I don’t know about you, but I’ve gone through phases. There was a period every morning where I’d pack my running clothes, laptop, and change purse into three—three—different bags. I would come into work with a tote dangling down to my elbow, a duffel bouncing at my hip, and a handbag swinging like a pendulum and getting caught on door handles. There would be a sigh of relief coming from my office corner every time I de-bagged at my desk.
This Adrenaline Fan Loved the Newest Model ever-versatile backpack, using a more mature model than those Barbie and Disney-themed knapsack days I remembered. I’d lug a striped canvas pack to the office, bag-check it at races, and kick it under airplane seats. I used and abused that bag until it frayed at the pockets and developed holes in the bottom corners.
Now, I’m in the market for a new backpack to carry everything I need from sun up to sun down. Fortunately, there are several packs for every mood, every scenario, and everyday use.
Designed for Women
Admittedly, I resisted getting a large backpack because of my smaller frame and feeling like a turtle wearing a large sack on my back. Little did I know there are backpacks out there that are sleek on the outside, yet surprisingly cavernous within. Some of these backpacks are specifically made for women. Brands, including Patagonia and The North Face, are producing backpacks with the female form and ultimate comfort in mind, applying thinner tapered shoulder straps to fit women’s torsos.
Maybe you’re developing pain in one shoulder and bruising near your hip—woeful signs of the triple-bagger. Those days are numbered. Water-repellent, pocketful, and fashionable (if you like glitter, you’ll love State’s Kent Backpack), at least one of these 12 packs could become your quintessential bag for work and race day.
Here is a list of popular packs we recommend for commuters, hikers, and runners bit by the traveling bug.
Columbia Beacon Daypack
Omni-Shield technology makes this pack resistant to moisture and wear. This hardiness is paramount for a bag that can hold not only clothing and hydration (the bag has mesh side pockets for water bottles) but also a laptop up to 15 inches in length—just in case your nature excursions have wifi.
Yeti Tocayo Backpack 26
Yeti describes the Tocayo as “rugged-as-hell”; the bag is waterproof and EVA-padded to protect your gear. Its main cavity is deep enough to store bottles, clothes, and even hard drives. The resilient 26-liter pack has a side-zip laptop pocket, sleek loops for hook attachments, and mini compartments for small items.
Osprey Daylite Plus Pack
With a padded harness and hipbelt, the DayLite Plus Pack carries your cargo without slipping or sliding on your back. This 20-liter bag is ideal for hiking and travel; store your jacket in an open-topped pocket, keep your tablet sequestered and safe inside the large main compartment, and find your keys without the hassle by attaching them to an interior key fob.
Ultimate Direction Fastpackher 30
This women-specific pack is designed for mountain, desert, and everywhere else in between, whether you’re on foot or on your bike, according to Ultimate Direction. What makes it indispensable is its large cavity that can hold just about everything you need—or can carry—for your journey. Two large side pockets carry water bottles, a compartment on the strap makes grabbing your snacks or sunglasses easy, and a T-hook waistbelt assists with heavier loads.
The North Face Jester Backpack
This backpack makes carrying your portfolio case, knapsack, and gym duffel a fool’s errand. Combine your work, play, and workout gear into one pack using the 28-liter Jester by The North Face. The bag has a padded laptop sleeve, external bungee cord for storage, a large compartment for your change of clothes, and reflective detail for visibility.
Lululemon Run All Day Backpack II
The lightweight Run All Day is for short runs, hikes, and commutes. The fabric is water-repellent and easy to clean. If you ever weren’t sure just what that pocket was for, Lululemon labeled them for you; a “tablet” pocket speaks for itself, but we’ll let you be the judge on what belongs in “items of importance.”
Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack
The Hustle 3.0 is a UA bestseller for its roomy zippered compartments, multiple colors, and resilient exterior. A zippered pocket on the bottom of the bag keeps smelly laundry or shoes from—ahem—All Day Duffel.
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Patagonia Refugio Backpack
This 26-liter backpack is just like the 28-liter, only this pack is specifically designed for women. The shoulder straps have a straight cut that becomes gradually slender to fit the female torso. A padded pocket is large enough to fit 15-inch laptops, and two stretchy bottle pockets mean you can hydrate with water and carry your coffee thermos.
Away The Daypack
For destination races when you need a carry-on, The Daypack is the backpack for all your travel essentials. This slim version of Away’s The Backpack is ideal for fitting your airport read, small laptop, and change of clothes. A front pocket simplifies your search for your wallet and phone.
State Kent Backpack
For every bag purchased, State hand-delivers a backpack to a child in need. This bag with a conscious has multiple exteriors to fit your personality. Is “Ziggy Stardust” on your running playlist? There’s a quad-colored glittery-rainbow bag you can store your gear in. More Courtesy of Solepack or Empire Strikes Back? Movie buffs, there’s a Princess Leia–patterned bag you can sling over your back before heading to the gym.
Puma Gold Ambition Backpack
Bold and badass go hand in hand when you’re a female runner—regardless of your weekly mileage. The Gold Ambition has you look the part, carrying your gear in between workouts. Sure, there’s red, white, and blue, but how about black, white, and gold? Air mesh-padded straps ensure comfort, and a top compartment stores damp gear post-workout.
The North Face Isabella Backpack
The back panel and shoulder straps of the Isabella are specially designed to fit a woman’s torso. The main compartment has a laptop/tablet sleeve for commuters, a stretch-mesh water bottle pocket on the side, and a top zipper pocket that makes storing and grabbing your phone or sunglasses easy peasy.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
