Farpoint 55 vs Farpoint 40
Several posters have pointed out that the Farpoint 55 is just the Farpoint 40 with an Osprey Daylite daypack bundled with it. However, this isn't entirely true. The Farpoint 55 removes the laptop sleeve, top pouch, and front pocket, assuming you will be using the daypack for these features. However, it does have an additional internal organizational pocket.
Farpoint=mens
Fairview=womens
They are both on sale
expiredFly_Free_MD_Podcast posted Jun 21, 2024 09:20 PM
Item 1 of 6
Item 1 of 6
expiredFly_Free_MD_Podcast posted Jun 21, 2024 09:20 PM
Osprey Farpoint 40L Travel Pack
+ Free Shippingfrom $137.95
$185
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The material is very durable, and the carry straps are pretty decent considering they are stowable.
If you're not familiar with these types of bags, the 3.5lbs weight might be surprising, but durability comes at a price.
Some things to note:
- It's a frequent contender for best carry-on, travel backpack for one-bag travel
- It's not carry-on compliant everywhere; if you overpack it, you run the chance of having to check your bag
- It will not fit in the personal item "will it fit?" box, nor will it fit under your seat without sticking out, even when packed modestly
- Make sure to buy this newer version with the the laptop sleeve by your back - the one from the 2020s and earlier had the laptop compartment up in the front, which was not great for weight and compression reasons
If you want something that, when packed modestly, could still pass as a personal item for stowing under the seat, and has a laptop sleeve, look in the 25-30L range. My personal choice is the Osprey Porter 30.
I ran upon this handy one-bag comparison sheet [google.com] via Reddit a while back, and it might be worth your time to look at it if you are still considering your options.
These are my recommendations for backpacks.
Checked: 65-85L pack for the checked bag if backpacking. If you want is smaller, most allow removing the top, and they have lashing straps to secure the load. I always put my backpack in a laundry bag when traveling to keep it from getting the straps damaged in the conveyor belts. For car travel, perhaps you'd prefer a roller luggage.
Carry-on bag: Cheap and good. The frame is vastly inferior to the Osprey posted if you are backpacking and carrying it every where, but it's still comfortable to carry, and packed full it fits as a carry-on without the threat of being charged hundreds more dollars due to trying to circumvent restrictions with the bigger bag. Nice little luggage for a small sports car too. International travel often has bags 1" shorter than domestic, so pick accordingly.
https://a.co/d/0b4Ive9P
Personal item: This lets you take budget flights, like Allegiant, with no checked or carryon. It also packs away in a carryon or checked bag to work as a day bag at your destination. I own three since they make good dedicated bags (one for dog stuff etc.) and i buy them on sale for $20 when they come around.:
https://www.rei.com/product/22790...sh-18-pack
Now for a daytrip with kids and a dog that dont carry their own stuff, this 40L is wonderful. It will fit water, camera equipment, food, drinks, and can stow some jackets.
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I took 10+ flights per year and checked it in most of the time. It also qualifies as carry on, but most of the time I checked it in for convenience.
The small pocket on the front is waterproof and came in handy when my liquid soap broke once. Just rinsed it out and good as new.
The internal frame is quite convenient for helping to carry the weight. I used 2 medium packing cubes to help organize.
Now about the bag: Like others have said it's a versatile bag. My wife has used it on many trips including by plane and car. The shoulder straps offer very good support and adjustability. Even the handles on the top and side feel good to grip and lift the bag. I had one of the chest straps come frayed. I called them for a replacement and after sending them a picture of the damage, they sent me a replacement no further questions asked.
That gives you more flexibility + more storage capability, while still avoiding checking in a bag. And if I'm traveling in the US, I would want a smaller backpack on me to take places rather this monstrosity, LOL.
This Osprey bag seems like something you would ONLY use if you're traveling abroad and need to be more mobile, no?
For sure, if the goal is max carry without checking in, then it's hard to beat the wheeled carry-on plus personal item backpack + suitcase handle pass-through.
As you implied, a one bag solution like the Farpoint is a huge consideration when going overseas due to mobility differences based on the emphasis on walking, trains, buses, and non-asphalt roads.
