Osprey Farpoint 40 Review

Our team found this to be more of a hiker's backpack with a laptop sleeve rather than a true travel bag. It has limited organization for charger cords, books, or a laptop. However, it's an undisputed favorite among travelers who log several miles a day on vacation and handles heavy loads without complaint.

Likes

The Osprey Farpoint 40 is as comfortable as it gets for a travel backpack. Its mesh-oriented backpanel is both supportive and breathable, with Osprey's well-loved AirScape design providing constant airflow across our backs on hot days. The shoulder straps are wide, and load lifters can be added for more adjustability. The backpack has an excellent internal structure that holds its shape whether empty or full, making it easier to pack and more comfortable to wear.

We also loved how easy it was to fit clothes and an extra pair of shoes in the main compartment of the Osprey Farpoint 40. The entire front of the bag unzips, allowing us to stuff the 40-liter bag as much as possible, even with bulkier dress shoes and a pair of sandals for warm-weather trips. When we ended up with a heavier load, the Farpoint still provided the same level of comfort, with an internal wire frame that spread the weight onto the hips rather than overloading the shoulders.

Dislikes

It's harder to stay organized with the Osprey Farpoint 40. Our testers ultimately were able to adapt to its simple design, but it was harder to keep track of charging cables and battery banks on the road.

There are essentially just 6 pockets on the Osprey Farpoint 40, including 2 water bottle holders, the main compartment, a mesh clothing pocket, a laptop sleeve, and a sunglasses pocket. The mesh pocket in the main compartment was nice for separating T-shirts or socks, but we never found a great place to stash electronics cables and a laptop charger. They were just loose inside until we brought our own pouch. An organizational cube is an easy solution, but shoppers who want a one-and-done purchase might be left wanting more.

Should You Buy the Osprey Farpoint 40?

If you like the hiking-centric design, this travel backpack handles heavy loads very well, and breathes better than most of its competition. We could see this pack coming in handy for a 3-week backpacking trip through Southeast Asia. However, it is less versatile when it comes to the type of trips it is suited for. The laptop compartment is well-made, but there aren't many extra pockets to keep track of other electronics or cords, making the Osprey Farpoint 40 less ideal for travelers who can't seem to leave their tech behind.

What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?

The Osprey Farpoint 40 has a sibling model called the Osprey Farpoint Fairview Wheeled 36L, which is almost the same size as the 40 and includes wheels. However, keep in mind the Farpoint Fairview does not have a laptop sleeve and isn't as ideal for treking long distances, given that it lacks a hip belt. However, if most of your trek is over smooth paved surfaces, you can just roll the wheeled version by your side.