The Ultimate Guide to the Best Waterproof Backpacks for Women

Waterproof backpacks for women are essential tools for adventurous ladies who love travel and adventures. If you’re one of these ladies, you’re in luck. Because in this article, we’ll answer all your backpack questions! We’ll also discuss the qualities you should look for in a waterproof backpack. Not only that, we’ll also give you the finest women’s waterproof backpacks for your next trip.

Related: Osprey Backpacks for Women: Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide

What is the difference between water-proof and water-resistant backpacks?

Water Proof Backpack

Submersible indicates waterproof. If the label of a backpack is waterproof, it means it can submerge in water without allowing moisture to enter. With a waterproof backpack, you can stroll through a waterfall or raft down a river while your valuables remain dry.

Water-Resistant Backpack

A water-resistant backpack might only keep your stuff dry in a drizzle. If you notice coated zippers on a backpack, it’s a good sign that the bag will operate well in heavy rain. Because zippers are full of holes, coated zippers keep water out of the bag in one of the most vulnerable spots.

Water-resistant fabrics are tightly woven nylons with a long-lasting water-resistant covering on the back. There will always be holes in the fabric, no matter how it is woven. In addition to these, water may pass through holes.

How to make sure that your backpack is waterproof?

Waterproofing requires the use of higher-quality waterproof materials. The materials used are such as those used to make sailcloths.

To trap moisture and keep coatings from peeling off, they use many layers of waterproofing fabrics. Travel backpacks contain a waterproof layer of Polyethylene Terephthalate film (PET film) as well as a weather-resistant finish. It will keep your stuff dry even if you are in rainfall.

As its name implies, sailcloth was originally used for the sails of racing boats and made to stand up to extreme conditions. Sailcloth is a premium fabric choice for maximum performance and durability.

If you see sailcloth or multiple waterproof layers in a backpack’s fabric label, that’s a clue that your stuff will stay dry in heavier rain.

Pros and Cons of Waterproof Backpacks

Pros

Complete Gear Protection

The most obvious advantage of wearing a waterproof backpack is that it protects your stuff from water damage. Waterproof backpacks are useful for activities that require a lot of water crossings or accidental immersion. Keep in mind, however, that this is only true for completely waterproof backpacks. Backpacks designated as water-resistant or water-repellent would not survive under extreme and harsh circumstances.

Built to Last

Waterproof materials are used to manufacture the best waterproof backpacks, from the cloth to the zipper. Manufacturers also use cutting-edge technology to build this type of masterpiece. All of this adds up to a backpack that provides comprehensive protection for your belongings and equipment. However, the extra bonus is that you’re purchasing a long-lasting backpack.

Waterproof backpacks are typically composed of woven polyester or nylon textiles with small water-repellent holes. Aside from that, the fabric consists of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) coatings. This not only increases the waterproofing capabilities of the backpack but also gives extra protection against the elements.

The manufacture of waterproof backpacks includes the use of Radio Frequency Welding technology. It uses electromagnetic radiation to fuse the materials together. It has become the industry standard for manufacturing waterproof bags because there are no needle holes in this process, no water can pass through

Increased Comfort

Many campers and hikers have already raised their concerns with waterproof backpacks. They are large and bulky, and some individuals complain about the strap biting into their shoulders after a long day of carrying them about. However, with some advancements in manufacturing technology and new designs, this is no longer the case.

The most recent and greatest waterproof backpacks available in the market are as comfortable as your average everyday backpack.

Reputable waterproof backpack manufacturers now develop their products with the consumer in mind. The capacity to resist moisture is still a major factor in material selection. Therefore, the producers are looking at fabrics that might assist to decrease or even eliminate some of the discomforts associated with using such backpacks.

Furthermore, they have constructed their backpacks to improve weight distribution. This is to ensure that the weight of the bag’s contents is equally divided when carried around. This not only makes the backpack more pleasant to wear but also helps avoid shoulder or lower back injuries that are common when carrying an unevenly weighted backpack.

