Is the Osprey Farpoint 40 worth it?
Yes, for the right buyer. The Osprey Farpoint 40 ranks #1 in our Best Travel Backpacks for Carry-On Only Travel list (top pick). Its biggest strength: clears nearly every carrier's carry-on sizer at 40L. The ma in caveat: fixed ma in compartment, no expansion for a longer trip.
Alternatives to the Osprey Farpoint 40
Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.
Buying advice: travel backpacks
- 135 to 45 liters suits one-bag travel. Check your airlines' carry-on dimensions.
- 2Clamshell openings make packing easier. Top-loaders are lighter but harder to organize.
- 3Padded shoulder straps — a sternum strap and a hip belt help with heavier loads.
- 4A separate laptop compartment speeds up security checks.
- 5Lockable zippers and hidden pockets deter pickpockets.
Read the full guides
- How to Choose a Travel Backpack
- Travel Backpacks Buying Guide
- Travel Backpack Not Fitting Carry-On Sizers
- Travel Backpack Straps Digging In
- Travel Backpack Zippers Breaking
More travel backpacks shortlists
- Best Travel Backpacks for Backpacking Europe
- Best Travel Backpacks for Carry-On Only Travel
- Best Travel Backpacks for Digital Nomads
- Best Travel Backpacks for Weekend Trips
- Best Travel Backpacks Under $100
- Best Travel Backpacks Under $200
Our picks
Products we recommend
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports.
Osprey
Frame suspension and hipbelt carry weight better on long walks between tra in stations
- 40L with removable 11L daypack
- LightWire frame suspension
- Stowable harness
- Zip-away hipbelt
- Lockable ma in compartment
✓ Pros
- Clears nearly every carrier's carry-on sizer at 40L
- Stowable harness means nothing snags on jet bridges or overhead bins
- Removable daypack functions as a real day bag, not just a stuff sack
✕ Cons
- Fixed ma in compartment, no expansion for a longer trip
- S/M and M/L sizing means checking your torso length before buying
- Daypack attaches externally and adds bulk when both pieces are worn together
Cotopaxi
Extra volume over the 35L version suits multi-month itineraries with fewer laundry stops
- 42L suitcase-style opening
- 15-inch laptop sleeve
- 1000D TPU-coated polyester shell
- Removable hip belt
- Exterior stretch water bottle pocket
✓ Pros
- Extra volume over the 35L version suits multi-month itineraries with fewer laundry stops
- Same fast packing layout as the smaller Allpa, useful in shared hostel spaces
- Durable shell fabric withstands repeated loading onto buses and trains
✕ Cons
- 42L is the least budget-carrier-friendly size in this list
- Heavier than the 35L version when fully packed for a long trip
- May need to be checked rather than carried as a free personal item on strict carriers
Cotopaxi
35L sits closest to budget-carrier personal item limits among purpose-built travel packs
- 35L suitcase-style opening
- 1000D TPU-coated polyester, recycled fabrics
- Air-mesh back panel
- Removable hip belt
- Luggage pass-through strap
✓ Pros
- 35L sits closest to budget-carrier personal item limits among purpose-built travel packs
- Suitcase-style opening suits repacking quietly in shared hostel rooms
- Durable shell holds up over weeks of tra in stations and cobblestone streets
✕ Cons
- Even at 35L, some strict Ryanair-style sizers may still flag it at the gate
- Th in hip belt offers less support than a hiking-style harness on long walking days
- Limited external organization for quick-grab items like a passport or phone
Peak Design
Its case rests on compresses to a smaller, stricter-sizer-friendly footprint when needed and three separate access points make it easy to grab items without unpacking.
- Expands from 35L to 45L via external compression straps
- Weatherproof 400D recycled nylon canvas shell
- Rear, top, and side access with MagLatch closures
- Tuck-away hip belt and sternum strap
- Compatible with Peak Design packing cubes and camera cubes
✓ Pros
- Compresses to a smaller, stricter-sizer-friendly footprint when needed
- Three separate access points make it easy to grab items without unpacking
- Weatherproof shell holds up in ra in at bus stops and gate walks
✕ Cons
- Tuck-away straps take a bit of practice to stow cleanly
- Heavier than the Osprey Farpoint 40 when fully packed
Top pickAmazon Basics
Carry-on dimensions clear most domestic airline sizers
- 1.55 cubic foot ma in capacity, expandable for 10% extra space
- 13.8 x 21.5 x 9.5 inches, carry-on sized
- Convertible backpack and shoulder bag straps
- Dedicated laptop compartment
- Multiple organizational pockets
✓ Pros
- Carry-on dimensions clear most domestic airline sizers
- Convertible strap system doubles as a shoulder bag for short trips off the plane
✕ Cons
- No frame suspension, so a fully packed bag feels heavier on the shoulders than a structured pack
- Zippers are noticeably lighter-duty than premium travel packs
- Padding on the straps is thinner and less comfortable over a full day of walking
FAQ
Common questions
Is the Osprey Farpoint 40 worth buying?
Yes, for the right buyer. The Osprey Farpoint 40 ranks #1 in our Best Travel Backpacks for Carry-On Only Travel list (top pick). Its biggest strength: clears nearly every carrier's carry-on sizer at 40L. The ma in caveat: fixed ma in compartment, no expansion for a longer trip.
Who is the Osprey Farpoint 40 best for?
Based on our research it suits carry-on only travel, budgets under $200, backpacking europe and weekend trips. It's ranked #1 of 4 in our Best Travel Backpacks for Carry-On Only Travel list.
What are the downsides of the Osprey Farpoint 40?
The ma in trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: fixed ma in compartment, no expansion for a longer trip; s/M and M/L sizing means checking your torso length before buying; daypack attaches externally and adds bulk when both pieces are worn together.
What are the key features of the Osprey Farpoint 40?
40L across S/M and M/L harness sizing, Removable 11L Daylite Plus daypack, LightWire frame suspension, stows away for flights, Zip-away hipbelt and harness and Lockable dual-zip ma in compartment.
What are the best alternatives to the Osprey Farpoint 40?
Worth comparing: Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack, Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.
Where can I buy the Osprey Farpoint 40?
It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.
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