Reviews You Can Rely On

Osprey Farpoint 40 Review

Built for long-haul comfort and heavy loads, with a user-friendly layout that makes it excellent to live out of
gearlab tested logo
Osprey Farpoint 40 Review (Some larger travel backpacks have extra suspension and harness support; ideal for large packing lists.)
Some larger travel backpacks have extra suspension and harness support; ideal for large packing lists.
Credit: Hale Milano
Price:  $185 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Osprey
By Hale Milano ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Feb 12, 2024
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 16
  • Storage & Protection - 30% 8.0
  • Ease of Use - 30% 6.9
  • Comfort & Fit - 30% 10.0
  • Versatility - 10% 6.5

Our Verdict

The Osprey Farpoint 40 is a travel backpack that rivals specialized hiking backpacks in its ability to carry heavy loads with comfort and ease. It has a top-notch harness and suspension system that is adjustable and ergonomic. It's also relatively easy to live out of, thanks to a roomy main compartment and mesh organizational features. We think that you might want to consider pairing a compact day pack or a sling bag, fanny pack, or cross body bag if you plan to take any day trips at your destination. Despite the Farpoint's ability to carry plenty of heavy gear, it lacks many external pockets that are handy for accessing smaller travel essentials while on the go. The Farpoint comes in several sizes, and if you're looking for a comfortable backpack to live out of for your next weekend trip or worldwide adventure, we recommend this option. If you're not sure what type of backpack you need yet, check out our best backpack review for all sorts of needs. On the other hand, if you know you want a new piece of luggage but are debating between a traditional suitcase or something more adventure-friendly, jump over to our summary of the best suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, and more to see what sparks your interest and suits your lifestyle best.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent stowable carrying system
Internal and external compression straps
Comfortable grab handle
REASONS TO AVOID
No external pockets for quick access
Does not stand upright

Compare to Similar Products

 
osprey farpoint 40
This Product
Osprey Farpoint 40
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Travel Backpack for Comfort Under Heavy Load
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Travel Backpack
Top Pick Award
Best Travel Backpack for Internal Organization and Livability
Best Buy Award
Best Travel Backpack on a Budget
Best Buy Award
Best Travel Backpack on a Tight Budget
Price $130.00 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
$190.89 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
$215.00 at Evo
Compare at 2 sellers
$120.00 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$37 List
$29.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
81
83
79
68
62
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line A top-of-the-line harness and strap system makes carrying heavy pack loads comfortable, but lacking small organization pocketsThis top-notch pack comfortably holds and hauls all the clothes and gear you need for any type of trip and is ideal for life on the goThis fun and funky bag is great for organization and is functional for life on the goThis budget-friendly bag is everything that you need and nothing that you don'tA convenient, easy-to-use bag that won't break the bank but may not have the same top-tier functionality as other bags in our lineup
Rating Categories Osprey Farpoint 40 Osprey Sojourn Port... Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Osprey Daylite Carr... Coowoz Essentials
Storage & Protection (30%)
8.0
8.3
8.0
6.5
6.0
Ease of Use (30%)
6.9
8.4
8.6
7.0
6.0
Comfort & Fit (30%)
10.0
8.7
8.0
7.0
6.5
Versatility (10%)
6.5
6.5
5.5
6.5
6.0
Specs Osprey Farpoint 40 Osprey Sojourn Port... Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Osprey Daylite Carr... Coowoz Essentials
Sizes Available 15L, 40L, 55L, 70L, 80L 30L, 46L, 65L 20L, 28L, 35L, 42L 26L, 35L, 44L 22L, 27L, 31L, 46L
Measured Dimensions (When Full) 22" x 14" x 9" 24" x 14" x 11" 22" x 12" x 11" 20" x 15" x 11" 13" x 19" x 8"
Measured Weight 3.5 lb 3.4 lb 3.1 lb 2.1 lb 2.8 lb
Weight-to-Volume Ratio 1.40 oz/L 1.18 oz/L 0.09 oz/L 0.06 oz/L 1.14 oz/L
Pockets with Exterior Access 3 5 4 5 7
Materials MAIN: bluesign® approved 450D recycled twist dobby polyester, PFAS-free DWR
BOTTOM: bluesign® approved 450D recycled twist dobby polyester, PFAS-free DWR
MAIN: bluesign® approved, 100% recycled 460D high-tenacity nylon w/ ripstop, DWR treatment made without PFAS
BOTTOM: 100% recycled 1680D ballistic polyester, DWR treatment made without PFAS
Shell 1: 100% recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon
Shell 2: 100% recycled 840D ballistic ripstop nylon
Lining: 100% recycled ripstop polyester
Main: bluesign® APPROVED, 100% recycled 300D polyester w/ripstop, DWR treatment made without PFAS; Bottom: bluesign® APPROVED, 100% recycled 600D polyester, DWR treatment made without PFAS Waterproof polyester
Frame Type 4mm LightWire peripheral frame & Atilon framesheet Foam padding Foam padding Foam padding Foam padding with nylon backing
Features Adjustable torso fit, lockable zippers, dual compression straps, shove-it pocket, external toiletry pocket, stowaway backpanel, harness, and hipbelt, 16" laptop sleeve, daypack compatible Internal compression & mesh organization pockets, vented back panel and tuck-away harness/hipbelt, TSID luggage registration, padded laptop sleeve, day-pack compatible attachments Wrap around suitcase-style zipper, 3 internal mesh pockets, stretchy water bottle pocket, front accessory pocket, key clip, side/top/bottom grab handles, padded fleece-lined laptop sleeve, pass-through suitcase strap, webbing loops, lockable main compartment, stow-away shoulder straps and hip belt AirScape back panel, sternum strap, pass-through suitcase strap, stowaway backpack straps, padded laptop pocket, 2 water bottle pockets, top/side/bottom grab handles, key clip, internal compression straps, external side compression straps, lockable zippers Separate shoe compartment, wet pouch, built-in USB port, anti-theft pocket, passthrough luggage strap, 14" laptop sleeve, external compression straps
Size Tested 40 L 46 L 35 L 35 L 31 L