Waterproof Backpacks for Women

Cons

The design is much simpler.

Designers have very few alternatives and must make sacrifices in order to achieve waterproofing. Every material must pass a submersion test, and the components must merge without creating holes. Every thread in the traditional sewing procedure produces a hole for water to soak through. Those holes are too small to affect the effectiveness of a travel backpack in a downpour, but they do matter if you submerge a bag in a lake.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Backpack

Weight

The four heaviest items of gear you’ll carry on your next hiking trip are a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, and a backpack. Hence it is essential to have a lightweight backpack in order to lessen the load capacity you will carry.

A suitable backpacking base weight is 15 pounds, which does not need the use of ultralight gear. There are no official answers to the question of what makes up an ultralight base weight, although anything under 10 pounds is commonly regarded as such.

Cost

If you take proper care of your backpack, it may endure for many years and many miles of hiking. So it’s usually a good idea to invest in a high-quality backpack.

Quality doesn’t mean spending a lot of money. You can also shop elsewhere, wait for sales, and keep an eye out for excellent prices.

Even though you do have to pay ‘full price’ for a quality bag, it’s an excellent investment if you can get one between $200 to $500. It will serve you well for many years.

As a general rule, a backpack should cost between $30 to $350, with store-brand day bags being on the lower end of the scale. Leading names like Osprey and North Face will cost you $400 to $600 for a decent, wilderness-quality hiking backpack.

Designs

A backpack’s goal is to transport your stuff in a method that is both comfortable and non-harmful to your body. If you have a special need for zippers, pockets, straps, and clips across the bag, that’s fine. But if you can avoid it, you can keep it simple and tidy.

Inside the frame

Because you want a lighter backpack, seek one with a less bulky frame, trendy materials, and a nice design. Basic backpacks feature basic structures and can hold up to 35 pounds.

If you intend to carry a bigger load, seek one with a stronger frame, which will raise your weight. When you go into larger packs, they have more padding to keep them comfortable with heavier loads. They’re designed with more durable materials because of the extra stress and wear they endure.

Capacity

Knowing what size pack to get is often a difficult decision unless you have something particular in mind and can fit all of your belongings into it to check whether it’s the correct size for you. If you have more expertise, you should be able to tell what will fit and what size will best suit your needs.

A 40-liter pack is enough for a few days, and a larger pack if you’re going to be traveling for a longer period of time or if you’re carrying heavy equipment in the cold. Be cautious; you don’t want to get a large backpack since you’ll load it up and it’ll become heavy.

Materials

Good lightweight backpacks consist of two types of materials. Cuben fiber is lighter but more expensive than ripstop nylon, which is heavier but less expensive. You can’t go wrong with any option because the materials are very durable and useful, and they’re used to make some amazing lightweight packs.

Convenience

It’s difficult to tell if the backpack you’re purchasing fits you until you fill it with your belongings. If you go to a store, bring your gear or ask them to offer some so you may try the pack filled up; it is important that you are comfortable while wearing it.

Backpacks come in a variety of capacities and back lengths. Several are adjustable so that you may get the closest size to your back length and then fine-tune it.

Also, ensure that the hip belt is comfortable, as the majority of the weight in your pack goes to your hips.

Most excellent outdoor retailers will assist you in selecting the right pack and ensuring that it is the suitable size for you. So it’s worth asking and having the pack fitted if you have any questions.

5 Best Waterproof Backpacks for Women

Waterproof backpacks are a must-have piece of travel equipment. A backpack that can resist inclement weather, as well as normal wear and tear, is an investment you will not be sorry for.

While high-quality waterproof backpacks are ideal for keeping your possessions and gear secure and dry, other bags do not perform as well. Here are the top waterproof backpacks available on Amazon to avoid moisture from penetrating your bag and damaging your devices.

