Last month I was thrilled to finally be able to travel again. I also discovered that I needed a new travel pack. After a whirlwind of research, I settled on the Osprey Farpoint Travel Pack Carry-On 40, which was released last year.
Before writing the Osprey Farpoint 40 review, I used it on two different trips. The first trip was a day hike and the second trip was a series of flights I took to visit some friends.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Dimensions
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is slightly smaller than the popular Osprey Farpoint 55. This is because it is designed for use as a carry-on for most airlines, including budget airlines, just like the Osprey Kestrel 38 or Osprey Stratos 36. So let’s take a look over the Osprey Farpoint sizing.
This Osprey 40l comes in two sizes, S/M and M/L.
- S/M size is 20” x 14” x 8” and weighs 3.11 lbs with a 38-liter capacity.
- M/L size is 21” x 14” x 9”, weighing 3.17 lbs, and has a capacity of 40 liters.
The main partition uses a clamshell design. This means that it opens very wide, allowing you to gain access to the entire main chamber.
There is a nice mesh compartment on the top. There is also a smaller compartment on the outside of the pack. This section is much thinner, but also has two “sleeves.”
The larger sleeve will fit a fifteen-inch laptop and has a latch and a little extra padding. The second sleeve is smaller but is perfect for a small tablet.
On the outside of the pack, there are two mesh pockets and a nifty compartment at the top. This small section is great for easy access when you are carrying or wearing the pack.
You can carry the pack like a normal backpack, a messenger bag, or a carry handle. There are two sets of compression straps inside the main pocket and two sets on the outside.
Finally, all the outside zippers are lockable providing security if you need to leave your pack unattended for any amount of time.
How to Pack Osprey Farpoint 40
One of the most important things about using a travel or day pack is how you pack it. The way you pack your Farpoint 40, can make the difference between a wonderful trip and spilling everything out while you dig through it.
There is also a big difference between the type of trip that you are taking and how much access to the bag you will need. As stated earlier, I took two trips, a day hike, and a few flights.
Packing for these two different trips allowed me to see just how versatile the Farpoint 40 pack can be.
Packing Osprey Farpoint 40 for Hiking
The first trip that I took with my brand new Osprey 40 was a day hike with some friends. The first thing I did was open the pack and just stare at the large open compartment.
When packing for a hike, I normally pack for the heaviest items to be closest to my back. But the wide-open space left me with two worries.
The first was that even with the compression straps, the heavier items would move around during the hike.
The second was that it would be difficult to get to an item at the bottom of the pack.
I would either have to open the clamshell completely or risk the entire pack sliding open if I reached down deep into the pack.
I finally packed my supplies based on probable need. At the bottom of the pack, I put my small toiletry pack, which I was unlikely to need on my day hike.
On top of that, I placed a folded jacket, which doubled as my rain protection. My first aid kit (including a fire starter) and emergency blanket went on top of that.
In the mesh pocket on the top of the compartment, I stuffed two extra pairs of socks, my backup multi-tool, my warm travel blanket, and some snacks.
I didn’t use the outer compartment with the sleeves, but if I was going on a larger hike, I would have liked to sort my items more.
In the mesh pockets on the outside, I placed two large Nalgene water bottles to stay hydrated. Finally, in the easy-access compartment at the top of the bag, I placed some sun protection and extra snacks.
You will be happy to hear that my day hike was a resounding success. The Farpoint 40 felt very comfortable on my back, the straps doing a good job distributing the weight.
Despite my earlier concerns, the entire clamshell did not fly open whenever I reached into my pack. I was happy to find that the compression straps kept everything in place during my hike.
Also, during the walk down, I took a small tumble. Not only did I turn out ok, but so did the pack, with no visible damage. I would definitely say that for a day pack, the Farpoint 40, despite the odd packing, is a great tool for a great day.
Packing Osprey Farpoint 40 for Flights
Osprey Farpoint 40 men’s travel backpack is designed to be used as a carry-on. This erased the need for me to search for the carry-on dimensions of my flights.
I did worry, again, about how much my stuff could end up shifting around. Fortunately, I had my packing cubes ready to keep everything organized.
The first thing I put in the main compartment was an extra pair of shoes. Then I stacked the cube with my jeans, my shirts, and finally my toiletries in the main compartment.
In the mesh compartment, I slipped in an empty cube for dirty laundry. I fit all of my socks and underwear in there as well.
In that outer compartment, I put my laptop, which fits perfectly. I wasn’t bringing a tablet with me. Instead, I put the cords for my laptop in the second sleeve.
I threw my phone charger and wired headphones in the other main part of that compartment. I enjoyed being able to separate my computer cords from my phone’s. This made it easy to grab the cord I needed quickly.
Finally, I slipped an empty Nalgene water bottle into one of the outer mesh pockets. Then put my flight confirmation and identification into the small compartment at the top.
During my day of travel, there was one feature that I was surprised to find myself using.
The Farpoint 40 comes with two carry handles, one on top and one on the side. Getting off the plane, I just grabbed one of the carry handles and walked off.
This prevented me from trying to get the bag onto my back in a crowded space. Then, once I was in the terminal with some breathing room, I slid it onto my back and was on my way.
To say that the Farpoint 40 over performed as my carry-on is an understatement. The bag is small enough that you can navigate through crowded airports.
