How to Choose a Women's Pack

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Men and women? Vive la difference—especially when it comes to packs. Women's shapes, carrying capacities, and centers of gravity are different than their male counterparts, so their packs need to be, too. Our torsos are shorter, our hips are wider, our shoulders are narrower; in fact, a well-made women's pack won't even fit a man.

So, to point you in the right direction when it comes to gender-specific pack purchasing, here are some helpful tips:

1. Check out the pedigree. Is the maker's sole focus on women's gear, or do they simply have one or two models for women? Where are their packs sold? (Gear buyers at women-specific outdoor stores are likely to be experts in the field of women's packs, so if they buy them, chances are you can confidently do the same.)

2. Investigate the pack's design features. Like a shoe, you won't be able to see some of the more subtle features, but here are differences between men's and women's packs that you should keep an eye out for:

• Women's packs should have a smaller distance between the shoulder straps;
• Women's packs should have narrower, curvier shoulder straps to avoid digging into the body;
• The material on the shoulder straps should be softer to avoid chafing on women who hike in tank tops and sport bras.
• Since our backs are narrower and shorter than mens', the back of the pack should be, too. If the torso is too long, the shoulder straps won't sit properly on your body, creating a gap between the pack and your back.
• The flare, or "cant," of the waist belt is also important since a woman is typically curvier than a man. The waist belt needs to be a bit narrower, too, since the space between a woman's ribs and her hips is usually less.
• Style! Women no longer have to settle for gunmetal-gray packs that look like they were styled for the military. You can now buy technical packs in fun colors with detailing such as floral lining.
  
  3. Choose the right pack for your needs. Things to consider:
• Size: For a hiking or climbing daypack, 2,500 to 3,500 cubic inches is about right—enough for water, equipment, a sweater, and lunch. For school and around town, you probably don't need more than 2,500 cubic inches. For smaller loads, you might consider a lumbar pack. Weekend packs should be around 3,500 to 4,500 cubic inches, and for a week, you'll be looking at anywhere between 4,500 to 6,000 cubic inches.
• Fit: Find a pack that fits your torso. If it's too short, the waist belt will ride around your waist, not your hips, which are supposed to carry the load. The yoke, or the place where the harness comes out the top of the pack, should sit about two inches below your C7 vertebrae (the one that sticks out from the base of your neck when you press your chin to your chest). The sternum strap should lie flat across your sternum.
• Features: Figure out what you need, whether it's a bladder or water-bottle holder, gear pockets, climbing tool attachment points, or a place to stash your pencils. Be careful not to get carried away—some of the cool-looking features and extra pockets can get caught on branches or leave you rifling around in search of your Chapstick.
• Suspension: For backpacking, you'll want a pack with aluminum stays, which mold to your body's shape. In addition, make sure the waist belt is sturdy enough to support heavy loads. For daypacks, a piece of webbing at the waist is fine to keep your pack from flopping around. A heavy waist belt on a small pack is awkward and adds unneeded weight.

About the Author: Amy Fried is director of sales and marketing for Sherpani, a Boulder-based, women's backpack manufacturer.