BEST backpacks for the ladies... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**LaurieL622** · 09-01-2008, 05:56 PM

I'm retiring my backpack. It's been around the block and it's also really uncomfortable and not the right pack for myheight/weight.

What backpack do you recommend for the ladies? I'm 5'4 and 105 lbs so the standard pack found at a sports store will most likely be too much for me. I'm also a light packer.

Should I buy in a retail store (which ones) , or order online? Any spectacular brands/models I should check out? My old backpack was a gift purchased from Big 5, so I'm not up to date on all the backpack companies out there.

**Note: I am SUPER unorganized and usually after day 5 everything is a mess in my backpack. So something with many compartments would be helpful.

**maracle** · 09-01-2008, 08:31 PM

All the big backpacking manufacturers have packs designed specifically for women. I'd say you should try to buy in a retail store if there is one with a decent selection. If you can load up a pack and try it on you'll find the right one.

REI would be a good place to go.

**space virgin** · 09-02-2008, 01:12 AM

I really like my Marmot Femme Nikita. The small size would be perfect for you. It's possible that it's been renamed something else right now but it's a great pack-- very comfortable for us petite chicks.

**LaurieL622** · 09-02-2008, 08:02 AM

the Femme Nikita seems like a steal for $89.99! I might just order it online and trust your review of it. It doesn't look like a petite backpack but maybe its the picture.
http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/pr...tem/200516/N/0

All the decent ones on the REI website are $200+. The ones I really like are around $400!

With packs....do you basically get what you pay for? Or can you find a good deal out there for under $100?

**space virgin** · 09-02-2008, 09:44 AM

I bought an REI brand backpack for $69.00 on clearance that I love... so, it's really all about fit. Is there any way you can get to a store to try stuff on? Also I think $400 is a bit ridiculous unless you're doing a lot of mountaineering.

For 90 bucks I would definitely pick up the femme nikita! (It was originally a little over $200 when it came out a couple years ago.) Even if you decide you hate it you could always sell it somewhere, but I doubt that will happen. It's not a really small backpack but for traveling it's definitely a lot more compact than most other packs out there. Make sure you specify the small size (not medium) when you order.

*edited to add: I have been able to take the femme nikita as a carry-on before.

**LaurieL622** · 09-02-2008, 01:16 PM

Space Virgin,

This pack will be going to India for several months, then Africa for two years. I hope it can survive the countries and the wearer. I tend to put my things through hell.

**pinknic38** · 09-02-2008, 02:35 PM

I use North Face's Skareb 55L, and I LOVE it. North Face is a bit pricey but I think it's worth it. I love it.

It comes in a 40L too...

http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/w...rchTerm=skareb

and I've also taken my 55L as a carryon before. AirCanada let me... Lufthansa let me... Easy Jet did not...

**LaurieL622** · 09-02-2008, 02:57 PM

pinknic,

the northface one looks super comfortable; seems to mold to the body better than the traditional top loading packs.

it does seem smaller (shorter) than the Marmot Femme Nikita though. I'm wondering if it'll hold the same amount.... if possible, I'd much rather have a shorter pack...they seem to be easier on my back

**pinknic38** · 09-02-2008, 03:14 PM

It holds A LOT because I just packed it to the max when I was moving, just because I knew it could hold a lot. The top is kind of flexible, so if you have some stuff like shoes up top, it will still secure. It secures on the sides and you can pull them as loose or as tight as you need.

I was pretty impressed with it, overall. Very comfortable.

The Nikita looks like it's a 50L and the Skareb is a 55 so it will hold a bit more.

Mine came with this nice little rain bag to go over it, even though it's waterproof, which was nice.

**LaurieL622** · 09-02-2008, 03:57 PM

pinknic--

do you think the 40L would be too small? Should I just go with the 55L? I'm taking this thing on a 2+ month trip through several countires. But I'm a small person and a light packer.

