Last Updated on 10/2023 by Diane
I’m a petite woman who is barely above 5 feet tall and my torso length is just 14 inches. This makes it incredibly difficult for me to find backpacks which fit me. It’s even harder to find UL or large-capacity backpacks for short women.
After a lot of research and talking to other petite female backpackers, I’ve managed to compile a list of hiking packs for petite women. All of these have torso lengths of 15 inches or less.
Comparison Table
| Pack | Capacity* | Torso Length | Waist | Buy At |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Eja Pro 55 | 52 | 13-17 | 26-45 | Amazon, REI |
| Osprey Eja 58 | 55 | 13.5-17 | 26-50 | Amazon, REI |
| Osprey Lumina 60 | 54 | 15-17 | 24-45 | Amazon |
| Osprey Ariel 65 | 62 | 13.5-17 | 26-45 | Amazon, REI |
| Osprey Ariel Pro 65 | 62 | 14-17 | 24-28 | Amazon, REI |
| Osprey Renn 65 | 65 | 14-19 | 25-50 | Amazon, REI |
| Osprey Aura | 62 | 13.5-17 | 26-50 | Amazon, REI |
| Osprey Ariel Plus 70 | 70 | 14-17 | 26-50 | Amazon, REI |
| Gregory Octal 45 | 42 | 14-16 | 26-45 | Amazon |
| Gregory Wander 50 Kids | 50 | 13-18 | 22-48 | Amazon, REI, Campsaver |
| Gregory Facet 55 | 52 | 14-16 | 26-45 | Amazon, REI |
| Gregory Maven 55 | 52 | 14-18 | 26-45 | Amazon, REI |
| Gregory Kalmia 60 | 55 | 14-17 | 22-46 | Amazon, REI |
| Gregory Maven 65 | 65 | 14-17 | 24-26 | Amazon, REI |
| Gregory Jade 63 | 63 | 14-17 | 24-26 | Amazon, REI |
| Gregory Deva 70 | 56 | 14-16 | 26-46 | Amazon, REI |
| Gregory Wander 70 Kids | 70 | 13-18 | 22-48 | Amazon, REI, Campsaver |
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa | 60 | 13.5 | 28-45 | Garage Grown Gear |
| Mystery Ranch Coulee | 40 | 13-18 | 26-32 | Amazon, Campsaver |
| Mystery Ranch Bridger | 55 | 13-18 | 26-32 | Campsaver |
| Mystery Ranch Bridger | 65 | 13-18 | 26-32 | Campsaver |
| Mystery Ranch Glacier | 70 | 13-18 | 26-32 | REI, Campsaver |
Quick Picks:
- Best Overall: Gregory Octal 45 – it is comfortable and a good balance between sturdiness and weight.
- Best Ultralight Pack: Osprey Lumina 60
- Best Large Pack:
*Important: The XS size of backpacks usually have a smaller capacity than the one listed in their name. For example, the Osprey Lumina 60 only has a capacity of 54L in the XS size.
My Top Picks
I’m not going to go over every single short/XS women’s backpacking pack, but here are some of my top picks based on the features they have.
Osprey Aura 65 AG
There are four versions of this women’s pack: 50 AG LT, 50 AG, 65 AG LT and 65 AG. The “LT” versions are lighter weight. But, in order to cut back on the weight, these are missing some features that the standard AG models have. All come in XS/S sizes with a torso length adjustable down to 13.5 inches.
The thing I really like about the Aura packs is that there are multiple side compression straps. These allow you to cinch up your pack so it sits close to your body. The fit is better and you won’t have as much wobbling around like with some packs.
Best For: All around great pack with tons of features
- Capacity: 62L
- Weight: 4 lbs. 7 oz.
- Torso: 13.5-17 inches
- Waist: 26-50 inches
- 8 exterior pockets
- Ventilated back mesh panel
- Aluminum frame
- Main fabric: 210-denier recycled nylon; 500-denier recycled nylon
- Lifetime warranty
- Get it here at Amazon or at REI
Osprey Lumina 60 XS
Best For: Ultralight backpacking
- Capacity: 54L
- Weight: 1lb 12.8oz
- Torso: 15-17 inches
- Waist: 24-45 inches
- Max Load: 25lbs
- Ventilated back mesh panel
- 6065 aluminum hoop stay
- Adjustable sternum strap
- Main fabric: 30D Cordura® Silnylon Ripstop
- Lifetime warranty
- Get it here
At under 2lbs, the Osprey Lumina is one of the lightest weight packs specifically for women available. As I talk about in this post about ultralight backpacking tips, you might not actually want an ultralight backpack. They aren’t designed to carry a lot of gear. The lack of frame means weight isn’t distributed as well down to your hips.
