Does anyone out there have any recommendations for backpacks (RTW trip) shaped for a woman? I've been looking at the Osprey Aerial 60, but I was curious if anyone has any advice on good or bad models. Thanks!

heather-
I don't have specific recommendations, but this might help you figure out what to look for, if you're not an expert already :P Female packing

Thanks, Court. I may have married someone that can research phones and PDAs until the cows come home (as you well know), but he sure doesn't know much about women's backpacks! Of course, if we move to Portland for the BnA CTO job, I won't have as immediate a need for it.

Two shoulder straps and a belt. Comfortable: GOOD! Uncomfortable: BAD! It's a backpack. It ain't "low rider" pants.

The question is a good one, but I have been to dozens of travel stores. The packs that they say are "Women's Packs" Always seem to me, to be packs that are simply labelled women's packs. Just try them on and like em. Try to keep the weight off your lower back. But everyone should do that.

D

Well, since women are shaped differently than men (hips and boobs come to mind), I think it's nice that manufacturers have custom designed some of their packs for a woman's shape. Having tried a few on, I can tell you there is a huge difference. For example, since I'm busty, I can appreciate that the chest strap is higher. I was just wondering if anyone uses one and what their experience has been.

I'm not looking for something pink and floral scented with special compartments for tampons, make-up, a hair dryer, or "low rider" pants.

Point taken. I will commence shutting up

From what I've seen, a lot of women's packs are also purposely build for smaller torsos. I have one with adjustable shoulder hight, and even though I have it set to the largest setting, I can't get over the feeling that it's just too small for me. Does anyone know if there are women's packs that are also made for bigger and longer women? If not, I'll probably be better off with a pack designed for manly hips and chests because these problems don't strike me as nearly as important.

If you can, try an MEI Voyageur...the chest strap slides up/down over the shoulder straps and seems to stay over the bust but below the throat (strangle..lol)...the one thing I did add to mine was 'slides' for the strap ends (I did not want to cut them off). It's not as big a pack as you mentioned (about 45 liters I think); but it's well made and very versatile.

Check out the ArcTeryx Briza series. Best top loading packs on the market ... if you can afford it.

quote:

Originally posted by Piecar:
The packs that they say are "Women's Packs" Always seem to me, to be packs that are simply labelled women's packs.

90% of pack manufacturers just follow the "Shrink it and Pink it" model of creating female specific packs.

There are a couple out there that actually do put thought into their designs, but it's all rather silly if you ask me. There are men who fit women's packs, and women who fit men's packs. It's all about body shape and more often than not just about general brand fit. Either you work with a brand or you don't.

(90% may be overstating it a bit much; the pack designers that I have worked with really did their jobs in regards to designing women-specific packs.)

This is Mark's pack:

quote:

Originally posted by markus:
There are men who fit women's packs, and women who fit men's packs. It's all about body shape and more often than not just about general brand fit.

I don't think its necessarily general brand fit. Sure there are brands that just shrink the packs down a bit but I'd argue that if you are going for a quality brand they've made adjustments in proportions to be more accomodating to the average female. That said yes, of course its just about body shape and proportion. That's the whole friggin point. And plenty of men have narrower shoulders or are wider around the hip/waist area and/or have a shorter back. If that's the case then they'd probably fit in a women's pack better than a men's. There are also women out there with proportions that fit a men's pack better. Pack designers are going for the average male and average female. There are plenty of both sexes that are only marginally suited to the packs for their gender.

Women who know their gear can tell the difference between 'Shrink it and Pink it" and those manufacturers who have taken the time to design something for women. For starters you can compare dimensions on the tag and try it on. Those who aren't as experienced in gear buying come here to ask questions. To hear people like me say- try it on, I know that Women's packs fit me WAYYYYY better than men's packs but that isn't the case for everybody and its pretty easy to figure out which category you're in. Measure yourself and the packs that seem to fit better on you (shoulder width, back length, height for chest and hip straps). Figure out your proportions and what suits you best.

It really pisses me off when gear manufacturers make all the women's stuff pink. We don't automatically like pink because we're female and besides that its infantilazing, men's gear doesn't come in only baby blue. It also just feels stupid to go camping outfitted like Hiker Barbie.