Osprey Fairview 40: The Most Versatile Women’s Travel Backpack

The Osprey Fairview 40L is a popular and go-to travel backpack for many minimalist travellers, weekend trippers, digital nomads and backpackers. It is compact enough for (most) airline carry-on requirements but spacious enough to fit essentials for short to medium-length trips. It’s a well-designed hybrid between a backpack and a travel bag that is super versatile. No wonder it has become one of Osprey’s best-selling models! Find out all the key specifications, top selling points and considerations for the Osprey Fairview 40.

Osprey Fairview 40: Introduction

I’ve owned my trusted Osprey Farpoint 40 for over 7 years, with its first test on my First Solo trip. My requirements at the time were that it is Carry-On compatible for flights, comfortable to carry and has plenty of storage. It quickly became clear that there was a favourite among Backpackers and that was the Farpoint and Fairview series, as I saw many in the Hostels I stayed at. It’s been thoroughly used and loved over many hostelling backpacking trips. So when my girlfriend asked me what versatile travel backpack she should look at? My first answer was the Osprey Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Pack.

Farpoint & Fairview Series

The Fairview and Farpoint series ranges from the 40L to 80L, with 55L & 70L options available. On top of the main backpacks, there is a day sack (15L) which integrates into the larger siblings. Plus, the 2-wheeled options come in 36L and 65L versions. Finally, there are several trekking variants which are increased in ruggedness and support in 55L and 70L for Men and the Fairview Trek 50L & 70L for Women. The Osprey Fairview 40 is currently offered in Zircon Red, Black, Winter Night Blue and Night Jungle Blue (above). The Fairview is available in one size but has Torso Adjustments to suit most people. In comparison to the review of the Farpoint 40 (older generation), this latest Fairview has the same features for both Men’s and Women’s packs and the updated are covered below.

Overview

Instead of traditional wheeled luggage, travel backpacks offer more agility, comfort and freedom to explore. The Osprey Fairview 40 has become a staple backpacking item thanks to its lightweight and versatile design. For me, having the right pack makes or breaks a trip. Who wants to drag heavy suitcases along cobbled streets or up hills when a convenient and reliable backpack is more suitable? The Farpoint (Men’s) and Fairview (Women’s) series offer technical backpacks with plenty of features such as adjustable straps and smart organisation. The Fairview 40 suits globetrotters who seek a lightweight backpack without compromising on features (see the long list below). A difference between the 40L to the larger capacity 55L and 70L is that they include a detachable 15L daypack (available separately). The trade-off for smaller volume is the carry-on compatibility for most flights.

Updates Design

The 40L capacity has front compression straps to squeeze the size down for carry-on compliance. My favourite part is the padded, comfortable shoulder straps and hip belts. These spread the load to your hips, making it much easier to carry luggage. The large front opening to the main compartment makes it simple to pack and organise compared to top-loading. Additionally, the laptop sleeve, fitting a 16″ laptop, has been redesigned to be closer to the back. This fixes the balance issue of my Farpoint 40. There is 1 front compartment with organisation sleeves, but it doesn’t have the smaller top pocket the older model had (a downgrade in our opinion). Also, the 2 mesh pockets on the front have been replaced by a much larger front Shove-It pocket (an upgrade!). Finally, there are 2 curved side zips into the main compartment for another option for easy and quick access.

Technical Specifications

Key Stats

• Capacity: 40L / 2441in3
• Length: 55cm / 22in
• Width: 35cm / 14in
• Depth: 23cm / 9in
• Size: One Size
• Weight: 1.55Kg / 3.411 Lbs
• Price: £160 / $185.00
• Materials– 450 Dernier Polyester

Key Features

• Foam AirScape® backpanel with LightWire Frame– This design, borrowed from technical hiking backpacks, allows for even load distribution and maintains effective ventilation on the back.
• Adjustable torso length and sternum strap– As with most modern backpacks, having adjustable straps means this backpack only comes in one size and can accommodate a wide range of users thanks to adjusting the torso length and straps. The Sternum strap also comes with the trademark integrated Osprey Whistle
• Lockable zippers– A very useful feature when storing in luggage rooms, on transport or in a hostel. The zip loops secure the main compartments effectively. I would recommend a lock with flexible wires for added ease.
• Padded top and side handles– There are multiple ways to carry the Fairview 4, with the strong and padded handles providing a suitcase mode compared to the backpack shoulder straps.
• Interior mesh pockets– In the front compartment, there are several zipped or flap pockets to organise smaller or thin items separate from the main compartment.
• Laptop Sleeves– Internal padded sleeve holds a 16-inch laptop or tablet, and a zipped mesh sleeve on the lid.
• Compression Straps– External straps let you compress the load, and internal compression straps hold packing cubes or clothes in place for better stability and a smaller size. This helps squeeze the pack into the stricter Carry-On requirements
• Compatible Daypacks – Whilst the Fairview 40 is not a suitable daypack, having the ability to attach the Farpoint/Fairview® Daypack or Daylite® packs to the outside gives more flexibility for exploring. An alternative is to use a collapsible day sack such as the Osprey Ultralight Dry Stuff Pack.

