Backpacks for women are a curious thing. Finding a backpack that fits my frame as a woman has been the bane of my existence. The bags are either too long and smack me in the back of my head, too wide and impede my arm movements, or even worse, I find countless issues with the straps. Regular backpacks have straps that sit wider than a woman’s frame, meaning while I was lugging my creator gear and laptop around during TIFF 2024, I ended up with bruises on my biceps because they came out so far.
And if you don’t meet any of those issues when looking at pack packs for women, you’ll be met with extremely thin straps that dig into your shoulders and offer no support or chest straps that close exactly where you don’t want them to on a woman. This sounds like a lot of complaining, but in 2024, more women than ever are travelling, content creators or working women who need to bring their laptops on the go. It’s time we do better!
Often, women end up with cross-body and over-the-shoulder tote bags. These are great options, too! For me, however, the more gear I bring, the more pain I feel in whichever shoulder is supporting the load. That’s why I knew I needed to find a backpack that suited me as a woman.
With this in mind, I set out to explore various bag brands to find some of the best backpacks for travel, gear and laptops. I considered the bag measurements carefully — for reference, I’m a 5’1” woman, so I needed something moderately petite. But I also wanted to ensure these bags could store gear and laptops safely, while leaving space for extra items, like snacks, when needed. I aimed to highlight which bags are best for travel, laptops and content creators so we all have more options.
Here are the best backpacks for women that I have found so far:
Maverick & Co. Explorer Light Backpack
Price: $229.00
Size: 40.5 cm (L) x 29.0 cm (W) x 13.5 cm (D)
So far, the Maverick & Co Explorer Light Backpack has been one of my favourite backpacks for women. The straps are set more toward the middle of the bag, meaning they don’t cut into my arms at all, but they are still thick enough for support and nicely padded, so I rarely feel any wear and tear on my shoulders. It can support up to a 16” laptop with a 15.9 L capacity.
The Explorer Light Backpack is more suited for someone who is travelling light, likely with just their laptop, mouse, a couple of cables, etc. The pouches on the front are pretty tight but are enough to carry your mouse and earbuds, or you could fit a pair of headphones inside—I bring my Edifier WH950NB Wireless Headphones with me everywhere.
What I like most about the Maverick & Co Explorer Light Backpack is how it feel premium and stylish but still durable. It doesn’t hold quite as much as I’d like as a carry-on for travel, but it is absolutely my go-to for day-to-day.
- Durable & Water-Resistant
- Smart Pocket Design For Everything
Airback GO
Price: $176.00
Size: 40 cm (L) x 30 cm (W) x 15-20 (D)
The Airback GO is one of the best backpacks for women who like to travel! Before we get to what makes it really special, it has a few features that everyone on the go needs. It is water resistant and feels very durable. There are pockets everywhere on this thing—including hidden ones—to store everything you might need while travelling, like those snacks I mentioned earlier! It also features a TSA-approved lock for added security. There is also a USB-C AND USB-A port outside so you can keep your devices locked and loaded whenever you need to.
What makes Airback GO really special, however, is the compression system that will vacuum seal your clothes to save space. You can purchase a small pump to take with you and maximize your packing space wherever you are. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate sucking in those jackets and sweaters during the colder months!
The Airback GO is a little niche, but it is definitely one of the best backpacks for women who need to save space while travelling. It is a bit smaller than the standard Airback, which is 49 x 32 x 15-20, and they advertise it as a great “under seat” bag, which really means it was perfect for my shorter frame. The straps are a bit wider than I’d normally want for myself, but with how much you can carry, it makes sense!
Bellroy Melbourne Backpack
Price: $179
Size: 50cm (L) x 38 cm (W) x 13 cm (D)
The Bellroy Melbourne Backpack is the biggest bag I tested, which means it does sit a little longer on my frame. The reason I wanted to look at it, specifically, though, was because of the location of the straps. A bigger backpack isn’t so bad if the straps are comfortable, and the Melbourne fits just right!
This is one of the best backpacks for women because of the way it can open right up. I am able to see everything in my bag and don’t need to go fumbling around in the dark abyss that my other backpacks create. I love it. There is a sleeve for up to a 15-inch laptop and a second smaller sleeve where I could keep my tablet or notebooks.
I really love the way the Bellroy Melbourne Backpack can snap open at the top or zip all the way down the size, and it has so many compartments! The larger compartment is perfect for throwing in my gear, including lights, compact tripods, and more, making it a pretty decent bag for content creators.
- Internal organization includes a 16” laptop sleeve, side wall pockets and an A5 document slip pocket
- Discreet external quick-access pockets stow your sunglasses and water bottle, without adding clutter
ALASKAN Simon Leather Laptop Backpack
Price: $160.00
Size: 29.2 cm (L) x 40.6 cm (W) x 12.7 cm(D)
I was able to test out a few backpacks from ALASKAN on a recent trip, and surprisingly, the Simon was the bag I fell in love with the most. Originally, I was concerned about not having spacious front pockets, but the ALASKAN Simon features not one but two zipper compartments accessible from the top, plus another smaller zipper inside, plus two side pockets perfect for your water bottle, or, in my case, my backup charger.
What makes the Simon a great backpack for women is the straps. The straps start closer to the middle of the bag, which is great for a smaller frame. They are also well-padded and can be made small enough for shorter girls like me! There is also additional padding on the back of the backpack, making it ultra comfortable for long days. Plus, the Simon is the perfect size to slip under the seat in front of you on an airplane!
I hope to check out more backpacks for women to really get a good look at companies catering to smaller frames. I know there have to be more out there, so keep checking back for new entries on CGMagazine Best Backpacks for Women list!
