Running backpacks come in different volumes and fits, including women's specific. They are designed to be light and sit nicely on your back without digging in anywhere, stabilised on your body by chest and waist straps. The waist strap often has pockets attached, which increases stability and allows you to have your most important items within easy reach. Most backpacks can be compressed to a smaller size if they're not totally filled, to reduce bounce. They all have space for a drinks bladder, or you can go for a hydration pack with the bladder included.
The chest strap often has a whistle attached, which can be useful in emergencies and is often a requirement for Adventure races. The colours vary, but even the more subtle ones have lots of reflective material on them for visibility. There are accessories like bottles, bottle belts, map pockets or smaller backpacks, that can be attached to the bigger backpacks, which is a real benefit for those doing mountain marathons or other multi-day long distance events.
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