Best Travel to Sydney, Australia for Family Trips Best Travel to Sydney, Australia for Family Trips Sydney is one of the best cities in the world for a family holiday. It has everything: iconic landmarks, kid-friendly beaches, fun wildlife encounters, and cultural experiences that parents and kids can enjoy together. Whether you’re visiting for a week or just a few days, Sydney is packed with things to see and do that will make your family trip unforgettable. Why Choose Sydney for a Family Holiday? Safe and family-friendly – Sydney is clean, easy to get around, and welcoming for children. Nature and city combined – You get world-class attractions along with beaches, parks, and wildlife. Activities for all ages – From toddlers to teens, there’s something for everyone. Top Family Attractions in Sydney Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay Start your trip with a visit to Sydney’s most famous landmark. Families can enjoy the open ar...
Honest Osprey Farpoint 40 Review: Is It Worth Your Travel Budget?
Introduction
Planning your next adventure often starts with packing, and for many, that means finding the perfect travel backpack. If you're tired of checked bag fees, wheeling bulky suitcases, or struggling with an ill-fitting pack, the Osprey Farpoint 40 has likely popped up on your radar. Touted as one of the best carry-on travel backpacks on the market, it promises to simplify your packing and enhance your journey. But does it truly live up to the hype? Having personally traveled extensively with the Farpoint 40, I'm here to give you the honest truth about whether this pack is worth your hard-earned travel budget.
Features & Benefits
The Osprey Farpoint 40 isn't just a bag; it's designed to be a travel companion. Here's a breakdown of its key features and how they translate into real-world benefits for you:
40-Liter Capacity & Carry-On Sizing: This is the flagship feature. At 40 liters, it's typically compliant with most airline carry-on regulations (though always double-check specific airline dimensions).
Benefit: Saves you money and time. No more checked baggage fees, no waiting at baggage claim, and less risk of lost luggage. You can get off the plane and go!
Stowaway Harness & Hipbelt: The shoulder straps and padded hipbelt can be zipped away behind a panel when not in use.
Benefit: Protects your investment and simplifies transit. Prevents straps from snagging on conveyor belts or getting damaged when checked (if you ever need to), and makes it sleeker for storage.
Large, Panel-Loading Main Compartment: The main compartment unzips like a suitcase, providing wide, easy access to your belongings.
Benefit: Effortless packing and unpacking. No more digging blindly through a top-loader. You can easily organize your clothes and gear, just like in a suitcase, but with the portability of a backpack.
Internal Compression Straps: Two internal straps cinch down your packed items.
Benefit: Maximizes space and keeps things tidy. Compresses your clothes to fit more in, and prevents items from shifting around during transit, reducing wrinkles and maintaining balance.
External Compression Straps: Two external straightjacket compression straps.
Benefit: Customizable capacity and security. Allows you to cinch down the pack when it's not full, making it more compact. Also helps secure the main compartment zippers, deterring opportunistic theft.
Top and Side Grab Handles: Well-padded and robust handles.
Benefit: Easy handling in tight spots. Makes it simple to pull the bag out of overhead bins, off luggage racks, or quickly grab it when rushing.
Lockable Zippers: The main compartment zippers have loops that can accommodate a travel padlock.
Benefit: Peace of mind and security. Protects your valuables in hostels, on public transport, or when leaving your bag unattended (briefly).
Laptop Sleeve (Back Panel): A padded sleeve accessible from the main compartment, often against the back panel.
Benefit: Secure tech protection. Keeps your laptop safe and relatively accessible without interfering with the main packing space.
Front Mesh Pockets: Internal zippered mesh pockets on the front flap.
Benefit: Organized small items. Perfect for toiletries, chargers, or other essentials you want to keep separate and easily visible.
Personal Experience
My Osprey Farpoint 40 has been a staple for countless trips, from two-week backpacking adventures through Southeast Asia to long weekends in European cities. What I immediately loved was how deceptively large it felt while still adhering to carry-on dimensions.
