Top 6 Good Climbing Essentials for Ladies

1. Osprey Packs Tempest 9L Backpack - Women's

Strap on the lightweight and versatile Osprey Women's Tempest 9 Backpack for a fast-moving day hike on Saturday, and a mountain bike ride on Sunday. The Tempest 9 offers room for trail maps and a rain shell, as well as bike tools and a spare tube in the front zippered pocket. The backpack includes a pull-out LidLock helmet attachment that pulls through the vents on your helmet to secure it to the front of the pack, as well as front bungee webbing and a tool loop and bungee ties to hold additional items and tools.

The shoulder straps and hip-belt are specially shaped, positioned, and padded to fit the female figure and feature mesh-covered foam padding that provides breathable cushioning. The sternum strap keeps the backpack from shifting and helps support the pack's weight as you scramble up big rocks or carve through singletrack turns.

With the hip belt's ErgoPull adjustment system, you'll be able to easily snug down or loosen up the hip belt on the fly. Reflective graphics make you visible in low light conditions, which is perfect if you decide to go for a trail run at dawn, return to your car, and hop on your mountain bike and ride until dusk.

• Technical daypack designed for quick-paced adventures
• Mesh backpanel helps keep you cool and comfortable
• Shoulder harness and hipbelt distribute weight evenly
• Compression straps add stability at speeds
• Hydration compatibility helps keep water close at hand
• Front panel bungee easily stows extra layers
• Ice axe and trekking pole attachments free up your hands
• Helmet attachment clips your brain bucket
• Item #OSP008F

2. Osprey Packs Tempest 30L Backpack - Women's

It's Friday afternoon and you had a long week at work. A full Saturday or even a quick overnight up in the mountains would do you a world of good, and the Osprey Women's Tempest 30 Backpack is ready for a quick pack-up-and-go. The designers at Osprey molded the Airscape to fit the female torso comfortably, and it acts somewhat like a chimney to ventilate any excess heat so your back isn't a sweaty mess when you reach your campsite.

Biostretch covers the shoulder straps and waist-belt for maximum comfort and breathability while you hike, and the ErgoPull tabs cinch across your waist for an ideal fit. This top-loader fits the supplies you need for a dawn-to-dusk trip or a light overnighter, and you can remove the top lid and use it as a separate bag to stash a point-and-shoot and snacks in it for a quick scramble up to the ridge.

The Tempest 30's hydration sleeve is easily accessible for quick refills, side stretch pockets can fit extra water or some snacks for the trip, two zippered pockets at the waist-belt store items you might need on the trail like lip balm or sunscreen, and one front mesh pocket holds your map, a book, or a last-minute item you might want before you head out.

• Technical daypack designed for high-speed day adventures
• Mesh backpanel helps keep you cool and comfortable
• Shoulder harness and hipbelt distribute weight evenly
• Compression straps add stability at speeds
• Hydration compatibility helps keep water close at hand
• Ice axe and trekking pole attachments free up your hands
• Helmet attachment clips your brain bucket
• Osprey packs make backpacks for almost any mountain endeavor
• Item #OSP008D

3. Thule Stir Hiking 35L Backpack - Women's

Thule's always been the go-to name for roof racks, hitch racks, and general cargo carrying, but it's been getting into the technical pack game, and the early results haven't been too shabby. The new Stir Women's Hiking Pack, for example, has an innovative top-access design that combines a cinch-down opening, top storm flap, and internal zip to keep all your gear locked down and organized. As impressively, the StormGuard design features a partial hideaway rain cover that teams up with the Stir's rugged lined bottom to create a waterproof package that's still usable when it's covered up.

The Stir is both customizable and well designed due to a sliding back panel to fit different torso sizes and a removable hip belt and sternum strap to give it a more streamlined look for around-town use. A side zipper provides easy access to buried layers, and pockets at the shoulder strap, front, side, and top supply convenient spots to stash your phone, water, rain shell, and snacks. There's even a dual ice axe/trekking pole carrying system, so you can be prepared if things start to get technical.

• Elastin-coated nylon fabrics
• Easy-access cinch lid with StormGuard inner closure
• Waterproof bottom liner and partial rain cover
• Adjustable fit
• Removable hip belt and sternum strap
• Top and side access
• Stretch shoulder strap, front, side, and internal top pockets
• Ice axe/trekking pole attachment
• Item #THU003K

4. Salewa Alp Trainer 30+3L Backpack - Women's

Hit the trail for a long mid summer hike or a weekend hiking and camping mission knowing that the Salewa Alp Trainer 30+3L Backpack will keep you operating at your peak and keep you prepared for anything. The Air Fit 2.0 and Split shoulder straps combine to keep the air flowing between you and your pack which helps prevent heat build up.

That heat build up leads to a sweaty back and wet clothes that make hiking uncomfortable. A cool back only helps when you have enough internal capacity and organization to stay prepared for anything the trail can throw at you, luckily the Alp Trainer does not skimp in that area. A large top loading pocket holds all your big items while a plethora of on the go pockets, gear attachment straps, pole fasteners, and a hydration system exit keep you moving quickly and in comfort.

• Technical pack that can handle two to three days on the trail
• Top access is quick and easy so you can get back to walking
• Air Fit 2.0 keeps your back dry while evenly distributing weight
• Split shoulder straps are lightweight and encourage airflow
• Twin compression system compresses the pack for fast movement
• Pole fasteners and on the go pockets keep your gear organized
• Side mesh pocket and hydration system exit keep your fluids nearby
• Item #SFW008P

5. Gregory Maya 22L Backpack - Women's

Streamlined and functional, the Gregory Maya 22 Backpack ensures that you can carry the essentials on your commute, hike, or international trip. Its minimalist aesthetic doesn't deplete its storage space, rather it makes carrying whatever you need more comfortable. This pack features the BioSync suspension system to support the load while allowing plenty of airflow. The padded shoulder straps and waist belt feature mesh construction for breathability, and it helps to keep the pack's weight down while maintaining comfort.

The top-access main compartment is roomy enough for storing extra layers, daily documents, and other larger items, with an internal-zip security pocket for housing keys, cash, and other small necessities. Another innovative feature is the bungee-secured front pocket that expands to accommodate your bike helmet or rain jacket. Ultimately, this lends the Maya 22 the versatility needed for conquering everything from downtown bike commutes to extended travel across widely varying climates.

• Daypack for hiking, traveling or everyday commutes
• Spacious main compartment stores layers and snacks
• Internal-zip security pocket secures small essentials
• Expandable front pocket holds helmet or rain jacket
• Side compression with wing for added stability
• BioSync suspension with padded mesh straps
• Item #GRE00B9

6. Gregory Maya 16L Backpack - Women's

The Gregory Maya 16L Backpack is the companion you want when you're aiming for a fast-and-light summit bid. This pack features a flexible, supportive BioSync suspension system to provide airflow and keep the pack moving with you seamlessly. Side straps enable compression to ensure the contents won't shift and knock you off balance as you scramble, and let you adjust the capacity when you don't need the entirety of its available space.

The pack's hydration tube management system keeps the drinking tube within easy reach, so you don't have to divert your attention to take a drink. Dual waist belt pockets and side pockets make it easy to access the things that you need to get to in a hurry, like your camera or a snack.

• Daypack for fast-and-light summit hikes
• BioSync suspension for seamless movement
• Compression straps minimize shifting inside the pack
• Hydration-compatible to keep water easy to access
• Small pockets keep your smaller items organized
• External-access hydration sleeve for easy refills
• Attachment point secures a light for extra visibility
• Item #GRE00BA