Osprey Hikelite 26 liter backpack for women review

Osprey Hikelite 26 liter backpack for women review

Happy as kids! That’s what David and I are when we are given the opportunity to test new outdoor gear. This past spring and summer it was time for both of us to use a new Osprey backpack. He went for the Skarab 30, I picked the Hikelite 26 and took this bag with me on my trek through the Langtang area in Nepal. Below you’ll find my review!
 

The Osprey Hikelite 26 in Nepal

Where I hiked my earlier treks in Nepal with a backpack of at least 30 liters, I this time decided to go for a smaller one. The Osprey Hikelite 26 backpack seemed to have everything I need from a backpack: not too heavy, including a rain cover, various compartments and an integrated emergency whistle. A few weeks before I leave for Nepal the bag is delivered and the first glances confirm my excitement: it is a very lightweight daypack for ladies.
 
The reason to go for a somewhat smaller backpack this time is simple: the less it can carry, the less heavy it is. I always take a porter/guide who carries most of my luggage on my treks in Nepal, I just carry everything I need during the day: snacks, water, camera, rain gear, down jacket and valuables.
   
Also read: the best daypacks for ladies
 

 

Osprey Hikelite 26 features

The Hikelite 26 backpack is officially a unisex backpack, but I thought it was extremely suitable to wear as a lady with wide hips. Please note: the bag does not have a broad hip band so you cannot overload it and trust your hips to carry the weight.
 
This Osprey backpack has a freestanding Airspeed Mesh back which keeps your back cool and dry. A rain cover is in the bottom compartment and the Powermesh pockets on the side are for storing small items that you would like to have quickly at hand or possibly a drinking bottle.
 
As with the other backpacks from Osprey that I have there is an integrated whistle and a handy front pocket for items such as your sunglasses, lip balm and a few snacks for during the hike. The hip belt is removable and narrow, the chest strap adjustable for extra strength.
 

 

Using the Osprey Hikelite 26 while hiking

While using it I have one consideration on the backpack that I’d like to mention: the PowerMesh pockets on the side are not very deep, so my 1 liter water bottle sometimes fell out when I had to bend forward to tie my laces, for example. I rarely use a water bottle these days anymore though, because this daypack was supplied to me including an Osprey hydration pack. This one I love because of the magnet with which you can fix the drinking hose to one of your straps.
   
Furthermore, it is extremely user-friendly and I have little else to say about this backpack. I do not know whether I would use it again for a trek, partly because I missed a pocket on the waistband, for example for my telephone and lip balm. However, for making day walks, the Osprey Hikelite 26 is my new favorite and the great thing is: it is available in many colors!
 

Conclusion and disclaimer

In short: the Osprey HikeLite 26 is a very complete and reliable lightweight daypack for women that you can also use for a short trek if you wish. You can order it here!
   
We were offered these backpacks from Osprey Europe in exchange for an honest review on our website, which we have given. All opinions are of course entirely our own. This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may receive a modest commission at no extra cost to you.