Many people call the Farpoint 40 the “perfect” carry-on for longer trips, but some users have had comfort and quality issues right out of the box. The 40L pack does a great job spreading weight for long walks, though its stiff frame can be uncomfortable for taller travelers.
DVSS Scorecard
- DVSS Score: 82.92/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Excellent
- Review Count: 2,144
STRENGTHS
- Harness System: Transfers load onto hips for “9-hour bike rides” and all-day comfort.
- Clamshell Opening: Opens flat like luggage, making packing with cubes efficient.
- Laptop Security: The side-zip sleeve features a fabric loop for locking the zipper to the pack.
- Durability: Stands up to “one year” of use, flying “four times per month.”
LIMITATIONS
- External Pockets: Lacks ample exterior storage for quick access to travel essentials.
- Harness Flap: The cover flap for the stowable straps has no built-in mechanism to secure it when the straps are deployed.
- Strap Comfort: Taller users report the rigid frame causes the shoulder straps to “dig into the neck.”
- Quality Control: Several reviewers reported that the pack arrived missing a zipper pull tab.
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Contents
Farpoint 40 Travel Pack Maintains 82.92 Overshadowed By Quality Gaps
The Farpoint 40 Travel Pack earns an Excellent satisfaction rating thanks to its comfortable harness system, which many long-distance travelers praise. The harness helps users carry up to 15 pounds over long distances.
Our DVSS Methodology score shows the pack’s suspension is reliable, even though some people have reported missing zipper pulls. The design works best for long trips where you wear the bag a lot, but some users wish there were more padding near the bottom.
- DVSS Score: 82.92/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Excellent
- Review Count: 2,144
- Average Rating: 4.60
- Ideal For: Minimalist travelers using packing cubes for 1-3 week trips.
Harness System Distributes 15 Pounds Across Hips
The Farpoint 40 Travel Pack uses a strong harness system to move weight onto your core and legs. The frame and hip belt are described as “comfortable for extended use,” even when the pack is full for long hikes.
The waist strap is thick and puts “most of the weight onto your hips and not your shoulders.” The back panel is ventilated to “keep your back cool” in warm weather.
The pack is designed to carry up to 15 pounds comfortably over long distances. Many users say it feels “a whole level above” regular school backpacks.
The hip belt, chest strap, and padded shoulder straps make it feel like you’re “getting a comfortable hug.” This comfort is a big reason why people are happy with the pack over time.
Stowaway Harness Flap Remains Unsecured
You can fully stow the harness system, turning the Farpoint 40 into a simple duffel for check-in or overhead bins. But when you use the shoulder straps and hip belt, the stow-away flap has “nowhere to go.”
Users noticed that this panel stays attached at the bottom and can’t be secured. You have to tuck it in, but there’s no strap or way to keep it in place.
Some travelers use bungee straps or carabiners to hold down the loose flap. Many find this design flaw surprising “for a product of this quality.”
While the harness system packs away neatly when used as luggage, the loose flap can be a small annoyance when carrying the bag as a backpack.
Quality Control Fails to Provide All Zipper Pulls
There have been some quality-control issues with the Farpoint 40, especially with the zippers. Several customers said their new bag was “missing zipper pull which is quite important on a back pack.”
Others found the laptop compartment zipper was missing, even though it should come as a pair. One traveler had a side zipper buckle break the “first time” they used the bag.
Even with these early problems, the included zippers are “silky smooth,” and the bag itself is “very sturdy.” The zipper issue is an early quality risk, but it doesn’t mean the pack isn’t durable. The tough nylon exterior is “built to withstand the rough and tumble.”
Main Compartment Lacks Organization but Allows Customization
The Farpoint 40 has a big main compartment with very few internal pockets. The inside is called “pretty spartan” and “no frills,” with a focus on giving you as much space as possible. Because there’s not much internal structure, the bag “pides a gritos” (screams) for packing cubes.
The simple design lets you customize the space with your own packing cubes. There are internal compression straps to “snug down tight” your load and make the bag smaller. This helps the pack meet carry-on size rules, even when it’s full.
Exterior Access is Limited to a Laptop and a Small Top Pocket
The Farpoint 40 doesn’t have much exterior storage for small items you need often. Reviewers wish there were “an additional exterior zippered pocket” for travel essentials. The only easy-to-reach outside pockets are a small top pocket and a padded side-zip laptop sleeve.
The two mesh water bottle pockets are on the back panel, so they’re harder to reach than side pockets. When the main compartment is full, there’s even less space for bottles, making them tough to use. This design keeps the outside clean and snag-free, but it’s less convenient for organizing your things.
