Best Carry on Backpack – Osprey Farpoint 55 [REVIEW]

Having a good travel backpack is an essential part of traveling comfortably. My traveling habits have changed since my trip to South East Asia, where I carried a very uncomfortable backpack full of unnecessary and bulky items.

When I researched the best carry-on backpack and what backpackers and digital nomads used, I came to the brand Osprey and its bags. And I am glad I believed those gear reviews and bought one for myself. Therefore, if you are searching for a good backpack, here’s Osprey Farpoint 55 review to help you decide which one to buy.

Best carry-on backpack and why you need to buy Osprey Farpoint 55?

When I was traveling to South East Asia, I had a hiking backpack with me. I admit that my travel gear was a cheap bargain, and my whole trip was on a meager budget; therefore, I didn’t want to pay too much for luggage. And after a while of being an “official” backpacker, I realized I had made a mistake. It hurt my waist and shoulders, and it started to rip and break down in some parts due to heaviness and abusive treatment from bus drivers.

Moreover, I realized that the top-opening backpack is so annoying on such trips as I had to unpack and repack every time I wanted to find something. For my trip to Croatia, I bought one that would be durable, comfortable, and with a suitcase opening. From what I have seen and read on the internet, everyone was satisfied with the Osprey packs. And I decided to give it a go. I am glad I did!

Osprey backpacks come in different sizes, shapes, and colors to satisfy almost every kind of traveler. They are lightweight, durable, and pleasant with a simple design! The Osprey Farpoint backpack has two great features – suitcase opening and a well-padded suspension system that hiking and trekking backpacks have.

Osprey Farpoint 55 review in-depth

Ok, let’s dive into a more detailed review of why I fell in love with this backpack.

Osprey Farpoint 55 size guide

One of the main reasons I chose the Osprey Farpoint 55 backpack is that the main pack is a 40L bag with a detachable daypack of 15L. This comes so handy! I don’t have to take another purse and a camera bag with me when I wander the streets of the city I am exploring. I can put everything valuable in that day pack and not worry about being robbed back in a hotel or hostel I am staying.

However, if you don’t care about the day pack, you can save some money by getting Osprey Farpoint 40. Farpoint 55 and Farpoint 40 are carry-on sizes, meaning you don’t need to check in your luggage; it perfectly suits the cabin. On the other hand, Osprey Farpoint 70 is a much bigger backpack and an ideal choice if you are backpacking the world and don’t mind checking in every time you travel.

The sizing of Osprey Farpoint 55 is a bit tricky. It comes in two sizes: S/M (60H X 33W X 30D) and M/L (63H X 33W X 30D). You can choose which one is best for your body by measuring your body parts and corresponding to the size guide. I am 175 cm high, and the S/M size fits me perfectly.

Technically speaking, this bag is a bit too big to be considered the best carry-on backpack due to the size guide of many low-budget airlines, but I had no problem taking it on board Pegasus Airlines, Vueling, or Wizz Air.

Osprey Farpoint 55 has a great suspension system

The excellent suspension system is what makes Osprey Farpoint 55 a convenient backpack to wear. I have waist and back problems, so one of the most important aspects of choosing a bag is its suspension system.

Shoulder straps are soft and well padded, so it barely hurt after a long walk with a full backpack. Moreover, they are easily adjustable to your taste. Its padded hip belt balances the weight on my whole body, which is a very rare find in other travel backpacks.

Most Osprey backpacks have an additional feature I find so helpful: both shoulder and hip straps can be safely zipped away so no one can treat it aggressively and ruin the backpack.

Osprey Farpoint 55 has a suitcase-opening

The Osprey Farpoint 55’s main bag opens like a suitcase. Because of such front-loading, you can quickly grab something you like instead of unpacking and packing again with the top-opening backpack. Trust me, it makes everything so easy and straightforward. Even my husband, Oto, who was skeptical about me getting this backpack, said that he would put his packing cubes of the essentials in my backpack the next time we travel together.  

The space in the main compartment is not huge, but it’s big! I could fit so much stuff here, including a dress for a wedding, sandals, gifts for my friends, clothes for 23 days, a hat, and all the other essential items.

Osprey Farpoint 55 comes with a detachable daypack

As I said above, one of the great features of this backpack is its detachable daypack, enabling me to travel light. You might think that walking like this might endanger me from thieves, which is right at some point. BUT, the daypack has one inside pocket on a zipper, plus the straps that secure the daypack to the main backpack prevent thieves from opening it up quickly. Therefore, I wouldn’t worry much about it, but just in case, always be cautious.

However, if you are still not comfortable walking around like this, you can detach the daypack and attach it to the front so your valuables are in the vicinity and no one can grab it suddenly.

Osprey Farpoint 55 turns into a duffle bag

In addition to shoulder straps and a hip belt, the Osprey Farpoint backpacks have two padded carry handles — on the top and the side. It might not seem like a huge deal, but this carry handle enables you to quickly unload or load. Besides, you can carry them as it is without putting them on your shoulders.

Final thoughts on the Osprey backpack review

I don’t think I need to say something more. It’s noticeable how much I enjoyed my Osprey Farpoint 55 on any of my trips. There are not many downsides; the only one I could think of is the inside space of the main backpack. It lacks pockets or organizational dividers, so packing cubes simplify everything.

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