Re: Hunting for a summer pack for my wife

Women-specific packs have shoulder straps that are placed more closely together, differently angled hip belts, and generally a slightly smaller volume than the male versions. For a woman with a small frame like me, the women's packs are far more comfortable. As Bill suggests, though, a men's pack will fit other women better. (Osprey and a few other companies have interchangeable waistbelts, so that you can buy a small pack with a medium waistbelt, a nice feature if you don't fit into somebody's idea of the standard sizes!)

Good hunting!