Laptop Sleeve Only Fits up to 15 Inches
The Farpoint 40 has a padded side laptop sleeve that’s easy to reach and protects your electronics. But the side zipper doesn’t open wide enough for bigger devices.
One user said the flap “doesn’t fit 16-inch” laptops, and the sleeve “takes up valuable main compartment space.” You can lock the laptop pocket with a small lock through a fabric tab, which adds some security.
The side-entry laptop sleeve is very handy for getting your laptop out quickly at the airport. Some users put their MacBook Pro 13-inch and iPad in a separate day pack, while the main sleeve held a larger laptop safely.
Farpoint 40 Travel Pack: Does It Secure Minimalist Travelers?
The Farpoint 40 is the right size for most airline carry-on rules, but if it’s packed to the brim, it can be “tough to get into the overhead bins” on smaller planes. Its firm shape keeps it from looking “sloppy and slouchy” when not full, but it won’t fit under a seat if it’s packed to the max. Travelers have used it for a “two-week trip to Japan” and “16 days in 4 countries,” showing it can hold a lot for one-bag travel.
Real-World Loadout Test
- Tech: Safely secures a MacBook Pro 13-inch and an iPad in the dedicated sleeve/a companion Daylite pack.
- Gear: Holds a week’s worth of clothes, a pair of shoes, a toiletry bag, and three compression organizers.
- Result: The bag maintains its carry-on shape, making navigation “much easier” than with a standard suitcase.
Quick-Fit Assessment
✓ You’re a Great Fit:
- You use packing cubes to organize your 1-2 week loadout.
- Your fully packed weight is under 15 pounds, making it comfortable to carry over long distances.
- You prioritize carrying comfort and harness support over quick-access external pockets.
✗ Skip This If You:
- Carry a 16-inch laptop in the dedicated sleeve.
- Plan to use the bag primarily for daily, upright loading.
- Need quick access to many small items without opening the main compartment.
Travel Minimalist’s Carry-On Anchor With Comfort Risk
The ideal user for the Farpoint 40 is a travel minimalist who uses it as their only bag for two-week trips. They probably use compression packing cubes to organize their clothes and gear.
The main risk is comfort—if you’re over 6 feet tall or have a longer torso, the rigid frame might not fit well. This user will appreciate the full clamshell opening and the comfortable harness when moving through airports or city streets.
Long-Term Global Wanderer With Packing Cube Discipline
Another type of user is the long-term traveler who uses the Farpoint 40 with a detachable daypack, such as the Daylite Plus. They keep the smaller pack under the seat and the main bag overhead. These travelers have adapted to the lack of internal pockets by using packing cubes. They accept having fewer external pockets in exchange for better comfort on long, multi-country trips.
Farpoint 40 Travel Pack Excels at One-Bag Travel
The Farpoint 40 combines the features of a suitcase with the comfort of a hiking pack, making it a top choice for one-bag travel. Its large main compartment and strong compression straps let you pack a lot.
The main downside is the lack of internal organization and a few external pockets. This pack is best for travelers who use packing cubes and prioritize comfort over quick-access storage.
Size Selection Guide
The Farpoint 40 is one of three main sizes in the series. Picking the right size depends on airline rules and how long you’ll be traveling, since each size is made for a different type of trip.
| Capacity | Total Volume | Use Case & Key Benefit | Primary Limitation |
| 40L | 40 Liters | Strict Carry-On: Best for 1-2 week trips where avoiding checked bags is critical. | No integrated day pack, limited internal organization. |
| 55L | 40L Main + 15L Daypack | Modular Travel: Ideal for 2-3 week trips; main pack checks, day pack carries laptop/essentials. | Main 40L pack is not carry-on compliant without detaching the day pack. |
| 70L / 80L | 55L Main + 15L Daypack (70L) | Extended Backpacking: Required for multi-season or 1+ month travel, easily carries 35+ pounds. | Mandatory checked luggage, large size is awkward for daily city carry. |
Farpoint 55L (40L + 15L Daypack): This option includes a detachable daypack, highly valued by travelers for day excursions or personal items on a flight. Users report that the day pack safely holds a 13-inch laptop and essential gear. The combined unit often needs to be checked as luggage.
Farpoint 70L & 80L: These packs feature a true backpacking suspension system with an increased capacity, often cited as being closer to 70L in effective space. They are built to carry loads up to 35 pounds on multi-day treks comfortably. These larger sizes are not carry-on compliant and must be checked, but they are necessary for multi-season or long-term global travel.
Ready to start your next trip? See the current price and availability for the Farpoint 40L and check out the Best Carry-On Backpacks (30L-45L).