It looks to be only slightly larger than a standard school backpack from the picture... (probably because it's not long like the traditional backpackers packs)?

**pinknic38** · 09-03-2008, 09:23 AM

I would go with the 55L, in my opinion. I took it on a 2 week backpacking trip but I tend t over pack, but I still had plenty of room for stuff I bought along the way.

augentier · 04-05-2009, 12:00 PM

Would the Femme Nikita be alright for 6 weeks in Central America? it will be hot so im packing very few, light weight clothes..maybe two-three pairs of shoes. I NEED my pack to be carry on...does anyone know the measurements for this pack? I can't find them anywhere..every site just says 2900 or 3100 cubic inches, blargh

augentier · 04-05-2009, 12:00 PM

Also..im 5'6" and have a long torso..so i should get medium? or could i get away with the small one?

**mooloo** · 04-05-2009, 06:37 PM

I purchased the small femme nikita after reading the reccomendations here and I love it! I am a shorty though 5'1 - 5'2ish.

It would be plenty big enough for a 6 week trip if your not packing too much.

I'm not sure if it would fit as carry on or not though, it would be pretty bloody close if it doesn't though.

**simply_angelic** · 04-05-2009, 09:05 PM

Recently, I've been informed of a killer seriously light-weight backpacking manufacturer GoLite that my friend swears by. I've got my eye on the GoLite Jam...43L at 1lb 9oz. Can't get any lighter than that sucker...

P.S. I think that around 40L is about carry-on size based on the carry on packs advertized on MEC's website...for example, here's the dimentions of one 40L pack I found: Dimensions are 54 x 33 x 22cm (carry-on lugguage is usually restricted to 55 x 40 x 23cm).

rockababes · 04-06-2009, 09:38 AM

Has anyone heard of the Deuter brand? Is it good? Northface is a bit expensive here but with good Quality.

augentier · 04-06-2009, 10:38 AM

I found this last night, it will fit in overhead storage on planes and it's not that expensive..

Imnot sure how to post pics on here..so here's a link to the picture of the bag
http://www.eaglecreek.com/media/prod...6/10066-SM.jpg

and here is its description
Eagle Creek Thrive 65L

it holds 45L, 64L total with the daypack. it seems like a good pack, correcto?

**agriadam** · 12-29-2009, 12:18 PM

I do realize this is the ladies thread yet the the thrive 65L is a unisex pack. I used a very similar version 5 years ago(it was actually the Eagle Creek Voyager) and just note that attaching a day back to the back of your main pack seams like a great idea at first but it really throws off your balance. by the end of your trip you will be wearing the day pack on the front. I recommend buying each individually for their own features and benefits.

Me by the middle of the Trip Hung over in San Sebastian walking to catch a train... we missed it

... note that this is my ONE stupid American Tourist moment.

**ScarlotteDorian** · 01-04-2010, 01:34 PM

I swear by the Marmot Femme Nikita. (pictured below in my signature) I am 5'9" and have the medium. I've had mine for 5 years now and have put it through hell and it just keeps on keeping on!

I've done international trekking as well as backcountry backpacking and mountaineering with this pack. it's bombproof! and inexpensive.

I've carried it on both national and international flights and had no problem getting it into overhead bins minus the detachable day pack.

and after five years, it's still in good enough condition, that i'm taking it on my 6 month (2,100 mile) thru hike on the Appalachian Trail. How's that for a review!

**Elizabeth** · 01-04-2010, 07:41 PM

For everyone who loves Marmot...doesn't the top loading drive you insane? I took the Marmot Diva with me twice to Europe but it was a pain to try and get something from the bottom!

I put mine in the trash. I really put it thru a lot and it looked nasty (fell ass backwards out of a truck into the mud). I need one that zips around the side.

Do any ladies have an opinion on the MEI Voyageur or the Canadian MEC packs? I saw some Canadians w/ a MEC pack and the pack looked nice.