snug fit. We’ve already talked about padding in shoulder straps and hip belts, but check for for padded panels on the back, too. And ventilation systems prevent discomfort and overheating and promote breathability.
Great ultralight hiking backpacks will feel more like an extension of your body than bulky baggage.
My Top 5 Recommendations for the Best Ultralight Hiking Backpacks
Everyone has slightly different preferences when it comes to backpacks. My best friend like loads of pockets in their bag to keep their gear more organized. I HATE bags with too many pockets, preferring one big compartment. Try to keep things like shape, color, width, and number and type of compartments in mind as you look at the recommendations below.
Recommendation #1: Amazon, the 35 Liter Venture Pal
There are a few good budget ultralight hiking backpacks out there, including this one. It runs about $25 USD on Amazon and has some solid features for its price. It comes in a bunch of colors, which actually matters. The more you like your gear, the more likely you are to use it.
It also has a double-layer bottom, which adds some durability, and mesh shoulder straps with padding. It weighs less than a pound, clocking in at about .7lbs. and it can folded into its own pocket. It has one larger compartment and a few smaller compartment.
Biggest drawback: no hip belt. And the frame runs small, even with a pretty big carrying capacity, so not great for people with long torsos or wide shoulders.
Recommendation #2: REI, the 22 Liter Flash 22
REI is a co-op for outdoor enthusiasts and is easily one of my favorite stores. They stock a bunch of high-quality brands for all varieties of activities, but they also have their own REI brand.
The Flash 22 is REI’s brand of ultralight hiking backpack and my personal favorite. I’m 5’10” with broad shoulders and find that the REI packs always fit me great. This pack comes with mesh straps with padding and it’s made from 100% recycled ripstop nylon. It is water repellant and the back panel pad can be removed and used as a sit pad at the end of the trail.
The bag only weighs about 14 oz, so it’s nice and light. The water bottle holders are tall and deep. This one also has lots of customization options and exterior loops that can be used to add compression or lash on extra gear. It also comes with a hip belt, which I love.
The biggest downside is that the capacity is a little smaller than Venture Pal, but it’s about twice the cost.
You can find the bag here.
Recommendation #3: Osprey, Hikelite 26
The Hikelite 26-liter daypack combines essential features, quality construction, and good ventilation. It has a minimalist design, which can be good or bad depending on your preferences. It does simplify things on the trail, but also limits your options a bit. One of the big upsides to this backpack is that it has a wider and taller frame for an improved fit across body types.
It comes with a raincover and is water resistant even without it.
Compared to the REI pack, osprey ultralight hiking backpacks tend to have less padding and the hip belts aren’t as robust. That’s true for this pack as well. It also has a frame, which changes balance and adds increased ventilation. Some people really like the alloy frame, but others don’t (frames are a personal thing).
Potential downside: its minimalist design means there’s only one major compartment and a small zip pocket. If you’re a person who needs more organizational separation, you might want a different pack. It also runs about $130 when it’s not on sale. Of course, with Osprey, you get what you pay for and the quality of their bags is always top notch.
Recommendation #4: Columbia
Columbia is another brand that I buy regularly. They’ve got some great sales and their gear always lasts me years. They have fewer options when it comes to ultralight hiking backpacks, but they do off the Tandem Traill 22L Backpack. Depending on sales, it runs between $50 and $70 and is classy enough to double as a regular backpack.
It comes with a sternum strap, but no hip belt. And it’s not as breathable as the Osprey or REI options. It DOES have great padding on the back and is hydration compatible (you can carry extra water in a water bladder with a straw). It has attachments for trekking poles (so do the REI and Osprey options). It’s made from nylon, but there’s no word on weather it is water resistant or if the material is recycled (both true for Osprey and REI).
It does have lots of room and fits true to size. Some reviewers wish there was a little more padding on the straps, but still recommend it for day hikes. The only oddity with this pack is that it’s a roll top closer not a zipper. I personally prefer roll-tops, but my husband prefers zipper closures. If you aren’t sure, it’s worth hitting an outdoor store and actually handling some packs (even if they aren’t ultralights) to get a feel for the different closer types.
Recommendation #5: Granite Gear, the Dagger
This 22 liter pack runs between $85 and $120. Granite Gear has a tactical aspect that the other brands don’t have, which basically means that most of their products are customizable, including there ultralight hiking backpacks. The Dagger uses an arch system to anchor the pack to your body (a thin frame combined with a hip belt).
You can easily attach gear to the outside if needed. It is hydration compatible and has stretch pockets, which allows for expandability. It is sustainably made and relies on undyed fabric. You can adjust the straps or even remove the hip belt for a better fit.
The pack does run a bit heavier than the others, weighing in at 1.5 lbs. But it has a zipper closer and more compartments than some of the others. I haven’t personally purchased a pack from Granite Gear, but they have some promising reviews.
For some of us, short trips into nature are what we’re looking for and ultralight hiking backpacks can be great daypack options. We don’t need to be experts.
But if you’re looking to take a really deep dive into the hiking and outdoors lifestyle, check out the blog, Clever Hiker. They give great gear reviews and tutorials beyond just the lifestyle of connecting a bit more with nature.
Conclusion
Ultralight hiking backpacks offer a practical and comfortable solution for women who love the great outdoors or who just want to spend more time in nature. With a focus on weight reduction, streamlined design, and versatility, these backpacks enhance the overall hiking experience. When choosing the perfect ultralight hiking backpack, prioritize weight distribution, durability, and most importantly, a comfortable fit. Armed with the right backpack, you’ll notice increased enjoyment and confidence on the trails.
What’s your favorite backpack feature? Do you have a favorite outdoors brand? What do you like about it? Let me know in the comments?