Ultimate Osprey Farpoint 40 + Daylite Review
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All right, so you’ve made the decision to ditch that old roller bag of yours and make traveling simpler by switching to carry-on backpacking. No more paying checked bag fees, waiting at baggage claim, or hauling 40-pound bags over the cobblestone streets of Europe. Now, you can breeze through airports, hop on and off public transport, and even explore nearby hiking trails!
But what bag should you choose? Well, having traveled across the U.S., Caribbean, Europe, and Asia in recent years, I have discovered the best carry-on backpack setup available today.
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is a perennial favorite among adventure, budget, and minimalist travelers. However, before you dismiss this as just another Farpoint review, let me explain how the Farpoint transforms into the ultimate travel bag when paired with Osprey’s Daylite pack.
ORGANIZATION AND FEATURES
Farpoint 40:
One of my favorite features of the Farpoint 40 is the large main compartment that opens up like a suitcase. Since the bag opens up suitcase-style, the stresses of digging through your bag to find an item is gone.
Now, some say that this bag lacks some essential organization, but this is easily fixed with the use of packing cubes. Using packing cubes in the main compartment of the bag allows for seemingly unlimited configuration.
Once your items are packed in the main compartment, the bag offers compression straps to cinch down your items offering a few extra liters.
Inside the main ‘flap’ of the bag, a large mesh zipper pocket is there to hold smaller items.
Outside the main compartment, the bag features a front stow pocket. This pocket is helpful for things you might need quick access to like a packable rain jacket. This is my least used pocket because I use the Farpoint 40 in tandem with the Daylite pack.
Next, we have a small pocket on the top of the bag which is useful for small items like a sunglasses case, phone, or keys (key clip included inside).
Lastly, this bag includes a large laptop compartment big enough to stow any laptop you may have.
Daylite:
When I am in transit with this bag attached to the Farpoint I like to keep it fairly empty to avoid creating unnecessary bulk. If needed, the Daylite has one main compartment that you can store things that just didn’t fit into the Farpoint. I normally store my water bottle in the main compartment of the Daylite because the Farpoint does not include any side water bottle pockets.
DAYLITE: THE PERFECT COMPANION
What sets this bag setup apart from other options is the detachable Daylite day pack. Throughout my travels, this bag has been the perfect companion once I arrive at my destination and can leave my larger Farpoint at my accommodation.
The Daylite is perfect to have when exploring your destination. It has two valuable side pockets for water bottles, enough space in the main compartment for a camera, a small umbrella, and any tchotchkes you may purchase throughout your day.
HIKING:
A feature I have come to really enjoy about the Daylite pack is the inclusion of a water bladder pocket. With this, I have a capable day hiking pack that is large enough to carry a full sized water bladder, food, some hiking gear, and two more water bottles in the exterior side pockets.
SPECIFICATIONS
- 40 Liters
- 9 in. x 14 in. x 22 in. (23 cm x 35 cm x 55 cm)
- 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)
- 13 Liters
- 7.8 in. x 10.2 in. x 16.9 in. (20 cm x 26 cm x 43 cm)
- 1.1 lbs (.49 kg)
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WHAT I’D LIKE TO SEE IN FUTURE MODELS
Although this two bag solution is my favorite backpack setup right now, it isn’t perfect. There are two changes I am hoping to see in future iterations. First I’d like to see side bottle pockets added to the Farpoint 40. Everyone travels with a bottle so why make us store it inside the bag?
Next, I’d like to see Osprey’s AirSpeed back system included. Once you have used an Osprey bag with the AirSpeed system it is hard to go back to anything else.
The added ventilation helps you stay cool on longer walks and warmer days. Osprey offers a special edition of the Farpoint 55 called the ‘Farpoint 55 Trek,’ which includes the AirSpeed system. Whether they introduce it to the Farpoint 40 or develop a Farpoint 40 Trek Edition, it will be a welcome addition.
CONCLUSION
The combination of Osprey’s Farpoint 40 and Daylite pack creates a carry-on travel system that is versatile, efficient, and ready to handle any kind of travel. With the large customizable interior and added convenience of a separate day pack, this setup is perfect for any traveler looking to simplify their journeys.