Waterproof Backpack for Women Mammut Lithia Speed 15 Salomon Trailblazer 10 Trespass Albus 30 Berghaus TwentyFour Seven Mammut Ducan 24
Best Use Light Hiking Snowsport, Cycling Light Hiking Mid Hiking Casual Hiking
Best Feature 3D EVA foam with air passages provides good back ventilation. Combined padded back system and shoulder straps. Carabiner clip storage alternatives include daisy chains and D-rings. Internal and exterior compartments, as well as a laptop-friendly cover, keep your stuff organized. Anatomically shaped, soft padded hip belt and shoulder straps
Capacity 15 Liters 20 Liters 30 Liters 25 Liter 24 Liters
Weight 1.21 pounds 0.73 pounds 1.1 pound 1.05 pounds 1.88 pounds
Length 18 inches 18.5 inches 17 inches 18.5 inches 20.4 inches
Width 9.44 inches 8.7 inches 12 inches 10.6 inches 10.6 inches
Materials Used 100% Polyamide Polyester, polyamide, and elastane 600D Polyester Polyester Polyamide and Polyester
Back Panel Features Padded Backpanel Padded Backpanel Padded Backpanel Vented-foam Flow VBack System Integrated metal frame
Compression Straps Shorter back length and adjustable shoulder straps Variety of hooks and Straps to carry additional accessories Adjustable Compression Straps Adjustable Compression Straps Anatomically Shaped Compression Straps
Main Compartment Zip Access Zip Access Zip Access Zip Access Top Access
Top Lid None None None None Removable Top Lid with zippered pocket
Front Panel Pockets Large Front Zipper Pocket None Three Zip Sections Two Laptop Friendly-Zip Front Pocket None
Side Pockets None Two extendable side pockets Side mesh pockets for water bottle and internal key ring Two Side Mesh Pockets None
Compatible with Hydration System Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hipbelt Feature Forward-pull hip belt adjustment

 

Zipper pocket on Hipbelt

Removable Hipbelt None None Adjustable forward-pull hip belt with cellphone pocket
Available Colors 2 6 11 3 3
Learn more Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon No products found. Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon

Other backpacks for women we’ve reviewed:

5 Best Waterproof Backpacks for Women Reviewed

Mammut Lithia Speed 15

Mammut Women Lithia Speed 15 Hiking Backpack

The Mammut Lithia Speed 15 is one of our review’s smallest full-featured packs, as well as one of the lightest. With a weight of only 1.21 pounds, this daypack is more than a pound less than some of the competitors. 

This backpack is an excellent choice if you want something light enough for brief journeys.  Then, you will not lose all the conveniences of a full-featured backpack.

Because there is no frame, this model is foldable into a larger pack. This makes it an excellent complement to your backcountry setup if you want to trek into basecamp and then conduct a lot of peak bagging from a single location.

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Salomon Trailblazer 10

Salomon Unisex Trailblazer 20, Green Gables, 20 Liters

Salomon’s Trailblazer 10 Backpack is small and simple, great for packing the necessities for short treks and rides.

The Trailblazer 10 Backpack looks amazing while carrying a 10-liter capacity. It is suitable for transporting clothes, food, and other trail needs.

The 3D harness design guarantees a smooth ride while carrying. With an adjustable elastic sternum strap and detachable webbing hip belt, it offers support on more challenging walks. This will keep you moving comfortably.

The Trailblazer is hydration system compatible. It also has connection slots for poles and ice axes for the ultimate adventure.

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Trespass Albus 30

Trespass Waterproof Albus Unisex Outdoor Backpack

The Albus 30 liter backpack is ideal for both day trips to the trails and commuting to work. This multi-purpose bag is a daily and outdoor necessity that can carry your belongings safely and securely as you go through your day.

With a capacity of 30 liters, there is more than enough place for the essentials you need as well as any valuables you wish to carry with you just in case. It has many divisions that allow simpler organization. While side mesh pockets are useful for storing liquids within easy reach. You’ll also have inside pockets for storing little, odd objects that can get forgotten at the bottom of your bag.

