If you’re here, that means you are looking for a better travel backpack. Look no further than the Osprey Farpoint 40L!
I’ll breakdown everything you need to know before purchasing this travel backpack.
Short Version: I love using the Osprey Farpoint 40L for my travels. In fact, when we left the US to travel for a year. That was my backpack of choice.
Quick Specs
Here are the quick and dirty specs you need to know:
- The bag is advertised as a men’s bag but I carried it for 6 months.
- The bag is front-loading so it opens like a suitcase instead of a traditional book bag that is top loading
- The M/L size has a carrying capacity of 40L. The S/M size carried 38L.
- The bag weighs 3.17 lbs.
- The dimensions are 21H X 14W X 9D IN
I’ll elaborate on the benefit/ downside of each of these. Continue reading or skip ahead.
Quick Answers
If you want to skim the rest of this article. Here are the highlights.
- For most airlines, the Osprey Farpoint 40L is generally carry on size. Meaning, you are not required to check it in.
- The Osprey Farpoint 40 is the perfect backpack for backpackers.
- This bag is a great value for the price. Good backpacks are generally expensive. The Osprey Farpoint 40 is well-made and budget-friendly.
- Although you can purchase an additional rain cover, the Osprey Farpoint 40 is not waterproof.
Our Review using the Osprey Farpoint 40
Before a trip to Johannesburg, South Africa in 2018, I started my search for a new backpack. We were traveling to the city and safari for over 10 days.
After much research, I decide on the Osprey Farpoint 40L.
That was over two years ago, and I am still loving this bag.
In 2019, when we left the country, I also decided this would be my around the world bag.
I hope that you see that I sincerely like this bag and I think it is the perfect one for long-term travelers and weekend trips.
The Osprey Farpoint 40L vs Osprey Farpoint 55L
The Osprey Farpoint comes in two volumes- 40L and 55L. The one we love and recommend is the Farpoint 40L.
The Farpoint 55L is technically a 15L daypack attached to a 40L normal backpack. So you might think its the same thing with an additional smaller backpack. Which would be great. Except – the sizing is a major drawback.
The Farpoint 55L is 4 inches taller and 3 inches deeper. While this difference is not a lot, most airlines will require you to check the 55L because it is over the carry-on dimensions.
The Osprey 40L is lone of the largest bags but still carry on size.
Our Favorite Features
The Farpoint 40L includes a shoulder strap to carry as a duffle bag. I love this because we travel with two backpacks. And the traveling turtle looks goofy. (turtle = one backpack on the front and one backpack on the back). So if I can avoid it for short times, I like to.
It allows me to carry my tech backpack on my back and the Farpoint as a duffle on the side.
Although, I preach travel light! Traveling light for a whole year still is a lot of stuff. I want to fit the maximum amount while still being carry-on. This bag gives me just that.
As a plus-size woman, the hip straps are large enough. Some bags have hip straps that dig into my sides. This bag fits me like a glove.
Shortcomings We Wish Were Better
While I love the Osprey Farpoint 40L, there are two major shortcomings that I wish were better.
The water bottle holders in the front hard to access when the bag is full. Usually, water bottle holders are on the sides and are easier to use. These pockets are on the front.
I used to travel with a 32 oz, insulated water bottle but I had to change it to a 24oz bottle because it wouldn’t fit.
Similarly, the laptop sleeve in the front of the back. So, it’s far away from my back (even though its the heaviest item in my bag).
When the bag is full, its nearly impossible to slide a laptop and kindle into the tech sleeve.
These are not deal breakers for me because I carry a lot of tech and have a separate backpack for tech items.
Everything I Pack for a Year in an Osprey Farpoint 40L
Compartments and Organization
There are 3 main compartments. All three components have zippers located at the top of the bag in similar areas.
- Large Main Compartment. This is where you would store your clothes and shoes. I fit one pair of jeans, a pair of jean shorts, all underwear, two bathing suits, 3 pairs of leggings, and countless accessories in this compartment.
- Slash pocket for accessories. I was able to fit my glasses and sunglasses and smaller quick-access items.
- Laptop Sleeve/ Tech compartment. There is two sleeves for notebooks or laptops. I use this pocket mostly for notebooks and pens. I mentioned te laptop sleeve in the things I wish were better.
Laptop/Tech Pocket
Keep in mind, if you are traveling with a tablet, some reviewers said their tablets cracked in the tech compartment when the bag is overstuffed.
Other Features
- Lockable zippers
- Compression straps inside the main compartment
- ID pocket
- Mesh pockets on the front of main compartment
Final Thoughts
The Osprey Farpoint 40L is the best travel backpack whether you plan to travel long-term or weekend trips.
I used it as my main backpack for the last two years and still love it.
Without this backpack, I wouldn’t have saved hundreds in check bags fees or fit as many clothes as I have for one year of travel.
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