Finding the ‘Goldilocks’ travel backpack is tricky, but it’s something that Osprey thinks it has cracked with the Farpoint 40. The Farpoint 40 has actually had a rather longstanding presence in the Osprey line-up, having first been introduced way back in 2013 as a backpack capable of bridging the gap between an outright travel pack and a handy carry-on luggage piece. 

Of course, like most travel products, it has been updated since then, becoming a little more feature-heavy than before without losing sight of that overall usability. But since the Farpoint 40 has been around for such a long time, is it still the best option out there? We’ve been travelling with the Farpoint to find out. 

Sphere Score 4/5

For

• Loads of space
• Great overall usability 
• Feels solidly made throughout 

Against

• Hip belt can’t be removed
• Reasonably bulky 
• Could do with a cross-body

Tech specs 

• Capacity: 40 litres
• Weight: 1.48kg
• Dimensions: 55 x 35 x 23cm
• Material: High-tenacity recycled nylon with durable water-repellent (DWR) finish
• Laptop Sleeve: Fits most laptops up to 16 inches
• Carry-on Compatible: Yes (always check before travelling)
• Harness: Adjustable AirScape back system with LightWire frame, stowaway shoulder straps and hip belt
• Colours Available: Cascade Blue, Black, Antique Blue and Sawdust Tan

What does the Osprey Farpoint 40 have to offer?

Given that it’s a backpack designed to get you around the world and home again, it’ll come as no surprise that the Osprey Farpoint 40 is packed with features. For starters, you’ve got that headline 40-litre capacity which provides a good amount of space, accessed via a large opening which comes together with sturdy zips. Inside, you’ve got compression straps to help keep all of your gear together more securely, too, and there’s a mesh section on the back of the covering flap for better organisation. 

What about other pockets? Well, there’s a standard toiletries pouch at the top of the bag which is designed for easy access and, again, this is closed with a zip. You’ve also got a dedicated laptop sleeve designed to accommodate up to 16-inch devices and we’ve been able to use this for our standard MacBook Pro just fine. 

At the front of the bag is a large, open storage pocket that can be used for water bottles or other loose items you want to keep right at hand. It isn’t covered or securable, mind you.

But what about the harness and how do you carry the thing once it’s all loaded up? Well, you’ve got two padded and adjustable shoulder straps, brought together with a sternum strap for better distribution of weight. The latter is equipped with a safety whistle, too. 

If you’re not going to be wearing the backpack for a while, or if you need it to stow it in the overhead lockers for a longer stint, then you can tuck all of the main harness sections behind one covering flap to stop them from getting caught. It’s a handy feature and helps to turn the Farpoint 40 into a duffel-style bag instead. Oh, the Farpoint 40 also comes in one of four colours with our ‘Sawdust Tan’ test bag looking particularly smart. 

With its dimensions, the Farpoint 40 should meet most carry-on requirements, though we’d always double-check before travelling – particularly if you’re using a more stringent budget airline. 

Wearing – what is the Osprey Farpoint 40 like?

When it comes to capacity, the Osprey Farpoint 40 feels as though it goes well beyond its headline space. Because the primary bag material offers a little amount of flex, you feel as though you can get a lot of kit packed inside and with the compression straps, it’s easy to keep everything tied down.

We’d reckon that some packing cubes would come in very handy here, mind you. The mesh panel inside is very handy for those loose items that you often lose to the bottom of a bag. The one thing you have to be mindful of is to load your laptop first; wait until you’ve packed the main pocket and it can sometimes be a struggle to actually load your device into the dedicated pocket. 

Once you’re all loaded up and it’s on your back, the Farpoint 40 starts to feel more like a traditional hiking backpack. There’s plenty of adjustability and the straps themselves have plenty of padding, so there’s no danger of them cutting in. The sternum strap helps to spread the load when you’ve packed the bag completely, and those waist straps take things further. There’s a full Airscape backpanel to help with airflow on those warmer days, too. It’s worth adding that there’s a women’s version of the Farpoint 40, too, for a more dedicated fit. 

While the waist straps can be tucked behind you, they can’t be removed completely and we feel it’s the only area of criticism for the Farpoint. If you could remove them and attach a crossbody strap, then you could quickly transform the Farpoint 40 into a duffel-style pack instead, particularly with that smooth shoulder strap cover. It would just add an extra dimension to the backpack. As it is, if you’re not using the waist straps, then they’re very chunky and tend to get in the way. 

That said, keener hikers who plan on taking the Farpoint 40 into more far-flung destinations will appreciate those waist straps for the extra support that they bring. They’re comfortable and well-padded, too. 

To finish

The Farpoint 40 feels like the type of travel backpack that could take you on a proper adventure. It certainly leans more heavily on the hiking-style pack, rather than a dedicated plane travel option. The good news is that Osprey offers plenty of more plane-friendly backpacks. 

If you want a backpack that’ll take you on an expedition but still manage those day-to-day essentials, then the Osprey Farpoint 40 continues to be an excellent option.