As expected with UL backpacks, the pack is missing a lot of standard features. It doesn’t have much padding, so comfort isn’t the best. However, there are four pockets including a zippered lid where you can stash items and compression straps for securing items to the pack. It’s hydration pack compatible so you don’t have to worry about the backpack not having water bottle pockets.
The shoulder straps are J-shaped, so this might not be the best pack if you have larger breasts. The mesh back panel does give your bootie a bit of room though. The aluminum stay can also be bent to fit your contour, which is a big plus for curvy women.
Gregory Deva 70 XS
Best For: Comfortably carrying heavy loads, especially on long treks
- Capacity: 56L
- Weight: 4lbs 7.7oz
- Torso: 14-16 inches
- Waist: 26-46 inches
- Max Load: up to 50lbs
- Response A3 suspension system
- Adjustable shoulder, hip and sternum strap
- S-shaped shoulder straps
- 9 exterior pockets
- Removable daypack
- Aluminum frame
- Rain cover included
- Main fabric: 210-denier Honeycomb CryptoRip nylon
- Get it or here at Amazon
Gregory is one of the backpack manufacturers which actually makes women-specific packs. Yes, lots of brands say their packs are for women, but they are actually just shorter versions of the men’s packs.
Here are some of the women-specific features on Gregory packs:
- S-shaped shoulder straps to accommodate bust
- Shorter torso
- Hip belt angled to fit a woman’s steeper hips
While Gregory makes a lot of women’s packs, this is my favorite. At about 4 1/2 lbs. it is a bit on the heavy side, but the suspension system makes it feel like you are carrying less weight than you really are.
The system, called Response A3 (Automatic Angle Adjust), causes the shoulder straps and hip belt to pivot. As you move, the pack will adjust to your torso angle. Everything about the suspension system is adjustable: shoulder harness, lumbar area, and hip belt. You can get the perfect fit regardless of your body type.
As for organization, the Deva has 9 exterior pockets. Three of these are in the lid, three on the front of the pack, two in the hip belt, and one on each side of the pack. You can access gear from a top pocket or a large U-shaped front panel pocket.
The water bottle pocket is a bit weird, especially since it isn’t symmetrical and you thus must carry your bottle on one side (not ideal for left-handed people like me). But the slant is actually pretty cool since it makes the bottle more accessible.
As 70L, the Deva is large enough for all of your gear, including a bear canister. The max carry load is 50lbs, so enough for even long thru-hikes.
Get it or here at Amazon
Gregory Octal 45 XS
Best For: Affordable, lightweight mid-sized women’s pack
- Capacity: 42L
- Weight: 2.3lbs
- Torso: 14-16 inches
- Waist: 26-45 inches
- Max Load: 30lbs
- S-shaped shoulder straps
- 5 exterior pockets
- Ventilated mesh back panel
- Lumbar pad
- Aluminum perimeter wire frame stay
- Rain cover included
- Main fabric: 100-denier/210-denier HD tenacity nylon (body); 135-denier HD polyester (lining)
- Get it here at Amazon
At 2.3lbs, the Gregory Octal 45 almost meets the ultralight pack definition. For its weight class, the Octal 45 still has a lot of features you’d expect in a standard hiking pack. There is lots of storage, cushioning, and a sturdy frame. This makes it a good choice for backpackers who want to go UL but aren’t ready to sacrifice comfort.
Let’s start with the size of the Octal 45 pack. It’s fairly small at just 42L for the XS size. However, there are three spacious, stretchy pockets on the outside of the pack. The side pockets are designed in a way so you can put a water bottle in horizontally for easy access. Or you can shove sandals, clothes, or snacks there. The center exterior pocket can fit an entire rain jacket, so you can really extend the capacity of the pack so long as you stay under the 30lb max weight load.
In addition to the three exterior pockets, there are also two hip belt pockets. These are more spacious than the hip pockets you’d find in other women’s packs. There are also multiple places to attach gear like sunglasses, trekking poles, or communication devices.
As for comfort, this is one of the most comfortable hiking backpacks, especially for curvy women. The S-shaped shoulder straps don’t have a very pronounced curve so it might not be great if you have very large breasts. But there is a lot of padding on the hip belt plus extra lumbar support, so the pack works well for women with a bigger booty.
Annoying things about the pack? The main compartment can only be accessed through the top. The torso isn’t adjustable. The suspension system isn’t as good as many other Gregory packs.