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Osprey Farpoint 40 is a heavy-duty carry on backpack that stands out for its ability to support the heaviest of loads very comfortably thanks to a richly featured harness and suspension system. The large interior compartment accommodates an absurd amount of clothing and gear, fitting all three of our test packing cubes with ease.

Performance Comparison


osprey farpoint 40 - the farpoint is a workhorse of a travel bag, but it is up some...
The Farpoint is a workhorse of a travel bag, but it is up some off-trail adventures thanks to a sturdy design and robust harness system.
Credit: Hale Milano

Storage & Protection


When you're gearing up for a trip, the last thing you want is to have to choose which essential to leave behind due to lack of space in your bag. When you're considering a travel backpack as your primary or only piece of luggage, packing space becomes a premium. The Osprey Farpoint packs a punch in our storage and protection metric thanks to a spacious interior and tough fabric.

We tested the 40-liter version of the Farpoint and had no trouble fitting all of our gear into it. Osprey also offers this model in three other size options though: a 15-liter daypack, a 55-liter bag, and a massive 70-liter option. This is one of the largest travel bag sizes in our lineup. Although the large option means overall packed weight might get pretty heavy for a backpack, we're also confident in the ability of the robust harness system to help you carry it.


90% of the storage capacity of the Farpoint backpack is found in the main compartment. It is similar to a duffle-style design, with a large primary compartment and internal compression straps. We were able to fit all of our three packing cubes with ease and still had room to spare. The internal compression straps create some extra space for stashing clothes inside the bag, and the external straps snug everything in the bag for transport.

osprey farpoint 40 - the main compartment of the farpoint is a dumping ground for gear;...
The main compartment of the Farpoint is a dumping ground for gear; we tossed this all in, cinched down the straps, and zipped it all up with no problem.
Credit: Hale Milano

In some ways, the Farpoint feels more like a hiking backpack than a regular backpack, the main difference being the zip open compartment versus top-loading design. One of the similarities is the tapered bottom that helps keep gear positioned close and high on your back. It is great for carrying, but you'll have to lay the bag down if you want to take it off because it won't stand on end.

