7 Best Traveling Backpacks for Women Under $350 (2023 Buyer’s Guide)
Packing for an upcoming trip is often the biggest hurdle planning for vacation! But having the right bag can make all the difference. With one of these traveling backpacks for women, organizing and packing can be really easy.
While I do travel with suitcases sometimes, I travel with my wheeled travel backpack when I’m going on trips where I plan to go to several different cities or countries.
Traveling with a backpack instead of a suitcase has lots of advantages. Getting on local buses and walking from train stations to your hotel is so much easier with a backpack. And if you’ll be traveling on cobblestones or lots of steps, they are a lifesaver!
Travel backpacks can be used whether you’re actually backpacking or when you just want to travel easier without wheeling around a suitcase. They allow you to have your hands free so you can easily access passports, money, or anything else you might need.
A good travel backpack should be comfortable, so you won’t even notice it on your back. With all the different backpacks for traveling women on the market, you might be super confused about which one to buy! This guide has the best ones to choose from for an easy decision.
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QUICK LOOK—Best Traveling Backpacks for Women
- Best Traveling Backpack for Women Under $350 Overall: Osprey Fairview 40L
- Best Carry-On Backpack for Women: Cotopaxi Allpa 42L
- Best Medium-Sized Backpack: Osprey Porter 46L
- Best Backpack for Small Women: Patagonia Black Hole 32L
- Best Backpack For Anti-Theft: VentureSafe EXP45 ECONYL
- Best Large Backpack for Long Trips: Osprey Aura AG 65+
- Best Wheeled Backpack for Travel: Osprey Sojourn
What To Expect From Traveling Backpacks for Women Under $350
All of the backpacks on this list are from some of the best backpacking and hiking name brands. They are designed for flying as well as outdoor travel, so you can throw them in the overhead compartment or take them through national parks.
Some will also have a padded laptop sleeve so you can travel with your electronic devices. Although there are many travel backpacks for women well above this price range, these under $350 have all the features you need to stay comfortable and organized while on vacation.
Are There Good Traveling Backpacks for Women Under $350?
The simple answer is yes! You can find tons of great women’s backpacks in this price range. They will have all the features you need as well as fashionable designs.
Most backpacks in this price also have a large main compartment as well as several smaller ones to make packing and organization super easy.
Best Brands For Traveling Backpacks for Women Under $350
If you’re not sure where to start when looking for a travel backpack, you can always check out these top brands. They are well-known in the hiking and travel industries. They also sell some of the most durable products made to last.
Osprey
Osprey is one of the top-name brands for travel gear. Not only do they have amazing backpacks, but they also sell travel cubes, toiletry bags, and other backpack accessories.
Patagonia
Patagonia is another great brand when it comes to travel backpacks. They are well-known for all things travel-related, including suitcases, packing organizers, and hiking clothes.
Pacsafe
Pacsafe makes all of its bags and travel accessories with anti-theft technology. This might be a better option for travelers who plan to go to high-risk destinations.
Features Of The Best Traveling Backpacks for Women Under $350
window.fd(‘form’, { formId: ‘5f654c78bf43d8ae8bbfa457’, containerEl: ‘#fd-form-5f654c78bf43d8ae8bbfa457’ });Before buying your best travel backpack for women, make sure it has some or all of these features to make traveling easier!
Waterproof
You never know when you might get caught in the rain while traveling. Having a waterproof backpack ensures that all your gear and devices don’t get ruined. If the bag isn’t waterproof, you can get a waterproof cover as well.
Comfortable
The best travel backpacks are comfortable on your shoulders and hips. You shouldn’t feel the straps digging into your shoulders or the weight on your back.
Different Compartments
Different-sized compartments make it easier to organize your belongings. It also ensures nothing gets lost somewhere in the backpack.
Adjustable
Not everyone is the same size, so backpacks need to have straps where you can adjust it to fit you better. This allows the shoulder pads and hip pads to sit on your frame correctly and comfortably.
Lightweight
When empty, the backpack should only be a few pounds. You don’t want a backpack that is heavy when it’s empty as this just adds weight you have to carry around.
Best Traveling Backpacks for Women Under $350
Now that you know all the best brands and features to look out for, you can start sorting through your options to find the best one for you. Make sure to think about where you’re traveling to and how much space you need before choosing!
For example, if you fly internationally more than domestically, you might need a larger backpack. You should also consider if you need a laptop sleeve.
Here are my top recommendations for all travelers!
Osprey Fairview 40
- Pros: Lightweight, laptop sleeve, zippered back panel
- Cons: The hip belt lacks thick padding so it can be uncomfortable for some
- Versatile: Carry it as a backpack, messenger bag, or duffle bag
- Three pockets: Large zippered pocket plus two smaller pockets
The best ladies’ travel backpack is the Osprey Fairview 40. It’s sturdy and durable. You can take it backpacking for months through Europe or South America without it falling apart.
When empty, it’s only 3 lbs 2 oz. There’s a 15-inch padded laptop sleeve inside, perfect for holding your laptop computer. For pockets, you get a large zippered compartment and one large mesh pocket. The outside of the backpack has smaller pockets where you can store things for easy access.
The best part of this bag is its versatility. If you don’t want to carry it like a traditional backpack, you can detach the shoulder strap and use it as a duffle bag.