That being said, I find that even when traveling domestically, the one bag setup is nice. Lots of small conveniences of not having a wheeled suitcase (or holding two bags) without the bulk, which comes in handy at stores, bathrooms, stairs/escalators, and generally having my hands free. Most co-workers head straight to the hotel or the airport during the large commute window, but I'm able to take a lot of extra detours, which is a nice perk. It doesn't work if I overpack, and it's not for everyone, of course.
In terms of a second bag for daily outings, the Osprey Daylite / Daylite Plus bags are designed to be stacked/compressed with the Farpoint, and while a bit expensive ($50/$75 sale price), the back support is great if you know you'll be walking all day.
That gives you more flexibility + more storage capability, while still avoiding checking in a bag. And if I'm traveling in the US, I would want a smaller backpack on me to take places rather this monstrosity, LOL.
This Osprey bag seems like something you would ONLY use if you're traveling abroad and need to be more mobile, no?
I'm not as big a fan of the Osprey 15L daypack because it lacks internal organization. For my personal item I prefer to pack a Swiss Gear 3598. It fits my 13" slim laptop, has great front-zip organizer. Sadly, it doesn't clip into the Farpoint, but you can cinch it on with the compression straps.
Note- unless you absolutely ridiculously over stuff it, it fits in nearly every carry on sizer. That's said, if you're of smaller stature (my wife is barely 5') it can look large; she's been tagged once to check hers while I (6' 200#) walk right through the gate with mine. Of course it fit the sizer, it (the Fairview variant) just looks bigger on her.
It's the luggage passthru that also uses the extra laptop padding as structure to make the luggage handle pass-thru work properly.
The basic padding for the laptop imho puts the laptop at greater mercy of it bending / cracking if this Osprey is nicedly packed with heavier weight stuff (meaning more than just puffy soft clothes).
Abeit the better padded bags for laptops weigh in at about 4.5 lbs unloaded.
This Osprey, even w/ the unremovable heavy hip belt, is 3.5 lbs I think I saw.
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That gives you more flexibility + more storage capability, while still avoiding checking in a bag. And if I'm traveling in the US, I would want a smaller backpack on me to take places rather this monstrosity, LOL.
This Osprey bag seems like something you would ONLY use if you're traveling abroad and need to be more mobile, no?
10 years ago the carry on limits may have been different though, and you can easily STUFF this thing so that it looks huge, so there's that.
I checked, I paid 157.95 from Moosejaw almost exactly 10 years ago in June of 2014. So this is a fantastic deal!
I subsequently bought the Ozone convertible backpack here:
https://a.co/d/0j40pLZz
which is of similar quality, but adds a detachable/convertible carry on, which tbh I never detach because it's kind of hard to reattach, but I do occasionally use it as a roller bag, and this allows me to bring three bags since I can also bring a personal item bag. It is also almost twice the price.
I would have no issues placing this under my seat but lately I've just placed it in the overhead so I can stretch my legs out forward since my flights are usually 5+ hours long and I don't like to feel so cramped because there's a bag taking up the limited legroom you already get.
-Due to weight (> 7 or 10kg limits), I always had to check my bag anyways so I never got to take advantage of using a backpack as a carry on.
-Carrying luggage over bumpy/cobblestone streets or up/down stairs wasn't as much as an issue as people made it out to be. I would have utilized roller wheels much more than backpack straps.
-The constant taking off/putting the backpack on (ex. crowded trains, buses, small stores) was a pain.
-When fully loaded and on my back, I had to be constantly aware of other people in crowded areas (bumping into people or thieves)
-I also had a personal item/messenger bag with me and that would have fit nicely on top of a roller bag, but i also had to carry this additional weight.
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I'm not as big a fan of the Osprey 15L daypack because it lacks internal organization. For my personal item I prefer to pack a Swiss Gear 3598. It fits my 13" slim laptop, has great front-zip organizer. Sadly, it doesn't clip into the Farpoint, but you can cinch it on with the compression straps.
Note- unless you absolutely ridiculously over stuff it, it fits in nearly every carry on sizer. That's said, if you're of smaller stature (my wife is barely 5') it can look large; she's been tagged once to check hers while I (6' 200#) walk right through the gate with mine. Of course it fit the sizer, it (the Fairview variant) just looks bigger on her.
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