11.7.2017

This bag is absolutely fantastic! I've been on a search for a carry-on sized convertible backpack for a couple months now and finally settled on the Farpoint 40 for an upcoming 2 week train based vacation in Spain. I purchased several 35L-40L bags to try out with what I'll be packing and returned the rest. Of the bags I tried...Osprey Farpint 40 (Amazon Prime version is the latest version, other Amazon vendors are selling an older version which I also purchased and returned), the Pacsafe Venturesafe 45, Minaal Travel Pack Carryon, Goruck GR2 34L (already own as a EDC work bag). The first bag I purchased was the Minaal bag after all the great Youtube reviews it gets from "digital nomads".While it's a decent quality bag, I'm convinced all those that review it are getting a small kickback. I loved the sleek, no frills look of it, but with just 17lbs packed in it, my shoulders hurt from the minimal padding they have and the bag was pretty much stuffed to capacity with their 3 packing cubes which I also purchased. They sell waist pads, but they're so minimal as well, that they wouldn't take the weight off the shoulders if used. For $300 plus shipping, I found it overpriced for the average quality and lack of support when packed. Next up is the Pacsafe Venturesafe which could be bought for $134 on Ebags as of 07/10/17. I really wanted this to be the bag for me. I travel quite a bit and the thought of being able to leave it locked up at my train seat while I head to the cafe car for a beer or espresso was very appealing. The locking system is very ingenious, the material is pretty nice and durable, professional looking and very streamlined almost as much as the Minaal. Online reviews only seem to ding the laptop compartment because it's not against your bag, but out front. I couldn't care less about the laptop compartments on any of these bags because, I don't travel with one. The Venturesafe 45 has a 5 year warranty. It also IS NOT a true 45L bag. I don't know where they get that, but it has less space than any of the 34-40 liter bags I've tested. Needless to say, it fit all my items that I take to travel carry-on to Europe and Central America. Some reviewers complained about the fiddly shoulder and hip pads when trying to tuck them in their slots on the back. I didn't find it much of an issue, because I carry these bags as a backpack until I get to the gate and then have plenty of time to tuck them away before boarding. The deal killer for me on the Venturesafe 45 was also the lack of support it provided with my items. It does have a slightly padded hip pad and shoulder pads, a single aluminum bar going down the center spine area of the back (inside) and lightly padded, mesh backpad. If Pacsafe added shoulder compression straps to the bag, i think it would carry much better even with the thinner padded shoulder and hip pads. Without these compression straps, the backpack just pulls away from your body and takes the weight with it. Since the hip pads aren't designed to take the weight off your shoulder like the Osprey Farpoint 40 pads are, it carries the load poorly. The Goruck GR2 34L is also a fantastic bag. The reason it's not going to Spain is that it's a little on the heavy side. I bought it for the lifetime warranty, tough as steel quality/build and minimal design. It doesn't have hip pads, but the shoulder pads are so padded that they distribute the weight very well. The interior zippered pockets allow you to take less packing cubes and the inside holds quite a bit. Other than price, I can't say anything bad about it, but it is a lifetime bag and if you're MIL, LEO or GOV, you'll get a nice 25% discount which is what I did. Now onto the Farpoint 40. While cheaper than most of these bags I've tried, it's also the most comfortable since Osprey designs hiking backpacks first and then tried a run at some travel bags. The Farpoint is actually fairly lightweight considering how plush their hip and shoulder pads are. I think the secret to this bag is that there is a U-shaped rod that's routed through the back panel and connects to the hip belt to allow the bag to transfer the weight as standard backpacking bags do. It also has shoulder strap and hip strap compression straps and the best aerated back panel of any of the bags I've tried out. All my packed items fit in the main compartment and I stick a small bag with charging cords in the larger outer pocket where a laptop would go. The smaller top pocket is perfect for your TSA liquid bag or throwing in the contents of your pants pockets before sending it through the x-ray machine. I do TSA Precheck so I don't have to take out my liquids, but leaving from other countries, liquids do have to come out so this pocket is handy. When leaving the US, put my wallet, cellphone and watch in the pocket so they're not in plain sight to temps any sticky fingers. The current model has more of a low key logo of just the bird and Osprey wording, not what the picture Amazon shows. That logo is the old model being sold by many of the Amazon vendors. Osprey's website shows the current version. The Farpoint 40 also has thickly padded handles on the side and top for carrying without the shoulder straps. I found them about as comfy as all the other bags I tried. The shoulder and hip straps zip up quickly under the roll away panel, but one of the reasons for the 4 stars is the roll up panel is secured in an odd way with velcro which don't see lasting that long. It's in a weird spot where it could catch onto clothes and possibly ruin them if you are wearing delicate fabrics. It's hard to describe without actually seeing it, but if you're careful and take your time rolling the panel up then you'll avoid that from happening. Another reason why I didn't give the Farpoint 40 5 stars is because you're stuck with the hip straps. Unlike the Venturesafe 45 or other bags similar to this one bag carry-on backpack, the Farpoint 40 hip belt doesn't tuck away anywhere. I know I won't always want to use them, especially since the shoulder pads distribute the weight so well. What convinced me to purchase and keep this bag anyways was watching a great Youtube video review by a user named "MarcusBird". He shows the pack actually in use and a great way to tuck away the hip straps out of the way behind the back panel and use just the shoulder pads. Thank you MarcusBird! And then the last reason this bag didn't get 5 stars is the water bottle pockets. These have to be THE single most complaint from users that I've read/watched. The mesh pockets are not stretchy like some other bags have. They fit my Grayl water bottle/purifier just perfect even with my bag packed, but if the bag is packed with a laptop in the front pocket, you're probably going to have a hard time sticking any water bottles in the pockets. Honestly, I'd just use them to stuff liter water bottles purchased at the airport. Those bottles are flexible and most likely will fit much better in a stuffed pack. The Volcanic Grey pack is a very nice, fairly dark grey that looks awesome in person. It's low key, low profile and professional looking. Especially on the current version with minimal logo/branding. I think if Osprey were to get rid of the 2 front water bottle pockets and replace them with one water bottle pocket on the side that doesn't have the carry handle as well as do a slight redesign to their back panel cover that might allow you to tuck the hip pads away, they'd have a real winner in the carry-on convertible backpack market. I know people will complain about laptop compartment, but if they put it against your back then you'd lose the back ventilation and ergonomic back panel. I think their idea behind it being on top is so it's easier to remove from the bag when it's on a TSA X-ray belt. I like to travel light (no laptop) so this feature doesn't bother me.