osprey farpoint 40 - the farpoint works much better on your back than on the ground; the...
The Farpoint works much better on your back than on the ground; the tapered bottom holds weight up high and close to your bag, but isn't stable sitting on the ground.
Credit: Hale Milano

The main material of this backpack is a Bluesign® approved 450-denier recycled polyester that is light yet durable. It has a PFAS-free, durable, water-repellent coating that water beads right off of. The fabric extends in a protective flap over the exposed zipper for an added layer of waterproofing. We noted that there was no leakage into the main compartment or laptop pouch during our high-pressure hose test. We like that the Farpoint also has lockable security zippers on the main compartment.

osprey farpoint 40 - the protective zipper flaps on the farpoint protect from water...
The protective zipper flaps on the Farpoint protect from water intrusion.
Credit: Hale Milano

Ease of Use


The Farpoint is one of the more basic travel backpacks in our testing lineup in terms of organizational features. With only a few pockets and even fewer zippers, it is incredibly easy to use. That said, it lacks some of the tester-favorite features for access on the go, as well as livability. While you might miss some of the extra pockets that more featured bags have, we found the simplicity to bring efficiency when packing, hauling, and using this backpack, and we think it will be especially appreciated by the “everything but the kitchen sink” style packers.


Excluding the 16-inch laptop sleeve, the exterior of the bag only has two pockets, and one of these doesn't even have a zipper. There is a small sunglasses-sized pocket on the top of the bag for stashing, well, sunglasses or other small items. Depending on how full you have packed the main compartment, the space in this pocket becomes more limited. There is also a “Shove-It” pocket on the outside, located underneath the external compression straps. While we weren't concerned that anything would fall out of this non-zippered pocket, we struggled to fit many things inside it. Access was further limited by the external compression straps, which need to be undone to use this pocket.

osprey farpoint 40 - there isn't much in the way of external pockets on the farpoint...
There isn't much in the way of external pockets on the Farpoint, though the shove-it pocket is rugged.
Credit: Hale Milano

The main compartment of the Farpoint is easily accessed by unzipping and folding back the large zippered opening. Although the bag doesn't truly lay flat, given the curved design of the straps and suspension system, we didn't feel this impacted general useability. Overall, it is fairly livable, and we'd relate it most to using a duffel bag. The internal compression straps help keep some gear secured while your more frequently used items can be made quickly accessible by keeping them on top. A full-size mesh zipper pocket on the lid helps organize small items like socks and underwear.

The Farpoint packs easily, thanks to unobstructed access to its large main compartment.
Credit: Hale Milano

One drawback to traveling with backpacks is the presence of dangling straps and buckles that seem to get caught and damaged on every conceivable object in your path. Many travel packs have opted to have removable straps or stow-away pocket designs to prevent this. The Farpoint follows suit, and converting from backpack mode to transport-ready was significantly easier than many other models. The entire suspension and harness system stays in place, and a single zippered panel zips up around all of it. When not needed, the panel stows away under the waist belt. We found this to be much quicker and easier than unclipping straps and tucking waist belts inside tight sleeves.

osprey farpoint 40 - zipping away the harness system turns the farpoint into a compact...
Zipping away the harness system turns the Farpoint into a compact tombstone-shaped bag. You can easily carry it with one of two large grab handles, and the straps and buckles are protected.
Credit: Hale Milano

Comfort & Fit


We have two words to describe the comfort and fit of the Farpoint: Holy. Smokes. Okay, we actually have many more words to describe it. This travel backpack is one of the most comfortable that we tested, thanks to its adjustable fit, supportive padding, and ergonomic harness system.


