Osprey Men’s Farpoint & Women’s Fairview Travel Backpack Reviewed in 2025

The Osprey Farpoint Updated and Improved

When you first unpack the Farpoint 40, or the Fairview 40 for that matter (I tested out the Farpoint 40, designed primarily for male bodies), there are a few attributes that stick out immediately.

First, we are so happy they moved the laptop sleeve to the back of the bag! This helps with laptop protection and really helps keep the bag balanced if you have it set down.

Next, you are bound to notice the plush shoulder straps and a hip belt. These also look like they offer great airflow. There are several adjustable straps throughout the bag. At first, it can be a bit confusing to understand how everything works, but once you start to unzip the bag, fill it up, and try it on, it is all very intuitive and straightforward.

While the bag flattens easily, the back panel is very firm and does not collapse. The back panel is impressive, with its airscape design built for airflow and comfort, but won’t fold down into a smaller size.

Another big change Osprey made to the new Farpoint is that there is now one main large compartment. While some travelers may want more organization, found in the Osprey Sojourn Porter, we found this gave us more versatility when packing.

The shape is all about function rather than fashion. This is a travel backpack that looks like a backpack. Even when you zip up the back panel and carry it with one of the two side carrying handles, it still looks more like a backpack than a suitcase. But Osprey is not in the fashion business, they are in the business of making high-quality, comfortable, and durable backpacks for serious travelers.

To this point, the materials and hardware all look top-notch. The DWR-coated polyester looks thick and feels like it can take a beating. The YKK zippers are large and move easily, and the compression straps and clips are also what you would expect from a reputable brand like Osprey.

Overall, the first impression of the Osprey Farpoint is a positive one, but you need to pack and wear the backpack before you understand how it works and how great, or not so great, it is.

A Well-Built Spacious Travel Backpack

The Farpoint 40 is made to last and designed for the traveler who knows a thing or two about packing light and seeing the world. This Osprey bag has a compact but functional and well-thought shape and materials that are made to last.

Design and Materials

The design of this bag is all about function and fit. The silhouette is wide and round, making it possible to fit 40 liters of gear into a space that looks barely larger than a large school backpack. The exterior of the bag is smart but fairly simple. There are two external compression straps. They are very easy to use and effective at taking a few inches off the width of your bag.

Upon further inspection, you will notice lots of external loops. There is a loop on each corner of the bag and a few additional loops near the exterior handles. These are great if you need to tie your shoes to the outside of your bag or clip a sleeping bag or external speaker. It helps you make this small bag much bigger when you need it to be.

The materials are of the professional and durable caliber you have likely come to expect from Osprey. This includes the YKK lockable zippers and quality ITW buckles that clip easily and securely. The compression and adjustable straps are also strong.

The polyester material is rip and puncture-resistant. I had no rips or fraying throughout my constant use of this bag. The bag is also PSAF-free, which is good for the environment.

The polyester has a DWR coating, which helps it handle dirty and wet conditions well. It also makes the bag easy to clean and fairly stain-resistant. This comes in clutch for those traveling to all the great dusty and muddy regions of the world.

Fit And Functionality

The Farpoint 40 has highly adjustable shoulder straps, which makes it possible to custom-fit this pack based on your height to keep the weight distribution where you want it. It is easy to walk with this bag for miles, even if it is field with heavy gear, thanks to the sternum strap and padded weight belt.

It is hard to notice when the bag is empty, but as you start to fill up the main compartment of the Farpoint 40, you realize this carry-on-sized backpack fits a lot more than you initially thought it would. 

If you are a fan of using great packing cubes you will love the design of this bag, as the majority of the storage space is in one uninterrupted compartment. You can easily fit several large compression cubes, a few medium ones, and a toiletry bag – all in addition to your other travel essentials. This all helps make the Farpoint 40 an ideal travel bag for those looking to travel the world with one great backpack.

The Men’s Versus Women’s Osprey 40L Travel Backpacks

Osprey makes two different 40L travel backpacks with similar designs and functionality. These two different packs are the Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40. Generally, the Farpoint is for men, and the Fairview is designed for women. While, in theory, this Farpoint 40L pack is unisex, there are reasons women might gravitate towards the Fairview instead.