New Features vs Older Gen

• Large front shove it pocket – A design change from the older generation and more like the Atmos 50 or Hikelite 26. The shove-it is a spacious, easy access pocket. Great for storing food or an extra layer.
• Curved Side Zipped Access– The amount of laptop storage is impressive with 3 separate areas. The large zip near the backpack works well for documents, laptops or flat items.
• Hip Belt Pocket– A new feature is the small mesh pocket on the hip strap for small stowage item.

Osprey Fairview 40: Selling Points

• Durable Build: Made with high-quality, rugged and recycled 450-dernier nylon materials, the Fairview 40 is built to handle the wear and tear of constant travel.
• Comfortable Carrying System: Padded shoulder straps, a breathable back panel with AirScape technology and a 4mm LightWire peripheral frame make carrying heavy loads comfortable for long periods. The wide padded hip belt adds to the weight distribution along the back panel. The Mesh-covered foam AirScape back-panel also allows for maximum ventilation to improve comfort, too.
• Clamshell Opening: The main compartment opens like a suitcase, making packing and unpacking straightforward and efficient. The large and robust U-shaped zippered opening is much more effective than a top-loaded backpack to organise clothing.
• Stowaway Harness: The shoulder straps and hip belt can be tucked away behind a zippered panel/ This transforms it into a streamlined duffel-style bag, which helps with stowing in smaller spaces or checking in for a flight. It is quick to deploy the harness and straps, with the zip panel being rolled away seamlessly.
• Carry-On Friendly: Its size fits most major airline carry-on limits, which is a major plus for avoiding checked bag fees and waiting at baggage claims.
  
  ** As Airline change their baggage policy and get more strict, please check each flight if this bag is compatible as a carry-on to avoid a fine.

Osprey Fairview 40: Worth Knowing

• Limited Organisation: Inside the main compartment, there’s minimal segmentation. Using packing cubes is almost a must to keep things tidy. I would suggest the Osprey Ultralight Cube Set. One useful feature is the 2 internal straps, which help secure items. The latest generation has stripped back the sleeves and pockets further compared to the Farpoint 40.
• No Rain Cover Included: While the material is somewhat water-resistant, the pack doesn’t come with a rain cover—an extra expense for those travelling in wetter climates.
• Size Limitations: For trips longer than a week, or for those who don’t pack light, the 40L capacity might feel restrictive. Luckily, there are other sizes available, so check out which size is best for your travels for the Farpoint & Fairview Series.

Competition & Alternatives

• Osprey Porter 46: A similar layout with a bit more space, plus better laptop storage in the rear of the bag.
• Nomatic Travel Bag 40L: Sleek and highly organised, with lots of compartments and tech-friendly features, but more expensive and slightly heavier.
• Deuter Traveller 60+10: A larger pack with an expandable design, ideal for longer or gear-heavy trips.
• Patagonia Black Hole 32L: A smaller, weather-resistant option for day trips or ultralight travellers.

Best Use Cases

• Backpacking – My primary use for the Fairview 40 is for hostelling and interrailing trips. The longest trip was 10 days without doing laundry, so it’s possible to do over 2 weeks with lightweight summer packing.
• Airline Carry On Travel – Paying for checked hold luggage adds up! A Carry-on cabin bag is more versatile, cheaper and keeps possessions close at hand. Plus, time not having to queue to check bags and wait for them to arrive from the plane.
• Weekends Away – Mainly for short weekend trips to see friends or family, where I can quickly pack clothes for the weekend, it is my go-to bag over the 18L Osprey Hikelite.

Osprey Fairview 40: Kit Ratings

Final Thoughts

The Osprey Fairview 40L hits a sweet spot for lightweight travellers who want comfort, durability, and airline compliance. While it may not be the most compartmentalised option out there, its simplicity, ergonomic design, and versatile features make it a solid choice for efficient travel. The Farpoint & Fairview series have always been popular models amongst backpackers thanks to the range of size and options available with a good price normally to be found. If you’re searching for a multi-purpose Carry-on backpack, then it is hard to beat the affordable Osprey Fairview 40! And my partner is very glad I recommended this Travel Pack several years ago!

What is your favourite Carry-On Pack? Please share this post with fellow travellers and comment if you have an Osprey!