Women's Trekking and Expedition Backpacks - domestic and imported - Argentina

In the ABCs of gear for anyone getting into trekking or related activities, I always mention the backpack as an item that stands out above the rest. And as we mentioned in the article "Choosing the Ideal Backpack," which covers backpack types by capacity and use (CLICK HERE), our great adventure companion needs to feel and behave like an extension of our own body, without causing us discomfort at the extreme end. Of course, training and experience using backpacks play a major role, but choosing the right one when buying, or even renting or borrowing one, should be as accurate as possible. 

Nowadays, fortunately, there are already backpacks suited to different body types, with adjustable shoulder straps, or even sold by size or by gender, so you can find backpacks made exclusively for women or exclusively for men. A backpack for someone who's 1.60m tall isn't the same as one for someone who's 1.90m, nor is it the same for a narrow, medium or wide waist. People who are slim and/or have a small waist and shorter torso often have trouble adjusting the hip belt and transferring weight onto their legs (when I tighten it and it's still too loose, and it never quite fits right). That's why, if we're going to borrow a backpack, we should always try the hip belt first, to make sure it fits well and that there's still room left to tighten it further — otherwise, that backpack isn't right for us. The same goes for the back panel: if it's too short, the weight will inevitably fall on your shoulders, and if it's too long, the backpack will become unbalanced and shift from one shoulder to the other. 

Just 20 years ago, there were no backpacks designed specifically to better fit a woman's body. For example, one of the innovations in women's backpacks from brands like Osprey, Gregory and Deuter is that the shoulder straps (the two that hold the pack up from the shoulders) are curved at the chest area so as not to cause discomfort there, and the hip belt also has internal shaping to give a much more anatomical fit around the waist. 

In this article I present 5 backpacks adapted to the female body, imported units that can be found in Argentina, representing the best of what backpacks have to offer today for long trekking and/or mountaineering routes.

OSPREY XENA 

• CAPACITY: 70 - 85 Liters
• SIZES: WXS / WS / WM
• LOAD RANGE: 18 to 32 Kg
• MEN'S COUNTERPART: XENITH
• WHERE TO FIND IT: AQUA DELTA / RUPAL 
• APPROX. PRICE: 250 USD

This backpack was designed to organize and carry all the equipment needed on major expeditions, and in the 85L size, it's the highest-capacity model among those specifically designed and adapted for the female body. 

The North American brand has put all its experience and know-how into the backpack's 'engine' - or what could be called the 'backsystem'. The custom-fit BioForm™ CM hip belts support and distribute your load evenly and comfortably. The adjustable NeoSpacer™ torso harness and the AirScape™ back panel provide ventilation and comfort. The exclusive Stow-On-The-Go™ feature lets you attach your trekking poles to the pack quickly and easily without having to take it off. The Powermesh™ pockets on the front and sides of the pack are ideal for stashing whatever you want to fill them with, and are designed for easy access to water bottles. The hip belt pockets provide instant access to essentials like energy bars, sunscreen, or compact cameras.

As for the women's-specific fit: The exclusive suspended mesh at the shoulders, back panel, lumbar area and hip
belt adapts to bodies of different shapes and sizes to fit the female body properly. The overall shape of the pack is narrower and deeper, allowing greater freedom of movement and increasing stability by bringing the load's position down closer to a woman's center of gravity. The shoulder harness is designed with different curves to create an anatomical
fit for a woman's neck, shoulders and chest. A woman's hips have a more conical shape, and the difference between waist and hip
measurements tends to be greater. The hip belts are molded and angled to accommodate this difference, allowing for more comfortable support and load transfer.

FERRINO TRANSALP 

• CAPACITY: 60 Liters
• DIMENSIONS: 74 X 44 X 34 cm
• MEN'S COUNTERPART: ALSO TRANSALP
• WHERE TO FIND IT: TIENDA AEX (ARGENTINA EXTREMA) 
• APPROX. PRICE: 200 USD

A backpack with which Ferrino firmly enters the segment of large expedition packs. Lightweight, efficient, and with a remarkable capacity-to-comfort ratio, this model from the Italian brand, available in Argentina, is another great option, also offered in a men's version of up to 80 liters.

It has double-lid pockets, side and front pockets. The ergonomic back system uses an adjustment feature called Double Ergo Adjustment. 

It has two trekking pole holders, additional removable straps at the bottom, and side compression straps. It also, like all these models, has dual access to the main compartment: a lower one (with an internal divider) and a top-loading one. Includes a waterproof rain cover. The top section is compatible with the H2 Bag hydration system.