3.2.2018

In my frustrating quest to find "the one bag to rule them all" this one comes out somewhat short to the competition from a design point.I travel alot so I need a bag that is carry on compatible and can withstand most of what nature has to through at it...while still being able to blend-in in the city. I've checked many bags and while I ended up choosing this one, I feel like at the end I'm being cheated a little and settling for something that shouldn't be hard to make...I checked the Mantra AG 36, Escapist 32, Kelty Redwing 44L (owned on before which was stolen), and REI Rucksack 40I'm 6' about 185lbs, torso Length of 21" for reference and a bit of a minimalist . As a travel bag its all you'll probably need.I owned a Kelty 44 Redwing which was stolen, and while that bag is closer to my needs, it also comes out short in the durability department, and torso length (being only 18.5"). I owned that bag for 1 year and the lining inside had a hole from filing it with packing cubes and a DSLR camera in its bag.PROS:Comfortable, wire-frame suspensionBuild material and quality 210D ripstop Nylon and 600D PackclothStow away shoulder straps and well padded waist beltWater resistantLockable YKK zippersCarry-on size compliantLuggage style compression straps and zipper pocket in main compartmentVery roomy at 40lCONS:Water bottle pockets location are a sick jokeNo Hydration Pack StorageThe laptop pocket while it will fit a 15" laptop, it's position in front of the bag throws off the weight distribution, and applies pressure which may cause damage to devices.Organization options could be alot better.No hipbelt pocketsMore pockets needed.The shape of the bag looks awkward from a profileThis Bag would look alot better if it was upside down with a top slash pocketIn conclusion I'll say this, Kelty should stop making their bags from 420D polyester and start using 420d ripstop nylon or higher on their bags. Make the next Redwing 44 carry on size like it use to be, and add a longer torso length with some hip belt pockets also the inner lining of your bags should be made of 75-100d nylon, its pretty weak right now. And then I'll go back to being your customer in the blink of an eye ....so I don't have a had to settle for the Farpoint 40.Osprey, stop beating around the bush and make a better all around bag, Your Manta 36 AG is pretty good but due its suspension system the waist belt can be a problem when it comes to meeting the carry-on requirements and you can't stow them away. The Kelty Redwing and REI's Rucksack 40L has you beat in design comparison to the Farpoint 40.The only thing that's saving you it's the all mighty warranty and more durable building materials.I feel I wouldn't be totally different if you made the Farpoint 40 have the same futures and design as the Farpoint 55 at least that one has a detachable day pack and some straps at the bottom to hold a sleeping bag.Somewhere in between these two bags lies a great bag which unfortunately also has short 18,5" torso length and that pack is the REI's Rucksack 40