With adjustable straps, you’ll be likely to get a fit that allows you to bear the weight of your backpack without pain or harm, whether you’re walking on smooth or uneven terrain. The Trespass Albus 30 liter backpack is a superb all-arounder when it comes to practical usage.

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Berghaus Twentyfourseven

Berghaus Twentyfourseven Plus 25L Backpack, Dark Purple

This 25-liter backpack fits for day hiking, school, college, job, commuting, and vacation, among other things.

The padding is great, making wearing the Berghaus Twentyfourseven Backpack a delight. It has a padded flow system that allows air to circulate between you and the backpack.

In there anyway, you’ll find a laptop compartment and a hydration bladder compartment. Inside, there are various compartments, including zippered ones that are uncommon in backpacks.

Outside, there are mesh compartments for drinks or insect repellent. There are also walking pole attachments and ‘tighteners’ to further secure the bag.

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Mammut Ducan 24

Mammut Women Hiking Backpack Ducan 24

The Mammut Ducan 24 daypack is notable for its excellent shoulder strap design. It makes use of an elastic, cushioned material that blends in with the chest strap nicely.

Despite its small weight, the Mammut Ducan 24 can easily carry moderate weights. Under heavyweights, the pack will rest lower on the hips but will remain securely in place. The rain cover is removable if you wish to save a few pounds.

Even when jogging, the pack remained tight on the back and the ventilation system worked as intended. The skin of the Ducan isn’t as strong as heavier denier nylon packs since it employs a thinner Polyamide/Polyester blend to conserve weight, but the weight savings is worth it.

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Types of Backpacks for your Adventures

Weekend (1-3 nights; 30-50 liters)

Efficient packers using modern, less-bulky gear may keep things light for 1- to 3-night treks. Packing light demands self-discipline and careful preparation. The light-on-your-feet benefits, on the other hand, are amazing if you can pull it off.

Multiday (3-5 nights; 50-80 liters)

These are the most popular backpacking packs available in the market. Also, they are a fantastic choice for 3-day or longer warm-weather treks. Packs in the 50- to 80-liter range are also ideal for shorter trips if you want to pack a bit more.

Extended-trip (5+ nights; 70 liters or larger)

Trips of 5 days or more often need packs of 70 liters or more. These are also the best option for winter hikes that last more than one night. Larger packs can carry additional clothes, a warmer sleeping bag, and a 4-season tent, which usually includes more poles.

Waterproof Backpacks for Women Buyers Guide

Backpacks for backpacking, hiking, and trekking, on the other hand, are much more complex. Not only are there many more components and parts of a backpack for hiking, but each part has a very specific and (mostly) necessary function. And with ever-evolving features that all claim to revolutionize your backpacking experience, it’s important to know and understand exactly what you’re buying.

 

Frame Type

Backpacks with internal frames. Designed to keep a hiker steady on uneven terrain. This may include a number of weight-support technologies to transmit the load to the user’s hips.

External-frame backpacks. The framework that supports the load is visible on the exterior of an external-frame pack. This type of backpack may be useful if you’re carrying a big, uneven load. External-frame packs also provide excellent ventilation and a variety of gear organization choices.

Frameless backpacks. Lightweight backpacking people who want to trek quickly and light may prefer a frameless pack. They can also use a climbing backpack with a detachable frame for weight savings. However, packs without a frame are far more uncomfortable when carrying heavy loads.

Ventilation

Some packs have a hanging mesh back panel to help prevent the sweaty back syndrome. The sweaty back is common to internal-frame packs that ride against your body. This is a trampoline-like design in which the frame-supported backpack rides a few inches away from your back. Therefore, not all packs feature ventilation passages on the rear panel.

Packing Access

The top-load opening should be your standard. Stuff near the bottom and sides is the most difficult to access. Savvy packers will keep items needed for trekking or throughout the day closer to the top.

Some backpacks offer panel access that allows you to unzip the main pack bag without having to empty it from the top. Keep in mind that extra features like these tend to add weight as well as cash.