The panel-loading design is a game-changer. I used to dread digging for specific items in my old top-loading hiking pack, but with the Farpoint, it's like opening a mini-closet. Paired with a few packing cubes, I can easily fit a week's worth of clothes, toiletries, a pair of sandals, and even a small camera without overstuffing. The internal compression straps genuinely make a difference in creating more space.
Comfort-wise, for a travel pack, it's excellent. The harness system, while not as robust as a dedicated trekking pack, is surprisingly supportive for walking through airports or short jaunts to a hostel. The hipbelt really takes the weight off your shoulders, which is crucial when you're navigating cobblestone streets. I especially appreciate the stowaway feature – it’s invaluable for checking the bag (when absolutely necessary) or just keeping things tidy on a bus.
One specific instance that stands out was a trip where my flight was unexpectedly diverted, and I had to spend a night in an airport hotel. While others were frantically waiting for their checked luggage, I simply unzipped my Farpoint, pulled out my essentials, and was ready to go. That feeling of self-sufficiency and not being beholden to airline baggage handling is truly liberating. It’s also incredibly durable; after years of being tossed around, it still looks and functions almost like new.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
True Carry-On Compliant: Designed specifically to fit most airline carry-on requirements, saving money and hassle.
Excellent Organization: Panel-loading, internal/external compression, and various pockets make packing and finding items a breeze.
Comfortable Carry: Stowaway harness and hipbelt distribute weight well for short-to-medium distances.
Durable Construction: Osprey's reputation for quality holds true; this bag is built to last.
Osprey All Mighty Guarantee: Fantastic lifetime warranty provides peace of mind.
Versatile: Suitable for various trip types, from backpacking to city breaks.
Cons:
No Dedicated External Water Bottle Pocket: This is my biggest gripe. While there's a small external mesh pocket, it's often too tight for standard water bottles once the pack is full. You'll likely need to carry a bottle inside or clip it externally.
Laptop Sleeve Placement: While it exists, it's integrated into the main compartment. Some prefer a dedicated, external laptop sleeve for quicker access at security checkpoints.
Not a Hiking Pack: While comfortable for walking, it lacks the advanced ventilation and suspension system of dedicated hiking backpacks for long treks with heavy loads.
Limited External Access: Apart from the main compartment, external access to smaller items is somewhat limited.
Alternatives/Comparisons
Osprey Porter 46: A slightly larger (and often cheaper) alternative from Osprey. It has a similar panel-loading design but a less robust (less padded) harness and hipbelt system. Good for those prioritizing pure capacity over carry comfort.
Tortuga Setout 45L: A popular direct competitor, often praised for its excellent organization, laptop protection, and overall comfort, especially for larger individuals. It's often a bit pricier but offers a highly refined travel-specific design.
Deuter Carry On 28+5: A smaller, often more compact option for minimalists or shorter trips. While not a direct 40L competitor, it offers excellent carry comfort and smart features for those who pack ultra-light.
Who is it for?
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is ideal for:
Budget Travelers: Who want to avoid checked bag fees.
Minimalist Packers: Who can fit all their essentials into a carry-on.
Backpackers & Flashpackers: Who want the convenience of a backpack without the bulk of a large trekking pack.
Weekend Warriors & Short-Trip Enthusiasts: Who need a versatile bag for quick getaways.
Travelers Who Prioritize Freedom & Mobility: Those who want to move easily through airports, train stations, and busy streets.
If you're planning multi-month, heavy-load treks, or need a pack for extreme conditions, a dedicated hiking backpack might be better. But for efficient, enjoyable travel, the Farpoint 40 shines.
Ready to simplify your travel and ditch the baggage fees? The Osprey Farpoint 40 has been my trusted companion on countless journeys, and I genuinely believe it can be yours too.
Check the Latest Price on Amazon fir Osprey Farpoint 40 on REI
This review was last updated in July 2025. Prices, features, and availability are subject to change.