Get it here at Amazon
Osprey Renn 65
Best For: Short women who want an affordable large-capacity pack, even if it means sacrificing some features
- Capacity: 65L
- Weight: 3lbs 7oz
- Torso: Adjustable 14-19 inches
- Waist: 25-50 inches
- S-shaped shoulder straps
- 5 pockets
- Ventilated mesh back panel
- LightWire peripheral hoop frame
- Rain cover included
- Main fabric: 600-denier polyester
- Get it or here at Amazon
One of the problems with large-capacity women’s backpacks is they tend to be very tall. For us short women, that means the pack ends up extending above our heads. This puts the center of gravity up higher and throws us off balance. The Osprey Renn is one of the few packs which doesn’t do this.
Compared to other packs this size, the Renn is actually pretty wide. The width means the center of gravity ends up being much lower, so you won’t feel like the pack is pulling you backwards. If you are a petite woman and regularly haul very large loads, the Renn is a good solution.
As for comfort, the Renn does a decent job. The suspended mesh back provides lumbar support and keeps you from getting drenched in sweat. The torso can be adjusted to pre-set lengths, which means you can try out a few to see which is most comfortable. Unfortunately, the hip belt padding might not hit the right spot if you have larger hips. The shoulder straps might also end up squeezing your bust if you have a very large chest.
Considering this is a large pack meant to carry lots of heavy gear, I was surprised at how few organizational features the Renn 65 has. Yes, there are lots of pockets including hip belt pockets, a lid pocket, and two side pockets (which also have horizontal access). However, there isn’t a back stash pocket. Nor are there many loops or attachment points for gear. Osprey likely left these off so they could keep the weight and price of the pack down. For some women, these tradeoffs will be worth it. Others should consider a more feature-rich pack like the Osprey Lumina or Gregory Deva.
Get it or here at Amazon
Tips for Buying a Hiking Pack for Petite Women
Here are some backpack buying tips specifically for short, petite women.
Keep Center of Balance Low
Women’s backpacks are usually narrower than men’s backpacks to account for our slimmer shoulders. This makes the packs more comfortable for us. However, it also means women’s packs can end up tall and skinny. For short women, the top of the pack might end up high above the head, causing it to be top-heavy and hard to balance.
Ideally you keep your gear minimal so you don’t have to get a huge pack that goes above your head. If you are unable to do this, then it might be better to choose a wider pack, like the . Or, make sure your pack has lots of loops and straps so you can attach gear to the outside instead of having to extend the lid.
Don’t Rely On Adjustable Torso Length Alone
Adjustable torso length is a great feature to have. It allows to you get a near-perfect length. However, don’t rely on adjustable torso too much – especially if the torso can be adjusted by many inches. Here’s why.
Let’s say a pack has an adjustable torso length of 14-22 inches. When you put the torso at the shortest setting, the shoulder straps are further down on the pack. This means the top of the pack ends up very high, possibly over your head. It’s better to find a pack with a torso length which matches yours or can be adjusted by a small amount to perfect the fit.
Weigh Gear before Buying a Pack
A backpacker shouldn’t carry more than 20% of their body weight. For petite women, this can be a very hard goal. I’m only 110lbs, so I’d need to get my pack weight – including water and food – to 22lbs or under.
Before you buy a backpacking pack, I suggest you lay out all of your gear and weight it. If it is totaling more than 20% of your bodyweight, then consider whether there is any gear you don’t need or whether it makes sense to buy a lighter version of certain gear. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be better able to choose a pack suitable to what you really need to carry.
Also read: How to Go Ultralight without Spending Fortune
Lightweight Packs Aren’t Always the Best Choice
In an effort to get your base weight down, you might be tempted to get an ultralight backpack. However, this is often a bad idea. UL backpacks aren’t as comfortable nor are they as good at transferring load to your hips. As a petite woman, this load transfer is very important! It’s better to have a pack which weighs 1lb more but makes your overall load feel 10lbs lighter.
Look At Return Policies
Buying a hiking pack is all about getting the fit right. Even if you go into a store, you won’t be able to really feel how comfortable a pack is until you’ve tried it weighted down. Here’s what you need to do:
- Check the return policy before you buy the pack. REI generally has good return policies on unused gear. Amazon return policies can vary depending on the seller.
- Once the pack arrives at home, load it with 20+lbs of weight.
- Take a walk around your neighborhood with the pack on.
- Does the pack still feel comfortable? If not, return the pack within the return period!
Consider the Youth Department
A lot of youth backpacking gear is just as good as the adult’s gear, but it usually costs a fraction of the price. Since I’m so small, a lot of my hiking boots, rain pants, and other gear comes from the youth boys section.
This method doesn’t always work well with backpacks. Youth backpacks don’t have S-shaped shoulder straps to accommodate breasts nor do they have hip belts designed for a woman’s curvier figure. However, if you are a slim, less-curvy petite woman, you might find lots of youth packs which fit you well.
Are you a small women? What hiking pack do you use? Let us know in the comments section below.
