REASONS TO BUY
Incredibly comfortable to carry
Handles heavy loads with ease
Easy-pack main compartment
Airline-compatible
REASONS TO AVOID
Fewer organizational compartments
Backpacking style is not for everyone
Osprey Farpoint 40 Review
From the office to the trail, this is an outdoorsy travel backpack that’s top of its class in support
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ August 4, 2026
RELATED: Best Travel Backpacks
Our Verdict
There are few travel backpacks as comfortable as the Osprey Farpoint 40. Osprey's been a leader in outdoor backpacks for several decades and has put its backpacking-centered design into the Farpoint 40, featuring a highly breathable back panel, a cushy hip belt, and heavily padded shoulder straps. While this bag has a laptop compartment, tech organization is not its strong point. We ended up bringing our own storage pouch to keep our electronics organized. But if you don't usually travel with a laptop, this may not matter to you. If you're ok with the wide-open organization system, the Farpoint 40 is as comfortable as it gets when your travels include long treks and cross-city sightseeing.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Osprey Farpoint 40 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Travel Backpack | Best for Ultimate Organization | |  Best Travel Backpack Under $100 | |
| Price | $200 List Check Price at REI | $230 List Check Price at REI | $249 List | $250 List Check Price at REI | $96 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | From the office to the trail, this is an outdoorsy travel backpack that’s top of its class in support | A travel backpack that’s easy to live out of for trips of all shapes and sizes | If you need to stay organized on the road, this is the ultimate travel companion | An upgraded bag that boasts plenty of storage capacity and a removable laptop attaché in a sleek package | A spacious travel backpack that’ll save you money for your next plane or train ticket |
| Rating Categories | Osprey Farpoint 40 | Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | Aer Pack 3 | Thule Subterra 2 Con... | tomtoc Navigator T-6... |
| Storage & Protection (35%) | |||||
| Comfort & Fit (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Versatility (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Osprey Farpoint 40 | Cotopaxi Allpa 35L | Aer Pack 3 | Thule Subterra 2 Con... | tomtoc Navigator T-6... |
| Laptop Compartment | Yes; 16", padded | Yes: 15", padded and fleece-lined | Yes: 16" padded and fleece-lined | No; padded and removable attache, 16" | Yes; 17" padded |
| Carry-On Friendly | Yes. Fits the exact size of most airline bag dimensions requirements. | Tight fit. Length and width are within most airlines requirements, but depth is 2 inches over many airline dimensions. | Yes. All dimensions are at/under the common U.S. carry-on maximum, so it should fit comfortably overhead. | Yes. Matches most US airlines bag requirements | Yes. All dimensions are at/under the common U.S. carry-on maximum, so it should fit comfortably overhead. |
| Anti-Theft Features | Lockable zippers on main compartment | Lockable zippers on main compartment, fabric loops to secure zipper pulls of laptop pocket, main compartment, and larger external pocket | Lockable zippers on main compartment, hidden smart tracker pocket | Back panel pocket with side zipper | Lockable zippers, |
| Carry-On Sizes Available | 40L | 35L, 42L | 28L, 35L | 40L | 28L, 40L |
| Carrying Options | Permanant hip belt, 2 grab handles | Removable hip belt, 4 grab handles, luggage pass-through loop | Removable hip belt (sold separately), 3 grab handles, luggage pass-through loop | 2 grab handles, duffel strap conversion, luggage pass-through loop | 2 grab handles, luggage pass-through loop |
| Pockets with Exterior Access | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Measured Weight | 3.5 lb (40L) | 2.96 lb (35L) | 4.14 lb (35L) | 4.0 lb (40L) | 2.43 lb (40L) |
| Max Dimensions | 22" x 14" x 9" (40L) | 22" x 12" x 11" (35L) | 21.5" × 13" × 9" | 22" x 14" x 9" (40L) | 20.47" × 12.99" × 9" |
| Features | Adjustable torso fit, dual compression straps, shove-it pocket, external toiletry pocket, stowaway backpanel, harness and hipbelt, daypack compatible, internal suspension frame | Wrap around suitcase-style zipper, 3 internal mesh pockets, stretchy water bottle pocket, front accessory pocket, key clip, side/top/bottom grab handles, pass-through suitcase strap, webbing loops, stow-away shoulder straps and hip belt | Lockable zippers, exterior passport pocket, load lifters, magnetic compression straps, lay-flat main compartment, compression straps, felt sunglasses pocket, large laptop pocket | Multiple carry options, zippered mesh pocket divider, shoe & laundry area, water bottle pocket, side, back, and top carry handles | Spacious laptop compartment that also fits tablet, dual access to main compartment, padded back panel, compression straps on both sides |
| Materials | Main: bluesign approved 450D recycled twist dobby polyester, PFAS-free DWR Bottom: bluesign approved 450D recycled twist dobby polyester, PFAS-free DWR |
Shell 1: 100% recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon Shell 2: 100% recycled 840D ballistic ripstop nylon Lining: 100% recycled ripstop polyester |
1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior (bluesign® approved) | bluesign approved 800D nylon/polyester | 1680D abrasion-resistant polyester on bottom of bag, 400D ripstop polyester for rest of exterior |
Our Analysis and Test Results
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.
This hiking-esc travel bag is great for outdoorsy travelers wanting to hit the road. Credit: Zach Lovell
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.
The cavernous main compartment made packing easy, even when dragging along some formal wear and multiple pairs of shoes. Credit: Zach Lovell
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.
The Farpoint 40 requires you to fit most of your belongings in the main compartment, though there's also a mesh pocket on the underside of the lid. Credit: Zach Lovell
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.
The Thule Subterra 2 Convertible is another great model that also offers 40 liters of space. It leans on a more urban aesthetic than the Farpoint 40 and can be converted to a duffel bag or shoulder bag quickly, and comes with a removable laptop attaché that works well as a computer bag on business trips.
—Zach Lovell
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