This is my conclusion as of Oct 22, 2026. For a women's hiking pack, choose by back length before capacity. No. 1 is the women's Deuter Futura 21 SL, which fits back lengths of 38–48cm. If you want light weight, No. 2 is the karrimor AR 20, released in February 2026 at 470g and ¥20,000.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
A pack isn't a tool for carrying weight; it's a tool for letting your back take it. For your back to take it, the back length has to fit your body first. That's why I put the women's Futura 21 SL, with its wide 38–48cm back-length range, at No. 1.
Key points
- The No. 1 Futura 21 SL is 21 L and 1,150g, with a back length of 38–48cm. It's a women's design with narrower shoulder straps and a shorter back
- No. 2, the AR 20, weighs 470g, 680g lighter than No. 1, and its official price is ¥20,000. Its back length is 46cm, in 1 size
- For huts, the 30 L Futura 30 SL (1,330g). Going from the 21 L at No. 1 adds 180g for 9 L
For a women's hiking pack, back length decides
Back length is the distance from the bone at the base of your neck to the height of your hip bone. Many women have a shorter back, and if it doesn't fit, the weight of your load lands on your shoulders.
This article compares 5 women's hiking packs, from day hikes to hut trips. The numbers come from official pages, and I've noted the source wherever a price is given.
I looked at back length, weight and weight per liter, in that order
The first thing I checked was back length, then weight, and finally weight per liter of capacity. What gave me pause was whether to put the 470g karrimor AR 20 at No. 1. But I took the Futura SL, with its wide 38–48cm back-length range, as the one you can carry for a long time.
Deuter's weights and back lengths are figures from its overseas official pages, and the prices are Rakuten listings. The ranking is among what you can buy on Rakuten.
The 5 women's hiking packs at a glance
Scroll the table sideways →
| Model | Weight | Capacity | Back length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Deuter Futura 21 SL | 1,150g | 21L | 38–48cm | ¥15,320–26,730 |
| No. 2 karrimor AR 20 | 470g | 20L | 46cm | ¥20,000 |
| No. 3 Deuter Futura 30 SL | 1,330g | 30L | 38–48cm | ¥25,245–30,600 |
| No. 4 Gregory Jade 28 (SM/MD) | 1.38kg | 28L | ― | ¥29,700 |
| No. 5 Mammut Lithium 20 | 740g | 20L | ― | ¥18,700 |
Weight per liter, and the size differences
| Model | Weight per liter | Difference from No. 1 |
|---|---|---|
| karrimor AR 20 | 23.5g | －680g |
| Mammut Lithium 20 | 37.0g | －410g |
| Futura 30 SL | 44.3g | +180g (+9L) |
| Jade 28 | 49.3g | +230g (+7L) |
| Futura 21 SL | 54.8g | ― |
Going from the Futura 21 SL to the 30 SL adds 9 L and 180g, or 20g (180 ÷ 9) for each extra liter. The AR 20 is 680g lighter than No. 1, about 40% of its weight (470 ÷ 1,150 = 0.41). I read it as a choice between the wide back-length range of a women's design and light weight.
Why this order
| Rank | Model | Why it's ranked here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Futura 21 SL | A women's design with a back length of 38–48cm, the widest of the five. But at 54.8g per liter, it's the heaviest |
| 2 | AR 20 | 470g, or 23.5g per liter, the lightest of the five. But the back length comes in only one size, 46cm |
| 3 | Futura 30 SL | A 30 L for hut trips, with the same 38–48cm back length as No. 1. But it's heavy at 1,330g |
| 4 | Jade 28 | You can choose between two sizes: XS/SM (26 L, 1.32kg) and SM/MD (28 L, 1.38kg). But the official page doesn't give a back-length figure |
| 5 | Lithium 20 | 740g, or 37.0g per liter, at ¥18,700. It isn't described as women's, and no back-length figure is given |
If in doubt, the Futura 21 SL. The reason: its 38–48cm back-length range makes it easy to fit to your body, and it's a women's design. If light weight is your top priority, the 470g AR 20.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Deuter Futura 21 SL
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥15,320 (as of 10/22). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥26,730, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaNo. 1 Deuter Futura 21 SL
I'll say this one with enthusiasm. Deuter describes the SL as having a shorter back, narrower shoulder straps and conical hip fins that sit securely against your back and hips. The back length is 38–48cm, and the recommended load is 3–6kg.
The catch: 1,150g is the heaviest of the 5, and 54.8g per liter. The price also varies on Rakuten, from ¥15,320 to ¥26,730.
No. 2 karrimor AR 20
A new model announced on 2026/2/12: 20 L, 470g, ¥20,000. 4 front shoulder pockets hold a bottle or snacks, so you can reach them while walking. The back length is 46cm.
The catch: the back length comes in one size, so if you're far from 46cm, check first. Details are in the karrimor AR 20 review.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
karrimor AR 20
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥18,000 (as of 10/20). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥20,000, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaNo. 3 Deuter Futura 30 SL
30 L, 1,330g, with the same back length as No. 1, 38–48cm. The recommended load is 6–10kg, enough for a hut trip's gear.
The catch: for a 30 L, 1,330g is 400g more than No. 1 in the 30 L ranking of six packs, the Mammut Lithium 30 (930g).
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Deuter Futura 30 SL
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥25,245 (as of 10/22). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥30,600, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaNo. 4 Gregory Jade 28
Gregory's women's line, with an official price of ¥29,700. The XS/SM is 26 L and 1.32kg; the SM/MD is 28 L and 1.38kg, so the capacity changes across the 2 sizes.
The catch: it's the most expensive of the five, and the official page gives no back-length figure. It's a pick for someone who wants to match the length of their back by trying it on.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Gregory Jade 28
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥29,700 (as of 10/22). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaNo. 5 Mammut Lithium 20
740g and 20 L, with an official price of ¥18,700. At 37.0g per liter, it comes out 17.8g lighter than the Futura 21 SL.
The catch: it isn't described as women's, and no back-length figure is given. It's a pick for people who choose by light weight and price.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Mammut Lithium 20
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥14,989 (as of 10/20). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaWho is it for?
If your back is on the short side and you want to fit it to your body first, the Futura 21 SL at No. 1. If you want to walk light, the AR 20 at No. 2. For hut trips, the 30 SL at No. 3. I summarized how to choose capacity in 21 L for day hikes, 30 L for huts, 50 L for backpacking. You can count what to put in it in the day-hike packing list.
FAQ
How many liters should a women's hiking pack be?
For day hikes, 20–21 L; for hut trips, 28–30 L; these are the centers of the five here. My day-hike pick is the 21 L at No. 1, and for huts the 30 L at No. 3.
How do I measure the back length of a hiking pack?
Measure from the bone at the base of your neck down to the height of your hip bone. The Futura SL fits 38–48cm, and the karrimor AR 20 is 46cm.
What's the difference between a rucksack and a hiking pack?
They mean the same thing. This article uses “pack” interchangeably with “rucksack.”
Which women's hiking pack is the lightest?
The karrimor AR 20 at 470g. Next is the Mammut Lithium 20 at 740g, a 270g difference.
How is a women's hiking pack different from a men's?
Deuter describes the SL as a women's design: a shorter back, narrower shoulder straps and conical-shaped hip fins.
Can I get a women's hiking pack for under ¥20,000?
The only one with an official price under ¥20,000 is the Lithium 20 at ¥18,700. Some Futura 21 SL listings on Rakuten start at ¥15,320.
