Small Hydration Pack for Women with PALS Webbing

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Kirk_Ferentz

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Feb 16, 2010
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Looking to pick up a small hydration pack for a young lady ... she actually likes the mil-spec type of packs with PALS webbing to hook stuff on. Something along the lines of a Camelbak MULE or HAWG (something in between would be perfect). A foliage or olive drab type green or woodland camo would be the preferred colors.


Here are all the camelbaks:
http://www.camelbak.com/en/government-military/hydration-packs.aspx


My understanding is that there are design issues with women for chest-related and other reasons, and I wonder whether mil-spec type packs will work for them. So, I would appreciate it if recommendations are made with the knowledge that the packs will work for a woman. Also, any guidance or experiences with packs used by women are helpful.
 
I'm not overly familiar with women's packs, but from seeing a few in use, they look narrower across the yoke, the shoulder strap padding doesn't come down as far and/or is contoured outward at the bottom, and the sternum strap rides higher. I like the looks of that Camelbak HAWG 500 in foliage green, but she's probably going to have to try any of these packs made for men in person to see if it will work for her. I gave my climbing partner a Camelbak Peak Bagger after she borrowed it and liked it, but she doesn't use the sternum strap.
 
had a GF who bought one of the womens' Camelbaks while we were on a trip. i thought it was just a nice earthy color with some feminine embroidery. i never tried it on or looked at any female specific features.

IIRC, womens' backpacks usually are set up for a shorter torso.

i have both a HAWG and a MULE in OD. i like the access to the bladder better in the HAWG, but i think i *may* have an early MULE and that they changed the bladder access later. the HAWG has a zipper on the backside and you have to get to the one on the mule thru the main compartment.
 
The Linchpin might be a good choice. There's quite a bit of adjustment in the harness and it's a great design.

gmi-packs-linchpin-multicam-2010-72.ashx
 
Update on this in case anyone is every looking for info ... I made some calls and talked to some pack people, and it seems that when you are buying smaller packs, they are pretty much unisex. It is only when you get into larger packs that they are built specifically for men or women.

I ended up picking up a camelbak MULE, and it was built very well and with attention to detail. It looks very tough, with good straps and is probably pretty comfortable.
 
Kirk_Ferentz said:
Update on this in case anyone is every looking for info ... I made some calls and talked to some pack people, and it seems that when you are buying smaller packs, they are pretty much unisex. It is only when you get into larger packs that they are built specifically for men or women.

I ended up picking up a camelbak MULE, and it was built very well and with attention to detail. It looks very tough, with good straps and is probably pretty comfortable.
Click to expand...

Good choice mate. Love mine and have gotten plenty of use out of it. Only issue I have is that it's not large enough for anything past day hikes, but if that's your intended usage it's perfect. My old gf wore it a few times on a couple outings and found it quite comfy - I don't think gender really plays into comfort of a pack until it gets really long or wide - specifically, I've only seen gender-specific designations with backpacking frame-packs.
 
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