Weight: 2.5 Kg

GREGORY DEVA 

• CAPACITY: 60 - 70 Liters
• SIZES: XS / S / M / L
• MEN'S COUNTERPART: BALTORO 
• WHERE TO FIND IT: CAMPAMENTO BASE 
• APPROX. PRICE: 300 USD

A very comfortable backpack. What's surprising is how accessible everything is, thanks to its easy-access storage options and the huge opening of the main compartment's lid. The ventilated, all-terrain Response A3 carrying system gives you the support you need to make the most of its 60 or 70 liter capacity. The 70-liter version turns out to be much more effective.
The lumbar pad achieves a perfect fit for the shape of the lower back. After a full day on the trail, small adjustments can make a big difference in comfort, and you can remove or replace the LifeSpan foam insert behind the padding at the lower back to match your ideal lumbar shape's back panel. There are many benefits to this extra padding, so I'd recommend leaving it in place for your first hike and removing it along the way if needed.

Regarding the women's-specific fit, this model has been built on a narrower back panel base, adapted to female anatomy, with a specific shape and cut for the women's shoulder strap.

Ventilated back: Both in the Deva and the Baltoro, the ventilated structural foam, wrapped in a breathable mesh fabric, provides better moisture management with a flat back panel design. It offers excellent airflow and keeps the pack very close to your back, resulting in significant energy savings under heavier loads.

DEUTER AIRCONTACT Pro SL 

• CAPACITY: 55+15 / 65+15 
• SIZES: XS / S / M / L
• MEN'S COUNTERPART: AIRCONTACT Pro 70+15 / 80+15
• WHERE TO FIND IT: UNIVERSO AVENTURA / ANSILTA
• APPROX. PRICE: 200 USD

With a more classic build, this backpack from the German brand stands out for its load-transfer system between the ergonomic, V-shaped internal frame, which is directly connected to the shoulder straps and the hip belt. This vertical connection transfers up to 70% of the load to the hip belt (via the three-dimensional, multi-chamber aluminum stays), with no friction losses whatsoever. At the same time, it keeps full mobility thanks to the ActiveFit shoulder straps and the pivoting Vari Flex hip belt. The Aircontact Pro carrying system is designed for loads of up to 30 kilos.

The new stepless VariFit-Slide system guarantees a perfect fit for any back length, quickly and easily, using a single buckle.

It results in less sweating thanks to the pumping effect of the Aircontact pad structure. With every movement, air circulates through it, keeping your back ventilated. The result: 15% less sweating than other direct-contact backpacks (confirmed in tests carried out by the company Gabriel, L&T in cooperation with the University of Erlangen/Germany).

The shoulder straps automatically adapt to the width and angle of your shoulders. The ergonomic S-shaped straps fit like a glove and hold their shape even under heavy loads, thanks to their special double-layer foam construction. Finally, the pack is stabilized and pressure on the shoulders is relieved by tightening the stabilizer straps. Depending on your back length, the load's angle of adjustment can be fine-tuned.

LOWE ALPINE DIRAN 

• CAPACITY: 60:70 
• SIZES: XS / S / M / L
• WHERE TO FIND IT: NAKA OUTDOORS / CAMPING CENTER
• APPROX. PRICE: 200 USD

This historic backpack brand has several women's designs, including the iconic Cerro Torre model, but the Diran is fairly classic and keeps the well-defined tubular shape and base typical of a high-capacity trekking and expedition backpack.

It's built with a fabric the brand calls 420D Dobby, which is abrasion-resistant and durable, able to withstand rubbing and a big improvement over old-style cordura, making it a piece of gear that holds up to direct contact with external objects like bushes, rocks, trees, etc.

It has bottom access and a highly comfortable, breathable padded back panel.

It adds the V-TRAX™ suspension system, sturdy and comfortable, offering excellent stability on longer days out.

It also has a trekking pole holder for use while walking.

Pockets only on the top of the lid.

OSPREY AURA AG 65

• CAPACITY: 65 Liters
• SIZES: WXS / WS / WM
• MEN'S COUNTERPART: ATMOS
• WHERE TO FIND IT: AQUA DELTA / RUPAL / NAKA OUTDOORS
• APPROX. PRICE: 250 USD

The Aura AG 65 is a very well-ventilated and comfortable backpack, with one of the best women's fits ever built for multi-day trips. With the innovative AntiGravity suspension it feels like you're carrying less weight, and the belt wraps perfectly around your body. Thanks to the easy-to-use stretch mesh side pockets, the Stow-on-the-Go pole attachment and the FlapJacket system for use without the top lid, this Osprey model continues to be a leader in its category. 

An adjustable stretch-mesh pocket on the front panel offers additional exterior storage and organization options. Two zippered pockets on the front panel* provide more internal storage and organization options. 

The removable extension collar can be replaced with a fixed FlapJacket system to cut weight while still protecting your gear.

It features a very interesting suspension system, called Anti-Gravity, which uses a continuous lightweight mesh panel that runs from the top of the back panel down to the hip belt, offering unmatched comfort and ventilation. The continuous structure automatically adapts to the body to provide an exceptional fit and unrestricted movement.

As with nearly all Osprey models, it keeps a dual bottle compartment, letting you carry bottles vertically or within easy reach while on the move.