When I tried on women's packs initially, it was a toss-up between this pack (I actually have the Ariel 75) and the Arc'teryx Bora 75. Although the Bora seemed more comfortable across my shoulders, the Osprey's hip belt seemed a lot more comfortable (despite the fact it's not as padded). I use this pack for climbing and backpacking approaches to remote routes. I found only a few drawbacks: the frame tends to squeak (A LOT) while I'm moving, making it hard to hear my partner talking to me as well as being highly annoying. Also, I realize it's too big as a day pack but it's all I have for that use right now; however, I've found it to be on the heavy side, despite being marketed as "light." Trying to scramble with this pack makes for mucho energy-wasting and fatigue IMO and I can't wait until I can afford a smaller day pack.

I'm a small person (5'4", 105 lbs)and this pack fit me very well. Just took it on a 3-day trip loaded with fishing and camping gear and it handled it all. Very comfortable. When considering my purchase, I was balancing capacity for the kind of trips I had planned with a tendancy to overpack and my ability to carry the load. I have an 8-day wilderness trip planned; that will give it (and me!)the test. Only wish it had more side pockets. The stretchy dual-access pockets are nice, but stuff could fall out and I'd like at least one good-sized zippered pocket. The removal top has great storage and can be used as a fannypack. Nice roomy sleeping bag compartment; I put my big, warm bag in a compression sack and was able to get it in the compartment. I'd recommend this pack to any serious woman hiker.

BIG HUGE PLUS with buying from Backcountry - I returned this thing, they promptly refunded. No questions asked. Live up to their refund promises. That combined with superior customer service definitely will keep me buying from them!!!

Now about this nightmare of a pack:
If I am uncomfortable, I slow down. Not good in a number of outdoor situations. This pack in uncomfortable all around. I am 5'4" petite female. I am narrow in my shoulder girdle. That being said, I could never get this adjusted right. I even went to see experts for help. The response was the same: You're too narrow. I would adjust the sternum strap where I was comfortable hauling a 40# load. However, adjusting the sternum strap just where I wanted it resulted in the shoulder straps being pulled too inwardly which either gave me great 'lift' (lol) or would rub my clavicles raw. Thus, I could never adjust that part of the bag just right enough and was left in pain and/or blistered. I truly hated this pack and returned after 5 major hikes and realized it wasn't breaking it. Only good thing: When my water bottle leaked, nothing inside got wet.

I got this pack for 2-3 night trips. It comfortably carries sleeping bag, clothes stuff sack, 3L water, and food. Use the outside straps for sleeping pad. My boyfriend liked it so much he went out and bought the men's version. As a note, the torso can be adjusted ~4in per size.

My only complaint is that there are are no little pockets for stashing smaller pieces of gear other than the lid. It would have been really nice if osprey had put zippered pouches on the hipbelt and some sort of easy-access compartment inside the main compartment (and accessible from the outside?).

just back from an eight day trip (four days backpacking/four days camping) in the yosemite area and despite carrying some extra weight for the the twin 3-year olds that trekked with us, the pack managed the weight exceptionally well and kept my back feeling great. i like all the straps that help to cinch things in and the belt is just awesome....very comfortable. two thumbs up, for sure.

I have tried a ton of packs, and by far I think this pack is the best one for women. I took this on a four day trek, and it was so light and comfortable that I felt like I only had a day pack on. Not to mention the superior quality of Osprey. I have recommended this to several people, and everyone who uses it will never go back to another brand. Great price too.

I have yet to thoroughly test this pack but already its a lot more comfortable and lighter than my old pack (made by NZ company Kathmandu). It has a lot of nice features (lots of load stabilizing straps, air access to your back so it doesn't get sweaty, removable 'fanny' pack etc). The only thing that I worry about is that the lightweight fabric will wear out quickly, though it does have a lifetime warranty and is obviously well made. If you are worried about this the more sturdy and rugged Luna may be for you, but you pay for that with the added weight.

THIS PACK IS GREAT FOR YOU GIRLS OUT THERE. ITS GOOD ENOUGH FOR A 4-5 DAY TRIP BUT SMALL ENOUGH FOR A GIRL TO PACK AROUND. THE ADDED SUPPORT FEATURES MAKE IT AMAZINGLY COMFORTABLE.THE ADJUSTMENTS ON THE BELT AND SHOULDER STRAPS ARE SO COOL YOU CAN GET IT TO MOLD PERFECT TO YOUR BODY WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE POINTS SORE HIPS OR SHOULDERS.

took this pack on a five day canoe/portage trek through the boundary waters. definitely had enough room for my summer gear, and half of the cooking gear/food. good, comfortable fit (and didn't even have time before i left to get the belt custom fit). showed very little wear after the trip. highly recommended.

This pack is well-designed and lightweight. I took mine on a four-day desert backpacking trip. The weather was hot and the last day was a pretty strenuous hike out with lots of scrambling over boulders. The back panel ventilated extremely well, and fit adjustments are easy on-the-go. The hydration compatibility worked with my North Face bladder, the pockets and compartments are well-placed, and the padding is comfortable. One warning: do NOT overload this pack. My boyfriend has the men's version, and we both started the trip carrying more than the recommended weight. We both paid with sores on our collarbones and hips. Once the weight was down, the packs were perfect.

I really like this backpack but was disappointed not to have the side pocket entry....so I found a really really good deal on the women's Xenon and got it for the same price....
Also, I hear this pack isn't so great with heavier loads (like over 45lbs.)

I have used several frame backpacks on my many backpacking adventures. This pack holds the necessary gear with great placement of extra straps to attach items outside the pack. The pack fits me well so the miles are enjoyable unlike others that have been painful. I love the feature on this and all Osprey packs of the build in whistle on the chest strap. I have found that when buying a frame backpack it is best to always measure to get the right size and not just guess. I am 6'1" female but found I am only a size small for packs.

Me and my wife trekked to La Verin Creek in the Kolob section of Zion National Park with this pack. I got a demo of this pack to let her try out and she loved the fit, the torso length, and the chest strap. It held everything she needed and she said that it was nice how the storage was set up on it, how the hydration ran out of it and that you could convert the top part of the pack to a lumbar pack that the waist belt comes out of the main pack to wear heading up to Kolob Arch. She said that this was an A+ pack and wants one now to head out with me with. Gonna have to get her one for sure!

One of the best women's specific packs I have ever found. It is SUPER lightweight which is always a plus. Also, the day pack utilizes the custom molding hip belt, which makes it extra comfortable. I would recommend this pack to everyone. Also, the lifetime warranty is great.

I was able to borrow this pack for a weekend backpack trip and could not have been happier. I usually sweat a ton, but never noticed a sweaty back with their mesh back panel, so i guess it worked! A friend helped me shorten the torso length to make it fit me properly and it was really easy to do. I also really love how the waist belt cinch is set up to give you better leverage. I compared this to my friend's Arcteryx pack with your standard cinch type and the Ariel was SO MUCH EASIER to tighten and get as tight as you needed (the ariel was also MUCH more comfortable on the shoulders than my friend's arcteryx -she tried both and agrees on that point too). I am seriously considering buying this pack now, but if i don't get this one, it will definitely be one of the Ospreys.

This is the most comfortable pack I've ever had. Especially if you pack it correctly, you hardly notice the weight. The fit is perfect and I would highly recommend getting the waist belt molded. Really good price point for the quality of this pack