26.9.2018

I used this backpack as my carry-on for a two-week trip to Europe and it was impressive. I needed to carry a large camera--which had its own padded bag--and I brought a Microsoft Surface (laptop/tablet). This bag has a laptop compartment on the back, i.e., posterior if you're speaking anatomically. I was most concerned about the placement of this laptop sleeve/compartment as other reviewers have mentioned. My concern was mainly about creating a bend-type stress on the laptop. Since this bag/backpack is soft, i.e., doesn't have a rigid shell or internal frame I wondered if I stuffed it full of things it might cause stress on my laptop and break it.That concern was unfounded and even though I did stuff this bag full there was no problem with stress on my laptop. It's difficult to describe why, but it wasn't an issue.Since I'm on the short side, I bought the small version of this Farpoint, which is actually 38 liters. That size seemed perfect for my 5'8" frame.Here's what I loved:1) Excellent workmanship with tough materials. It's built very well and inspires confidence. Materials are first-class and zippers are tough and precise.2) Extremely comfortable. With two usable "modes" (backpack or bag), there is no compromise with it being a backpack. It's fully outfitted with stabilizer straps and a chest strap. When loaded it's extremely usable as a backpack.3) Super easy to convert between the two "modes." It literally takes about 10 seconds to go from bag to backpack and vice versa.4) Super comfortable side handle and top handle when using it in bag mode.5) Practical Design. As a bag, it opens like a typical clamshell travel bag--providing easy access if you need to open it all the way. It also has compression straps if you don't need all the space.6) Great price compared to other backpack/bags like this. I learned through my research that this type of solution is part of its own genre. There is an entire segment of the travel industry producing these types of backpack/bags. Frankly, most look overpriced and not as practical--although some have a sleeker look and look less like a backpack.7) True carry-on size for most airlines. Will fit in overhead bins.Insignificant Issue:1) The "Volcanic Grey" color is actually more like a deep green. Certainly greener than I expected or wanted. But it's such a great solution overall I can't really complain. I still love it.Frankly, this experience opens my eyes to the Osprey brand. I'm assuming this is representative of all their products and, if so, this is a great company with great products.***Note: I over-packed for my Europe trip and also had a spinner bag that I checked for my flights. I believe that with careful packing and leaving half my stuff home (stuff I never used), I could have made this my main bag--taking perhaps one other separate, smaller camera bag for my camera.***

