Osprey Farpoint 40 Review 2026: Still the Best Travel Backpack at $111?
By TripLab Editors · Updated June 2026 · 10 min read
Osprey Farpoint 40
$111
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is the travel backpack that TripLab recommends to almost every traveler who asks for a carry-on backpack recommendation. At $111, it holds a full week of clothes, fits in every US airline overhead bin, carries comfortably on your back for hours, and comes with a lifetime guarantee. We tested it across 3 weeks of travel through Portugal, Spain, and the UK.
The short verdict: it is still the best travel backpack at its price in 2026, and it is not particularly close. Here is the full breakdown.
Quick Verdict
The Osprey Farpoint 40 at $111 is the best carry-on travel backpack for most travelers. 40 liters, fits every US airline overhead, padded back system, dedicated laptop sleeve, and Osprey's lifetime guarantee. If you only buy one travel bag, this is it.
What Makes the Farpoint 40 Different
Most bags marketed as "travel backpacks" are either hiking backpacks with added laptop sleeves, or laptop bags with extra pockets. The Osprey Farpoint 40 was designed specifically for travel from the ground up.
The back panel unzips completely and lays flat like a suitcase, giving you full access to the main compartment. This is not a common design. Most backpacks require you to root around from the top, removing everything to find an item at the bottom. The Farpoint opens clamshell-style so you can see and reach everything at once - the same experience as opening a suitcase, but in backpack form.
The shoulder straps and hip belt zip away into a clean panel on the back. When you check the bag or stow it in a storage compartment, the straps are protected from getting caught in conveyor belts or baggage handlers. This feature alone has saved the Farpoint from damage situations that destroy regular backpack straps.
Farpoint 40 Scorecard
What Fits Inside
At 40 liters, the Farpoint 40 holds significantly more than it looks. In our 3-week test, one bag held:
- ✓7 days of clothes (3 tops, 2 pants, 2 shorts, underwear, socks) organized with BAGAIL packing cubes
- ✓15" MacBook Pro in the padded sleeve
- ✓Toiletries bag in a dedicated top pocket
- ✓Anker PowerCore 10000 and cables in the hip belt pocket
- ✓Paewok universal adapter and chargers
- ✓Running shoes (bottom), sandals (side pocket)
That load weighed about 22 lbs packed, well within carry-on limits. The padded back system distributed the weight comfortably across hips and shoulders. After 6 hours of airport-to-train-to-metro travel, there was no shoulder fatigue that would have been unbearable with a shoulder bag or tote.
The One Limitation to Know
The Farpoint 40 does not have a water bottle pocket on the side. This is a real omission that Osprey has not corrected across multiple design generations. You need to either clip a bottle to a carabiner on the hip belt strap or put the bottle inside the main compartment. For most trips this is a minor inconvenience, but it is worth knowing before you buy.
The hip belt storage pockets are also not large. They fit a phone, power bank, and passport, but not a compact camera or anything bulky. Again, minor - but if you carry a camera, plan on wearing it separately or keeping it in the main compartment.
How It Compares to the Competition
| Bag | Price | Capacity | Clamshell | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osprey Farpoint 40 | $111 | 40L | Yes | Lifetime |
| Peak Design 20L | $280 | 20L | Yes | Lifetime |
| Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 | $157 | 35L | Suitcase | Lifetime |
The Peak Design 20L at $280 is a better-designed bag for photographers and premium urban travelers - more thoughtful organization, superior weatherproofing, and modular attachment points. But at $280 for 20 liters versus $111 for 40 liters, you are paying 2.5x more for half the capacity. For most trip types, the Farpoint wins on pure practicality.
The Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 at $157 is TripLab's top pick if you prefer a wheeled carry-on over a backpack. Both are excellent - the choice comes down to whether you prefer wheels (Travelpro) or carrying on your back (Osprey). For cities with cobblestone streets, trains, and stairs, the backpack wins. For airports and flat hotel corridors, the wheeled bag wins.
Pack It Right: What to Buy With the Farpoint 40
BAGAIL 8-Set Packing Cubes - ~$19
The Farpoint 40's clamshell opening pairs perfectly with packing cubes. Drop in a cube of tops, a cube of bottoms, a cube of underwear. Finding anything is instant, and repacking is 2 minutes.
Check Price on Amazon →
Anker PowerCore 10000 - $26
Fits in the Farpoint's hip belt pocket. 10,000mAh charges a phone 3x over. TSA-approved. The mandatory travel accessory that fits perfectly in this setup.
Check Price on Amazon →
Paewok PD 2W Universal Adapter - $16
Works in 150+ countries. 4 USB ports so you charge laptop, phone, earbuds, and camera simultaneously. First thing to buy after the bag itself.
Check Price on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Osprey Farpoint 40 fit in airline overheads?
Yes. At 21x14x9 inches, the Osprey Farpoint 40 fits in every major US airline's overhead bin. On stricter budget carriers like RyanAir, verify dimensions before flying. On Delta, United, American, and most international carriers, it fits without issue.
Osprey Farpoint 40 vs Travelpro Maxlite: which should I buy?
For cobblestone cities, trains, and frequent bag-on-back travel, the Osprey Farpoint 40 wins. For airport-heavy trips, hotel corridors, and travelers who prefer wheels, the Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 wins. Both are exceptional at their price.
Is the Osprey Farpoint 40 good for 2 weeks of travel?
Yes. With BAGAIL packing cubes and one planned laundry day, the 40-liter Farpoint easily handles a 14-day trip as your only bag. TripLab tested it on a 3-week Europe trip without checking bags once.