Cotopaxi Allpa 42L
- Pros: Durable, moisture-proof, comes with a rain cover
- Cons: Hip belt is not very supportive, water bottle pocket is too small for most bottles
- Built for rugged travel: Nylon exterior is perfect for hiking in the woods or for long flights
- Lifetime warranty: All Cotopaxi backpacks come with a lifetime warranty and free repairs
If you’re taking a short trip or just want to travel lighter, check out the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L. It’s small enough to fit into the overhead bin of the plane, so you don’t need to worry about paying for checked baggage fees.
Since the exterior of the backpack is nylon and polyester, it won’t easily rip if it snags on something while traveling. Even though the exterior is not waterproof, the backpack comes what a rain cover if you end up getting stuck in inclement weather while walking or hiking.
The inside has several zippered compartments, making it a good choice if you don’t want to buy travel cubes.
Osprey Porter 46
- Pros: Front loading, organizer panel, comes with compression straps
- Cons: Back panel is not ventilated
- Straightjacket compression: When the bag isn’t fully packed, you can compress it and make it smaller
- Padded laptop sleeve: Your laptop will be safe and snug inside the laptop sleeve in the back compartment
The Osprey Porter 46 is a great medium-sized backpack. Some larger international airlines allow 46L backpacks inside the overhead bins. Just make sure to check the baggage requirements when booking your flight!
The front-loading feature is amazing. It unzips all the way around, so the backpack is completely open when packing. This feature, plus the individual compartments inside the panel, makes it extremely easy to stay organized during your travels.
The major problem with this backpack is that the mesh on the backpack is not ventilated. This isn’t a huge deal if you’re only using the backpack as luggage. If you plan to hike, this is extremely uncomfortable and can give you a super sweaty back.
Patagonia Black Hole 32L
- Pros: Lightweight, good for hiking, small
- Cons: Doesn’t have compartments for organizing
- Doubles as a hiking backpack: The small size is perfect for short day trips and for taking hikes while on vacation
- Great for carry-on travelers: Small enough to be taken on the plane to avoid paying luggage fees
Some larger backpacks aren’t a great fit for women with smaller frames. This option from Patagonia is perfect for petite women that want to carry a backpack without feeling like they’re being overpowered by the size.
This backpack is made from completely recycled materials that are durable and sturdy. It has a main compartment and a laptop sleeve.
The main issue is that there is only one large compartment and one smaller one. This doesn’t allow for as much organization as other 32L backpacks that are on the market offer. You might want to invest in some packing cubes.
Pacsafe VentureSafe EXP45 ECONYL
- Pros: Stainless steel wire mesh, laptop sleeve, cable for locking the bag
- Cons: No hip belt
- Steel wire mesh: This makes it extremely difficult for someone to cut open your bag
- Comes with cable: Use the stainless steel cable to lock your bag when not using it
Every traveler’s worst nightmare is getting mugged or getting something stolen from their backpack. The VentureSafe EXP45 is a perfect travel bag if you’re planning to go to crowded destinations or places where petty theft is common.
All of the zippers on this pack are lockable, so someone standing behind you can’t open the bag without you knowing. The hidden slash guard also makes it impossible for someone to cut open the bag.
The bag is environmentally friendly as it’s made with all recycled materials. Pacsafe is known for making travel accessories meant to keep travelers safe no matter what country or location they’re in. Many journalists and volunteers use their products when traveling to countries with a high risk of crime.
Osprey Aura AG 65+
- Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, fully adjustable straps
- Cons: The size is very large and can’t fit in a plane overhead
- Many pockets: Comes with top pockets, pockets on the hip belts, and a mesh pocket on the front
- Anti-Gravity technology: The back panel has air mesh which makes it very breathable
This is another great choice by Osprey. It’s one of the best travel backpacks for women with an adjustable harness, a top loading compartment, and a breathable back panel. Since it’s 65 liters, it’s better for longer trips or for women who tend to pack many items.
The main compartment is massive. You can easily fit a few weeks’ worths of clothing. You can also fit camping gear like sleeping bags if you’re planning to take an overnight hiking trip. Osprey made this bag with hiking in mind since it has a spot for a water sleeve and trekking pole attachment loops.
When empty, it’s only 4.26 pounds. Most backpacks on the market that are 65L or more weigh at least 5 pounds. This is an excellent lightweight choice.
Osprey Sojourn 45L
- Pros: Hip belt is removable, wheels come with extra padding
- Cons: Heavier than backpacks without wheels
- Three different sizes: Comes in 45L, 60L, and 80L
- Zippered top pocket: Easy to pack and access your things
If you’re looking for a backpack that you can also wheel around when needed, this is a great choice. The Osprey Sojourn is what I use to travel. I love that I can use it as a normal suitcase, but I can also wear it like a backpack.
The 45L is the perfect size for a week-long trip or minimalist packers. It has great ventilation on the back panel as well as compression straps. The hip belt and harness are also removable if you’re going on a trip and plan to only use the wheels.
You can also buy the 60L or 80L if you’re going on a long trip. The best part about the 45L is that it’s carry-on size for most airlines. The larger sizes will need to be checked.
Which Traveling Backpacks For Women is Right For You?
The best traveling backpacks for women are lightweight, easy to organize, and comfortable. Although you might see many different ones when shopping online or in stores, choosing one from this list ensures you get a great bag from a reputable brand.
No matter which one you choose to travel with, make sure it fits well and has all the features you need. You might also want to get one that’s carry-on size and one that’s larger, so you have both options!
Are you planning to buy a women’s travel backpack? Which one are you considering?
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