Women and Their Backpacks

After purchasing your backpack, we hope that you use it for some adventurous backcountry trips. The women at AlpineWoman have gone on some of these very adventures ourselves, and want to offer you some of the wisdom we have acquired. Having been on a variety of trips with both men and women, we have concluded that women have some unique challenges and benefits that are important to acknowledge while taking part in outdoor activities. Oftentimes, women who immerse themselves in adventurous endeavors want to “compete” with their male counterparts, proving that women are just as capable of carrying heavy packs and scaling steep mountains as anyone. While we know, for a fact, that this is true, we need to recognize that women are very different than men and that, in reality, we don’t want to be just like our male companions.

One of the first mistakes we often witness is a strong, healthy woman picking out a pack the same size and shape as her male partner’s, assuming that this is the most sensible pack decision for a long trip with lots of gear. Having gone through the thought process, she has concluded that it is only fair to share the load and carry equal weight while backpacking, since, after all, she and her partner will be sharing all of the food and equipment. While several of us at AlpineWoman have actually bought a pack, using this logic at some point, we have found that it is a miserable mistake to make.

First, a perfectly fitted, loaded pack should correspond with the size of the individual wearing the pack. Based on the size to weight ratio of pack fitting, a smaller person should naturally carry a smaller pack. You should never carry more than 30-40% of your own body weight when hiking for a long period of time. Even if you are extremely strong you will most likely find that a pack that is too big for you will actually cause pain and discomfort vs. manageable, sore muscles. Not all pack manufacturers put a women’s specific label on their packs.

Many manufacturers emphasize the fact that they design packs that fit all body shapes and types. These companies don’t label their packs “Women’s specific,” but they are highlighting an important point. Everyone needs to consider their own body first, and ignore all other pack features. In other words, we are not suggesting that a “men’s” pack cannot be worn by a woman, and vice versa. When buying a pack, planning a trip, and packing your load, remember your individuality and make all decisions based on that information first.

Brought to you by AlpineWoman.com

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