The main difference between these two packs is the fit. The Fairview is designed for those who have slightly smaller frames, which is most women (compared to men). Additionally, the shoulder straps curve to fit a woman’s frame better.

Overall, women are likely to find the Fairview more comfortable when carrying for long distances. The good news is the designs are similar, and both bags have a spacious 40L capacity.

How Well The Osprey Farpoint 40L Functions In Real Life

After testing this bag out in several countries and taking it on planes, trains, subways, and overnight buses, I can confidently say the Farpoint 40 is a reliable, durable, and surprisingly comfortable travel backpack. Its materials held up and still show no real sign of wear and tear.

The two main takeaways after several weeks of traveling with this backpack were its comfort and surprising capacity. The padding in this bag is great. The shoulder straps are soft and aerated, which helps lighten the burden on your shoulders and also helps prevent you from sweating through your shirt.

The Airscape back panel is great at preventing the dreaded drenched back that many backpackers suffer from. When traveling through airports, the two carrying handles and the stowaway back panel made transforming this bag into a carry-on suitcase a breeze.

While the Osprey Farpoint excelled in its comfort, size, and even durability, there were a few less-than-ideal aspects to the design that are worth noting. For one, almost all the storage space is in the main clamshell compartment, and this compartment isn’t that easy to access. If you use the external pocket for a water bottle and use the compression straps, then it can take several steps before you can unzip the bag.

Additionally, the main compartment has few organizational elements. There is a mesh compartment on the lip of the clamshell, but otherwise, it is one large mass of empty space. If you have packing cubes, then this is great, but if you don’t, we recommend you buy some quality compression packing cubes when purchasing the Farpoint 40.

Unpacking Key Features of the Farpoint 40L Travel Backpack

Spacious Main Compartment With Clamshell Design

The main feature of the Osprey Farpoint is its main compartment. With limited external or internal pockets, this main compartment is the bulk of the bag. While at first glance it doesn’t look that big, you will be shocked at how much you can fit, especially with compression packing cubes.

The mesh compartment on the lip of the clamshell is perfect for keeping things like documents, charging chords, or even socks and underwear. There are also two straps with great clasps to keep your belongings in place during your journey.

The laptop pocket is visible at the bottom of the main compartment, and it is best to pack soft items first so you don’t risk damaging your computer. There is also a bit of space underneath the laptop pocket where you can store important documents, a book, or even a piece of art that you don’t want to get bent or damaged.

Built-In Laptop Compartment

The built-in laptop compartment is a great feature. Since the main compartment is a bit challenging to access quickly, it’s great to have easy access to your laptop, e-reader, or iPad, especially if you frequently find yourself going through airport security. This makes the Farpoint 40 a great choice for those looking for the best travel laptop bag.

The pouch can fit a laptop up to 16”, but it seems like it can fit an even larger laptop as long as it has a narrow design. There is plenty of padding to prevent your computer from getting damaged. The main downside is there isn’t a lot of thickness to this pouch opening, so if you like to keep your laptop in an additional protective case (and most people do), you might find it challenging to squeeze the laptop and the case in this compartment.

Padded Shoulder Straps

Padded shoulder straps are key if you are traveling with one great travel backpack, and the Farpoint 40 has great shoulder straps. The padding is thick and allows for great airflow. Even after carrying a fully loaded bag for more than an hour, the muscles and skin underneath the straps felt fine.

Exterior Pouch With Drainage Hole

There is no dedicated water bottle pocket built into this particular Osprey travel backpack, but there is an external pocket. The pocket can fit a 32 oz water bottle like a Nalgene or Yeti, but you will want to secure the bottle with a clip.

You can also use this pouch for anything you might need to access quickly, like a windbreaker or travel umbrella.

Easy-Access Toiletry Pocket

While there are not many external pockets, arguably the best one is the toiletry pocket located on the top of the bag. This compartment is likely designed for a small toiletry bag, so you can easily get your liquids out at TSA, but it is quite versatile.

If you are using the Farpoint 40 for one-bag travel, this pocket is great for keeping your cell phone, passport, and wallet. Just keep in mind the more you fill the main compartment, the harder it is to squeeze things into this small external pocket.

