Women Specific Ultralight Packs

Zpacks Arc Blast – http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/arc_blast.shtml If the short is too big contact Joe about building a custom pack

They list it as a kids pack. Designed for torsos in the 10-12 inch range. So maybe measure her torso and see if she fits into that range? http://gossamergear.com/kids-mariposa-ultralight-backpack.html

I'd also throw a shout out to Chris Zimmer of Zimmerbuilt – getting a custom pack made is not nearly as expensive as you think.

Would need to know her torso measurement before offering any meaningful advice. Height doesn't really matter. My daughter is 5 inches shorter than I, but has a longer torso. If your wife falls in the universal size small torso range (or less), she may find youth pack comfortable. Also the SMD Fusion is super adjustable in the torso area, comes with short shoulder straps if needed, carries nice and is a great deal right now at 50% off.

If her torso is sub 15 inches you'll have few options. Otherwise any size small pack with a harness that works for her will be fine.

Gossamer Gear's Mariposa 60 in size Small is made exactly for your wife's size,4'11" to about 5'4", but torso size is key of course. So measure her torso and check on the Mariposa. I have a friend who has it in size Small and she's quite happy with it and is shrinking as she ages!! and it still fits. I am very short(5'0") and found the Redwing 50 and the Osprey Ariel 65 to fit and carry well BUT they are heavier than I now want to carry. I wish the Ariel wasn't so heavy as it really was comfortable. I now use a Golite Jam, small, no longer made, and it is fairly light and fairly comfortable. May switch to a ZPacks, however, due to my age and wanting to shift more weight to hips and lighten my pack ever more. Jane

Forgot to add that the Mariposa 60 is supposed to fit torsos from 13"-16". Jane