ashenA good travel backpack will save you from a lot of hazel while evading discomforts during your travels. The Osprey Farpoint 40 is a highly positively reviewed and purchased backpack among many travelers. Although we are only talking about the size 40 in this post, there are a variety of sizes for you to choose. However many travelers who have been using this for over an year states that the 40L managed to fit in all of their goods. Although it isn’t the case for all, it’s quite comforting to know that you can fit all your essentials in one place.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Specifications
- Volume: 40L (M/L) 2,441 cu/in
- Dimensions: 22″H x 14″W x 9″D (M/L)
- Weight: 3.17lbs (1.4 kg)
- 15″ laptop compartment
- Lockable Main Compartment
- LightWire Frame Suspension
- Included Padded Shoulder Strap
- Men’s Department
Essentially these are the specs at a first glance. It is made in Vietnam and the materials are mostly ripstop nylon, atilon foam and packcloth. Also you might question the space allocation when you first unpack this backpack, but if the sorting is done right the space is plenty.
Apart from the specs mentioned above there are quite a few more that adds value to this particular backpack. Dual front mesh pockets, two compression straps at the front, zip access to the main compartment, the side and top handles are padded. Also the laptop and tablet sleeves are secure on the interior lockable region of the backpack. However, there are certain backpacks ahead of the Osprey in terms of pocket placement.
Now that we are done with most of the backpacks specifications lets go ahead and review different aspects in detail.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Build Quality
As we mentioned earlier the dominant material is 210D Nylon Mini Hex Diamond Ripstop. The main advantage of this material is the lightness of the bag. Therefore you don’t have to worry about the weight of the bag being added on top of your goodies.
The M/L version of the bag is quite resistant to wear and tears that mostly occur when loading and unloading from flights. However the S/M version appears to be not so resistive.
Talking about the size, the 40L is the optimum for carry on luggage seen as it fits in with the required specifications. There are three different selections for colors. Volcanic Grey, Caribbean Blue and Jasper Red. Most people tend to stay away from the lighter colors as stains and tears are highlighted in them.
The backpack is mostly water proof, however if you don’t want to be too anxious about your expensive electronics inside, covering with a bag cover sounds appropriate.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Features
Now comes the exciting part of the Osprey Farpoint 40 backpack. The most outstanding feature that most travelers praise is the ability to function like a suitcase. The zip compartment adds so much value and eases your packing efforts.
Another really cool feature is the harness, straps and hipbelt. You can stuff them in the back of the bag and zip them in. It helps reduce damage to them when not in use while also not disrupting your movements while you travel. No more dangling down straps. And more importantly the hipbelt and harness ensures the weight distribution to be uniform in your hips. The hipbelt and the shoulder straps are well padded, hence comfortable even at lengthy usage. Also there is an attachable single shoulder strap included.
The zippers are of high quality and durability. And reassuringly they are lockable, which is great in long distance travelling. The zips become invisible when the straps are locked out on the top and compresses the front of the backpack. Additionally the straps secure whatever’s in the dual mesh pockets. These pockets come in real handy if you want to fit a water bottle, snacks etc. However if the bag is completely full inside, stuffing anything in the mesh pocket is impossible.
The backpack comes with both side and top handles and they prove to be useful in many instances. They are well padded and easy to hold on to. But the bag is strictly for carrying on your back and not holding by your hands when it is mostly full. Holding it by these handles under stuffed conditions will definitely lead to quicker quality degradation.
Interior
We already mentioned that the packing resembles much more of a suitcase procedure than a backpack. You can actually eliminate packing cubes with this Osprey 40, however you can still include them if you want. There are two internal compression straps to ensure security for your belongings. And just like in a suitcase there is a large mesh pocket on the opposite side. It is a nice secure compartment to store phone chargers and many other small sized items. There’s also a minor second compartment at the front of the bag, which renders no service if the back compartment is fully stuffed. Sure you can cram some minor clothes in but it stops there.
Another valuable feature is the padded laptop compartment, which can host 15 laptops without any damage. The laptop compartment placement is ideal. Because if it was at the back, then you have to unpack the whole bag just to get your laptop out. Osprey balanced the “hide your straps” feature and the laptop compartment neatly.
Summary
The first and foremost is the outstanding fact of being a hybrid of a backpack and a suitcase. The interior straps and the laptop compartment placement is great.
Next is the size. 40L suits the carry on luggage standards and it is convenient for many people especially if your transit durations are short.
There are plenty of compartments, mesh pockets both interior and exterior for you to customize and organize your packing.
Even weight distribution with multiple carry options. The hipbelt and harness system truly does a marvelous job in the weight distribution uniformity.
Osprey Farpoint 55 vs 40
A worthy comparison for some travelers who don’t mind carrying on luggage size. Although the Osprey Farpoint 40 is well received by most people, there are some who require larger space. Let’s take a quick glance at the 55.
The Farpoint 55 is a combination of the 40L and a detachable 15L. The first point to note down is that this is not carry on size. The model is different from that of the 40L. Also removable sleeping pad straps are included. It is tall and thin as opposed to the 40L. You can use the detachable 15L in different ways, either carry it separately or with the 40L as a single unit. But most solo travelers might not benefit from this arrangement.
However most users comment positively on the Osprey Farpoint 55 Trek. There is no detachable bag here but it’s a lot more comfortable than the regular 55. And some other cool features are integrated to add value. Stowable AirCover acting as a waterproof cover, Zippered hipbelt pockets to store your snacks with easy access, Adjustable and removable sleeping pad straps. More importantly the back panel can be easily adjusted to any height. What the 55 Trek lacks is a laptop compartment.
Conclusion
The Osprey Farpoint 40, 55 and the 55 Trek are all great backpacks. But from a travelers point of view, I guess it’s safe to say that the 40L is the best given that it conforms to the carry on size luggage conditions. However if you are in want of more space the 55 trek is a better choice over the regular 55. With its height adjustments and rain covers and straps for sleeping bags it does add a lot more price to performance value. You can also check out our post on Osprey Talon 22 which is a great daypack for Men.