Laptop Compartments

Many backpacks do have a specialized section designed to hold a laptop. In most circumstances, specific laptop sizes will be best matched to a particular bag. While most backpacks can support a variety of laptops, you should choose a bag that is the exact size of your laptop.

Pockets

Some people like a large pack, while others prefer a more streamlined pack. Consider the size and location of each pocket when reviewing backpacks.

The top lid pocket is also a matter of choice. Some people prefer a single opening for small items and others prefer a top cover with several compartments.

Removable Daypack

Some packs have a removable daypack, which is ideal for shorter trips from camp. This detachable daypack is frequently constructed in the top lid or reservoir pocket of the overnight pack. It detaches from the main pack and turns into a hip belt pack or lightweight backpack.

Sleeping Bag Compartment

A zippered storage compartment towards the bottom of a backpack. Though it’s meant to contain a sleeping bag, this compartment can store other items that you’d like to have easy access to.

Padding

You may get uncomfortable places on your hips, lower back, or shoulders if you use a lightweight pack with a minimalistic hip belt. If this is the case for you, you should consider utilizing a softer hip belt.

Attachment Points

Look for tool attachments that allow you to connect an ice ax or trekking poles to the outside of the pack. You may also want to search for the following: 

Daisy chain. A stretch of webbing sewed to the exterior of a pack that provides gear hooks for attaching stuff that didn’t fit inside the main backpack.

Crampon patch with reinforcement. This thicker piece of cloth stops crampon points from gouging holes in the backpack.

Extra gear loops. For hip belt or low on the pack body gear loop that is excellent for fastening extra gear.

Hydration System

Almost all waterproof backpacks have an inside sleeve for a hydration pack.

A hydration pack is a form of hydration system containing a reservoir or “bladder” composed of rubber or flexible plastic. The reservoir has a sealed mouth for beverage filling and a hose that allows the wearer to sip hands-free.

Backpack Suitability

After you’ve chosen the style of bag you desire, you may personalize it. It should fit your torso length and hip circumference.

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Backpacks Designed for Women

Because of their smaller frame sizes, women’s backpacks work well for young or shorter hikers of any gender. The torso dimensions of women’s packs are frequently shorter and thinner than those of men’s packs.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the hip belts and shoulder straps on women’s packs are frequently customized to fit larger hips and breasts.

Length of the Torso

Some backpacks are available in a number of sizes to suit people with varying torso lengths. These ranges vary according to on the manufacturer and gender.

Many backpacks also include an adjustable suspension to accommodate your torso, which is great if you’re in between sizes. The downside of an adjustable harness is that it adds weight to a pack.

Waist Size

The bulk of the weight of your backpack should support your hips. Backpack hip belts accommodate a wide range of hip circumferences.

People with narrow waists may find that they can’t tighten a standard hip belt and must buy a smaller one. Some kits have interchangeable hip belts that allow you to swap one for another.

FAQs about Waterproof Backpacks for Women

What is the best way to tell if my backpack is waterproof?

Examine the bag that claims to have waterproof zippers. If the bag is sewn, the manufacturer is unlikely to have used waterproof zippers.

Do waterproof bags float?

No. You don’t have to remove everything from the bag to reach something that might be at the bottom. Waterproof backpacks are usually filled to almost full capacity. For this reason, the backpack will not float

Is a rain cover for my waterproof backpack necessary?

Yes. When hiking in the rain, a rain cover is essential since it protects your backpack and all of its contents dry. The best approach for keeping your goods dry during severe downpours is to combine a rain cover with a waterproof pack liner and dry bags.

What makes a bag waterproof in the first place?

The waterproof polyurethane coating gives a waterproof layer inside the bag. Then, the exterior material is a nylon pack cloth.

What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant bags?

The term “waterproof” refers to the bag’s ability to keep water out. The term “water-resistant” refers to the bag’s ability to repel water while yet allowing water to pass through at some point.

With these unique and innovative waterproof backpacks, you’ll be able to store everything in one place. Look through the ideas above, or simply search over what we’ve recommended for a general idea of what to look for.