I could easily access my laptop during one of my layovers. Finally, that small compartment on the top made it super easy to keep track of my boarding tickets and id.
Overall, the dimensions of Osprey Farpoint 40 shouldn’t worry you when it comes to using it in an airplane. It perfectly fits as a carry-on and you won’t have any issues.
Osprey Farpoint 40 with Packing Cubes
Before I get into packing for my flights, I wanted to let you in on a little secret. Ok, maybe it’s not a secret exactly, but it’s definitely a tip that can make packing, especially for flights much easier.
For about twenty dollars you can buy a set of packing cubes. They are also called travel cubes or luggage organizers.
They are typically made of soft fabric and allow you to store different types of luggage in separate containers. I usually travel with three to four packing cubes.
I’ll put my clean shirts in one and a second for my hiking shorts and pants. I also like to pack an empty cube for any dirty clothes I might accumulate during my travels.
If I’m going anywhere near a beach, I pack another empty cube in case I’m not able to dry my swim trunks or towel.
I don’t recommend traveling in wet clothing. But in cases when it can’t be helped, you want to keep it separate from everything else until you are able to dry it properly.
See also: Recommended Luggage to Travel to Europe
Osprey Farpoint 40 VS Porter 46
The main difference between the Porter 46 and the Farpoint 40 is the backpack capacity. The Porter 46 has a capacity of 46 liters and the Farpoint 40 has a capacity of 40 liters. Another big difference between the two packs is the location and size of the laptop sleeve. On the Porter 46, the sleeve has been moved to inside the main compartment.
It also means that the Porter 46 isn’t guaranteed to comply with carry-on size restrictions. This is especially true when you are flying on budget airlines.
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is definitely the new kid on the playground when it comes to Osprey travel packs.
So, it’s a smart idea to do a little research and compare it to one of Osprey’s other great travel packs, the Porter 46.
Both packs, the Porter 46 and the Farpoint 40 sell for $160.00. Without going into a full review of the Porter 46, there are some differences that can help make it easier when you’re trying to decide which backpack you want to buy.
This is in contrast to the Farpoint 40, with the sleeve being in the outer compartment. This means that the weight of a laptop on the Porter 46 is closer to your back, making it easier to carry.
The Porter 46 can also hold a larger laptop, up to 17 inches compared to the Farpoint 40s 15 inches. The Porter 46 has a detachable day pack that you can use, leaving the larger pack behind and only carrying what you need.
Finally, the Farpoint 40 has those two mesh pockets on the outside, which are great for carrying water. These pockets are missing on the Porter 46.
Choosing the right backpack for you depends on your personal wants and needs. However, if you were to ask me, I prefer the Farpoint 40s slightly smaller size, making it easier to carry in tight quarters.
I also use the outside mesh pockets to carry water bottles for all my hikes.
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Title:
Osprey Farpoint 40
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Title:
Osprey Porter 46
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Volume:
40L
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Volume:
46L
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Dimensions:
22"H x 14"W x 9"D (M/L)
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Dimensions:
23"H x 15"W x 9"D
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Weight:
3 lbs
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Weight:
3.40 lbs
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Colors:
Volcanic Grey, Jasper Red and Caribbean Blue
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Colors:
Black, Hoodoo Red and Nitro Green
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Pockets:
6
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Pockets:
5
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N/A
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N/A
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Osprey Farpoint 40 Fast Facts
Price
The Osprey Farpoint Travel Pack Carry-On retails for $160.00 on the Osprey website, no matter which size you choose. If you decide to buy it from Amazon, your could pay anywhere between $100-$120.
You can find the Farpoint 40 for sale on many third-party sites. When ordering from other sites, make sure you are buying an authentic Osprey pack and that you are still getting the Osprey Warranty.
Warranty
Osprey offers what they call the “Almighty Guarantee” as the warrant for any of their packs. According to their website:
“Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason or free of charge — whether it was produced in 1974 or yesterday.
If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it. We proudly stand behind this guarantee, so much so that it bears the signature of company founder and head designer, Mike Pfotenhauer.”
If you need a repair or replacement of your Osprey pack, you can apply for one right on their website.
Colors
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is offered in three colors, Black, Jasper Red, and Volcanic Grey.
Waterproofing
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is listed as water-resistant, not waterproof. I haven’t tested the pack in an outright downpour. But I was sprayed from a rogue sprinkler and was happy to find everything inside it stayed dry.
If you are planning to use the Farpoint 40 when it might get wet, you can invest in a rain cover. Osprey sells one on their website for $37.00 or you can get one from a third party.
While it might seem a little pricey, compared to the cost of the pack, remember you are protecting what’s inside the pack.
Other Features
The Farpoint 40 allows you to take the straps and hip support and hide them. It’s a simple zipper that covers them, making it easy to carry the pack by the carry straps or the attached messenger bag.
There is a reason the Osprey Farpoint 40 was named “Best Overall Travel Backpack for 2020” by Us News & World Report.
I have actually used it on a near-daily basis, using it to carry my personal stuff. I also use it nearly every weekend, no matter what adventure I find myself going on.
While I don’t rate it on a numerical scale, I would say that, for me, this pack is almost perfect and I highly recommend it.
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