The entire bag-to-human interface of the Farpoint — i.e., the back panel and straps — is incredibly well designed. If you've ever used a dedicated hiking backpack, this is much more comparable to that type of experience than the backpack you used in middle school. The shoulder attachment points are fully adjustable along a sliding track, providing up to four inches of customizable height to fit your torso better. A four-millimeter LightWire frame helps to transfer the load from the shoulder straps to your waist, where there is a comfortably padded hip belt. We especially like that the hip belt adjustability features reverse-grip strap pulls. Instead of pulling the right strap right and the left strap left, you tighten the belt by pulling across your body. We found this to be much more ergonomic.

Deploying the harness system on the Farpoint is easy; everything but the load lifter straps remain buckled and ready to go.
Credit: Hale Milano

The curved back panel and suspension system of the Farpoint is a rigid foam frame sheet. An AirScape back panel keeps your back well-ventilated while holding the weight close to your back, which is critical for a comfortable carrying experience with a heavily loaded pack. The comfortable shoulder straps boast load lifters and an adjustable sternum strap with a built-in safety whistle. The entire harness system zips away for protection when it's not needed, and the bag can be carried by comfortable grab handles on the or side.

osprey farpoint 40 - the mesh back panel on the farpoint is one of the most comfortable...
The mesh back panel on the Farpoint is one of the most comfortable that we tested.
Credit: Hale Milano

Versatility


In such a specific-use bag, the versatility of the Farpoint is somewhat limited to niche applications. We would really only recommend using it for its intended purpose of carrying a large amount of travel gear, but in that scenario, it absolutely excels. Although, in a pinch, we think it could probably function as a decent hiking backpack, given its storage capacity and ergonomic carrying system.


The different size options available for the Farpoint help diversify the audience that may find this backpack useful. We also give credit to the day-pack compatibility of the Farpoint. By attaching another small bag to this one, we think the versatility is greatly improved without detracting from the single-backpack experience. We are remiss to note the lack of a water bottle pocket on the side of the Farpoint, which would have been a nice inclusion to support this bag's versatility. If you're planning overseas trips with adventure activities and don't want to pack bags in bags in bags, the Farpoint could reasonably wear multiple hats. We can see it being useful as your main travel bag, a single-night camping backpack, or a climbing crag bag.

Although the organization of the contents left something to be desired, we used the Farpoint as a make-shift crag bag. We hauled an 80-meter climbing rope and other gear with ease.
Credit: Hale Milano

Should You Buy the Osprey Farpoint 40?


Some types of trips and travelers just need a lot of heavy gear, no matter the duration of your travel. If you fall into one of those categories, we recommend the Osprey Farpoint in any one of its available sizes. For those travelers who might have to carry their gear on foot for longer periods, the harness system on the Farpoint helps transfer the weight to your hips, giving the bag a floating feeling no matter the weight. This is one of the most comfortable travel backpacks in our lineup of bags, and we recommend it for those travelers looking to move light without packing light.

osprey farpoint 40 - the farpoint is a comfortable option for hauling heavy packing...
The Farpoint is a comfortable option for hauling heavy packing lists, no matter what type of trip you're taking.
Credit: Hale Milano

What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?


If you are worried that this bag might be a bit overkill for your weekend home or next overnight trip, we recommend checking out our review of the Thule Subterra 34L. This compact bag is comfortable, stylish, and perfect for a short trip with a change of clothes and a laptop or tablet. If cost is a driving factor in your decision, the Coowoz Essentials is our top recommendation for a travel backpack on a budget. It has just enough features to hang with our top-scoring models and comes at a fraction of the price. Lastly, if you're looking for the most user-friendly backpack to take the place of your carry on suitcase, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L, and Topo Designs Global Travel Bag are all easy to live out of on the go. The Cotopaxi features just enough internal organizing pockets to stow all your gear securely, while the Topo Global Bag is an organizational nerd's dream, taking internal pockets to the extreme. The Osprey Sojourn Porter lacks the number of internal pockets of these two models; however, it is one of our favorite travel backpacks for its above-average performance in all of our testing metrics and general likeability.

osprey farpoint 40 - travel backpacks can free up your hands for cameras, or more bags...
Travel backpacks can free up your hands for cameras, or more bags. The oversized grab handles on the Farpoint are comfortable, even when the bag is heavy.
Credit: Hale Milano

Hale Milano