Well I needed a new man bag for holiday most of my EDC rucksacks are molle type which are ok but the recon style bag is too small the assault version too big
And I didn't really want to draw any attention to myself
I did have a really nice camelback mountain bike rucksack but my dad managed to cover it in pu adhesive by accident decorating ....
So I wanted a bag to fit with the carry on bag rules... One that I could use on holiday and when back home for outdoor pursuits and look greyer than fog on a grey day
I was going to write a big review but people have beaten me to it
I have an Osprey Farpoint 40l Carry On rucksack. It's what I use when I travel away for a couple of days. It's a bit smaller inside than I expected. A lot of internal dividers eat up the space a bit. But they do come in handy. It has one main outside compartment, on the front, the full width and height of the bag. Inside that are dividers to put bits and bobs in. I tend to put collapsible water bottles in the front compartment/pocket. There's a small pocket at the top I put shades/glasses in. Looks like mine is the older version. I just saw a review complaining that they dropped the zippered front compartment. This is something you have to watch when reading reviews and buying bags.
I currently use the Osprey Farpoint 40L Carry On for shorter trips. It’s a really good backpack, although the interior is a bit smaller than I expected because the internal compartments take up quite a bit of space. However, they’re very useful for organizing gear. It has one large external compartment on the front that spans the full width and height of the backpack, with smaller pockets inside for various items. I noticed that my model is an older version — I recently read a review complaining that newer versions removed the zippered front compartment, so it’s something to watch out for when shopping and reading reviews. Now I’m looking for something newer, but I haven’t made a choice yet.
Kier10 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:12 am
I currently use the Osprey Farpoint 40L Carry On for shorter trips. It’s a really good backpack, although the interior is a bit smaller than I expected because the internal compartments take up quite a bit of space. However, they’re very useful for organizing gear. It has one large external compartment on the front that spans the full width and height of the backpack, with smaller pockets inside for various items. I noticed that my model is an older version — I recently read a review complaining that newer versions removed the zippered front compartment, so it’s something to watch out for when shopping and reading reviews. Now I’m looking for something newer, but I haven’t made a choice yet.
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Kier10 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:12 am
I currently use the Osprey Farpoint 40L Carry On for shorter trips. It’s a really good backpack, although the interior is a bit smaller than I expected because the internal compartments take up quite a bit of space. However, they’re very useful for organizing gear. It has one large external compartment on the front that spans the full width and height of the backpack, with smaller pockets inside for various items. I noticed that my model is an older version — I recently read a review complaining that newer versions removed the zippered front compartment, so it’s something to watch out for when shopping and reading reviews. Now I’m looking for something newer, but I haven’t made a choice yet.
Sounds like yours is the same as mine, and you have the same opinions about it as me. The front one with the zip I find good for collapsible water bottle(s) for the journey. There's a small pockets above it I use for shades. The inner large thin pocket I use for things like charging cables and medications (tablets).
I use it for 2-3 day trips away, eg visiting my mum. I took it to Japan, but I took a wheeled hard case as well. I took too much, but the rucksack would have been way too small on its own.
Frnc wrote: ↑Mon Jun 02, 2025 3:04 pmSounds like yours is the same as mine, and you have the same opinions about it as me. The front one with the zip I find good for collapsible water bottle(s) for the journey. There's a small pockets above it I use for shades. The inner large thin pocket I use for things like charging cables and medications (tablets).
I use it for 2-3 day trips away, eg visiting my mum. I took it to Japan, but I took a wheeled hard case as well. I took too much, but the rucksack would have been way too small on its own.
Yeah, sounds like we’ve got the exact same version — and I agree, that front zippered compartment is super useful. I also keep a flat water bottle in there, and sometimes snacks or a small notebook. Good call on the small top pocket for sunglasses — I’ve used it for that too, or a quick-access pouch with my wallet and documents when I’m flying. I’m now looking for something with just a bit more space, maybe 45L, but still carry-on friendly. Do you have any backup bags you use when the Farpoint isn’t enough?
Frnc wrote: ↑Mon Jun 02, 2025 3:04 pmSounds like yours is the same as mine, and you have the same opinions about it as me. The front one with the zip I find good for collapsible water bottle(s) for the journey. There's a small pockets above it I use for shades. The inner large thin pocket I use for things like charging cables and medications (tablets).
I use it for 2-3 day trips away, eg visiting my mum. I took it to Japan, but I took a wheeled hard case as well. I took too much, but the rucksack would have been way too small on its own.
Yeah, sounds like we’ve got the exact same version — and I agree, that front zippered compartment is super useful. I also keep a flat water bottle in there, and sometimes snacks or a small notebook. Good call on the small top pocket for sunglasses — I’ve used it for that too, or a quick-access pouch with my wallet and documents when I’m flying. I’m now looking for something with just a bit more space, maybe 45L, but still carry-on friendly. Do you have any backup bags you use when the Farpoint isn’t enough?
My next biggest is a Kelty 50l Redwing, 2018, (actually 55l as it's the larger back length) which think is carry-on. It has a big U zip for easy access. Front, side and top external pockets. Just a thin internal sleeve at the back. No wasted space. Side pockets have gaps behind, and small mesh pocket below, so you can shove trekking poles etc down the gap. It also has a bit of molle for strapping things on. I got this for my BOB because the Farpoint was too small. It holds a lot more. You can cram stuff in from the top like a trad rucksack, or open it up like the Farpoint. I'm not sure what's different in the later versions. I think they may have got rid of the front pocket.
Good thing about the Farpoint is it fits in the overhead racks on trains and planes. My hard trolly case won't fit in the overhead rack on trains. It went in the hold when I went to Japan. I only took it on a train cos I was carrying a suit.