11.4.2018

For reference, I am a 5'4 female of slender build. I tried on both the Fairview and Farpoint small vs large. I'm going to be honest, the colors of the Fairview did not really appeal to me, and the build of the bag wasn't "beneficial" enough to sway me in that direction regardless. I went with the Farpoint small.Okay, now trust me when I say I tried nearly every backpack on the market when narrowing down what to take for my 5 wk jaunt through Europe. I initially started with hiking backpacks before I made my way to travel backpacks. It's very hard to beat the simplicity of this bag that makes packing, storing, and transporting a breeze.At first I thought this bag needed more bells and whistles but after a few test packs for ease of access when I needed to grab something quickly, I knew this was the one. This is the only bag I will be taking (purse packed in) and I have been able to pack 2 wks worth of clothing (jeans, skirts, dresses, swimwear, my leather jacket, and everything from crop tops to button down blouses), shoes, makeup, toiletries, and even my portable speaker, cross body purse, face spin brush, AND DSLR plus gear so you get the deal. I am not trying to sell myself as a minimalist packer, and I still managed to fit it in w/ a little bit of room to spare. Why not buy a bigger bag you ask? Because I refuse to pay a dime for larger for luggage.So what are my problems with this bag? Same thing as many others have mentioned- the laptop sleeve is in the front so it pulls the weight away from your back. Solution? Im not taking my laptop (13in Macbook Pro) just my iPad. The front pocket sleeves? Yeah, they're pretty useless for holding a water bottle once the bag is fully packed. I'm using them to hold my inflatable travel pillow and towel, but personally I would have stuck the water bottle sleeves on the side for ease of access while walking. Which brings me to the last thing I wish this bag had- that little pocket on the hip belt to store snacks or a small wallet/passport or something. I like those types of items close on me and easily accessible so I don't have to take off the bag to get them. So this and the change of laptop sleeve location would make this bag 5++ stars for me, but I highly recommend this backpack. Like my headline says, it's hard to beat.(OH AND LAST THING: If you are expecting a blackish backpack for the volcano grey or whatever its called, it's not black. Not even close. It's a super dark strange green- although some people like it. I didn't. I returned it for the Jasper red.. which, I don't even know what that means because this is more like a orange rust color and it's gorgeous.)

4.8.2017

First let me say that I spend an abnormal amount of time researching and comparing luggage, particularly carry-on-sized backpacks. I own more than I should already, but I think I'm just in search of the perfect balance between capacity, portability, and guaranteed non-checkability. (that is, a guarantee that I'm not going to be forced to check it when I'm in boarding zone 4 for a full flight) I don't know if the perfect bag exists, but this must come close.I've now used this bag on a bunch of trips, the most noteworthy being a week-long trip to Seattle in February... yes - February. Long pants, long sleeves, etc... And it all fit! I pair this bag with a modest laptop backpack as my two carry-on items.

12.10.2018

First, I loved this bag. It looks great, the volcanic grey is a cool gray green color, and it holds a good bit of stuff. I liked the hip straps, and the shoulder straps are nicely padded and comfortable. The outside pocket has a nice lined area for wet clothes or toiletries. There is ample space for a laptop in addition to two outer mesh pockets for either water bottles or shoes. The construction is super solid, as you would expect from Osprey.With all these great features, there are still a few downsides. I think the main complaint I have is that they tried to do too much with this bag. The shoulder and hip straps completely stow away in their surrounding zip up pocket, which wastes a good bit of valuable space,

17.6.2016

I love this bag. I've used it on 2 trips (Tokyo, Japan and Portland, OR) so far and it is my new go-to travel bag. For 40L, it holds a surprisingly large amount of stuff plenty for a long weekend trip.WHAT I LIKE:- Inner straps in the main compartment to compress your stuff (bonus compression: use packing cubes!)- Outer straps to keep the overall bag together (relieves pressure on the zipper as well)- Bright fluorescent green interior makes it easy to see the stuff that you put inside the bag, especially in the front tech section (laptop / tech zipper compartment).- Nice suspension system with adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap, and waist strap.