Stowaway Back Panel Harness and Hip Belt With ID Pocket

Another great feature of this fantastic travel backpack is the stowaway capability of the back panel. Normally, you will carry the Farpoint 40 like a backpack, but sometimes it’s just not possible – like when storing your luggage overhead or when you check the bag.

The stowaway back panel hides the shoulder straps and hip belt, instantly transforming it into a classic suitcase silhouette. 

Multiple Padded Handles

There are two padded handles, and they are very comfortable. The padding is well-aerated, just like the shoulder straps. This prevents you from sweating too much when carrying this bag for longer distances in the heat.

Airscape Design Back Panel

The Airscape design of the back panel is great for those who are prone to sweating. It is firm but has plenty of give. The back panel is comfortable, and the ridges offer great airflow to keep your back from forming a pool of sweat. You may still sweat, especially when carrying it for extended distances, but far less sweating and much better airflow than you get from most backpacks.

Padded Hip Belt

Osprey is known for making bags for backpackers, so a padded hip belt isn’t a big surprise, and it is a welcome addition. This feature adds additional weight support and comes in handy when you are walking with a heavy pack for longer distances.

While you can’t remove it, and it might seem a bit extra at times, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. This can be seen when compared to the Gregory Border Traveler, which really pinches the shoulders when overpacked without a weight belt to help carry the load with extra weight.

Dual Compression Straps

The outside of the back has two durable compression straps with great easy-lock clips. When you pack your main compartment to the max, these compression straps are a lifesaver. They can cinch your bag down several inches, which can make all the difference when you are trying to use this backpack as your carry on luggage.

While this model does not come with the Farpoint Daypack, it is compatible with this bag. If you want to have a great daypack to fit this travel backpack, you have to buy it separately. It connects with the help of these compression straps, so you can combine both bags for easy transport, just like on the Osprey Sojourn Porter. It is important to note that with the added weight of another bag, the Farpoint is far more comfortable with the strap and backplate design.

Sternum Strap With Whistle

The Farpoint 40 features a sternum strap with a built-in whistle, which also helps with weight distribution. The clip on this strap also doubles as a whistle, which can come in handy. The Fairview 40, designed for the female form, has two straps, making it easier and comfortable to clip in when you have a curvy female figure.

Is The Farpoint 40 Backpack A Good Value?

With a brand name like Osprey and a price tag of about $180, both the Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 are a solid value. Some similarly-sized bags with comfort features are almost twice the price, like the Matador Globerider 45.

This bag is hard to beat for the price. It fits all you need for a warm-weather destination, making it the best affordable travel backpack for those looking to explore regions like Southeast Asia, India, or other warm-weather regions.

When considering the matter of cost, you need to think about longevity. After all, a $50 bag is quite expensive if it falls apart in less than six months. Osprey is known for quality materials and hardware. This bag is no exception, from its rip and puncture-resistant polyester with water-resistant DWR coating, to its sturdy YKK zippers, this backpack is built to last.

Osprey’s Warranty

Best of all, it also comes with Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee. This warranty is a lifetime guarantee that Osprey will replace anything that was defective with the bag free of charge. Normal wear and tear or destruction like rips and stains are not covered, but any defects are.

Our Final Recommendations For The Osprey Farpoint 40

After considering all the features of the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 travel backpacks, and all the pros and cons, the question remains if this pack is indeed one of the best travel backpacks.

The pros greatly outweigh the cons of this backpack, and the price is unbeatable for what you get. Osprey makes great bags that last many years, and at $180, it is a perfect high-quality bag for an affordable price.

It is also the best travel backpack for someone looking to dip their toes into the backpacking world without making a huge investment. After all, not everyone takes multiple backpacking trips a year. Digital nomads will also love this bag, as the padded laptop compartment makes the Farpoint 40 a perfect travel laptop bag.

Sure, the bag lacks organization in its main compartment, and there are minimal external pockets, but this can offer some packing versatility that too much built-in organization can hinder. What the Farpoint and Fairview deliver in abundance is value, comfort, and durability, and in the world of travel backpacks, those three qualities are perhaps more coveted than any other.