7.12.2018

Must have for travel. This is the perfect size for travel. Never do rolling bags ever again! Seriously I bought myself and my wife these bags 1.5 years ago and they still look brand new, they function like brand new, we have used them on 4 trips so far. Hawaii (10 days) Japan (21 days) France (10 days) and United Kingdom (10 days). The max of stuff I have put in my bag is: 5 pairs of shorts, 5 short sleeve shirts, 5 boxers, 5 pair of socks 1 jacket 1 bar of soap, 1 100ml bottle of shampoo 1 100ml bottle of condition, 1 travel sized bar of deodorant, 1 large microfiber towel, 1 normal sized toothbrush, 1 100ml bottle of styling hair product, 1 60ml bottle of cologne, 1 travel sized hair spray,

8.10.2017

I bought this bag for a two month backpacking trip through Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. This was my first extended trip overseas and was the most important investment I made. It was perfect and I could not have asked for a better bag.Pros1) The fact that it completely opens up like a suitcase was not something I thought would be a big deal, but it made a huge difference. My friend had a top loaded bag and it made it way more difficult to find what he needed. I didn't have any problem and could easily access what I needed.2) I really liked the perk of the stowaway back panel. It made it easier taking through security, carrying through the airport, and stowing in the overhead or under the seat.

1.10.2017

I bought this bag based on a number of reviews I had read on Amazon and having watched a ton of YouTube videos videos whilst on holiday .Having read them I stared at my bright orange wheeled suitcase and wished I had the Farpoint 40 instead of my wheelie. Once again I had packed too much and didn't wear half the clothes which I had packed. Getting on and off ferries were also a nightmare as we moved twice during our stay in Greece and on one occasion the ramp into the ferry was so steep I thought I would lose my luggage, it was a real trial for me. I ordered the backpack on the penultimate night of my stay and received notification from he seller almost instantly.

1.9.2019

I bought this backpack before I took my first trip to the Philippines. I did a ridiculous amount of research and ended up going with the Osprey 40 and I'm very happy that I did. Fully packed, it won't slide under the seat in front of you if that's what you're shooting for but it does fit perfectly in the overhead compartment and I've never had a problem with it for carry on size in the United States or Asia. With this and a regular size backpack that will slide under an airplane seat, you can easily travel with everything you need for a long time with room for some small souvenirs along the way. It holds a 15" laptop and has padding for it also. I recommend purchasing some packing cubes to help save space.

17.5.2017

After a lot of research on international carry on, I chose Farpoint 40 in S/M.The off black color is sophisticated and subdue. I love the slight color contrast in different panels. To accommodate carrying for longer time, the backside of the backpack is meshed and padded with rigid foam.The laptop/pad sleeve is in the front panel for easy access at security check points. If you overstuff the pack, you will find that you can't zip close the main compartment with your laptop being rigid. You may crack the pad's screen by overstuffing, too. I wish the computer sleeve can be removed to make this compartment more versatile.There's no reservoir sleeve. However, if you must take your reservoir,

5.10.2016

If you are traveling with just one bag, this should be it! I travel a lot! I’ve been to nearly every state in this country and have been abroad on many occasions as well. When I travel I like to take one bag and never want to check luggage. I want easy access to my items, without having to unpack everything at every stop, and I want the ability to carry it hands free (because,after all, this is the 21st Century). After searching for the perfect bag that might meet all my needs I finally settled on this bag and I’m glad I did!Whether for an overnight trip or an extended excursion this bag has absolutely blown me away. I recently took it on a 2 week trip to Thailand/Cambodia where I found it fit all my essentials,

19.3.2020

I used the Farpoint 40 (gray color) while in Ireland and Iceland for a few weeks last year for onebag/carry-on only travel and it worked great without any issues during flights/hiking. I think its dimensions/listed specs were slightly bigger than the listed airline dimensions if I remember correctly (?) but fit in the bag size checker/had no issues. I also used it with packing cubes and a compression bag.I agree with many other reviewers about the laptop compartment location not being great for weight distribution. Instead, I used the laptop compartment as a travel document compartment which works well with the security type compression straps which can cover the zippers.

8.11.2019

Really great solid bag! This is a long review because i'm going to attempt to answer all the questions I had.I searched all over for the perfect bag. I tried on ones from patagonia, and so much more but I like the Osprey company. I debated between this and the porter for months. I just like the clean look inside of the porter better but I found this much more comfortable. If you're on the smaller side I would suggest this one because you can choose the size. I walked around for hours with this in Rome and found it great. I even have slight scoliosis and back problems and found the way it distribute weight to be really good. If you have the option I would try it on in person.

Osprey Farpoint 40 M/L - Reviews

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